Abstract:
Disclosed is a fluid transfer system for transferring a substance from one vessel to another vessel while avoiding leakage of liquid and gas contaminants. The transfer system includes a needle safe design that is facilitated by a housing that shrouds a tip of a fluid transfer cannula such that the cannula tip is not exposed for inadvertent puncture. This feature may also be enhanced by use of a blunt tipped cannula. The fluid transfer system permits multiple access by enabling the easy swabbing of a septum prior to use.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENTS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/435,274, filed May 15, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,491 which claimed the benefit of priority under U.S.C. §119(e) of the following co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Applications: (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/681,083 entitled “Medical Substance Transfer System”, filed May 13, 2005; (2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/685,193 entitled “Medical Substance Transfer System”, filed May 26, 2005; and (3) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/724,638 entitled “Medical Substance Transfer System”, filed Oct. 7, 2005. Priority of the aforementioned filing dates is hereby claimed, and the full disclosures of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a needle-stick safe fluid transfer system for preventing inadvertent exposure to chemicals or drugs or aerosolized components of the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a means of connecting two separate devices to enable bi-directional fluid flow without the unintended exposure or risk of puncture. 
     Pharmaceuticals and chemicals (i.e. antineoplastics, cytotoxins, antivirals, antibiotics and radio-pharmaceuticals) are quite beneficial in the treatment of disease. However, they may cause problems for the healthcare personnel handling them. The drugs can be quite dangerous and caustic. Thus, in the preparation and administration of drugs intended for injection or infusion, special considerations must be made for safety. Inadvertent and unintended exposure can lead to serious consequences. 
     Aerosolization of these drugs during the preparation phase is well documented. Studies have shown residual drug to be found on work surfaces, trays, floors, vials, and outside those areas where preparation is performed. During the administration phase it is not uncommon for personnel to come into contact with these drugs through spills, inadvertent contact and residual drug remaining on surfaces. Furthermore, studies have shown the presence of these drugs in the urine of healthcare personnel. Serious complications can occur due to exposure. Such complications include liver damage, leukemia, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, skin cancer, miscarriages, malformation and low birth weight. 
     In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved fluid transfer systems that prevent inadvertent exposure to harmful materials, such as chemicals or drugs or aerosolized components of such drugs. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is a fluid transfer system for transferring a substance from one vessel to another vessel while avoiding leakage of liquid and gas contaminants. The transfer system includes a needle safe design that is facilitated by a housing that shrouds a tip of a fluid transfer cannula such that the cannula tip is not exposed for inadvertent puncture. This feature may also be enhanced by use of a blunt tipped cannula. The fluid transfer system permits multiple access by enabling the easy swabbing of a septum prior to use. 
     In one embodiment, the medical substance transfer system includes a transfer device and a receiver device adapted to removably couple to the transfer device. The transfer device can include, for example, at least the following: (1) a transfer housing defining an interior chamber; (2) a first septum movably disposed in a distal end of the chamber in a sealing relationship with the chamber, wherein the first septum has a distal surface substantially flush with a distal edge of the transfer housing; (3) a cannula that extends through the chamber such that when the transfer device is uncoupled from the receiver device, a distal tip of the cannula is optionally positioned proximal of the distal edge of the transfer housing; and (4) a biasing member inside the chamber, the biasing member adapted to bias the first septum toward the distal end of the chamber. 
     The receiver device can include, for example: (1) a receiver housing that defines an interior passageway in communication with a distal tip of the cannula when the transfer device and receiver device are coupled to one another; and (2) a second septum disposed in a proximal region of the housing. The second septum can have a proximal surface substantially flush with a proximal edge of the housing such that the proximal surface of the second septum is in juxtaposed contact with the distal surface of the first septum when the transfer device and receiver device are coupled to one another. The second septum provides a barrier to prevent fluid from escaping from the interior passageway of the receiver housing. 
