Patent Publication Number: US-11045391-B2

Title: Syringe accessory for transfer of air sensitive materials

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to syringe accessories and more specifically to syringe accessories for handling air sensitive materials. 
     An air sensitive fluid is any solution or pure liquid that reacts with common atmospheric components (e.g., water vapor, oxygen, carbon dioxide, pollutants, etc.). Examples of these reactions can include pyrolysis reactions, formation of metal oxides, hydrides, or sulfides, or formation of metal complexes with carbon dioxide molecules, etc. Air sensitive fluids are stored under an inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen or argon) in order to protect the fluids from reactive gases. For example, air sensitive fluids can be stored in ampules or in bottles with septum caps. Air sensitive fluids can also be stored in gloveboxes having inert atmospheres. A fluid can be transferred from the bottle by a syringe that pierces the septum. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus for transferring fluid contained in a syringe. The apparatus can include an airlock component having a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and a hollow tube with an interior surface and an exterior surface disposed between the first end and the second end. The apparatus can also include an annular opening at the first end of the cylindrical body, as well as a gas inlet aperture from the exterior to the interior surface of the hollow tube, and a gas outlet aperture from the interior to the exterior surface of the hollow tube. The gas inlet aperture can have a hollow shaft extending outwardly, and the gas outlet aperture can include a one-way valve. Additionally, the apparatus can include an inwardly-facing airtight material (e.g., an O-ring or hollow plug), and a septum. The septum can be made from a material such as silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Further, the apparatus can include an attachment member with a first end coupled to the second end of the cylindrical body, and a second end having elongate legs that form an annular body around an exterior surface of a container. 
     Additional embodiments are directed to a method of transferring a fluid. The method can include obtaining a fluid transfer apparatus having an attachment member coupled to an exterior surface of a container holding the fluid. The method can further include inserting a syringe coupled to a needle into an opening in the fluid transfer apparatus. Additionally, the method can include introducing an inert gas flow into the hollow tube, moving the syringe forward through the hollow tube toward the second end of the cylindrical body, puncturing the septum with the needle, and moving the syringe forward through the hollow tube so that the needle contacts the fluid in the container. The method can also include collecting a volume of liquid with the syringe, moving the syringe backward through the hollow tube until the needle is inside the hollow tube, and uncoupling the attachment member from the container. Additionally, the method can include coupling the attachment member to a second container, moving the syringe forward, puncturing the septum, and depositing the volume of liquid into the second container. 
     Further embodiments are directed to an article of manufacture that can include a syringe having a plunger, barrel, and tip coupled to a needle, and a fluid transfer apparatus. The needle can have a Luer lock hub. The fluid transfer apparatus can include an airlock component having a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and a hollow tube with an interior surface and an exterior surface disposed between the first end and the second end. The apparatus can also include an annular opening at the first end of the cylindrical body, as well as a gas inlet aperture from the exterior to the interior surface of the hollow tube, and a gas outlet aperture from the interior to the exterior surface of the hollow tube. The gas inlet aperture can have a hollow shaft extending outwardly, and the gas outlet aperture can include a one-way valve. Additionally, the apparatus can include an inwardly-facing airtight material (e.g., an O-ring) and a septum. The septum can be made from a material such as silicone or rubber. Further, the apparatus can include an attachment member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of a fluid transfer apparatus, syringe, and vial according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional perspective view of the fluid transfer apparatus, the syringe, and the vial, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the fluid transfer apparatus, wherein the fluid transfer apparatus has an alternative attachment member, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating a process of transferring an air sensitive liquid using a fluid transfer apparatus, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a series of schematic diagrams illustrating a visual process of transferring air sensitive liquid, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Materials that are sensitive to gases found in ambient air are commonly used in laboratory and medical settings. These compounds are referred to as “air sensitive” compounds. “Ambient air” refers to the indoor or outdoor atmosphere (e.g., the Earth&#39;s atmosphere) in which the compounds are used or stored. The Earth&#39;s atmosphere and, thus, most ambient air is a mixture of approximately 78.09% nitrogen (N 2 ), 21.95% oxygen (O 2 ), 0.93% argon (Ar), 0.04% carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), 0.4-1% water vapor (H 2 O), and small amounts (i.e., less than approximately 0.04%) of other gases (e.g., hydrogen (H 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), krypton (Kr), neon (Ne), helium (He), etc.) and pollutants (e.g., nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), carbon monoxide (CO), fine particles, acids, etc.). There are a wide variety of compounds that can react with at least one of these components. For example, metals (e.g., silver, iron, and copper) can become tarnished, rusted, or patinaed by gradual reactions with water, oxygen, and other atmospheric components. However, few compounds react with N 2  or the noble gases (Ar, He, Kr, and Ne). Therefore, these gases are referred to as “inert gases.” 
