Abstract:
A system includes a vial stabilizer base having a first body and a plurality of fingers projecting from the first body, with the plurality of fingers being annularly disposed about the first body, and a vial adapter having a second body and a plurality of arms projecting from the second body. The second body defines a passageway. The plurality of fingers of the vial stabilizer base defines a socket having a first seat configured to receive a vial and a second seat configured to receive the vial adapter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/982,054, filed Apr. 21, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to a vial stabilizer base with vial adapter. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a vial stabilizer base with vial adapter that can be used with a system for the closed transfer of fluids, a closed system transfer device, or a vial content transfer device. The vial adapter enables the accommodation of vials of different sizes in a system for the closed transfer of fluids, a closed system transfer device, or a vial content transfer device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Health care providers reconstituting, transporting, and administering hazardous drugs, such as cancer treatments, can put themselves at risk of exposure to these medications and present a major hazard in the health care environment. For example, nurses treating cancer patients risk being exposed to chemotherapy drugs and their toxic effects. Unintentional chemotherapy exposure can affect the nervous system, impair the reproductive system, and bring an increased risk of developing blood cancers in the future. In order to reduce the risk of health care providers being exposed to toxic drugs, the closed transfer of these drugs becomes important. 
         [0006]    Some drugs must be dissolved or diluted before they are administered, which involves transferring a solvent from one container to a sealed vial containing the drug in powder or liquid form, by means of a needle. Drugs may be inadvertently released into the atmosphere in gas form or by way of aerosolization, during the withdrawal of the needle from the vial and while the needle is inside the vial if any differential pressure exists between the interior of the vial and the surrounding atmosphere. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one aspect, a system includes a vial stabilizer base having a first body and a plurality of fingers projecting from the first body, with the plurality of fingers being annularly disposed about the first body, and a vial adapter configured to be secured to a medical vial having a second body and a plurality of arms projecting from the second body. The second body defines a passageway. The plurality of fingers of the vial stabilizer base defines a socket having a first seat configured to receive a vial and a second seat configured to receive the vial adapter. 
         [0008]    The plurality of arms projecting from the second body may be configured to engage a vial. The plurality of arms projecting from the second body may be elastically deformable. The plurality of arms projecting from the second body may each comprise an angled surface configured to form a snap fit with the vial. 
         [0009]    The vial adapter may be configured to enable attachment of a vial having a first size to a closed system transfer device configured to attach to a vial having a second size. The first size may be smaller than the second size. 
         [0010]    The plurality of fingers projecting from the first body may include a first gripping ridge configured to grip a vial, and a second gripping ridge configured to grip the vial-adapter. The first gripping ridge and the second gripping ridge each extend radially inward from at least one of the plurality of fingers projecting from the first body. The first gripping ridge may be positioned further radially inward relative to the second gripping ridge. 
         [0011]    The plurality of fingers projecting from the first body may be elastically deformable. The vial adapter may further include at least one retaining tab extending radially inward from the second body and configured to engage a vial. The plurality of fingers projecting from the first body may be spaced radially inward from a circumferential edge of the first body. 
         [0012]    In a further aspect, a vial stabilizer and vial adapter assembly includes a vial stabilizer base including a first body and a plurality of fingers projecting from the first body, with the plurality of fingers annularly disposed about the first body and defining a socket having a first seat configured to receive a vial and a second seat, and a vial adapter configured to be secured to a medical vial including a second body and a plurality of arms projecting from the second body. The second body defines a passageway. The vial adapter is at least partially received within the socket of the vial stabilizer base and engaged with the second seat of the vial stabilizer base. 