     The medical substance transfer system can further include a wiping member disposed in the housing distal of the second septum. The wiping member is adapted to wipe the cannula during uncoupling of the receiver device and transfer device. The second septum and the wiping member can define a repository, such as a space, therebetween. The repository is adapted to retain fluid. The wiping member can comprise any of a variety of structures, such as a third septum or a duckbill valve. 
     The first and second septums optionally contact the cannula when the transfer device and receiver device are coupled to one another such that the first and second septums wipe the cannula during coupling and uncoupling of the transfer and receiver devices. The first septum, second septum, and the wiping member can all wipe the cannula during uncoupling of the transfer device from the receiver device. 
     In one embodiment, the distal tip cannula is at least partially positioned inside the first septum when the transfer device and receiver device are uncoupled from one another. 
     The first and second septums and any wiping members may optionally have slits for passage of the cannula therethrough. In addition, the first and second septums can comprise resilient material that provides bulk resilience to maintain a closed, default state. The distal tip of the cannula can be blunt or sharpened. 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first septum moves in a proximal direction through the interior chamber of transfer housing during coupling of the receiver device to the transfer device. The first septum maintains a sealed relationship with the chamber during such movement. 
     The transfer device is configured to attach to a first vessel such that the cannula fluidly communicates with the first vessel. The receiver device attaches to a second vessel such that the interior passageway of the receiver housing communicates with the second vessel. Upon connection of the transfer device to the receiver device, the cannula and interior passageway can collectively provide a passageway between the first and second vessels. The first septum and the biasing member can be separate devices or can be combined into a single device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the transfer system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of the transfer system in an assembled state with a transfer device and a receiver device coupled to one another. 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of the transfer device. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the receiver device. 
         FIG. 5  shows the transfer device positioned adjacent the receiver device just prior to coupling of the two devices. 
         FIG. 6  shows the transfer device coupled to the receiver device. 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  show an alternative embodiment of the transfer system. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  show yet another embodiment of the transfer system. 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  show yet another embodiment of the transfer system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed is a transfer system that can be used to transfer a substance between a pair of vessels in a manner that avoids contamination. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the transfer system  100 , which includes a transfer device  110  and a receiver device  115 . The transfer device  110  and the receiver device  115  are configured to be removably coupled to one another for transferring a substance therebetween. 
     In this regard, the transfer device  110  is described herein as the device from which the substance is transferred and the receiver device  115  is described as the device for which the substance is transferred to. It should be appreciated, however, that the transfer device  110  can be configured to receive the substance from the receiver device  115  such that the transfer device  110  is the receiving member and the receiver device  115  is the transfer member. For example, the cannula-based housing described below can be on the receiving side of the substance. Thus, the nomenclature of “transfer” and “receiver” are used in an exemplary manner and are not to be considered limiting. Furthermore, the transfer system  110  can also be used for bi-directional transfer of the substance across the system such that each device  110  and  115  can be both a transfer device and a receiver device. 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of the transfer system  100  in an assembled state with the transfer device  110  and the receiver device  115  coupled to one another. 
     The transfer system  100  is configured to transfer any of a variety of substances, including, but not limited to, medical fluids, drugs and body fluids including blood, from a first vessel  117  to a second vessel  118 . As mentioned, the transfer system  100  can also be configured to transfer the substance from the second vessel  118  to the first vessel  117 . For example, in the case of blood, the transfer system  100  can transfer blood from a vessel  118  comprised of a catheter in a patient to a vessel  117  comprised of a syringe. The first vessel  117  and the second vessel  118  are both schematically represented using boxes labeled  117  and  118  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Thus, the vessels  117  and  118  can be any type of container configured to permanently or temporarily hold, store, or transfer a fluid substance. The first and second vessels  117  and  118  can each comprise, for example, an injection syringe, a blood collection container, an ampoule, a drug container, a drug vial adapter, a solution container, an injection port, a needle free valve, a y-connector, a catheter, any portion of an infusion or intravenous injection system, a blood vessel of a patient, etc. 