     Materials that are referred to as air sensitive are typically those that react with oxygen and/or water vapor within a time scale short enough to require storage in an inert atmosphere (e.g., a time scale ranging from less than one second to several months). An inert atmosphere is an atmosphere of chemically unreactive gas or gases (e.g., an atmosphere substantially free of oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, etc.). Nitrogen (N 2 ) and argon (Ar) are the most commonly used inert gases in laboratory settings due to their relative abundance on Earth. 
     The nature of an air sensitive material&#39;s storage requirements primarily depends upon the speed of the reaction and the hazardousness of the material. Materials that react with oxygen and/or water vapor in less than a few months are often stored under an inert atmosphere in bottles with septum caps that can be pierced by an airtight syringe for safe removal and transfer. Some air sensitive materials react quickly (e.g., in seconds or minutes) and exothermically with components of ambient air, and can be dangerous. For example, pyrophoric materials spontaneously ignite in air at or below approximately 54.55° C. due to their reactivity with oxygen and/or water vapor. Examples of pyrophoric compounds that are commonly stored or transferred while dissolved in solution or as pure liquids can include metal hydrides, organolithium reagents, Grignard reagents, diphosphane, tert-butyllithium, trimethylaluminum, triethylborane, diethyl zinc, etc. Despite the dangers associated with pyrophoric compounds, many of these materials have wide applications in both commercial synthesis and research. 
     For example, tert-butyllithium (t-BuLi) is a commonly used strong base that can deprotonate compounds including amines and hydrocarbons. However, t-BuLi is an extremely pyrophoric liquid, and has caused numerous laboratory accidents and injuries. Therefore, t-BuLi must be stored in an airtight container under an inert atmosphere, and carefully transferred by airtight syringe or cannula. Additionally, working with t-BuLi in a laboratory glovebox or glovebag under an inert atmosphere can mitigate much of the danger, but this is not always practical. Further, even when t-BuLi is handled with proper air-free techniques, dangers can arise. A common problem with syringe or cannula transfer of t-BuLi is that a droplet of the liquid often remains on the tip of the needle during transfer, and this droplet can easily ignite. In addition to the danger caused by ignition of the droplet, one product of the pyrolysis reaction is a lithium salt, which can clog the needle when it precipitates. 
     An apparatus for airtight syringe transfer of air sensitive fluids is disclosed. The apparatus can be used with a syringe as an accessory for safe transfer of these fluids, or as a component of a device that includes a container or syringe. Herein, the term “airtight” is used to describe materials and seals that are substantially impermeable to gases and liquids. The fluid transfer apparatus encloses the needle of a syringe, along with part of the syringe barrel (i.e., the end of the barrel that is coupled to the needle), in a cavity filled with an inert gas as the syringe is used to withdraw a liquid from a container, transport the liquid, and inject the liquid into another container. Examples of containers can include bottles, vials, flasks, test tubes, etc. These containers have airtight septum caps (i.e., caps having membranes that are substantially impermeable to gases and liquids, but can be punctured by a needle). The septum caps prevent the liquids inside the containers from coming into contact with the ambient air. However, it should be noted that, in some embodiments, the containers do not have septum caps. This is discussed in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view  100  of a fluid transfer apparatus  110 , syringe  120 , and vial  130  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The syringe includes a barrel  135 . The syringe  120  also includes a plunger, and the syringe  120  is coupled to a needle. The needle and plunger are not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and are discussed in greater detail below. The syringe  120  is a gas-tight syringe made from one or more materials such as glass, plastic, metal, etc. A gas-tight syringe is a type of syringe having a tight-fitting plunger that forms a seal with the interior wall of its syringe barrel, thereby preventing gases from entering or leaving the barrel at the end of the barrel opposite to the needle. However, it should be noted that syringes that are not gas-tight can be used in other embodiments. Additionally, a container other than a vial can be used (e.g., bottles, test tubes, flasks, etc.). 
