Devices and methods for formulation processing

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for controlling transfer of substances to a formulation container to provide a predetermined formulation. A controller may utilize one or more of a flow time, flow rate or a volume of transfer of substance. Barcoded and RFID-containing components may be used to determine what connection or disconnection has been made, and/or time thereof. Process compliance may compare measured or determined flow or connection time, flow rate and/or the transfer volume to a predetermined time, flow rate and/or volume, and adjust one or more of the time, flow rate and/or the volume of the transfer. An optional holder or cradle is configured to receive therein a fluid transfer connector formed by the connection of first and second connector portions, each in fluid communication with a flow conduit or channel that delivers substance to or receives substance from its respective connector portion, only if the connector portions are properly connected together. One or more sensors may be used to determine identification information of the connector and/or flow rates of substance through the connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for controlling transfer of a substance to maintain a predetermined formulation, the apparatus comprising:
 a cradle having a body defining a first interior cavity portion therein configured to receive therein a substance transfer connector formed by the connection of a first connector portion and a second connector portion, wherein the cradle is configured and dimensioned to receive the connector therein only when the first connector and the second connector are properly connected together.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first interior cavity portion includes at least a portion of a reader or sensor configured to read or determine identification information of the connector, and the apparatus is further configured to transmit said identification information to a controller configured to control substance transfer flow though the connector. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the identification information is contained on or in an RFID tag included on the connector, and the reader or sensor includes an RFID reader. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the identification information is contained in a barcode contained on the connector, and the reader or sensor includes a bar code reader. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further including a detector configured to detect whether the connector is properly located within the first interior cavity portion, and to transmit to a controller, which is configured to control substance transfer flow though the connector, information representing that the connector is properly located within the first interior cavity portion. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the detector is mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the detector includes a switch having and movable between a first position when the connector is not properly located in the first interior cavity portion and a second position when the connector is properly located in the first interior cavity portion, and configured to, in the second position, transmit information to the controller representing that the connector is properly located within the first interior cavity portion. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the switch is biased in a direction from the second position toward the first position. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the cradle further defines a second interior cavity portion configured to receive therein a portion of a flow conduit in or placeable in fluid communication with the connector, and includes a flow meter configured to measure flow of substance through the flow conduit, wherein the apparatus is further configured to transmit a flow measurement to a controller configured to control substance transfer flow though the connector. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a cover movable relative to the body between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the cover sufficiently blocks access to the first interior cavity portion to prevent (1) insertion of said connector into the first interior cavity portion when the connector is not located in the cradle and (2) removal of said connector from the first interior cavity portion when the connector is located therein, and an open position where the cover does not block access to the first interior cavity portion to allow (1) insertion of said connector into the first interior cavity portion when the connector is not located therein and (2) removal of said connector from the first interior cavity when the connector is located within the cradle. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further including a detector configured to detect whether the cover is in an open position or a closed position, and to transmit to a controller, which is configured to control substance transfer flow though the connector, information representing that the cover is in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the detector is mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the detector includes a switch having and movable between a first position when the cover is in the open position and a second position when the cover is in the closed position, and configured to, in the second position, transmit information to the controller representing that the cover is in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the switch is biased in a direction from the second position toward the first position. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein one or more of the body or the cover defines at least one opening therein configured to permit viewing of the connector in the cradle when the cover is in the closed position. 
     
     
         16 . A method for controlling transfer of a substance to maintain a predetermined formulation comprising:
 placing a substance transfer connector having a first connector portion and a second connector portion into a properly connected position by connecting the first and second connector portions; and   inserting the properly connected connector into a cradle having a body defining a first interior cavity portion therein configured to receive therein said connector only when the first connector portion and the second connector portion are properly connected together, such that the connector is received in the first interior cavity portion.   
     
     
         17 . A method as defined in  claim 16 , further including sensing identification information of the connector, and transmitting said identification information to a controller configured to control substance transfer flow though the connector. 
     
     
         18 . A method as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the identification information is contained on or in an RFID tag, and the sensing step includes sensing said identification information with an RFID reader. 
     
     
         19 . A method as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the identification information is contained in a barcode contained on the connector, and the sensing step includes sensing said identification information with a barcode reader. 
     
     
         20 . A method as defined in  claim 16 , further including detecting whether the connector is properly located within the first interior cavity portion, and transmitting to a controller, which is configured to control substance transfer flow though the connector, information representing that the connector is properly located within the first interior cavity portion. 
     
     
         21 . A method as defined in  claim 20 , further including transferring substance through said connector only when said connector is properly located within the first cavity portion. 
     
     
         22 . A method as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the detecting step includes moving a switch from a first position where the connector is not properly located in the first interior cavity portion to a second position where the connector is properly located in the first interior cavity portion, and then transmitting said information to the controller representing that the connector is properly located within the first interior cavity portion. 
     
     
         23 . A method as defined in  claim 22 , further including biasing the switch in a direction from the second position toward the first position. 
     
     
         24 . A method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the cradle further defines a second interior cavity portion configured to receive therein a portion of a flow conduit in or placeable in fluid communication with the connector, and includes a flow meter configured to measure flow of substance through the flow conduit, and the method further includes inserting said flow conduit portion into the second interior cavity portion and transmitting a measurement of substance flow through said flow conduit portion to a controller configured to control substance transfer flow though the connector. 
     
     
         25 . A method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the cradle includes a cover movable relative to the body between an open position and a closed position, and the method further includes moving the cover from the open to the closed position and transmitting to a controller, which is configured to control substance transfer flow though the connector, information representing that the cover is in the closed position. 
     
     
         26 . A method as defined in  claim 25 , further including detecting whether the cover is in the open position or the closing position prior to the transmitting step. 
     
     
         27 . A method as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the detecting step includes moving a switch from a first position where the cover is in the open position to a second position where the cover is in a closed position. 
     
     
         28 . A method as defined in  claim 27 , further including biasing the switch in a direction from the second position toward the first position. 
     
     
         29 . A method as defined in  claim 16 , further including engaging a flow conduit in or placeable in fluid communication with the connector with a pump configured to pump substance in the flow conduit through the connector in the properly connected position.