VESSEL FOR STORING OR COLLECTING FLUID AND DRY SUBSTANCES

Abstract: A vessel for storing or collecting fluid and dry substances and having a first connection member (14) through which the interior of the vessel is accessible by a device e.g. an injection syringe (16), for removing or adding material thereto. At least a part of said vessel is expandable and contractable. The vessel is further provided with a second connection member (19), which is interconnected or interconnectable with the first connection member (14) inside the vessel. The second connection member is connectable to a further vessel or transfer means outside the vessel, so that substance can be transferred directly between the injection syringe and said further vessel or transfer means in the interconnected position of said first and second connection members.

Description: A VESSEL FOR STORING OR COLLECTING FLUID AND DRY SUBSTANCES TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention refers to a vessel for storing or collecting fluid and dry substances comprising outer walls defining an inner space, at least a part of said walls being flexible so that said vessel is expandable and contractable and a first connection means on said walls through which said space is a cessible by an infection syringe or similar device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When transferring a liquid substance from a vessel, for example a vial, by means of an injection needle, or when adding a liquid to a dry substance for dissolving this and when further transferring the substance to the intended use, e.g injection to a patient's blood vessel or to an infusion bottle or the like, one cannot avoid that the injection needle, by which the liquid substance is removed from the vial, gives off aerosols and drops to the environment or that the persons handling the injection needle get contaminated. Especially in cases where the substance consists of cytotoxic drugs, radio-labelled and allergy-inducing substances it is for safety reasons important that the transfer of such substances from the v al to a patient, possibly by way of an infusion bottle, takes place under satisfactory conditions and also so that an air contamination of the injection needle during the transfer is avoided. Today vials or ampoules for storage of medicaments and the like are made of glass and the use thereof is associated w th drawbacks, for example the risk for cuts when breaking the ampoule is great. Since glass s a fragile material the vials or ampoules have to be packed very carefully, which means a complicated and space-requiring handling, storage and transport. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the invention is to provide a vessel, which is cheap and simple to handle store, transport and manufacture and which facilitates and makes the transfer of the substance to the intended use safer. This has been solved by the fact that said vessel is provided with a second connection means arranged for connection of a further vessel or transfer means, and that said first and second connection means each has a portion which are interconnectable inside said inner space in the contracted state of said vessel, so that communication is established between said injection syringe or similair device connected to said -first connection means and said further vessel or transfer means connected to said second connection means". DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a section through a first embodiment of the vessel according to the invention. Figure 2 shows the vessel of fig. 1 , in which the substance has been dissolved by a solvent from an injection syringe connected to the vessel. Figure 3 shows the vessel of ig. 1 and 2 connected to a cannula, vein catheter or the like. Figures --S are sections through a second embodiment of the vessel in three different steps of the handling of the substance as shown in figs. 1-3. Figures 7-9 are sections through a third embodiment of the vessel in three different steps according to figs. 1-3. Figs. 10-12 are sections through a fourth embodiment of the vessel in three different steps according to -figs. 1-3. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS • According to the embodiment shown in figures 1-3 the vessel comprises a first part 11 made of a flexible diffusion -tight plastic material and having an open end 12. It further comprises a second part 13 comprising a protective cover of a rigid material. The flexible part 11 and the cover 13 are each part- spherical in shape having the side edges surrounding their openings tightly attached to each other, so that they together define an elliptic or spheric volume. Man substances are delivered as dry substances, which requires only a very small portion of the volume of the flexible part 11. If the air is evacuated from the flexibel part 11 this is sucked into the protective cover against the bottom thereof The cover 13 is provided with a first connection member 14 having the shape of a Luer-cone 15 for receiving an injection syringe 16 as shown in fig. 2. The Luer-cone 15 is sealed by a plug 17, which is removed before the connection of the injection syringe. The first connection member 14 further comprises a male part 18 of a conical coupling extending into the co er 13. The flexible part 11 is provided with a second connection member 19, comprising a female conical part 20 extending inwards into the vessel and a male conical part 21 sealed by a cap 22. The parts 18 and 20 correspond to each other and can be coupled together in the manner shown in figs. 1 and 3. They are further provided w th side opening 23 and 24, which in the position shown in fig. 1 are located offset from each other and prevent communication between the first connection member 14 and the interior of the vessel. The portion of the flexible part 11 surrounding the second connection member 18 is provided with a stiffening plate 25. The substance contained in the vessel may consist of a freeze-dried powder 26. A solution of the substance is filled into the vessel, after which the solvent is removed in a freeze-drying process. The solvent vapour is removed through an outlet 27, which then is