     The fluid transfer apparatus  110  has an airlock component  140  with a cylindrical body in the shape of a hollow tube. However, it should be noted that the airlock component  140  can also have an elongate form that is polygonal (e.g., rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, etc.). In some embodiments, the airlock component  140  is plastic. However, the airlock component  140  can also be made of glass or metal. The airlock component  140  can be opaque or transparent, or it can be partly transparent and partly opaque. For example, an opaque tube could have a transparent window. Further, the airlock component  140  can include a gas sensor for determining the identity and concentration of gases inside of the hollow tube. This is discussed in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     Along the hollow tube of the airlock component  140  there is a gas inlet port  150  and a gas outlet port  160 . The inlet port  150  is an aperture in the wall of the airlock component  140  from the exterior surface of the hollow tube to the interior surface of the hollow tube of the airlock component. The inlet port can have a hollow shaft that extends from the airlock component  140  surface perpendicularly or at an oblique angle. Airtight tubing connected to an inert gas source can be attached to the hollow shaft of the inlet port  150 . Examples of airtight tubing can include rubber tubing, silicone tubing, latex tubing, and PTFE tubing. However, any other airtight tubing material can be used. 
     The gas outlet port  160  is an aperture in the wall of the airlock component  140  from the interior surface of the hollow tube to the exterior surface of the hollow tube of the airlock component. The gas outlet port  160  can include a one-way valve, or it can be a simple aperture with a hollow shaft extending from the outer surface of the airlock component, either perpendicularly or at an oblique angle. Further, the outlet port  160  can optionally be attached to tubing connected to a vacuum source in order to facilitate purging of the airlock component  140 . Purging of the airlock component is discussed in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 2 . The hollow shafts of the inlet  150  and outlet ports  160  can optionally have annular serrations to aid in forming an airtight seal with the airtight tubing. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the outlet port  160  does not have a shaft. Additionally, in some embodiments, the inlet port  150  connects directly to a gas source without the use of airtight tubing. 
     The airlock component  140  has a first end and a second end. The syringe  120  is inserted through the first end of the airlock component  140 , and the second end of the airlock component  140  is coupled to a substantially annular opening at a first end of an attachment member  180 . The attachment member  180  has a second end that engages with the vial  130 . This is discussed in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the first end of the attachment member  180  is coupled to the exterior surface of the airlock component  140  by friction. For example, if the circumference of the opening at the first end of the attachment member  180  is slightly larger than the circumference of the second end of the airlock component  140 , the interior surface of the first end of the attachment member  180  can fit tightly around the exterior surface of the second end of the airlock component  140 . In some embodiments, the attachment member  180  is plastic, though additional examples of attachment member  180  materials can include rubbers (e.g., natural rubber, butyl rubber, isoprene polymers, etc.), silicone, and metal. Attachment members are discussed in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional perspective view  200  of the fluid transfer apparatus  110 , the syringe  120 , and the vial  130 , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The barrel  135  of the syringe  120  tapers into a tip that is fitted to a hollow needle  205  for collecting fluid from the vial  130 . The needle  205  can be coupled to the tip by a Luer lock hub or a slip hub, or the needle  205  can be non-releasably attached to the syringe  120 . The vial  130  has a neck  210  coupled to a septum cap  220 . The septum cap  220  can be part of a pre-attached airtight cap on a vial  130  containing liquid obtained from a commercial source, or the septum cap  220  can be placed on the vial  130  by a user. The septum cap  220  can be a plastic or metal cap (e.g., a screw cap or crown cap) with a substantially annular septum  230  made of a gas-impermeable material in the center of the cap  220 . However, the septum cap  220  can also be a septum sleeve stopper. Examples of septum  230  materials can include silicone, rubbers (e.g., natural rubber, butyl rubber, isoprene polymers, etc.), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), PTFE/silicone, PTFE/gray butyl, PTFE/rubber, silicone/aluminum, and fluoroelastomers. However, any other type of airtight septum can be used. In some embodiments, the vial  130  is a glass vial. However, the vial  130  can also be a plastic or metal vial. 