     The transfer device  110  is configured to be removably attached at a proximal end to the first vessel  117  and the receiver device  115  is configured to be removably attached at a distal end to the second vessel  118 . Alternately, the first vessel  117  can be fixedly attached to the transfer device  110  and the second vessel  118  fixedly attached to the receiver device  115 . In any event, the transfer system  100  facilitates the transfer of a substance from the first vessel  117  to the second vessel  118  in a manner that avoids contamination and reduces the likelihood of the substance or gases emanating from said substance escaping into the environment. It should be appreciated that the terms “proximal” and “distal” are relative terms and should not be considered as limiting to the device. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the transfer device  110  includes a proximal housing  120  and a distal housing  125  that can be attached to one another to collectively form an outer housing for the transfer device  110 . The proximal housing  120  and distal housing  125  collectively form an internal chamber  127  that is peripherally enclosed by walls of the outer housing. A coupler component  130  is disposed on a proximal end of the proximal housing  120  for enabling the transfer device  110  to be fluidly coupled to the first vessel  117 , as described more fully below. A cannula  135  having a blunt distal tip extends through the internal chamber  127  along a central, longitudinal axis A of the transfer system  100 . It should be appreciated that the blunt distal tipped cannula  135  can also be a sharply pointed cannula. A transfer septum  140  is movably positioned within the internal chamber  127 . The transfer septum is designed to keep the contents of the internal chamber  127  from escaping outside the internal chamber  127 . For example, if the substance leaks or is otherwise disposed in the internal chamber  127 , the transfer septum  140  provides a seal with the walls of the internal chamber  127  to prevent the substance from escaping into the surrounding environment. 
     A biasing member  145 , such as a spring, is disposed in the internal chamber  127  between the transfer septum  140  and a portion of the proximal housing  120 , such as a proximal wall of the proximal housing  120 . The biasing member  145  biases the transfer septum  140  toward a default position, such as at or near a distal end of the internal chamber  127 . The biasing member  145  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as a spring, but it should be appreciated that the biasing member  145  can be any structure or mechanism that provides a biasing force against the transfer septum  140 . 
     With reference still to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the receiver device  115  includes a housing  150 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the housing  150  defines an internal passageway  155  for the passage of fluid received via the transfer device  110  into the second vessel  118 . The receiver device  115  further includes a receiver septum  160  disposed at a proximal end of the housing  150  in the pathway of the passageway  155 . The receiver septum  160  maintains an enclosure of housing  150  and passageway  155  such that the contents of passageway  155  cannot exit or otherwise escape from housing  150  except by means of the cannula  135  passing through the receiver septum  160 . A slit  165  extends longitudinally through the receiver septum  160  along the axis A. The slit  165  can be manufactured such that slit  165  remains closed in a default state to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough unless the slit  165  is manually opened. In this regard, the receiver septum  160  can be manufactured of a polymeric and resilient material that is able to provide bulk resilience to maintain the closed, natural state of the slit  165 . The slit  165  can be manually opened by inserting the cannula  135  of the transfer device  110  through the slit  165  upon coupling of the transfer device and the receiver device. In this manner, the cannula  135  provides a fluid pathway between the transfer device  110  and the receiver device  115 , as described more fully below. It should be appreciated that should cannula  135  be sharply tipped, a pre-formed slit  165  in receiver septum  160  may not be a required element. 
     The transfer device  110  is now described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 3 , which shows a cross-sectional view of the transfer device  110 . The coupler component  130  comprises any type of mechanism that can be coupled to the first vessel  117 . In one embodiment, the coupler component  130  is a female Luer lock, female Luer slip type or other form designed for the removable attachment of first vessel  117 . The coupler component  130  could also be configured as a male Luer lock, male Luer slip connector, or other form designed for the removable attachment of first vessel  117 . For non-removable connections the coupler could be an integrally molded part of another device or attached by bonding, welding or other means to fixedly attach two parts. 