sealed. In evacuated state the flexible part 11 lies close against the inside of the cover 13 as is shown in fig. 1 , with the dry powder 26 contained in a small volume thereof. This is the condition in which the vessel is delivered and stored. When the substance 26 contained in the vessel is to be used an injection syringe 16 holding the accurate amount of solvent for dissolving the substance is connected to the -first connection member 14 after which the flexible part 11 is slightly twisted with respect to the cover 13, so that the openings 23 and 24 will be located just opposite each other and allow communication between the first connection member 14 and the interior of the vessel. After dissolving the substance (-fig.2) the desired volume of solution is filled into the syringe 16 and the conical parts 18 and 20 are coupled together, at which the flexible part 11 is slightly twisted with respected to the cover 13, so that the openings 23 and 24 are located offset with respect to each other. The coupling part 21 can be connected to a corresponding coupling part 28- of a patient's vein catheter, cannul , infusion or transfusion assembly or the like (fig. 3) and the solution contained in the syringe 16 can be transferred directly through the connection members 14 and 18 to any vessel connected to coupling part 28. The embodiment of figs. 1-3 can be modified and have a first connection member 14 with a membrane, which can be penetrated by a needle attached to a syringe. When the conical parts 18 and 20 are interconnected ( ig. 1 ) they prevent any contact between the needle and the walls of the flexible part. The second connection member 19 may also be provided with a membrane, which can be penetrated by said needle. In the embodiment shown in figs. 4-6 the first connection member 14 has a membrane 29 covered by a removeable sealing cap 30 or the like. An outer ring-shaped member 31 is tele¬ scoped on a cylindric part 32 the first connection member. A hollow needle 33 is attached to said cylindric part 32. After removal of the sealing cap 30 the membrane 16 can be wiped off with an antiseptic solution if desired. The second connection member 19 is provided with a membrane 34 serving as a sealing. The first and second connection members 14 and 19 are in erconnec ed by a spring member 35. The second connection member 19 is further provided with a coupling part 21 for connection with a corresponding coupling part 28 of a patient's vein catheter, cannula, an infusion assembly or the like . A needle of an injection syringe may be inserted through the membrane 16 and into the vessel 11 , 13 for adding and removing material thereto. However in cases the substance stored in the vessel is toxic and it s desired to protect the nursing staff from all contact therewith an encapsulated cannula member 36 of the kind shown in US-A-4.324.030 s connected to the connection member 14 with the ring 31 in extended position as is shown in fig. 5. The ring 31 has a bayonet coupling 37 corresponding to the coupling means 38 provided on the member 36, which s provided with a membrane 39. When the member 36 is connected to the connection member 14 the membranes 29 and 39 are located close together and prevent any leakage therebetween. An injection syringe may be attached to the encapsulated cannula member 36 for adding solvent to the vessel and removing the dissolved substance therefrom via the cannula 42. The flexible " part 11 of the vessel is then returned to its evacuated position inside the protective cover 13 ( flg .6 ) . By manually pressing the plate 25 supporting the second connection member 21 towards the first connection member 14 against the action of the spring member 35 the needle 33 is brought to penetrate the membrane 34 of the second connection member 19 (f g. 6) . The substance contained n the injection syringe 16 can now be transferred directly to any vessel connected to the coupling part 21. When the manual pressure on the plate 25 is released the needle 33 returns to its position inside the membrane 34 and the coupling parts 21 and 28 can be disconnected. If it is desired to prevent any leakage of substance between the coupling parts 21 and 28 when these are disconnected the coupling part 21 can be designed in the manner shown in figs. 7-9 to permit the connection of a membrane-provided connector 53 coupled to the coupling part 28. In the embodiment disclosed in figs. 7-9 the vessel 11 is designed as a bellows having two rigid end plates 40 and 41 provided with the first and second connection members 14 and 19 respectively. The first connection member 14 comprises an encapsulated cannula member of similar kind as disclosed in f gs. 5 and 6. It has a lock washer 43 for permanent connection of an injection syringe 16. It urther comprises a cannula 42 attached in telescoping members 44 and 45. A short portion 46 of the inner telescoping part 44 extends into the vessel 11 and is at its inner end sealed by a membrane 47. A peg 48 with two locking members 48 ' and 48' ' prevents that the telescoping parts unintentionally are retracted so that the cannula 42 penetrates the membrane 47. The second connection member 19 has a short inner portion 49 • which is interconnectable with the portion 46 of the first connection member 14. It further has an external portion 50 provided with coupling means 51 , such as a bayonet coupling, and a membrane 52. The coupling means 51 is connectable to a connector 53, e.g. of the kind disclosed in the US-A- , 64 , 054 , which is connected to a cannula, vein catheter or the like. The connector 53 has a membrane 54. Upon removing the first locking member 48' of the peg 48 the telescoping members 4-4 and 45 can be retracted to the position shown in fig. 8, in which the cannula 42 penetrates the membrane but is prevented to reach the membrane 52. When the substance contained in the vessel 11 has been dissolved by a solvent from the injection syringe 16 and then sucked up into the injection syringe, the portions 46 and 49 of the first and second connection members 14 and 19 are connected, the second locking member 48" of the peg 48 is removed and the cannula 42 can penetrate the membranes 52 