METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS BETWEEN CONTAINERS

摘要

This invention is a method and apparatus for automatically transferring a predetermined quantity of a sterile liquid (38) to a vial (10) containing a dry medicament (20) for hydrating the medicament (20) and then transferring the hydrated medicament (20) to a container (36). To hydrate the medicament (20), a needle (28) is positioned through a vial septum (26) of the vial (10), an artificial sensor (48) senses when the needle (28) has been positioned through the vial septum (26) and actuates a pump (30) to transfer a predetermined quantity of sterile liquid (38) into the vial (10). The needle (28) is then removed from the vial septum (26). The vial (10) is shaken to mix the liquid (38) and medicament (20). To transfer the hydrated medicament (20) to a container (36), another needle is positioned through the vial septum (26). An artificial sensor (48) senses when the needle has been positioned through the vial septum (26) and actuates the pump (30) to transfer the hydrated medicament (20) to the container (36).