Method and apparatus for delivering a therapeutic substance through an injection port

Abstract

Adapters for utilizing a syringe or pen injector with a subcutaneous injection port to deliver a therapeutic substance through the injection port and methods of using the adapters are provided. A syringe adapter has a body having a first end and a second end. The first end of the body is configured to receive and engage the end of a syringe so that the cannula of the syringe is held at a fixed position with the respect to the adapter. The second end of the adapter configured to mate with a mating portion of the injection port. When the second end of the adapter engages the mating portion of the injection port, the adapter assures that the cannula of the syringe is properly aligned with the subcutaneous injection port and aasures that the cannula penetrates the injection port to the proper depth. Adapters for use with pen style delivery systems are also disclosed. Additionally, an adapter to facilitate loading a syringe with a therapeutic substance from a vial is disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vial adapter for use with an injection port adapter, comprising:
 a disc with a bottom surface and a top surface;   a plurality of flexible fingers extending from the bottom surface of the disc, the plurality of flexible fingers having a circumferentially extending retention flange formed on an inner surface of the fingers, the retention flange has a symmetrical cross-sectional shape in circumference, wherein the flexible fingers are configured to fit over a neck of a vial, and the flexible fingers allow the retention flange to pass over a crimp ring on the neck of the vial;   a cylinder extending from the top surface of the disc, the cylinder having an outside diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of an injection port adapter;   a septum covering an opening at a top edge of the cylinder to form a cavity within the cylinder; and   a cannula that extends through the disc into the cavity in the cylinder.   
     
     
         2 . A vial adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the septum is flush with the top edge of the cylinder. 
     
     
         3 . A vial adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the cavity within the cylinder is configured to carry a medicament from the vial. 
     
     
         4 . A vial adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the cannula is configured to be in fluid communication with the vial. 
     
     
         5 . A vial adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein a cannula of a syringe is configured to pierce the septum. 
     
     
         6 . A vial adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers extend in a direction away from the septum. 
     
     
         7 . A vial adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape comprising a concave protrusion. 
     
     
         8 . A vial adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the cannula is enclosed in the vial adapter. 
     
     
         9 . A vial adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention flange expands to pass over the crimp ring on the neck of the vial. 
     
     
         10 . A vial adapter according to  claim 9 , wherein the retention flange substantially returns to an original shape after passing over the crimp ring and engaging the neck of the vial. 
     
     
         11 . A vial adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the outside diameter of the cylinder is configured to engage the inner diameter of an injection port adapter. 
     
     
         12 . A vial adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the disc secures the cannula in place.