Intravenous container mixing assembly

Abstract

A device for the mixing and administration of intravenous fluid comprising a cylindrical vial having an open end and a closed end, an inwardly extending integral annular ring within the vial and forming part of the walls of the vial intermediate said open and closed ends. A tippable center septum seals on the annular ring. An imperforate stopper is provided in the open end of the vial. The vial is adapted to contain two liquids or a liquid and a dry material in separated state. A non-opaque drip meter having a fluid outlet at one end and a fluid inlet is provided, the inlet comprising a tubular member terminating within the drip meter whereby drops can be visually observed at the end of the tubular member through the drip meter. Extending from the drip meter is a solid or hollow elongated rigid spike having an enlarged base adjacent the drip meter, the spike terminating in a point at its other end. A filtered air inlet is positioned in proximity to the base of the spike, a passage and filter are associated with the spike or base for admitting filtered air into the vial. A fluid passage runs through the base and has one end adjacent the spike at the exterior of the base and the other end communicates with the tubular member. The spike is adapted to puncture the stopper and tip the septum whereby the contents of the vial can be mixed without contamination from the exterior and the fluid contents of the vial can flow through the fluid passage and the drip meter while filtered air passes into the vial.

I claim: 
     
       1. A novel device for the administration of intravenous fluids which comprises a cylindrical fluid container having an open end and a closed end, an imperforate stopper in said open end, an annular inwardly projecting ring within said container, a tippable center septum abutting said ring, a non-opaque drip meter having a fluid outlet at one end and a fluid inlet, said inlet comprising a tubular member terminating within said drip meter whereby drops can be visually observed at the end of said tubular member through said drip meter, extending from said drip meter an elongated rigid spike having an enlarged base adjacent said drip meter, said spike terminating in a point at its other end, said other end extending into said container, a filtered air inlet positioned in proximity to the base of said spike, means for admitting filtered air into said container, a fluid passage running through said base and having one end adjacent the spike at the exterior of said base so that essentially all of the fluid within said container can drain out by gravity through said fluid passage, and the other end of said fluid passage communicating with said tubular member, the point of said spike being adapted to puncture said stopper and tip said septum whereby contents of said container can be mixed without contamination from the exterior and the fluid contents can flow through said fluid passage and drip meter while filtered air passes into said vial. 
     
     
       2. A novel device for the administration of intravenous fluids which comprises a cylindrical fluid vial having an open end and a closed end, an imperforate stopper in said open end, an annular inwardly projecting ring within said vial, a tippable center septum abutting said ring, a non-opaque drip meter having a fluid outlet at one end and a fluid inlet, said inlet comprising a tubular member terminating within said drip meter whereby drops can be visually observed at the end of said tubular member through said drip meter, extending from said drip meter an elongated rigid solid spike having an enlarged base adjacent said drip meter, said solid spike terminating in a point at its other end, said other end extending into said container, a filtered air inlet positioned in proximity to the base of said solid spike, means for admitting filtered air into said container, a fluid passage running through said base and having one end adjacent the solid spike at the exterior of said base so that essentially all of the fluid within said container can drain out by gravity through said fluid passage, and the other end of said fluid passage communicating with said tubular member, the point of said solid spike being adapted to puncture said stopper and tip said septum whereby contents of said vial can be mixed without contamination from the exterior and the fluid contents can flow through said fluid passage and drip meter while filtered air passes into said vial. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 2 wherein said solid spike is offset from the centerline of said vial. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 2 wherein said septum has a centrally domed surface facing said stopper. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 2 wherein said drip meter has an external flange which abuts said end stopper. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 2 wherein said end stopper is non-reciprocating. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 2 wherein said chamber adjacent said closed end is shorter than the diameter of said septum. 
     
     
       8. The device of claim 7 wherein said septum has a plurality of rings sealing on the walls of said vial. 
     
     
       9. The device of claim 1 wherein said spike is hollow and has a central internal passage which communicates with said filtered air inlet. .Iadd. 10. A novel device for the administration of intravenous fluids which comprises a fluid container having an open end and a closed end, an imperforate stopper in said open end, said container having two coaxial cylindrical compartments, a tippable center septum separating said compartments, a non-opaque drip meter having a fluid outlet at one end and a fluid inlet, said inlet comprising a tubular member terminating within said drip member whereby drops can be visually observed at the end of said tubular member through said drip meter, extending from said drip meter an elongated rigid spike having an enlarged base adjacent said drip meter, said spike terminating in a point at its other end, said other end extending into said container, a filtered air inlet positioned in proximity to the base of said spike, means for admitting filtered air into said container, a fluid passage running through said base and having one end adjacent the spike at the exterior of said base so that essentially all of the fluid within said container can drain out by gravity through said fluid passage, and the other end of said fluid passage communicating with said tubular member, the point of said spike being adapted to puncture said stopper and tip said septum whereby contents of said container can be mixed without contamination from the exterior and the fluid contents can flow through said fluid passage and drip meter while filtered air passes into said vial..Iaddend.