METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AN ANESTHETIC VAPORIZER

Abstract: A system is provided for the delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent (L) from a container (24) to an anesthetic vaporizer (20) having a receiving station (22). A valve (132) having an engaging member (134) is disposed in the receiving station (22). The valve (132) has an open position and a closed position and is spring-biased to its closed position. A conduit (500) is provided to transfer the liquid anesthetic agent (L) from the container (24) to the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station (22). The conduit (500) has a first end portion constructed for fluid connection to the container (24). The conduit (500) has a second end portion having a spout (550) constructed to engage the engaging member (134) of the valve (132) such that the valve is urged to its open position as the spout (550) is urged into the receiving station (22).

Description: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AN ANESTHETIC VAPORIZER Field Of The Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the transfer of a liquid anesthetic agent from a container to a vaporizer for administration of the agent to a patient. Background Of The Invention Inhalation anesthetics are typically volatile substances with relatively low boiling points and high vapor pressures. They can be flammable and explosive substances in both their liquid and vapor states. Further, inhalation of the vapor by healthcare personnel can cause drowsiness. Therefore, such anesthetics must be safely handled in operating rooms in order to minimize the risk of inhalation by medical personnel as well as to minimize the risk of fire or explosion. Anesthetics are typically dispensed in liquid form to an apparatus, such as an anesthetic vaporizer, which mixes the anesthetic with oxygen and nitrous oxide. The mixture then is supplied in gaseous form to the patient for inhalation. Devices or systems have been designed for the transfer of a liquid anesthetic agent from a supply container to a vaporizer so as to minimize the likelihood of spilling the liquid anesthetic agent. One system which has been developed for connecting an anesthetic supply container to a vaporizer is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,505,236 which is assigned to Abbott Laboratories, Inc., One Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-3500, U.S.A. U.S. Patent No. 5,505,236 is incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment of the system disclosed in the '236 patent, the liquid anesthetic agent is provided in a special container which is adapted to fit onto the vaporizer. The container includes a spout having a plunger mounted therein. The plunger has a distal end defining a valve member and is movable between (1) a retracted, open position, and (2) an extended, closed position. An internal spring normally biases the plunger to the extended, closed position so as to continuously urge the valve member toward the distal end of the spout and against a valve seat defined by an inside distal end portion of the spout at a dispensing opening. The container described in U.S. Patent No. 5,505,236 is adapted to be inverted and mounted on an anesthetic vaporizer having a receiving station defining a passage for receiving the container spout. An engaging member inside the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station passage projects upwardly into the spout and is adapted to engage the container plunger valve member. In addition, a valve is provided within the vaporizer passage, the valve being biased to a closed position. The plunger and the valve are selectively biased such that the vaporizer valve is opened, then the plunger is opened, as the container spout is urged into the vaporizer passage. This permits the liquid anesthetic agent to flow from the container into the anesthetic vaporizer after the container has been properly mounted on the anesthetic vaporizer, while simultaneously ensuring that the liquid anesthetic agent is not released from the container until the vaporizer is in a condition to receive the anesthetic. While the above-described system functions extremely well and has many advantages with respect to ease of use, safety, cleanliness, and quick connect/disconnect capability, it may be necessary in some circumstances to fill an anesthetic vaporizer from a liquid anesthetic agent container that does not have the above-described configuration. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent to a receiving station of an anesthetic vaporizer from an anesthetic agent supply container. The apparatus includes a conduit. The conduit has a first end constructed to be releasably connected to a discharge end of an anesthetic agent supply container. The second end of the conduit includes a discharge spout constructed for insertion into an anesthetic vaporizer receiving station having a spring-biased shut-off valve. The discharge spout is constructed such that it opens the spring-biased shut-off valve as the discharge spout is urged into the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the above- referenced apparatus, a container containing an anesthetic agent, and an anesthesia vaporizer receiving station having a spring-biased shut-off valve are provided. The first end of the conduit of the apparatus of the present invention is connected to the liquid anesthetic agent container. The discharge spout of the apparatus of the present invention is inserted into the vaporizer receiving station, thereby opening the spring-biased shut-off valve in the vaporizer receiving station. Next, anesthetic agent from the container is flowed from the container into the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station. Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings. Brief Description Of The Drawings In the accompanying drawings that form part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a receiving station on a liquid anesthetic agent vaporizer; FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partial cross-sectional view of a liquid anesthetic agent supply container in an upright position with an uninstalled cap shown above the container; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 3-3 in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the receiving station portion of the vaporizer with a removable stopper mounted therein; FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a combined engaging member and outlet valve structure which is mounted in the vaporizer receiving station; FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the conduit of the present invention with portions broken away and shown partially in cross section; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the flexible conduit and the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station; FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station showing the conduit discharge spout inserted into the receiving station; FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the connector discharge spout inserted into the liquid anesthetic agent vaporizer receiving station and shows the container of liquid anesthetic agent container inverted and elevated above the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station; and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative, valved embodiment of a spout of the present invention. Detailed Description The present invention provides a novel system which includes a method and apparatus for connecting an anesthetic container to an anesthetic vaporizer for filling the vaporizer. The system can be provided in a number of different designs incorporating a variety of different features and capabilities. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims. For ease of description, the system components of this invention are described in normal operating positions, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to these positions. It will be understood, however, that the components of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, and sold in an orientation other than the positions described. Figures illustrating the components of the invention show some mechanical elements that are known and that will be recognized by one skilled in the art. The detailed descriptions of such elements are not necessary to an understanding of the invention and, accordingly, are herein presented only to the degree necessary to facilitate an understanding of the novel features of the present invention. A portion of a vaporizer that can be filled according to the principles of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is designated therein by reference number 20. The vaporizer 20 includes a receiving station 22 into which a liquid anesthetic agent L can be dispensed from a container 24. Except for the receiving station 22, as described herein in detail, the structure and operation of the vaporizer 20 may be of any conventional or special design, the details of which form no part of the present invention. The container 24 includes a body or body portion 26 which includes a neck 28. The body portion 26 contains the liquid anesthetic agent L. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 2, neck 28 defines an exterior thread 30. As depicted in FIG. 2, container 24 may further include a conventional transfer ring 32 at a position below the exterior thread. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, a collar 34 is mounted below the transfer ring 32. The collar 34 is disposed for rotation around the neck 28 and may include one or more keying or coding tabs, e.g., a first tab 36 and a second tab 38. A cap 40, with an internal thread (not visible in FIG. 2), is constructed for threadingly engaging the exterior thread 30 on the container neck 28. Within the container neck 28, there may be optionally provided an internal seal membrane and/or spring-biased valve system (not illustrated) which is constructed to isolate the contents of container 24 from an external environment of container 24 until opened or activated. Opening of the internal seal membrane or actuation of the valve port preferably occurs in response to engagement of container 24 with an external engaging member, or in response to some other form of external activation, as described in more detail hereinafter. However, it will be appreciated that container 24 need not have any internal valve system or membrane seal in order to function in accordance with the spirit and scope of the present invention. The design of the container neck 28 and collar 34 may be, but need not be, in accordance with international standard I.S.O. 5360, first edition, 1993- 0215, entitled "Anesthetic Vaporizers--Agent-Specific Filling Systems" (Reference No. I.S.O. 5360: 1993(E)). As illustrated in FIG. 4, the receiving station 22 includes an inlet passage, well, or sump which comprises a lowermost or first bore portion 104, a larger diameter second bore portion 106, a still larger diameter third bore portion 108, and an outermost, threaded bore portion 110. A threaded stopper 112 can be provided for sealing the vaporizer receiving station 22 closed when the vaporizer is not being filled with anesthetic agent L from a container 24. In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 4, an insert sleeve 114 is mounted in the receiving station 22 inwardly of the stopper 112. The sleeve 114 has a large diameter first portion 116 received in the threaded bore 110 and has a smaller diameter second portion 118 received in the bore 108. The sleeve 114 defines an inner sealing surface 120 constructed to engage an O-ring 122 mounted at a distal end of stopper 112. The sleeve portion 116 can be provided with a predetermined pattern of slots, fins, or grooves 160 for receiving keying or coding features of a transfer device described in detail hereinafter. