Dual Vial Adapter Assemblages for Closed System Liquid Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual vial adapter assemblages often suffer from user confusion due to the high resemblance between drug and liquid vial adapters, leading to incorrect attachment of a needleless syringe, which prevents the formation of liquid drug in the drug vial for infusion or aspiration.

Innovation Solution

A triple component dual vial adapter system comprising a first vented female vial adapter for the drug vial, a second vented female vial adapter for the liquid vial, and a tubular liquid transfer coupler creating a dual sealed lumen arrangement for gravitational flow and air venting, ensuring a closed system for efficient liquid transfer without the need for user distinction between adapter types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dual vial adapter assemblages use distinct drug vial adapter and liquid vial adapter designs, then functional differentiation is achieved, but user confusion increases due to high resemblance between adapters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional differentiationVSAvoiduser confusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making both the drug vial adapter and liquid vial adapter identical in design, allowing each adapter to function with either type of vial. This eliminates user confusion about which adapter to use with which vial, while maintaining functional differentiation through the system's overall configuration and usage protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If dual vial adapter assemblages use identical vented female vial adapters for both drug and liquid vials, then user confusion is eliminated, but the system requires triple component construction with intermediate coupler

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser confusion eliminationVSAvoidtriple component construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the dual vial adapter system into three separate components: a drug vial adapter, a liquid vial adapter, and an intermediate coupler. This allows the use of identical vented female adapter designs while maintaining functional separation through the intermediate coupler that connects the two adapters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediate coupler as a mediator component that connects the drug vial adapter and liquid vial adapter. This intermediate element enables the system to use identical adapter designs for both vials while maintaining proper functional differentiation and connection pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If gravitational flow is used for liquid transfer from liquid vial to drug vial, then transfer speed is improved, but air venting arrangement is required to prevent flow disruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer speedVSAvoidventing arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the venting function with the existing adapter structure by incorporating vents directly into the vented female adapter design. This allows air venting to occur simultaneously with gravitational liquid flow without requiring separate or additional venting components, thus maintaining transfer speed while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates immediate and efficient gravitational flow of liquid contents from the liquid vial to the drug vial, reducing user error and enabling quick release for infusion or aspiration, while maintaining sterility and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

a central sealed liquid lumen for gravitational flow of liquid contents from a liquid vial to a drug vial

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

at least one sealed air lumen radial outward from the central sealed liquid lumen for venting air displaced from the drug vial to the liquid vial for assisting the gravitational flow of liquid contents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir venting:

Data Source

PatentUS11642285B2Dual vial adapter assemblages including twin vented female vial adapters

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 WEST PHARM SERVICES IL LTD

AI summary

Dual vial adapter assemblages having a triple component construction as follows: a first vented female vial adapter for telescopic mounting on a drug vial, a second vented female vial adapter for telescopic mounting on a liquid vial and a tubular liquid transfer coupler for coupling the first vented female vial adapter and the second vented female vial adapter for establishing a dual sealed lumen arrangement therebetween. The dual sealed lumen arrangement includes a central sealed liquid lumen for gravitational flow of liquid contents from a liquid vial to a drug vial and a sealed air lumen radial outward from the central sealed liquid lumen for venting air displaced from the drug vial to the liquid vial for assisting the gravitational flow of liquid contents by creating a closed system between the liquid vial and the drug vial.