Container connector

Abstract

A connector cap for a reagent bottle which can be pre-attached to a fully assembled synthesis cassette allows greater control in the assembly of the cassette and simpler operation for the end user. The connector cap may be incorporated onto reagent bottle or on vials to be used with automated synthesis cassettes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container connector for a container having an annular neck defining a container aperture and a pierceable septum spanning the container aperture, said container connector comprising:
 a connector cap comprising an annular cap body having opposed first and second ends and an elongate annular wall extending therebetween, the first end defining a first aperture, the annular wall including an annular interior surface defining a cap cavity in fluid communication with the first aperture, the interior surface sized and shaped sized to engage the annular neck so that the cap can be moved from a first position with respect to the neck to a second position with respect to the neck; and   a septum piercing unit comprising an elongate unit body including longitudinally opposed transversely-extending first and second end surfaces, said unit body supports a first cannula, respectively, extending therefrom, said first cannula and said unit body defining a first and second fluid port respectively, wherein said unit body and said first cannula further define an elongate fluid passageway extending in fluid communication between said first and second fluid ports;   wherein said unit body is sized to span said container aperture such that said unit body is urgeable from said first position wherein said second cannula is positioned in overlying registry with the septum, to said second position wherein said second cannula has pierced the septum, said unit body being urgeable between said first and second position by said cap.   
     
     
         2 . A container connector of  claim 1 , wherein said body of said septum piercing unit includes opposing first and second major surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . A container connector of  claim 2 , wherein said septum piercing unity further comprising an elongate needle extending through said body thereof, said needle including a first end, a second end, and an elongate tubular body extending therebetween, said first end defining a first needle aperture, said second end defining a second needle aperture, and said tubular body defining an elongate needle passageway extending in fluid communication therebetween, wherein said first end of said needle is the first cannula. 
     
     
         4 . A container connector of  claim 3 , wherein said second end of said needle supports a connector thereon for engaging an elongate conduit having an elongate tubular body defining an open conduit passageway therethrough, said connector placing said conduit passageway in fluid communication with said needle passageway. 
     
     
         5 . A container connector of  claim 1 , wherein said septum piercing unit body is an elongate cylindrical member sized to be positioned in the neck cavity. 
     
     
         6 . A container connector of  claim 1 , wherein said unit body further supports a vent cannula, respectively, extending therefrom, said vent cannula defining a first and second vent port respectively, wherein said unit body further defines an elongate vent passageway extending in fluid communication between said first and second vent ports, wherein in said first position said second vent cannula is positioned in overlying registry with the septum, and in said second position said second vent cannula has pierced the septum. 
     
     
         7 . A container connector of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongate vent needle extending through said unit body, said vent needle including a first end, a second end, and an elongate tubular vent body extending therebetween, said first end defining a first vent needle aperture, said second end defining a second vent needle aperture, and said tubular body defining an elongate vent needle passageway extending in fluid communication therebetween, wherein said first end of said needle is the vent cannula. 
     
     
         8 . A container connector of  claim 7 , wherein said vent cannula supports a porous filtration media, said media defining porous passageways therethrough in fluid communication with said vent passageway. 
     
     
         9 . A container connector of  claim 1  further comprising a removably connected key for preventing movement of said cap from said first position to said second position. 
     
     
         10 . A container connector of  claim 1 , wherein said cap and the neck include mating helical threads so as guide movement of the cap from said first to said second position. 
     
     
         11 . A container connector of  claim 10 , wherein said cap and the neck include cooperating detents for resisting movement of the cap from the first position. 
     
     
         12 . A container connector of  claim 11 , wherein said cap and the neck include cooperating detents for resisting movement of the cap from the second position. 
     
     
         13 . A container connector of  claim 1 , wherein the septum piercing unit engages the neck so as to prevent rotation of the septum piercing unit along its axis of travel as the cap is moved from the first to the second position. 
     
     
         14 . A bottle comprising a neck configured to mate with a container connector of  claim 1 ,
 said neck defining a bottle aperture, and including an annular shoulder to support said septum;   said bottle including a bottle body defining a bottle cavity in fluid communication with said bottle aperture;   an elongate tubular dip tube supported in said bottle cavity, said dip tube including a first end, an opposed second end, and an elongate tubular dip tube body extending therebetween, said first end of said dip tube defining a first tube aperture, said second end of said dip tube defining a second tube aperture and said dip tube body defining an elongate dip tube passageway extending in fluid communication therebetween;   wherein said second end of said dip tube is positioned adjacent the septum in underlying registry with the first end of the needle, wherein in the second position, said first end of said needle will be in fluid-tight engagement with said first end of said dip tube so as to place said dip tube passageway in fluid communication with said needle passageway.   
     
     
         15 . A bottle of  claim 14 , further comprising dip tube support member holding said first end of said dip tube adjacent to the septum of the bottle. 
     
     
         16 . A bottle of  claim 15 , further comprising an elongate tubular vent tube supported in said bottle cavity, said vent tube including a first end, an opposed second end, and an elongate tubular vent tube body extending therebetween, said first end of said vent tube defining a first vent tube aperture, said second end of said vent tube defining a second vent tube aperture and said vent tube body defining an elongate vent tube passageway extending in fluid communication therebetween;
 wherein said second end of said vent tube is positioned adjacent the septum in underlying registry with the first end of the vent cannula, wherein in the second position, said first end of said vent cannula will be in fluid-tight engagement with said second end of said vent tube so as to place said vent tube passageway in fluid communication with said vent passageway.   
     
     
         17 . A bottle of  claim 16 , wherein said dip tube support member holds said first end of said vent tube adjacent to the septum of the bottle. 
     
     
         18 . A synthesis cassette comprising at least one container connector of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A kit comprising an automated synthesis cassette of  claim 18  and a reagent container adapted to engage the container connector.