Patent ID: 7789871
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: A61J,B65D

Abstract:
1. A medicinal vial vacuum break assembly for reducing the incidence and propagation of nosocomial infections resulting from airborne pathogen vectors or airborne contaminants introduced into medicinal fluids contained in said vial by pre-pressurization with ambient air injected by a hypodermic needle into said vial in the process of withdrawing a dose aliquot of fluid from the interior of said vial, comprising in operative combination: a) an elastomeric stopper configured to fit in a neck of said vial, said stopper having an exterior surface and an interior surface, and a central web portion defined between said surfaces; b) a needle sheath secured in association with said stopper, said needle sheath having a sleeve portion projecting into said vial, said sleeve having perforations to permit said medicinal fluid to be accessed by said hypodermic needle when introduced into said vial through said stopper web; c) a bladder disposed in association with said vial to compensate for change in volume of medicinal fluid in said vial as said medicinal fluid is withdrawn from said vial, said bladder isolating external air for volume compensation from said medicinal fluid so that said vial does not have to be pre-pressurized to prevent vacuum lock; and d) an ambient air vent communicating with said bladder to prevent vacuum lock and permit said bladder to compensate for medicinal fluid volume changes without prepressurization of said vial with external air introduced by said hypodermic needle.