     The second end of the fluid transfer apparatus  110 , which is connected to the attachment member  180 , is coupled to the vial  130  by engaging the attachment member  180  with the neck  210  of the vial  130 . The attachment member  180  extends from the airlock component  140 , and engages with the outer surface of the vial neck  210 . The attachment member  180  has elongate legs  235 - 1 ,  235 - 2 ,  235 -N (referred to collectively as  235 ) that together form a substantially annular body surrounding the vial neck  210 . In order to secure the fluid transfer apparatus  110  to the vial  130 , the elongate legs  235  are extended in a radially outward direction around the neck  210  of the vial  130  when the neck  210  of the vial  130  is inserted between the legs  235 . In some embodiments, an O-ring disposed on the interior surface of the attachment member  180  forms an airtight seal with the vial neck  210 , though this O-ring is not illustrated herein. 
     The syringe  120  and needle  205  are inserted into an inner cavity  240  in the hollow tube of the airlock component  140  through a substantially annular opening  242  at the first end of the airlock component  140 . The syringe  120  is inserted into the interior cavity  240  of the airlock component  140  so that the needle  205  and the barrel  135  of the syringe  120  enter through the annular opening  242 . The annular opening  242  is coupled to an inwardly-facing O-ring  245  for making an airtight seal with the barrel  140  of the syringe  120  when the syringe  120  is inserted into the inner cavity  240 . It should be noted that the position of the inwardly-facing O-ring  245  can vary longitudinally within the portion of the interior cavity  240  that is between the gas inlet  150  and outlet ports  160 . 
     Further, the O-ring  245  can be replaced by another inwardly-facing material capable of forming an airtight seal with the barrel  135  of the syringe  120 . For example, a hollow plug or disc made from an airtight material (e.g., rubbers, thermoplastics, silicone, PTFE, etc.) can be coupled to the interior surface of the airlock component  140  inner cavity  240 . The syringe can be inserted through a hole or other opening in approximately the center of such a plug or disc. Different hole diameters could be used based on the diameter of the barrel of the syringe. Further, a hollow plug could extend outwardly from the first end of the airlock component  140 . 
     Additionally, a seal between the substantially annular opening  242  and the syringe could be formed in the absence of an O-ring or plug by applying vacuum grease (e.g., hydrocarbon-based high vacuum grease, silicone grease, or Ramsay grease) between the surface of the syringe barrel  135  and the interior surface of the airlock component  140  at the first end. Further, it should be noted that, in some embodiments, an airtight seal can be made without an inwardly-facing airtight material. For example, a syringe barrel  135  that fits tightly into the annular opening, and makes contact with the interior surface of the airlock component  140 , can prevent air from entering or leaving the interior cavity  240 . In some embodiments, the syringe  120  could be non-releasably coupled to the airlock component  140 , though able to move backward and forward within the interior cavity  240 . 
     After the annular opening  242  at the first end of the airlock component  140  is sealed by the presence of the inserted syringe  120 , the interior cavity  240  is purged in order to replace the ambient air inside of the cavity  240  with an inert gas. In purging the cavity  240 , inert gas from a gas source (e.g., a gas tank or a Schlenk flask.) enters the cavity  240  through tubing fitted to the gas inlet port  150 . As the inert gas enters through the inlet port  150 , ambient air is forced out through the gas outlet port  160 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the outlet port  160  is fitted to tubing connected to a vacuum source in order to facilitate removal of ambient air from the interior cavity  240 . 
