Vial adapter for drawing drugs from a vial

Abstract

A vial adapter for reconstituting a drug and drawing a drug from a vial. The vial adapter includes a passageway for passage of a diluent into the vial to mix with and reconstitute the drug and a chamber containing the reconstituted drug drawn from the vial. A vacuum is applied through the adapter to draw the reconstituted drug from the vial. The reconstituted drug can be accessed in one or two ways, either via a luer locked syringe or via a needled syringe.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A vial adapter for reconstituting a drug and drawing a drug from a vial, the vial adapter comprising
 a) a penetrating member having a penetrating tip configured to extend into the vial to inject a diluent to mix with and reconstitute the drug;   b) a chamber dimensioned for containing the reconstituted drug drawn from the vial, the penetrating member in fluid communication with the chamber;   c) wherein a vacuum is applied through the adapter to draw the reconstituted drug from the vial into the adapter, the reconstituted drug drawn through the penetrating member for passage into the chamber.   
     
     
         22 . The vial adapter of  claim 21 , further comprising at least a first port communicating with the chamber to provide access for a syringe to draw the reconstituted drug via vacuum force. 
     
     
         23 . The vial adapter of  claim 21 , wherein the chamber stores the reconstituted drug and is accessible for subsequent withdrawal of the reconstituted drug therefrom for injection in a patient. 
     
     
         24 . The vial adapter of  claim 21 , wherein the penetrating member extends into the chamber. 
     
     
         25 . The vial adapter of  claim 24 , wherein the penetrating member has at least one side opening for passage of the reconstituted drug into the chamber. 
     
     
         26 . The vial adapter of  claim 21 , wherein a proximal end of the penetrating member is outside the chamber. 
     
     
         27 . The vial adapter of  claim 22 , further comprising a second port in fluid communication with the penetrating member, the second port receiving a syringe for inserting the diluent through the adapter and into the vial. 
     
     
         28 . The vial adapter of  claim 21 , wherein the penetrating member is fixedly attached to a wall of the adapter. 
     
     
         29 . The vial adapter of  claim 21 , wherein the penetrating member has a resealable member at a proximal end for insertion of a needle to inject the diluent, wherein the vial adapter forms a closed system to create the vacuum therein for drawing the reconstituted drug from the vial and the chamber includes an openable opening to selectively break the vacuum. 
     
     
         30 . A vial adapter for drawing a drug from a vial, the vial adapter comprising a) a penetrating member having a penetrating tip for accessing an internal chamber of the vial containing the drug, b) a chamber proximal of the penetrating tip, the chamber providing access for an injection needle to withdraw the drug from the chamber for injection into a patient, the penetrating member both i) providing passage of a diluent into the vial; and ii) subsequently providing passage of the drug after reconstitution into the chamber for subsequent withdrawal. 
     
     
         31 . The vial adapter of  claim 30 , wherein a syringe fluidly connected to the chamber withdraws the reconstructed drug from the chamber. 
     
     
         32 . The vial adapter of  claim 30 , wherein the penetrating member forms a vacuum for drawing the reconstituted drug into the chamber. 
     
     
         33 . The vial adapter of  claim 30 , wherein the chamber includes one or both of a) a membrane penetrable by an injection syringe; and b) an access port for the injection needle. 
     
     
         34 . The vial adapter of  claim 30 , wherein diluent passes into the vial via vacuum force. 
     
     
         35 . A method for reconstituting a drug for subsequent injection into a patient, the method comprising the steps of
 a) inserting a penetrating tip of a penetrating member of a vial adapter into a vial containing a drug, the vial adapter connected to the vial;   b) passing a diluent through the penetrating tip for entry into the vial to mix with and reconstitute the drug; and   c) drawing the reconstituted drug from the vial into a chamber of the adapter positioned proximal the penetrating tip.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the reconstituted drug in the chamber is accessible for injection of the drug into a patient by an injection device. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the penetrating tip is entirely distal of the chamber. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising the step of applying a vacuum through the vial adapter to draw the reconstituted drug from the vial. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the diluent is inserted via first port of the adapter and the reconstituted drug is withdrawn from a second port of the adapter.