Containers and methods for storing and admixing medical solutions

Abstract

Containers and methods for storing medical solutions are provided. More specifically, containers and methods for storing components that are to be admixed together to create a final solution, one of the components comprising a lipid. In an embodiment, a container including an interior defining at least two chambers. The first chamber includes a lipid containing liquid. The second chamber includes a liquid that does not include a lipid. The first and second chambers are separated by an openable seal.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A container including an interior defining at least two chambers: 
 a first chamber including a liquid that includes a lipid;    a second chamber including a liquid that does not include a lipid;    the first and second chambers being separated by an openable seal.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the openable seal is a peelable seal.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the second chamber includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of dextrose, amino acids, water, vitamins, and electrolytes.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  including three separate chambers separated by two openable seals.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein each of the first and second chambers includes an access port to allow selective fluid communication with the chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container is constructed from a plastic film including an RF responsive layer and a non RF responsive layer.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the liquid in the second chamber includes amino acids and the third chamber includes in an interior thereof a liquid including dextrose.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the access ports are constructed from a material not including polyvinyl chloride.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the openable seal includes portions thereof that are permanent and do not open.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the liquid in the first chamber is a lipid emulsion.  
     
     
         11 . A container comprising a body constructed from a flexible plastic material that does not include polyvinyl chloride, the body defining a chamber that includes a lipid containing liquid.  
     
     
         12 . A container comprising: 
 a body constructed from a flexible plastic material that does not include polyvinyl chloride, the body defining at least a first and second chamber;    the first chamber including a lipid containing liquid;    a second chamber including a liquid that includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of: amino acids; dextrose; vitamins; and electrolytes; and    an openable seal located between the first and the second chambers.    
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the openable seal is a peelable seal.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12  including three separate chambers separated by two openable seals.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 12  wherein each of the first and second chambers includes an access port to allow selective fluid communication with the chamber.  
     
     
         16 . A method for providing nutrition to a patient comprising the steps of: 
 providing a container including at least two chambers, a first chamber including a first lipid containing liquid and a second chamber including a second liquid that does not include a lipid, the chambers being separated by an openable seal;    opening the seal between the first and second chambers;    mixing the first and second liquids within an interior of the container; and    administering a resultant liquid to a patient.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the container includes three chambers and a third liquid in a third chamber.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the resultant liquid is, administered parenterally to the patient.  
     
     
         19 . A method for providing hyperalimentation to a patient comprising the steps of: 
 providing a multi-chambered container including a lipid component, a dextrose component, and an amino acid component, each of the components being housed in a separate chamber of the multi-chambered container;    mixing the components in an interior of the container; and    administering a resultant fluid to a patient.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the resultant fluid is administered parenterally to a patient.  
     
     
         21 . A method for providing hyperalimentation solutions to a healthcare facility comprising the steps of: 
 providing a multi-chambered container;    filling one of the chambers with a liquid including a lipid;    filling a separate of the chambers with a liquid including amino acids;    filling a different of the chambers with a liquid including dextrose; and    providing the multi-chambered container to a healthcare facility.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the chambers are filled substantially simultaneously.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the amino acids are first filled into the container.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the dextrose is first filled into the container.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  including the step of sterilizing a filled container.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the filled container is autoclaved.