     Further, a gas sensor can be included in the airlock component  140 . The gas sensor would allow a user to determine when purging is required by indicating the presence of gases that can react with the air sensitive compound to be transferred. Examples of gas sensors can include oxygen sensors (e.g., zirconia-based sensors, wideband zirconia-based sensors, titania-based sensors, Clark-type electrodes, and oxygen optodes), carbon dioxide sensors (e.g., nondispersive infrared (NDIR) CO 2  sensors, and chemical sensors based on polymer- or heteropolysiloxane), and water vapor sensors (e.g., colorimetric detectors, metal-coil type hygrometers, psychrometers, capacitive hygrometers, resistive hygrometers, thermal hygrometers, and gravimetric hygrometers). 
     A septum  250  is located at the second end of the airlock component  140 . This septum  250  is referred to herein as the “airlock septum  250 .” The airlock septum  250  closes the second end of the airlock component  140  by covering the opening at the second end with an airtight seal. The airlock septum  250  prevents gases from entering or leaving the inner cavity  240  at the second end. Examples of gas-impermeable materials from which the airlock septum  250  can be made can include silicone, rubbers (e.g., natural rubber, butyl rubber, isoprene polymers, etc.), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), PTFE/silicone, PTFE/gray butyl, PTFE/rubber, silicone/aluminum, PTFE/Thermoseal, and fluoroelastomers. However, any other type of airtight septum material can be used. The needle  205  of the syringe  120  is used to puncture the airlock septum  250 . The syringe  120  is moved forward through the interior cavity  240 , toward the second end of the airlock component  140 . The syringe  120  is moved forward until the needle  205  punctures the airlock septum  250  and the vial septum  230 , and comes into contact with fluid inside the vial  130 . This is discussed in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view  300  of the fluid transfer apparatus  110 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus has an alternative attachment member  310 , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The alternative attachment member  310  on the fluid transfer apparatus  110  is made from a flexible material that is impermeable to gases and liquids (e.g., rubbers or silicone). This flexible attachment member  310  is pushed onto the vial  130  so that the attachment member  310  surrounds the neck of the vial  130 . In some embodiments, the flexible attachment member  310  is flexible enough to be received by the vial  130 , but resilient enough to form an airtight seal with the exterior of the vial  130 . 
     It should be noted that other types of attachment members can be used in some embodiments. For example, attachment members can comprise Luer lock fittings, slip fittings, ground glass fittings, bayonet fittings, PTFE or plastic sleeves. The attachment member can be further secured to the vial neck by a joint clip (e.g., a Keck clip), and/or sealed with silicone grease or PTFE tape (e.g., Teflon tape). It should also be noted that, in some embodiments, the fluid transfer apparatus does not have an attachment member, and is instead secured with a clip, adaptor, tape, manually, etc. Further, the attachment member  180  or  310  can be non-releasably attached to the airlock component  140 , or can be a part of the airlock component  140  itself. That is, the second end of the airlock component  140  could act as an attachment member in some embodiments. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating a process  400  of transferring an air sensitive liquid using a fluid transfer apparatus, syringe, and vial, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. With reference to  FIG. 4 , the components of the fluid transfer apparatus, syringe, and vial can be the same as or substantially similar to the components of the fluid transfer apparatus  110 , syringe  120 , and vial  130  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The fluid transfer apparatus is coupled to a vial containing an air sensitive liquid. This is illustrated at step  410 . The fluid transfer apparatus is coupled to the vial by engaging an attachment member with the neck of the vial, or by another attachment mechanism. 
     The syringe and needle are inserted into an annular opening at an end of the airlock component opposite to the attachment member. This is illustrated at step  420 . The syringe is inserted so that the barrel of the syringe and the needle extend into the airlock component, but do not puncture the airlock septum. If the tube of the airlock component is made, at least in part, from a transparent material (e.g., glass or transparent plastic) the user can observe the position of the syringe within the interior cavity, thereby preventing inadvertent puncturing of the airlock septum. Additionally, a locking mechanism such as a metal or plastic clip can be releasably attached at the end of the airlock component coupled to the syringe in order to prevent the syringe from moving forward. 