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, an O-ring 124 is mounted in a groove 126 in the exterior of the smaller diameter portion 118 of the sleeve 114 to seal against the cylindrical wall of the bore 108. The inner end of the sleeve smaller diameter second portion 118 defines a shoulder or sealing ring 128 for engaging a sealing gasket 130 mounted to the outer surface of an inlet valve member 132. Inlet valve member 132 is provided in order to seal fluidly an interior of vaporizer receiving station 22 from an external environment thereof. In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, inlet valve member 132 includes a pin 136 at its inner end. Pin 136 is constructed to be received in the first bore portion 104. In the depicted embodiment, inlet valve member 132 further includes a cylindrical portion 140 which connects pin 136 to an intermediate member 133. Sealing gasket 130 is provided on an upper surface of an intermediate member 133 of inlet valve member 132. As above- discussed, sealing gasket 130 and intermediate member 133 are constructed so as to sealingly engage shoulder or sealing ring 128 when inlet valve member 132 is in a closed position. Extending from the upper surface of intermediate member 133 is engaging member 134. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, engaging member 134 includes a fluted portion 144 terminating in a smaller diameter, fluted, engaging boss 146. In the depicted embodiment, boss 146 and fluted portion 144 define four, vertically oriented, grooves or channels 148 (FIG. 6) which are constructed to accommodate fluid flow. Inlet valve member 132 is operable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, sealing gasket 130 and shoulder or sealing ring 128 are in contact with one another so as to prevent fluid flow through inlet valve member 132. In the open position, sealing gasket 130 and shoulder or sealing ring 128 are spaced from one another, thereby allowing fluid flow past shoulder or sealing ring 128. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, inlet valve member 132 is biased toward its closed position. In the embodiment depicted in the accompanying figures, compression spring 150 is disposed in the bores 106 and 108 and is constructed to bias inlet valve member 132 toward its closed position. In the depicted embodiment, the upper end of the spring 150 bears against lower side of intermediate member 133. The bottom end of the spring 150 bears against a portion of the bore 106. The spring 150 thus biases the inlet valve member 132 outwardly toward an extended, closed position sealing against the stationary sleeve ring 128 (as shown in FIG. 4). Receiving station 22 is fluidly connected to an anesthetic holding chamber 158 of an anesthetic vaporizer of known construction. Thus, anesthetic delivered into receiving station 22 will flow from receiving station 22 into chamber 158. The delivery system of the present invention includes a transfer device in the form of a conduit 500 (FIGS. 7 and 8). In the depicted embodiment, conduit 500 includes a length of flexible, corrugated tubing 502 (FIG. 7) having a plurality of bellows sections 504. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that conduit 500 need not be flexible. In one embodiment, conduit 500 is a length of rigid tubing. In another embodiment, conduit 500 is a length of flexible, non-corrugated tubing, e.g., a polyvinylchloride or silicone tubing. Conduit 500 also can have a variety of cross-sectional shapes and sizes. For example, conduit 500 can be in the form of a length of flexible, corrugated tubing having an outer diameter of less than approximately 2.5 cm, e.g., approximately 1 cm. Further, conduit 500 can have triangular, rectangular, polygonal, or elliptical cross-sectional shapes. At one end of the conduit 500 is a connector 506 (FIG. 7) constructed to provide fluid communication between an anesthetic container 24 and an interior of conduit 500. In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 7, connector 506 includes a reduced diameter, annular portion 508 which is attached to the flexible, corrugated tubing 502. The annular portion 508 may be secured to the tubing 502 by means of heat bonding, adhesive, friction fit, or other suitable techniques. Annular portion 508 also may be unitarily formed with conduit 500. The connector 506 includes an increased diameter portion 510. The upper end of the increased diameter portion 510 is an annular wall 512 defining an internal thread 514 for threadingly engaging the liquid anesthetic agent container exterior thread 30. The connector 506 includes a lower portion 518 having a larger internal bore 520. Distal portion 518 can define one or more keying or coding slots 522, 524 for tabs 36, 38 on container 24. The orientation and construction of slots 522, 524 and tabs 36, 38 can be varied dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the anesthesia contained in container 24, in order to prevent the attachment of an inappropriate type of anesthesia container 24 to connector 506. Further, it