     An entry chamber  305  is disposed within the proximal end of the proximal housing  120  and communicates with the first vessel  117  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) when attached to the transfer device  110 , such as via a syringe that is disposed in the entry chamber upon coupling to the first vessel  117 . The entry chamber  305  also communicates with a transfer passageway  310  that extends axially through the cannula  135 . The transfer passageway  310  communicates with an aperture  307  at the distal end of the cannula  135  for transfer of fluid out of the cannula  135 . 
     With reference still to  FIG. 3 , the transfer septum  140  is movably disposed within the internal chamber  127 . The transfer septum  140  is configured to slidably move within the internal chamber  127  along the directions represented by the arrows D in  FIG. 3 . The biasing member  145  biases the transfer septum  140  toward a distal-most position within the internal chamber  127  such that the transfer septum  140  is in a distal-most position as a default position. 
     The transfer septum  140  includes one or more sealing portions that sealingly engage the internal walls of the chamber  127 . The structural configuration of the sealing portions can vary. In one embodiment, the sealing portions comprise annular protrusions  315  peripherally located on the transfer septum  140 . The protrusions  315  can serve a variety of purposes. For example, the distal-most protrusion  315   a  functions as a mechanical stop that engages a shoulder on the housing to prevent the transfer septum  140  from being expelled out of the housing of the transfer device  110 . The protrusions  315  can also function as o-ring type seals that sealingly engage an internal wall of the internal chamber  127  to prevent fluid (liquid or gas) from escaping from the internal chamber  127 . Thus, the protrusions  315  form a fluid-proof seal that prevents fluid from escaping from the internal chamber  127 . 
     With reference still to  FIG. 3 , the transfer septum  140  has a distal surface  320  and a proximal surface  325 . In one embodiment, the transfer septum  140  has a size and position such that there is a space between the distal surface  320  and a distal end  330  of the transfer device housing, as is shown in  FIG. 3 . However, it should be appreciated that the distal surface  320  of the transfer septum  140  can be positioned flush with the distal end  330  of the transfer device housing or can at least partially or entirely protrude distally outward from the transfer device housing. The distal surface  320  can vary in contour. For example, the distal surface  320  can be flat or it can be convex such that the surface bows outward in a distal direction. 
     With reference still to  FIG. 3 , a slit  335  extends longitudinally through the transfer septum  140  along the axis A in the same manner as the slit  165  in the receiver septum  160 . The transfer septum  140  can be manufactured of a polymeric and resilient material that provides bulk resilience to maintain a natural, closed state of the slit  335 . The slit  335  can be penetrated by the cannula  135 . In one embodiment, a distal region of the cannula  335  is positioned within the slit  335  when the transfer septum is in the default position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . That is, the cannula penetrates the slit  335  when the transfer septum  140  is in the default position. In an alternate embodiment, the distal region of the cannula  135  is positioned outside of the transfer septum  140  when the transfer septum  140  is in the default position. Thus, in the alternate embodiment, the distal tip (represented by lines  340  in  FIG. 3 ) of the cannula  135  does not penetrate the slit  335 . It should be appreciated that should cannula  135  be sharply tipped a pre-formed slit  335  in transfer septum  140  may not be a required element. 
     The transfer of fluid out of the distal end of the transfer device  110  can be accomplished primarily through the connection of the transfer device  110  to a receiver device such as the receiver device  115 . The two devices can mate via two complimentary luer fittings, e.g. the male luer of a syringe will mate to a female luer on a catheter, stopcock, needle-free valve etc. The luer is a standardized connector within the medical community. The specifications for a luer can be found in ANSI/HIMA MD70.1 and ISO 594 standards. 