     An appropriately sized syringe is chosen such that the barrel of the syringe forms an airtight seal with an inwardly-facing O-ring or other airtight material at the annular opening of the airlock component. Further, in some embodiments, the seal can be fortified by wrapping PTFE tape around the exterior of the first end of the airlock component and syringe barrel. Additionally, it should be noted that, in some embodiments, the syringe is inserted into the airlock component before the fluid transfer apparatus is coupled to the vial (i.e., steps  410  and  420  are reversed). 
     The airlock component is purged in order to replace the ambient air in its hollow interior with inert gas. This is illustrated at step  430 . Purging with inert gas is done using standard air-free techniques, as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. An inlet port is connected to an inert gas source by airtight tubing. The gas flows into the hollow interior of the airlock component through an inlet port, and exits through an outlet port. Additionally, the syringe can optionally be purged by moving its plunger up and down at least once to expel the ambient air, and to introduce inert gas into the needle and barrel. The hollow interior of the airlock component is kept under positive pressure from the inert gas flow throughout the subsequent steps. In some embodiments, the airlock component has a gas flow or gas pressure sensor. 
     As inert gas flows through the interior cavity of the airlock component, the syringe is pushed forward until the needle punctures the airlock septum, and enters the vial, coming into contact with liquid in the vial. This is illustrated at step  440 . In some embodiments, the needle punctures a septum in a septum cap on the vial. Additionally, the syringe can be filled with a volume of inert gas matching the volume of liquid to be withdrawn from the vial before the septa are punctured. However, the syringe can also contain a lower volume of inert gas, higher volume of inert gas, or no gas. The desired volume of liquid is collected by the syringe after any gas in the syringe is injected into the headspace. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the vial or other liquid container does not have a septum cap. For example, a user could collect liquid from an open flask inside of a glovebox under an inert atmosphere, and use the fluid transfer apparatus and syringe to transfer the liquid to a second container outside of the glovebox. 
     Once the liquid has been collected, the needle is withdrawn from the vial. This is illustrated at step  450 . The syringe is moved backward through the airlock component&#39;s hollow interior in order to withdraw the needle from the vial until the needle and part of the barrel of the syringe are inside the interior cavity of the airlock component. That is, the needle and syringe are returned to the position they were in at step  420 . A locking mechanism, such as a plastic or metal clip, can optionally be disposed at the exterior of the annular opening and the syringe barrel in order to hold the syringe in place after it has been positioned. Further, a second locking mechanism could be coupled to the end of the syringe barrel that is opposite the tip in order to immobilize the plunger during transfer. 
     The fluid transfer apparatus and syringe are then detached from the neck of the vial, and transferred to another container. This is illustrated at step  460 . The syringe and needle are not removed from the airlock component interior in this step. In some embodiments, the tubing is not removed from the fluid transfer apparatus before the transfer. However, the tubing may be removed, and the inlet and/or outlet ports can be covered or closed in order to maintain the inert gas atmosphere in the interior cavity of the airlock component. The fluid transfer apparatus holding the inert gas, the syringe containing air sensitive liquid, and the needle are then coupled to a second container by substantially the same methods as described with respect to step  410 . 
     The syringe needle punctures the airlock septum, and the needle enters the second container by substantially the same methods as described with respect to step  440 . In some embodiments, the second container has a septum cap. However, the second container can also be an open container under positive pressure from an inert gas, or an open container located in a glovebox under an inert atmosphere. The liquid is deposited into the second container, and the needle is withdrawn from the container by substantially the same methods as described with respect to step  450 . 