will be appreciated that tabs can be provided on connector 506 and slots on container 24 without affecting the utility thereof. That is, so long as complementary keying members are provided on connector 506 and container 24, the desired keying function is provided. The container 24 can be readily connected to the conduit 500 by first removing the cap 40. Then, the connector 506 is attached to container neck 28. This attachment can be achieved by a threaded connection between connector 506 and container 24, or through the use of any other known connection methodology, e.g., snap fit or frictional fit. With reference to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in the accompanying figures, the conduit 500 can be rotated and/or the container collar 34 can be rotated so as to align the collar tabs 36 and 38 with the appropriate connector slots 522, 524. The container 24 can then be rotated relative to connector so as to effect threaded engagement of the container neck thread 30 with the flexible conduit connector thread 514. During relative rotation of the container 24 and connector 506, the collar 34 remains stationary relative the flexible conduit connector 506. The container 24 rotates relative to the collar 34 and relative to the flexible conduit connector 506 to permit a tight, threaded engagement to be obtained. At the other end of the conduit 500 is a fitting 530 which has a reduced diameter portion 532 attached thereto. The reduced diameter portion 532 may be secured to tubing 502 with adhesive, heat bonding, or other suitable means, or may be unitarily formed therewith. The fitting 530 includes an increased diameter intermediate portion 534 and an increased diameter flange 536. A bore 540 extends through the fitting 530, bore 540 being in fluid communication with the interior of conduit 500. An annular gasket 544 is disposed adjacent the fitting flange 536. A spout member 550 is disposed adjacent the gasket 544. The spout member 550 has an annular flange 552 which is disposed directly adjacent the gasket 544. A discharge spout 560 extends outwardly from the flange 552. An annular ferrule 564 is crimped around the fitting flange 536, the gasket 544, and the spout member flange 552 to hold the fitting, gasket, and spout member together as an assembly. One or more ribs 572 can be provided on the exterior of the spout 560. Each rib 572 is adapted to be received within a coding slot or groove 160 on the vaporizer. Ribs 572 and slots 160 provide a coding or keying capacity which precludes the delivery of an inappropriate anesthesia into the vaporizer 20. It will be appreciated that ribs 572 can be provided on the vaporizer and that slots 160 can be provided on spout 560 without affecting the utility of these keying elements. That is, so long as ribs 572 and slots 160 are complementary in construction, they will provided the desired keying effect without regard to whether they are located on spout 560 or the vaporizer. Spout 560 is constructed to engage engaging member 134 when spout 560 is urged into receiving station 22, and to move engaging member 134 inwardly as spout 560 is further urged into receiving station 22, thereby causing valve member 132 to move from its closed position to its open position. It will be appreciated that the force required to effect such movement of engaging member 134 will depend upon the compression force of spring 150. After the flexible conduit 500 is connected to the container 24 as described above and as illustrated in FIG. 8, the assembly of the flexible conduit 500 and connected container 24 can be fluidly connected to anesthetic vaporizer receiving station 22. First, however, the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station stopper 112 (FIGS. 1 and 4) is removed. Then the flexible conduit spout 560 is inserted into the passage 110 in the direction of the arrow 580 as shown in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated that insertion of spout 560 into passage 110 will require an alignment between ribs 572 and slots 160 if ribs 572 are present on spout 560. As spout 560 is inserted further into the receiving station 22 as shown in FIG. 9, spout 560 engages engaging member 134. Still further movement of spout 560 into receiving station 22 causes engaging member 134 to move inwardly, thereby causing valve member 132 to move from its closed condition to its open condition, thereby providing a flow path from container 24, through conduit 500, and into tank 158 of the vaporizer. Next, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the liquid anesthetic agent in container 24 is flowed from container 24 to tank 158. This flowing of anesthetic can be accomplished by elevating and inverting container 24 such that the liquid anesthetic contained therein flows by gravity into tank 158. If the flowing of liquid anesthetic is to be accomplished by gravity, conduit 500 is preferably flexible such that container 24 attached to conduit 500 can be inverted and elevated from its original, upright position in order to effect the gravity flow of liquid anesthetic from container 24. In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 10, the flowing of liquid anesthetic from container 24 into tank 158 is achieved by inverting and moving container 24, together with a portion of the flexible conduit 500, to a position that is higher than the elevation of receiving station 22, such movement being indicated by the arrow 584. During this elevation step, container 24 is inverted in order to permit flow therefrom. Flowing of anesthetic from container 24 into tank 158 also can be facilitated by a pump of known construction or by providing