         [0013]    The plurality of arms projecting from the second body may be configured to engage a vial. The plurality of arms projecting from the second body may be elastically deformable. The plurality of fingers projecting from the first body may include a first gripping ridge configured to grip a vial, and a second gripping ridge engaged with the vial adapter and releasably securing the vial adapter to the vial stabilizer base. The first gripping ridge and the second gripping ridge may each extend radially inward from at least one of the plurality of fingers projecting from the first body. The first gripping ridge may be positioned further radially inward relative to the second gripping ridge. The vial adapter may further include at least one retaining tab extending radially inward from the second body and configured to engage a vial. The plurality of fingers projecting from the first body may be spaced radially inward from a circumferential edge of the first body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following descriptions of aspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an assembled vial stabilizer base and vial adapter in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the assembled vial stabilizer base and vial adapter shown in  FIG. 1A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the assembled vial stabilizer base and vial adapter shown in  FIG. 1A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1D  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled vial stabilizer base and vial adapter taken along line  1 D- 1 D shown in  FIG. 1C  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a vial adapter in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the vial adapter shown in  FIG. 2A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2C  is a top view of the vial adapter shown in  FIG. 2A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional view of the vial adapter taken along line  2 D- 2 D shown in  FIG. 2C  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2E  is a bottom view of the vial adapter shown in  FIG. 2A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a vial stabilizer base in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the vial stabilizer base shown in  FIG. 3A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the vial stabilizer base shown in  FIG. 3A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3D  is a cross-sectional view of the vial stabilizer base taken along line  3 D- 3 D shown in  FIG. 3C  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3E  is a bottom view of the vial stabilizer base shown in  FIG. 3A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a vial stabilizer base and a vial adapter attached to a vial in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the vial stabilizer base and vial adapter shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the vial stabilizer base and vial adapter shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4D  is a cross-sectional view of the vial stabilizer base and vial adapter shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a vial stabilizer base and a vial adapter attached to a vial shown with a closed system transfer device positioned for attachment to the vial adapter and vial in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a vial stabilizer base and vial adapter attached to a vial with a closed system transfer device attached to the vial adapter and vial in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5C  is a top view of the vial stabilizer base and vial adapter shown in  FIG. 5B  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional view of the vial stabilizer base and vial adapter taken along line  5 D- 5 D in  FIG. 5C  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 5E  is a bottom view of the vial stabilizer base and vial adapter shown in  FIG. 5B  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 5F  is a side view of the vial stabilizer base and vial adapter shown in  FIG. 5B  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  is a side view showing a step of connecting a vial to a vial adapter positioned in a vial stabilizer in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a vial connected to a vial adapter positioned in a vial stabilizer in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a step of removing a vial with a vial adapter attached from a vial stabilizer in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a vial connected to a vial adapter positioned cap side up in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a vial connected to a vial adapter with the bottom of the vial being inserted into a vial stabilizer in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a vial connected to a vial adapter with the bottom of the vial being secured in a vial stabilizer in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0045]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary aspects of the disclosure, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0046]    The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described aspects contemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0047]    For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary aspects of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-5F , a vial stabilizer and vial adapter assembly  10  according to one aspect of the present invention includes a vial stabilizer base  12  and a vial adapter  14  as described in more detail below. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-2E , the vial adapter  14  includes a ring member  16 , locking arms  18 , locking tabs  20 , retaining tabs  22 , and a passageway  24  defined by the ring member  16 . The ring member  16  is annular, although other suitable shapes for the ring member  16  may be utilized. The locking arms  18  and locking tabs  20  of vial adapter  14  are configured to securely connect to a cap  42  of medical vial  40 . The medical vial  40  may contain a medicament in fluid form or powdered form that needs to be reconstituted. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the locking arms  18  extend from the ring member  16  with the locking tabs  20  extending about perpendicularly from the locking arms  18 . Although three locking arms  18  are provided, any other suitable number of arms may be utilized. The locking tabs  20  define an angled surface  21  that is configured to engage the cap  42  of the vial  40  and deflect the locking arms  18  radially outward to allow the vial adapter  14  to receive the vial  40  as discussed in more detail below. The retaining tabs  22  extend radially inward from the ring member  16  and are configured to abut the cap  42  of the vial  40  as discussed in more detail below. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1D  and  3 A- 3 E, the vial stabilizer base  12  includes a foundation member  26  and gripping fingers  28  projecting from foundation member  26 , which define a socket  30  with a vial seat  32  and a vial adapter seat  34 . The foundation member  26  is disc-like in shape, although other suitable shapes and arrangements may be utilized for the foundation member  26 . The gripping fingers  28  extend about perpendicularly from the foundation member  26 . Although eight gripping fingers  28  are provided, any other suitable number of gripping fingers  28  may be provided. The gripping fingers  28  further include a vial gripping ridge  36  and a vial adapter gripping ridge  38  disposed within socket  30  and adapted to grip a vial  40  and vial adapter  14 , respectively. The vial gripping ridge  36  and the vial adapter gripping ridge  38  are formed as arcuate projections extending from each of the gripping fingers  28 , although other suitable arrangements for the vial gripping ridge  36  and the vial adapter gripping ridge  38  may be utilized. As discussed in more detail below, the vial seat  32  is configured to receive the vial  40  and the vial adapter seat  34  is configured to receive the vial adapter  14 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1D , the vial stabilizer and vial adapter assembly  10  is configured to be provided to a user with the vial adapter  14  at least partially positioned within the socket  30  of the vial stabilizer base  12  with the vial adapter  14  abutting the vial adapter seat  34 . The vial adapter  14  is releasably secured to the vial stabilizer base  12  via the vial adapter gripping ridge  38  of the vial stabilizer base  12 . The vial adapter gripping ridge  38  engages the ring member  16  to provide a frictional and/or compressive force that releasably holds the vial adapter  14  within the vial stabilizer base  12 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A-11 , the vial adapter  14  can be used with the vial stabilizer base  12  to aid in securing the vial adapter  14  to the vial  40  and/or to stabilize and prevent tipping of the vial  40  during transfer of the contents of the vial  40 . With the vial adapter  14  releasably secured to the vial stabilizer base  12  at the vial adapter seat  34 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , the vial  40  is positioned with the cap  42  facing downward and axially aligned with the cap  42 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the cap  42  is pushed into the locking tabs  20  with the cap  42  engaging the angled surface  21 , with locking arms  18  flexing outward as the cap  42  cams over locking tabs  20 , until the cap  42  passes a locking surface  44  of locking tabs  20  and contacts a retaining surface  46  defined by the retaining tabs  22 . The locking arms  18  spring inward and return to their original position and secure the vial adapter  14  to the vial  40 . Once secured to the vial  40 , the vial adapter  14  cannot be readily removed from the vial  40  without breaking or damaging the vial  40  or vial adapter  14 , although other arrangements may be utilized where the vial adapter  14  may be releasably secured to the vial  40 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the vial  40  with the vial adapter  14  attached is then pulled up and out of vial stabilizer base  12 . The vial  40  with vial adapter  14  attached is then rotated so that the cap  42  faces upward as shown in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the vial  40  is then pushed down into the socket  30  of the vial stabilizer base  12  so that a vial wall  48  of the vial  40  contacts the vial seat  32  and the vial gripping ridge  36 . In particular, the vial gripping ridge  36  engages the vial wall  48  to provide a frictional and/or compressive force that releasably holds the vial  40  within the vial stabilizer base  12 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A-5F , the vial  40  is stabilized via the vial stabilizer base  12  with the vial adapter  14  attached to the vial  40 , and the vial  40  is ready for attachment to a closed system transfer device  50 . The vial adapter  14  is configured to allow the closed system transfer device  50  to be secured to vials of various sizes. In particular, the closed system transfer device  50  typically is only configured to be secured to a single vial size and would be too large to accept the size of the vial  40 . The vial adapter  14 , however, allows the closed system transfer device  50  to be secured to a smaller sized vial, such as the vial  40 . For example, the vial adapter  14  may be configured to enable attachment of a 13 mm vial to a closed system transfer device configured to receive a 20 mm vial, although various size vial adapters are envisioned to accommodate a variety of vial sizes and a variety of closed system transfer device sizes. 
         [0054]    Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 5A-5F , the closed system transfer device  50  includes a pressure equalization system  52 , a piercing spike  54 , a fluid passageway  56 , a syringe septum  58 , and snap fit arms  60 . However, other suitable devices could be used with the vial stabilizer and vial adapter assembly  10 . The closed system transfer device  50  is attached to the vial  40  with the vial adapter  14  by pushing the snap fit arms  60  over the vial adapter  14  until snap fit tabs  62  of the snap fit arms  60  securely engage a locking ridge  64  disposed about the ring member  16  of the vial adapter  14 . During the attachment of the closed system transfer device  50  to the vial  40 , the piercing spike  54  passes through passageway  24  of vial adapter  14  and pierces a vial septum  66  disposed in the vial cap  42  enabling fluid communication between the interior of the vial  40  and the fluid passageway  56 , which allows fluid to be transferred via syringe (not shown) or syringe adapter (not shown) at a septum  58  of the closed system transfer device  50 . 
         [0055]    While this disclosure has been described as having exemplary designs, the present disclosure can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.