     In one embodiment, the distal end of the transfer device housing has an internal diameter that is smaller than the outside diameter of a female luer in order to prevent or inhibit a female luer from being inserted into the distal end of the transfer device housing. A female luer is an open ended connector. Thus, if the transfer device housing was designed to accommodate the entry of the female luer, the internal chamber  127  could be opened to the atmosphere and fluid and gases within the chamber could be released to atmosphere. This is an undesirable result. The smaller (relative to a female luer) internal diameter of the transfer device housing prevents connection to a standard female luer. 
     In another embodiment, the proximal end of the receiver device  115  is generally a female luer that has been modified to include a septum that seals with the transfer device  110 . In this way the transfer device housing can mate with the modified female luer to achieve the intended safe transfer of fluids. 
     The receiver device  115  is now described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 4 , which shows a cross-sectional view of the receiver device  115 . As mentioned, the receiver device  115  includes a housing  150  and a receiver septum  160  mounted at a proximal end of the housing  150 . The receiver septum  160  includes a slit  165  that is penetrated by the cannula  135  when the receiver device  115  is coupled to the transfer device  110 , as described more fully below. The receiver septum  160  has a proximal surface  402  that can be flat, concave, or convex in shape. 
     An attachment structure  405  is located on the receiver device  115  for attaching to a corresponding structure on the transfer device  110 . The attachment structure  405  can comprise any structure or mechanism for removably attaching a first component to a second component, such as threads, compression fit, a latching mechanism, etc. 
     With reference still to  FIG. 4 , the receiver device  115  can be coupled at a distal end to the second vessel  118 . When coupled to the second vessel, the internal passageway  155  of the transfer device  115  communicates with the second vessel  118 . 
     The operation of the transfer system  100  is now described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , which show schematic representations of the transfer device  110  and the receiver device  115 .  FIG. 5  shows the transfer device  110  positioned adjacent the receiver device  115  just prior to coupling of the two devices. Prior to coupling the devices, the biasing member  145  maintains the transfer septum  140  in its default distal-most position. 
     The transfer device  110  and receiver device  115  are coupled to one another as follows. The receiver device  115  is first oriented such that the distal surface  320  of the transfer septum  140  faces the proximal surface  402  of the receiver septum  160 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The receiver device  115  is moved toward the transfer device  110  (as represented by the arrow  510  in  FIG. 5 ) such that the proximal surface  402  of the receiver septum  160  abuts the distal surface  320  of the transfer septum  140 . Thus, the proximal surface  402  and the distal surface  320  are in juxtaposed contact with one another. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , the receiver device  115  is then moved into the transfer device  110  (as represented by the arrows  610  in  FIG. 6 ) such that the receiver septum  160  pushes the transfer septum  140  in the directions of the arrows  610 . A sufficient force is exerted against the transfer septum  140  to overcome the biasing force exerted by the biasing member  145  and thereby slide the transfer septum  140  upward (with respect to  FIG. 6 ) into the internal cavity  127  of the transfer device  110 . As the transfer septum  140  moves upward, the distal surface  320  of the transfer septum  140  moves upwardly past the distal tip of the cannula  135 . The cannula  135  penetrates the slit in the receiver septum  160  until the distal tip of the cannula  135  communicates with the transfer passageway  155  in the receiver device  115 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this manner, the cannula  135  provides a fluid passageway between the entry chamber  305  of the transfer device  110  and the internal passageway  155  of the receiver device  115 . It should be noted that, in this embodiment, as the transfer septum  140  moves upward, the protrusions  315  slide along the inner walls of chamber  127  and they form a compression sliding seal to continuously maintain a sealed internal chamber  127 . 
     As shown schematically in  FIG. 6 , the first vessel  117  is coupled to the transfer device  110  and the second vessel  118  is coupled to the receiver device  115 . As mentioned, the first vessel  117  communicates with the entry chamber  305  of the transfer device  110  and the second vessel  118  communicates with the internal passageway  155  of the receiver device  115 . The fluid substance is transferred from the first vessel  117 , into the entry chamber  305 , through the cannula  135 , into the internal passageway  155 , and into the second vessel  118 . During such transfer, the transfer septum  140  and the receiver septum  160  remain in juxtaposed contact with one another. 
