Patent ID: 7214210

Claim:
A method for preparing an intravenous drug in a vial, the method comprising: providing a disposable cassette having (i) a liquid inlet for receiving a supply of liquid, (ii) a first vial spike, (iii) a second vial spike, (iv) a variable-volume mixing chamber, the mixing chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet being in fluid communication with each other, and (v) a valve mechanism, which may be actuated to control flow between the mixing chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet; attaching the supply of liquid to the liquid inlet; attaching a first vial containing a drug to the first vial spike; introducing liquid from the liquid supply into the mixing chamber; measuring and introducing a first volume of liquid from the mixing chamber into the first vial; causing liquid to flow between the first vial and the mixing chamber; attaching a second vial containing a drug to the second vial spike; measuring and introducing a second volume of liquid from the mixing chamber into the second vial; and causing the liquid to flow between the second vial and the mixing chamber.