Swabbable needleless vial access

Abstract

The invention provides for a cleansable, i.e., swabbable, access pot, formed by a stopper having a bore extending from an entry position to an exit position; and a plug in the bore at the entry position and movable in the bore; whereby the location of the plug at the entry position of the stopper permits the cleansing or swabbing of the outer surfaces of the plug and the stopper before the plug is depressed into the bore of the stopper for a vial or container in order to reduce the danger of contamination of the bore by pathogens. To convert from single-use vial access, to multiple-use vial access, the plug is replaced by a swabbable, needleless, multiple-use lock connector in which the plug contains a slit that is closed upon initial depression but is thereafter openable to permit flow through the connector into a vial or container.

1 . A cleansable access port, comprising: 
 a stopper having a bore extending from an entry position to an exit position; and a plug in said bore at said entry position and movable in said bore;    whereby the location of said plug at the entry position of said stopper permits the cleansing of the outer surfaces of said plug and said stopper before said plug is depressed into said bore of said stopper in order to reduce the danger of contamination of said bore by pathogens.    
   
   
       2 . The method of accessing a port, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) swabbing a plug that extends integrally across the bore of a stopper, for which said bore extends from an entry position, where said plug is swabbed, to an exit position; and    (b) moving said plug within said bore away from said entry position; 
 whereby communication can be established along said bore between said entry position and said exit position.  
   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  for accessing a port, further comprising the step of: 
 swabbing said movable plug with respect to frangible, breakable, connections thereof to said bore.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  for accessing a port, further comprising the step of: 
 slidably moving said plug along said bore.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2  for accessing a port, further comprising: 
 engaging said plug by a fitment with a transverse gap between a portion of the exterior surface of said plug and the engagement end of said fitment.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  for accessing a port further comprising the step of: 
 piercing to make a hole through said plug by a cannula.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  for accessing a port, further comprising the step of: 
 engaging a recessed, depressed collar of said stopper at said entry position of said bore.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2  for accessing a port, further comprising the step of: 
 replacing said plug by a swabble, needleless multiple-use lock connector.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 2  for accessing a port, further comprising the step of: 
 stretching an apertured membrane that spans said exit position of said bore.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 2  for accessing a port, further comprising the step of: 
 causing fluid to flow in an auxiliary channel of said bore when said plug is depressed in said bore.    
   
   
       11 . The method of accessing a port, comprising the steps of: 
 moving a plug to the entry position of a bore extending to an exit position of a port; and    engaging said plug at said entry position and slidably moving said plug through said bore.    
   
   
       12 . The method of accessing a port as defined in  claim 11  further including the step of extending said movable plug integrally across said bore to a stopper surrounding said plug.  
   
   
       13 . The method of accessing a port as defined in  claim 11  further including the step of frangibly connecting said plug to said bore.  
   
   
       14 . The method of accessing a port as defined in  claim 11  further including the step of slidably connecting said plug within said bore.  
   
   
       15 . The method of accessing a port as defined in  claim 11  further including the step of providing said plug with a non-planar external surface  
   
   
       16 . The method of accessing a port as defined in  claim 11  further including the step of piercing said plug by a cannula with said plug seated in a stopper.  
   
   
       17 . The method of accessing a port as defined in  claim 11  further including the step of providing said plug in a stopper with a recessed collar at said entry position.  
   
   
       18 . The method of accessing a port as defined in  claim 17  further including the step of providing said recessed collar with external Luer threads.  
   
   
       19 . The method of accessing a port as defined in  claim 11  further including the step of spanning said exit position of said bore with a stretchable membrane.  
   
   
       20 . A method of transferring fluid from a container, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) positioning a stopper in a neck portion of a container having a central throughbore extending from an outer surface of said stopper to the interior of said container;    (b) extending a plug into said bore from an entry position at said outer surface of said stopper; and    (c) depressing said plug to permit fluid to flow between said interior and said outer surface.