     An alternative embodiment of the transfer system, referred to as transfer system  700 , is now described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The transfer system  700  includes a transfer device  710  and a receiver device  715 . The transfer device  710  includes an outer housing similar to the outer housing of the previous embodiment. A biasing member  720  exerts a biasing force against a transfer septum  725  to maintain the transfer septum  725  in a default state. The transfer septum  725  includes a slit that can be passed through by a cannula  727  of the transfer device  710 . An attachment region  730  of the transfer septum  725  is fixedly attached to the outer housing of the transfer device  110  in a sealing manner. That is, the attachment region  730  provides a fluid-tight seal between the transfer septum  725  and the outer housing of the transfer device  110 . In this manner, a sealed chamber  127  is located within the outer housing proximal of the transfer septum  725 . 
     With reference still to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the receiver device  715  includes a housing  740  that defines an internal passageway  745 . A receiver septum  750  is attached to the housing  740  and includes a slit that can be passed through by the cannula  727  when the transfer device  710  and the receiver device  715  are coupled to one another. As can be appreciated from the previous embodiment, the transfer septum  725  and the receiver septum  750  need not be slit if the cannula  727  has a sharp tip. 
     In use, the receiver device  715  is inserted into the transfer device  710  such that a proximal surface  755  of the receiver septum  750  abuts a distal surface  760  of the transfer septum  725 . The receiver septum  750  exerts a force against the transfer septum  725  to overcome the force exerted by the biasing member  720  and push the transfer septum  725  upward (relative to  FIG. 7 ) into the housing of the transfer device  710 . 
     As mentioned, the attachment region  730  of the transfer septum  725  is fixedly attached to the housing of the transfer device  710 . As the receiver device  715  pushes upward into the transfer device  710 , at least a portion of the transfer septum  725  moves upwardly into the transfer device housing while the attachment region  730  of the transfer septum  725  remains fixed relative to the transfer housing, as best shown in  FIG. 8 . The attachment region  730  of the septum creates a sealed chamber  127  inside the housing to prevent the escape of any substance from the chamber into the environment. During this process, the distal surface  760  of the transfer septum  725  remains in juxtaposed contact with the proximal surface  755  of the receiver septum  750 . 
     With the transfer device  710  and the receiver device  715  coupled to one another, the transfer system  700  can be used to transfer a substance from the first vessel  117  to the second vessel  118  via the cannula  727 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show yet another embodiment of the transfer system, referred to as the transfer system  900 , which includes a transfer device  910  and a receiver device  915 . The transfer device  910  includes a proximal housing  920  and a distal housing  925  that is slidably attached to the proximal housing  920 . A transfer septum  935  is fixedly attached to the distal housing  925 . A cavity  937  is located in the distal housing  925  just below the transfer septum  935  and is sized to receive at least a portion of the receiver device  915 . 
     A biasing member  940  is positioned inside the proximal housing  920  and exerts a force against the transfer septum  935  to maintain the transfer septum  935  and the distal housing  925  in a default, distal position, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The transfer septum  935  and/or the distal housing  925  includes a shoulder or other structure that engages the proximal housing  920  to prevent the distal housing  925  and attached transfer septum  935  from being expelled from the proximal housing  920 . 
     The distal housing  925  can slide relative to the proximal housing  920  along the directions represented by the arrows  933  in  FIG. 9 . A latching mechanism  942  is attached to the proximal housing  920 . The latching mechanism  942  removably engages a portion of the distal housing  925  and provides a means of fixing the position of the distal housing  925  relative to the proximal housing  920  when sliding movement is not desired. The latching mechanism  942  can be disengaged to permit the distal housing  925  to slide relative to the proximal housing  920 . 
     With reference still to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the receiver device  915  includes a housing  950  and a receiver septum  955  as in the previous embodiments. An internal passageway  960  is contained in the housing  950 . 
