description lang="EN" 
Field of the Invention 

[0001] The invention relates to devices for transferring a liquid medicament from a supply container to a flexible reservoir container for use in an infusion pump device, a kit with such a device, and methods for transferring a liquid medicament from a supply container to a flexible reservoir container, according to the preamble of the independent claims. 

 State of the art 

[0002] Devices for the automated release of liquid medicaments are normally used with patients who have a continuous and in the course of the day typically varying need of a medicine that can be administered by subcutaneous infusion. Specific applications are, for example, certain pain therapies and the treatment of diabetes, in which computer controlled infusion pump devices are used, such as insulin pumps. Such devices can be carried by a patient on the body, and contain a certain amount of liquid medicament in a medicine reservoir in the form of a container. The medicine reservoir often comprises medicine sufficient for one or several days. The liquid medicament is supplied to the patient's body from the medicine reservoir by subcutaneous infusion of injection, through an infusion cannula or an injection needle. 

[0003] As used herein, the terms "medicament" and "liquid medicament" are meant to encompass any drug-containing liquid medicine, or therapeutic or diagnostic liquid, capable of being passed through a delivery element such as a hollow needle in a controlled manner, such as a liquid, solution, gel or fine suspension. Representative drugs include pharmaceuticals such as peptides, proteins, and hormones, biologically derived or active agents, hormonal and gene based agents, nutritional formulas and other substances in both solid (dispensed) or liquid form. In particular the term medicament encompasses insulin preparations ready for administration. 

[0004] The terms "subcutaneous infusion" and "subcutaneous injection" are meant to encompass any method in which a needle device is inserted at a selected site within the body of a patient for subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular or intradermal delivery of a liquid medicament to a subject. Further, the term needle defines a piercing member (including an array of micro needles) adapted to be introduced into or through the skin of a subject. 

[0005] Particularly in self-administration of liquid medicaments, for example insulin, the patients using the medicament in question and administering it themselves by means of an infusion pump are increasingly emphasizing convenience and discretion. As a consequence the dimensions of such infusion devices are limited, and particular the overall length, width and thickness should be as small as possible, in order not be evident through clothing and to be carried as comfortable as possible. 

[0006] While there are fully or partly disposable single-use infusion pump devices, such devices are typically non-disposable and are loaded with a disposable drug cartridge. Disposable cartridges are preferable for sterility and contamination prevention reasons. They may be delivered pre-filled with a certain liquid medicament, or empty, ready to be filled by a user. Said self-filling of containers has the advantage that also medicaments that are not readily available in pre-filled containers can be used for such infusion pump devices, thereby providing the patient with a larger choice of sources for his medicaments. Furthermore the stability of many medicaments in liquid form, particularly in plastic containers, can only be guaranteed by the manufacturer for some days. 

[0007] The standard infusion pump devices that are carried on or near the body have a medicine reservoir with a cylindrical ampoule and a displacement piston, which is pushed into the ampoule by a piston rod or threaded spindle in order to convey the liquid medicament. These known designs have the disadvantage of being longer and/or thicker than desired, the resulting dimensions being detrimental to the provision of compact infusion pumps. 

[0008] To reduce the overall volume of an infusion pump device the syringe-type dosing mechanism can be replaced by a downstream pump system. In such a device a miniaturized pump is arranged downstream of the main reservoir, and causes a suction pressure that conveys the product from the reservoir to its destination. An example for such a pump is WO 2004/009162 A1 . Advantageously the reservoir in such a type of an infusion pump device is realized as a flexible container. Such a flexible container may for example have the form of two flexible wall sheets that are sealed together. Flexible containers have the advantage of a smaller volume surplus of the container in relation to its content, which reduces the manufacture costs and the achievable dimensions of an infusion pump device using such a flexible container. The volume of a flexible container for use in an infusion pump device may be up to 10 ml, for example. A typical range for diabetes therapy is 1.5 to 3.5 ml. For other therapies, e.g. pain therapy, which require other administration regimes, other volume ranges may be more preferable. 

