Concentric needle device for transfer of liquids

Abstract

A concentric needle device for transfer of liquids from within a vial sealed with a septum. The concentric needle device for transfer of liquids includes two concentric needles. An outer needle is provided as a gas inlet and an inner needle is provided as a fluid outlet. An annulus is defined between the inner and outer needles, and through which gas enters the vial. Liquid exits through the inner needle once the terminal end is positioned in contact with or below the surface of the liquid in the vial and gas is forced through the annulus. The terminal end of the inner needle, or the fluid outlet, is disposed at a point lower than the terminal end of the outer needle, or the gas inlet. By disposing the needles concentrically, a smaller gauge needle is used for liquid transfer. When the inner needle is placed in contact with the vial septum and an axial force is placed thereon, bending of the inner needle is limited by the outer needle. By reducing the needle diameter, coring of the septum is reduced; closer monitoring of the flow rate of the fluid through the inner needle is effectuated; and the effect of sudden pressure changes is reduced, thus providing more control during the liquid delivery. Further, because the smaller gauge inner needle forms a pilot hole for the larger gauge outer needle, coring of the septum by the outer needle is also reduced.

Having thus described the aforementioned invention, we claim:  
     
         1 . A device for transfer of liquids from a vial having a septum for sealing the vial, said device comprising: 
 a manifold defining a gas inlet channel and a fluid outlet channel, said gas inlet and said fluid outlet being configured to prevent fluid communication therebetween;    an inner needle carried by said manifold, said inner needle defining a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end defining a fluid outlet, said proximal end being mounted to said manifold in fluid communication with said fluid outlet channel; and    an outer needle carried by said manifold and concentrically with inner needle, said outer needle defining a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end defining a gas inlet, said proximal end being mounted to said manifold in fluid communication with said gas inlet channel, said inner needle distal end extending beyond said outer needle distal end relative to said manifold.    
     
     
         2 . A device for transfer of liquids from a vial having a septum for sealing the vial, said device comprising: 
 a manifold defining a gas inlet channel and a fluid outlet channel, said gas inlet and said fluid outlet being configured to prevent fluid communication therebetween;    a fluid outlet means including an inner needle carried by said manifold, said inner needle defining a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end defining a fluid outlet, said proximal end being mounted to said manifold in fluid communication with said fluid outlet channel; and    a gas inlet means including an outer needle carried by said manifold and concentrically with inner needle, said outer needle defining a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end defining a gas inlet, said proximal end being mounted to said manifold in fluid communication with said gas inlet channel, said inner needle distal end extending beyond said outer needle distal end relative to said manifold.