     In use, receiver device  915  is inserted into the cavity  937  of the transfer device  937  until the receiver septum  955  is in juxtaposed contact with the transfer septum  935 . The latching mechanism  942  is released and the receiver device  915  is pushed upwardly (relative to  FIG. 9 ) into the transfer device  910  to force the distal housing  925  and attached transfer septum  935  to overcome the biasing force of spring  940  to slide upwardly relative to the proximal housing  920 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . During this process, the transfer septum  935  and the receiver septum  955  remain in juxtaposed contact with one another. The cannula  960  passes through the slits in both septums and provides a fluid passageway between the first vessel  117  and the second vessel  118 , which are attached to the transfer device  910  and the receiver device  915 , respectively. As can be appreciated from the prior embodiments the transfer septum  935  and the receiver septum  955  need not be slit if the cannula  960  has a sharp tip. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show another embodiment of the transfer system  100  in which the receiver device  115  includes first and second seals or septums  160   a  and  160   b , respectively. The first septum  160   a  is positioned at or near a proximal edge of the receiver device  115  and can include a slit as in the previous embodiments. The second septum  160   b  is positioned distally of the first septum  160   b  such that an air space  1110  is interposed between the first and second septums. 
     The first and second septums are configured and positioned such that at least the distal end of the cannula  135  passes at least partially through both septums when the receiver device  115  is coupled to the transfer device  110 , as described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 12 . At least one of the functions of both septums  160   a  and  160   b  is to wipe the cannula as the cannula withdraws in the proximal direction out of the receiver device  115 . The second septum  160   b  provides a first wipe to the cannula as the cannula withdraws and the first septum  160   a  provides a second wipe. The air space  1110  acts as a repository for any fluid that passes through the second septum  160   b  during withdrawal of the cannula from the receiver device  110 . 
     The structural configurations of the septums can vary. For example, the septums  160   a  and  160   b  can be manufactured of separate pieces of material, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  such that two separate, distinct septums are used. In another embodiment, the septums  160   a  and  160   b  are connected to one another along at least a portion of the septums with the air gap  1110  still being interposed between the two septums. Thus, the two septums  160   a  and  160   b  can be formed from a single piece of material or multiple pieces of material. In yet another embodiment, one or both of the septums is replaced by a wiping member that can be any structure or device configured to wipe the cannula during withdrawal of the cannula. For example, one or both of the septums can be replaced by a duckbill-type valve or seal that wipes the cannula. Other types of structures can be used as long as the structure provides two separate wipes and an air space  1110  therebetween. 
     In use, the transfer device  110  is coupled to the receiver device  115  in the manner described above with respect to the previous embodiments. As the transfer device  110  is coupled to the receiver device  115 , the distal end of the cannula  135  first passes through the first septum  160   a  and then passes through the second septum  160   b . The distal end of the cannula  135  then communicates with the passageway  155  in the receiver device  115 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . Fluid can then be transferred between the transfer device  110  and the receiver device  115  via the cannula  135 . 
     The transfer device  110  can then be de-coupled from the receiver device  115  such that the cannula  135  withdraws in a distal direction out of the receiver device  115 . As this occurs, the distal end of the cannula  135  first passes through the second septum  160   b , which wipes the cannula  135  during withdrawal of the cannula  135 . It might be possible for some fluid to escape out of the passageway  155  through the second septum  160   b . If this occurs, such escaped fluid is advantageously trapped within the air space  1110  that is positioned between the two septums  160   a ,  160   b . As the cannula  135  continues to withdraw from the receiver device  115 , the cannula  135  next passes through the first septum  160   a , which provides a second wipe to the cannula  135 . In this manner, the device shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  provide additional wiping of the cannula  135 . 
     Although embodiments of various methods and devices are described herein in detail with reference to certain versions, it should be appreciated that other versions, embodiments, methods of use, and combinations thereof are also possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.