and 54, after which the dissolved substance can be transferred to any vessel connected to the connector 53. After the transfer of the substance the connector 53 and the coupling means 51 of the second connection member 19 are disconnected and the vessel 11 and the injection syringe 16 attached thereto are disposed together as a closed unit avoiding any leakage therefrom. The embodiment disclosed in figs. 10-12 in some respects is similar to the one shown in figs. 1-3, but differs therefrom by the fact that it instead of the coupling part 21 is provided with a cannula 54, which during transport and storing is received in a rigid protective member 55 located adjacent to the second connection member 19. The dry substance contained in the vessel 11 , 13 is dissolved by a solvent from an injection syringe 16 in the corresponding way as described with reference to figs. 1-3. The dissolved substance is sucked into the syringe 16 after which the cannula 54 is moved to the second connection member 19 and the conical inner portions 56 and 57 of the first and second connection members 14 and 19 are interconnected, at which the cannula 54 penetrates the membrane 58 of the second connection member 19. The substance can now be transferred to any vessel connected to the second connection member 19. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described but a plurality of variants are possible within the scope of the claims. The flexible part 11 can of course be designed in other ways as has been shown here, for example as a plastic bag provided with a rigid plate or the like at the location of the connection members. The injection syringe may further be permanently attached to the first connection mamber and be delivered as an integrated unit with the vessel. The vessel according to the invention may also be used as a collecting vessel at e.g. blood sampling. In this case the second connection member 19 s connected to a cannula or vein catheter communicating with a patient's blood vessel. A blood sample is transferred to the vessel by means of an injection syringe or the like connected to the first connection member 14. The sample is stored and transported in the vessel to the analysis laboratory or other use. •

Claims: C A I M S 1. A vessel for storing or collecting fluid and dry substances comprising outer walls defining an inner space, at least a part of said walls being flexible so that said vessel is expandable and coπtractable and a first connection means (14) on said walls through which said space is accessible by an injection syringe (16) or similair device, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that said vessel is provided with a second connection means (19) arranged for connection of a further vessel or transfer means, and that said first (14) and second connection means (19) each has a portion ( 18 , 20 ; 33 , 34 ; 6 , 49 ; 56 , 7 ) which are interconnectable inside said inner space in the contracted state of said vessel, so that communication is established between said injection syringe (16) or similar device connected to said first connection means and said further vessel or transfer means connected to said second connection means (19) . 2. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that the interconnectable portions of said first (14) and second connection members (19) located inside the vessel are provided with at least one side opening (23,24) each admitting fluid communication, which opening is closeable in at least one interconnected position of said interconnectable portions. 3. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that said first connection member (14) is provided with a perforateable sealing member (29;47) . 4. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that said second connection member (19) is provided with a perforateble sealing member (34;52;58) . 5. A vessel as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that said first connection member (14) is telescopic having one fixed part (44) to which said sealing member (47) is attached and one movable part (45) having coupling means (43) for connection of an injection syringe (16) or a member attached to an injection syringe. 6. A vessel as claimed in claims 4 and 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that a puncturing member (42) for penetrating the sealing member (47) o said second connection member (19) is attached to said first connection member ( 14) . 7. A vessel as claimed in claims 5 and 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that said puncturing member (42) is received within said telescoping parts (44,45) in their extended position and in a first etracted position thereof is brought to penetrate the sealing member (47) of the first connection member (14) and in a second retracted position is brought to penetrate the sealing member (52) of the second connection member (19) in the inter onnected position of the first and second connection members . 8. A vessel as claimed in claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that a spring member (35) extends between said first and second connection members (14, 19) , said spring member surrounding said puncturing member (33;54) . 9. A vessel as claimed in claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that the spring force of said spring member (35) is arranged to keep the point of the puncturing member (33) inside the sealing member (34) of the' second connection member ( 19 ) and that an external pressure is required for bringing said point to penetrate said sealing member. 10. A vessel as claimed in claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that a rigid protective member (55) for receiving the point of the puncturing member (54) is attached to the vessel adjacent to said second connection member (19) , the flexibility of the vessel permitting said point to be moved from said protective member to the said second connection member.

Inventors: GUSTAVSSON BENGT, LINDER LARS-ERIK, GUSTAVSSON, BENGT, LINDER, LARS-ERIK
Applicants: GUSTAVSSON BENGT, LINDER LARS ERIK, GUSTAVSSON, BENGT, LINDER, LARS-ERIK
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A61J1
IPC codes: A61J1, A61J3