[0009] A common problem of flexible containers as they are known is air remaining in the container. If for example a flexible container is provided empty, and is filled with the appropriate liquid medicament by the user himself, there may be a certain amount of air in the container after the filling process. If said air remains in the container or in the fluidic system of a pump system, air bubbles may be administered instead of the liquid medicament, which leads to potentially dangerous dosing errors. Furthermore the administration of air into a patient's body should generally be avoided for medical reasons. Yet another negative effect of air present in the fluidic system of an infusion pump device is the reduced stiff ness of the fluidic system. Due to the high compressibility of gases such as air in relation to liquids such as water, it becomes difficult to detect blockages or occlusions in the fluidic system of an infusion pump device by measuring the fluidic pressure, because the air reduces the pressure increase that occurs in case of an occlusion. 

[0010] Filling a container with a liquid medicament with prior removal of air from the container and without having air bubbles getting into the container requires a considerable skill of a user. Said user is generally an untrained person, such as the patient himself or a relative. Reservoir containers can be filled by transferring the liquid medicament with a syringe. Syringes are typically inexpensive, but their proper use requires certain manual skills. Many patients with motor difficulties, such as diabetics with neuropathy or the elderly, have problems with the safely handling of syringes. In addition, accidental needle injuries and transferring the proper amount of medication are always a concern. Another problem is cross-contamination of medications between containers. 

[0011] Devices are known from the state of the art that should help a user to fill a container for infusion pump systems. Said devices, however, are intended for the use in syringe/ampoule type infusion pump systems, and cannot be properly used with flexible containers. Such filling devices are disclosed, among others, in EP 1952837 A1 and EP 1820485 A1 . 

[0012] US 2009/0163866 A1 shows an infusion system with a flexible reservoir container arranged in a rigid casing and fluidly connected to a liquid in a supply container under ambient pressure. When a vacuum pump reduces the pressure inside of the rigid casing, the resulting pressure differential between the rigid casing and the supply container conveys the liquid into the flexible container. To avoid that air instead of liquid is sucked into the flexible container from the supply container, the user has to correctly orient the supply container. Since such a user regularly has no medical training, such a system is prone to incorrect operation and handling errors. Furthermore it is not possible to evacuate the flexible container prior to filling. 

 Objects of the Invention 

[0013] One object of the invention is to provide an advantageous device for filling a flexible reservoir container with a liquid, particularly a liquid medicament, from supply container, such as for example a vial or an injection pen ampoule. A device according to the invention should allow the efficient and reproducible filling of a flexible container with a liquid medicament. 

[0014] It is another object of this invention to provide an advantageous device that can be easily applied by users without medical training. 

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide an advantageous device for filling a flexible reservoir container that is reusable to a large part. 

[0016] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an advantageous device for filling a flexible reservoir container that allows the removal of air that is already present in the flexible container. 

[0017] Furthermore such a device advantageously should prevent the entering of air bubbles into the flexible container. 

[0018] A device according to the invention should be producible with high quality at low costs in a large-scale manufacture. 

[0019] These and other objects are achieved by a device, a kit with such a device, and a method for transferring a liquid medicament from a supply container to a flexible reservoir container, according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims. 

 Summary of the invention 

[0020] A device according to the invention for transferring a liquid medicament from a supply container to a flexible reservoir container has a compartment unit and an adapter unit. The compartment unit comprises a sealingly closable evacuation chamber, arranged for housing the flexible reservoir container and for being fluidly connected with a pump mechanism. The adapter unit comprises at least one transfer passage for transferring liquid from a supply container connected to the adapter unit to said flexible reservoir container. A separator is arranged in said transfer passage for separating gas bubbles from a liquid streaming through the transfer passage. 

[0021] The separation of the gas bubbles from the liquid stream in the separator is advantageously effected by a negative pressure in the chamber of the compartment unit. The separator can be fluidly connected to the chamber. It can comprise a liquid-impermeable, gas-permeable membrane that is on one side fluidly connected to the at least transfer passage and on the other side is fluidly connected to the chamber. Advantageously the separator comprises a liquid-permeable, hydrophilic membrane or filter arranged in the at least one transfer passage. 