a container 24 that is of a flexible construction which permits container 24 to be squeezed, thereby forcing the liquid anesthetic agent out of the container. In order to facilitate the flowing of liquid anesthetic from container 24 into tank 158, spout 560 can be configured such that air is allowed to flow into flexible tubing 502 into the container 24 during the delivery of the liquid anesthetic from container 24. For example, the outside surface of the distal end of the spout 560 can be configured such that it fits loosely within the surrounding sleeve 114 so as to permit ambient air to flow into container 24 through tubing 502. As shown in FIG. 9, ambient air can enter the receiving station 22 through the clearance space between the outside surface of the spout 560 and the adjacent stationary sleeve 114. The ambient air then flows around the outside distal end of the spout 560, up the engaging member channels 148, and into the outlet region of the spout 560. The operator also can stop the flow of liquid anesthetic from container 24 into receiving station 22. For example, where liquid anesthetic is flowed by the force of gravity into receiving station 22, the operator can lower the container 24 and orient it in its original, upright position. If a pump is used, the pump can be deactivated, thereby stopping the flow of liquid anesthetic through tubing 502. Next, the operator can pull the spout 560 out of the receiving station 22. As the spout 560 is pulled outwardly, the receiving station valve member 132 will assumed its closed position in response to the biasing force of the spring 150. If there is any small quantity of liquid anesthetic agent remaining above the closed receiving station valve member 132. that small quantity can be sealed within the receiving station by replacing the stopper 112 (FIG. 4). Also, the system may be provided with an optional drain, having a removable cap 170 (FIGS. 1, 7, and 10), communicating with the bores or passages in the receiving station. This provides an alternate drain path for draining that portion of the system. It will be appreciated that the coding system for the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station 22 and flexible conduit spout 560 may be modified. The spout 560 may have any number of ribs 572, and the receiving station 22 could have a matching number of slots or recesses 160. Similarly, the spout ribs 572 may have different shapes or sizes, and the receiving station slots or grooves 160 would have mating shapes and sizes. Further, as above- discussed, the relative positions of the grooves/slots and the ribs/tabs can be varied without affecting the utility of these keying members. It will also be appreciated that the flexible connector spout 560 could be provided with an internal valve system for closing off the spout whenever the spout is not engaged with the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station engaging member 134. For example, the interior of the spout 560 may be provided with a spring-biased valve member and sealing seat similar to the valve member and sealing seat provided in the liquid anesthetic agent containers 24 and 224 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 13, respectively, of the above-identified U.S. Patent No. 5,505,236. In particular, a spring-biased plunger 90 of the type depicted in FIG. 2 of the U.S. Patent No. 5,505,236 can be provided within the present invention flexible conduit spout 560 for normally closing off an annular valve seat at the outlet of the spout (similar to the annular valve seat 98 in the outlet of the container spout illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the U.S. Patent No. 5,505,236). Similarly, spout 560 of the present invention can be provided with an internal, spring-biased plunger 600. Plunger 600 is biased towards a closed position by compression spring 602. When in its closed position, plunger 600 engages sealing shoulder 604. Upon application of an inward, axial force to plunger 600, plunger 600 moves away from sealing shoulder 604 and into an open position, whereby flow is allowed through spout 560. If spout 560 of the present invention is provided with a spring-biased internal plunger 600, then the compression force of the spring 602 associated with the spout 560 is preferably at least as great as, and more preferably greater than, the compression force of spring 150 in the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station 22. In such a design, the internal valve within the spout 560 will not open until the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station inlet valve member 132 has opened. This will insure that the liquid anesthetic agent can be discharged from the container 24 only if the anesthetic vaporizer receiving station inlet valve member 132 is in its opened condition. It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A delivery system for delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent to an anesthetic vaporizer, said system comprising: an anesthetic agent supply container defining an outlet through which a liquid can be discharged; an anesthetic vaporizer comprising a vaporizer receiving station through which a liquid can be dispensed into said vaporizer, said vaporizer receiving station comprising a valve, a first spring in said receiving station biasing said valve to a closed position from an open position, said valve preventing liquid flow through said vaporizer receiving station when said valve is in said closed position, said valve permitting liquid flow through said vaporizer receiving station when said valve is in said open position, said valve including an engaging member, said engaging member constructed to engage a member inserted into said vaporizer receiving station and constructed to move said valve from said closed position to said open position upon application of a force thereto; and a conduit having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion of said conduit constructed for fluid connection to said outlet of said anesthetic agent supply container, said second end portion of said conduit comprising a discharge spout constructed to engage said engaging member and constructed to urge said valve into said open position when said discharge spout is urged into said vaporizer receiving station. 