STORAGE RECEPTACLE SEALING AND TRANSFER APPARATUS.

摘要

A storage receptacle sealing and transfer apparatus is disclosed for selectively enabling sealing and transfer of material to and from the receptacle. The apparatus is particularly useful for maintaining and later transferring drug and associated materials, under sterile conditions, to achieve mixing, as, is necessary, for example, in reconstituting a drug by mixing the drug with a diluent prior to delivery to a patient. The transfer apparatus is mounted at the aperture, or mouth, of a storage receptacle to seal the aperture until the contents are needed, and then to permit sterile transfer from one receptacle to another receptacle through a central passage. The apparatus also includes venting through one or more passages offset from the central passage for supplying or discharging air into the storage receptacle as needed, and a filter is included in each vent passage, with the filter being permeable to passage of gases, including air, in either direction through the vent passage, but precluding passage of liquid or solid materials or microorganisms in either direction through the vent passage. The central passage and all venting passages are sealed until use, and the central passage also includes a septum in one disclosed embodiment, with a penetrating unit being included for access through the septum to the interior of the storage receptacle for delivery or withdrawal of substance therefrom.