       FIG. 5  is a series  500  of schematic diagrams  510 ,  520 ,  530 ,  540 , and  550  illustrating a visual process of transferring air sensitive liquid  560 - 1  and  560 - 2 , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The visual process illustrated by these diagrams  500  is discussed with reference to process  400 . Process  400  is described in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 4 . Diagram  510  is a visual representation of step  410 . The fluid transfer apparatus  110  is coupled to the vial  130 , which holds air sensitive liquid  560 - 1 . The apparatus  110  is coupled to the vial  130  by engagement of the attachment member  180  with the neck  210  of the vial  130 . The syringe  120  and needle  205  are not yet inserted into the airlock cavity  140 . 
     Diagram  520  is a visual representation of steps  420  and  430  in process  400 . In step  420 , the empty syringe  120  and the needle  205  coupled to the syringe  120  are inserted into the interior cavity  240  of the fluid transfer apparatus  110 . The syringe  120  and needle  205  are inserted through the annular opening  242  of the airlock cavity  140  so that the barrel  135  of the syringe  120  forms an airtight seal with the inwardly-facing O-ring  245  lining the annular opening  242 . In step  430 , the interior cavity  240  of the airlock component, the barrel of the syringe  120 , and the needle  205  are purged with an inert gas that enters through the inlet port  150 , and exits through the outlet port  160 . 
     Diagram  530  is a visual representation of step  440  in process  400 . In step  440 , the syringe  120  is moved forward through the interior cavity  240  so that the needle  205  punctures the airlock septum  250  and vial septum  230 . As the syringe  120  is moved forward, the barrel  135  maintains an airtight seal with the O-ring  245 . Once the needle  205  has entered the vial  130 , air sensitive liquid  560 - 1  in the vial is collected by the syringe  120 . The liquid  560 - 2  inside of the syringe  120  is later transferred to another container. 
     Diagram  540  is a visual representation of step  450  in process  400 . In step  450 , the syringe  120 , which contains the liquid  560 - 2  collected in step  440 , is moved backward so that the needle  205  and part of the syringe barrel  135  are inside the interior cavity  240  of the airlock component. Diagram  550  is a visual representation of step  460  in process  400 . In step  460 , the fluid transfer apparatus  110 , syringe  120 , liquid  560 - 2 , and needle  205  are disengaged from the vial  130  and transferred to at least one additional container. The additional container or containers are not illustrated in diagram  550 . 
     In some embodiments, the fluid transfer apparatus  110  is used to transfer fluids that are not pyrophoric. Additionally, the fluid transfer apparatus  110  can be used to transfer fluids other than liquids (e.g., gases or plasmas). For example, the fluid transfer apparatus  110  can be used to transfer fluids that will react with components of small amounts of air entering the syringe through the needle in a non-pyrophoric manner. Examples of these fluids can include solutions of organometallic compounds with f-block or early d-block metals, hydrogen sulfide gas, nitric oxide gas, etc. Further, the fluid transfer apparatus can be used to transfer liquids that are dangerous if ingested, inhaled, and/or absorbed by the skin. This would prevent droplets of the dangerous liquids from coming into contact with a user, or with a surface that may be touched by a user. Examples of compounds such as these can include organomercury compounds, liquids containing viruses or bacteria, solutions containing cyanide ions, etc. 
     Further, the fluid transfer apparatus  110  can be a component of a fluid transfer and/or storage device, rather than an independent apparatus. In these instances, the fluid transfer apparatus component would be used in substantially the same way as the independent fluid transfer apparatus  110 , despite being coupled to at least one additional component. For example, a fluid storage device could include a fluid transfer apparatus component non-releasably attached to a bottle or other container. Fluid could be removed from the fluid storage device with a syringe inserted through the airlock component into the bottle. Further, a fluid transfer device could include a fluid transfer apparatus component non-releasably attached to a syringe that is able to move backward and forward within the airlock component. The fluid transfer device would be coupled to a container holding an air sensitive liquid in the same manner as the fluid transfer apparatus  110 . 
     The examples discussed herein and represented in the accompanying drawings may make reference to particular details. However, it will be understood that there are various modifications that can be made while retaining the spirit and scope of the disclosure. These would be easily recognized and carried out by one of ordinary skill in the art.