2. A delivery system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said conduit is flexible. 3. A delivery system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said anesthetic agent supply container has a first keying member associated therewith, and wherein said first end portion of said conduit has a first, complementary keying member associated therewith, said first keying member and said first, complementary keying member constructed to engage one another when said conduit is fluidly connected to said outlet of said anesthetic agent supply container. 4. A delivery system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said vaporizer receiving station has a second keying member associated therewith, and wherein said second end portion of said conduit has a second, complementary keying member associated therewith, said second keying member and said second, complementary keying member constructed to engage one another when said spout is urged into said receiving station. 5. A delivery system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said conduit comprises a conduit valve having an open position and a closed position, said conduit valve preventing flow through said conduit when said conduit valve is in said closed position, said conduit valve permitting flow through said conduit when said conduit valve is in said open position. 6. A delivery system in accordance with Claim 5, wherein said conduit valve comprises a second spring biasing said valve to a closed position from an open position, wherein said spout is constructed to urge said conduit valve from said closed position to said open position upon application of a force to said spout, and wherein a compression force of said second spring is greater than a compression force of said first spring. 7. A system for delivering a liquid anesthetic agent to a vaporizer receiving station from an anesthetic agent supply container, said system comprising: a flexible conduit having at a first end portion constructed for fluid connection to an anesthetic agent supply container, said flexible conduit having at a second end portion a discharge spout constructed for insertion into a vaporizer receiving station and constructed for fluid connection to a vaporizer receiving station, said flexible conduit constructed to accommodate elevation and inversion of an anesthetic agent supply container attached to said first end portion of said flexible conduit when said conduit is fluidly connected to an anesthetic agent supply container and fluidly connected to a vaporizer receiving station. 8. A method for transferring a liquid anesthetic agent to a receiving station of an anesthetic vaporizer from an anesthetic agent supply container having a discharge end defining an outlet through which said agent can be discharged, wherein said receiving station defines a receiving passage having a first valve, a first spring in said receiving station biasing said first valve to a closed position from an open position, said first valve preventing liquid flow through said vaporizer receiving station when said first valve is in said closed position, said first valve permitting liquid flow through said vaporizer receiving station when said first valve is in said open position, said first valve including an engaging member constructed to move said first valve from said closed position to said open position upon application of a force thereto, said method comprising the steps of: providing a conduit having a first end portion constructed for fluid connection to said discharge end of said anesthetic agent supply container, said conduit having a second end portion constructed to engage said engaging member of said first valve; fluidly connecting said first end portion of said conduit to said discharge end of said anesthetic agent supply container; urging said first valve from said closed position to said open position by placing said second end portion of said conduit into said vaporizer receiving station and into engagement with said engaging member in order to apply a force to said engaging member; and flowing liquid anesthetic from said anesthetic agent supply container into said vaporizer receiving station. 9. A method in accordance with Claim 8, wherein said flowing liquid anesthetic step comprises elevating and inverting said anesthetic agent supply container above said vaporizer receiving station. 10. A method in accordance with Claim 8, wherein said flowing liquid anesthetic step comprises providing a pump constructed to pump liquid from said anesthetic agent supply container, through said conduit, and into said vaporizer receiving station, and using said pump to pump liquid from said anesthetic agent supply container, through said conduit, and into said vaporizer receiving station.

Inventors: GRABENKORT RICHARD W, KIRKEMO CURTIS L, GRABENKORT, RICHARD, W., KIRKEMO, CURTIS, L.
Applicants: ABBOTT LAB, ABBOTT LABORATORIES
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A61M16
IPC codes: A61M16