Mixing tool

Abstract

The present invention provides devices and methods for mixing a formulation containing two or more constituents, such as a drug product and a diluent. The devices have a chamber for securing a container of the drug product. Various embodiments are presented. In one embodiment the device has two or more sides connected by a hinge, the two or more sides defining the chamber between them, and a handle for grasping and manipulating the device. In another embodiment the device has a housing with two or more side bars defining the chamber, the container being visible from outside the housing between the side bars and having a stopping element at the distal end, and a handle having two arms for grasping.

1 . A device for mixing a formulation comprising;
 two or more sides that are connected by a hinge and having an open position and a closed position, the two or more sides defining a chamber between them for securing a container when the sides are in the closed position;   a handle connected to at least one of the two or more sides for manipulation of the device after insertion of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a container within the chamber;
 wherein the container comprises a vial containing a drug and a diluent, and wherein a syringe is inserted into the vial.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber comprises an opening or an at least partially transparent portion through which the container is visible, and the chamber is sized and shaped to secure the container. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the two or more sides comprise two opposing sides movable about the hinge from the open to the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the chamber is shaped to accommodate a vial having an adaptor, and a syringe inserted into the adaptor. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the container is a vial and the chamber is sized and shaped to secure the container and the syringe. 
     
     
         7 . A device comprising:
 a housing comprising two or more side bars defining a chamber for securing a container inside, the container visible from outside the housing between two side bars;   the chamber having a stopping element at one end and being open on the opposite end;   a handle comprising two arms and connected to the chamber on the open end, the container insertable into the chamber between the two arms.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising a container within the chamber;
 wherein the container comprises a vial containing a drug and wherein a syringe comprising a plunger is inserted into the vial, the plunger of the syringe extending from the open end of the chamber. 
 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the housing comprises four side bars. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the container is visible within the chamber between the side bars. 
     
     
         11 . A device comprising
 a first member and a second member, the first member containing two or more prongs extending from a base on the first member and the second member containing two or more tubes extending from a base on the second member,   the device comprising a first open position where the two members are separated, and a second closed position where the prongs and tubes are fitted together in a complementary manner to form a chamber for securing a container, the tubes comprising the lateral boundaries of the chamber.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  comprising a container in the chamber, said container is a vial and further comprises a syringe with a plunger,
 the syringe inserted into the vial, and 
 wherein the plunger of the syringe protrubes from an end of the device when the container and syringe are present in the chamber and the device is in the closed position. 
 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11  further wherein the container is a vial and is present inside the chamber, the vial further comprising a syringe inserted into the vial. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the container is visible between the tubes of the device when the device is in the second position. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the chamber is substantially tubular. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11  wherein, when the device is in the second closed position the prongs abut against the base of the second member, and the tubes abut against the base of the first member. 
     
     
         17 . A method of mixing a formulation comprising:
 placing the formulation into a container;   inserting the container into a device comprising
 two or more sides that are connected by a hinge and having an open position and a closed position, the two or more sides defining a chamber between them for securing a container when the sides are in the closed position; 
 a handle connected to at least one of the two or more sides for manipulation of the device after insertion of the container. 
   placing the device into the closed position;   shaking the device to mix the formulation.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein placing the formulation into the container comprises injecting a diluent into the container with a syringe. 
     
     
         19 . A method of preparing a formulation comprising
 placing the formulation into a container;   inserting the container into a device comprising a housing comprising
 two or more side bars defining a chamber for securing a container inside, the container visible from outside the housing between two side rails; 
 the chamber having a stopping element at one end and being open on the opposite end; a handle comprising two arms and connected to the chamber on the open end, the container insertable into the chamber between the two arms; and 
   shaking the device to prepare the formulation.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein placing the formulation in the container comprises injecting a diluent into the container with a syringe. 
     
     
         21 . A method of preparing a formulation comprising
 placing the formulation into a container;   inserting the container into a device comprising
 a first member and a second member, the first member containing two or more prongs extending from a base on the first member and the second member containing two or more tubes extending from a base on the second member; 
 the device comprising a first open position where the two members are separated, and a second closed position where the prongs and tubes are fitted together in a complementary fashion to form a chamber for securing a container, the tubes comprising the lateral boundaries of the chamber; and 
   shaking the device to prepare the formulation.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein placing the formulation into the container comprises injecting a diluent into the container with a syringe.