A method for filling at least one interconnectable receptacle with a medical liquid, comprising: establishing a physical interconnection between a disposable and an automated drive system, wherein said disposable includes a tubular member, a piston slidably disposed in the tubular member for retraction and advancement thereof within a first portion of said tubular member, and a valve; wherein said automated drive system includes a piston drive member and a valve drive member selectively interconnectable to and disconnectable from said piston and said valve, respectively; and wherein said establishing step includes interconnecting said piston and said valve to said piston drive member and said valve drive member, respectively; using said piston drive member of said automated drive system to retract said piston within a first portion of said tubular member of said disposable and thereby draw a predetermined volume of a medical liquid into said tubular member; employing said piston drive member of said automated drive system to advance said piston within said first portion of said tubular member of said disposable and thereby dispense at least a portion of said predetermined volume of medical liquid from the tubular member into at least one interconnectable receptacle; utilizing said valve drive member of said automated drive system to automatically and alternately position said valve of said disposable in a first valve position and in a second valve position, wherein said first valve position is maintained during said using step, and said second valve position is maintained during said employing step; and, sealing said first portion of said tubular member during said using and employing steps. establishing a physical interconnection between a disposable and an automated drive system, wherein said disposable includes a tubular member, a piston slidably disposed in the tubular member for retraction and advancement thereof within a first portion of said tubular member, and a valve; wherein said automated drive system includes a piston drive member and a valve drive member selectively interconnectable to and disconnectable from said piston and said valve, respectively; and wherein said establishing step includes interconnecting said piston and said valve to said piston drive member and said valve drive member, respectively; using said piston drive member of said automated drive system to retract said piston within a first portion of said tubular member of said disposable and thereby draw a predetermined volume of a medical liquid into said tubular member; employing said piston drive member of said automated drive system to advance said piston within said first portion of said tubular member of said disposable and thereby dispense at least a portion of said predetermined volume of medical liquid from the tubular member into at least one interconnectable receptacle; utilizing said valve drive member of said automated drive system to automatically and alternately position said valve of said disposable in a first valve position and in a second valve position, wherein said first valve position is maintained during said using step, and said second valve position is maintained during said employing step; and, sealing said first portion of said tubular member during said using and employing steps.