[0022] An advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises at least one vent passage for venting ambient air into the supply container. 

[0023] The device advantageously comprises a main valve and/or a flow restrictor arranged in the transfer passage upstream of the separator. Optionally the main valve can be controlled by the pressure in the chamber. 

[0024] Advantageously the adapter unit of a device according to the invention is detachable and can be detachably secured and sealingly connected to the compartment unit. 

[0025] In another embodiment of such a device the compartment unit comprises two casing parts that can be detachably secured to each other, thereby forming the sealingly closed chamber. Advantageously the adapter unit can be detachably secured to one of the casing parts of the compartment unit. One of the casing parts may provide a fluid connection of a flexible reservoir container arranged in the chamber with the transfer passage of the adapter unit. 

[0026] The device according to the invention can be equipped with a pump port or connector for fluidly connecting the chamber with a pump mechanism. Advantageously the device also comprises a pump mechanism. 

[0027] In another advantageous embodiment a flexible reservoir container is mounted in the chamber. 

[0028] A kit according to the invention comprises a device according to the invention and one or more flexible reservoir containers. Advantageously such a kit comprises one or more casing parts, in which a flexible reservoir container can be mounted. In yet another embodiment the one or more flexible reservoir containers are provided mounted in the casing parts. The kit can comprise one or more syringes as a pump device. 

[0029] An advantageous method according to the invention for transferring a liquid medicament from a supply container to a flexible reservoir container (5) comprises the steps of: providing a fluid connection between the supply container and the flexible reservoir container; providing a separator arranged in the fluid connection for separating gas bubbles from the liquid; subjecting the flexible reservoir container to a reduced ambient pressure, thereby generating a negative pressure inside of the flexible reservoir container; sustaining normal ambient pressure inside of the supply container; subjecting the separator to said reduced ambient pressure, wherein the separation of the gas bubbles from the liquid in the separator is effected by the pressure difference between the liquid and the reduced ambient pressure; and conveying the liquid from the supply container to the flexible reservoir container, driven by the pressure difference between the inside of the supply container and the inside of the flexible reservoir container. 

[0030] In a variant to said method, prior to filling the flexible reservoir container is evacuated via the separator. The separator is designed in such a way that the flexible reservoir container is fluidly connected to its surroundings with its reduced ambient pressure as long as the separator has not yet come into contact with liquid. 

 Brief description of the drawings 

[0031] In order to facilitate a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the appended drawings. These references should not be construed as limiting the present invention, but are intended to be exemplary only.
Figure 1 : schematically shows a device according to the invention for transferring a liquid medica- ment from a supply container to a flexible reservoir container.
Figure 2 : schematically shows an alternative device according to the invention for transferring a liquid medicament from a supply container to a flexible reservoir container.
Figure 3 : schematically shows other embodiments of a device according to the invention with a detachable adapter unit.
Figure 4 : shows a possible embodiment of a pressure controlled valve for use in a device according to Figure 3(c) .
Figure 7 : shows a possible embodiment of a device according to the invention in an exploded view.
Figure 8 : shows the casing part of a device similar to Figure 7 , providing a hollow support structure limiting the expansion of a flexible reservoir container.
Figure 9 : shows an embodiment of an adapter unit of a device according to the invention in a cross- section.
Figure 10 : schematically shows the adapter unit of Figure 9 , in a closed state (a), and in an open state (b).
Figure 11 : shows a device according to the invention with the assembled compartment unit of Figure 8 together with the adapter unit of Figure 9 .
Figure 12 : shows in three consecutive steps the insertion of a vial into the assembled device of Figure 11 and the evacuation of the chamber.
Figure 13 : shows different designs of the venting passage 32 and the transfer passage 31 in interac- tion with a liquid filled vial 4.
Figure 14 : shows an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention.

 Description of embodiments of the invention 

[0032] A basic embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for transferring a liquid from a supply container 4 to a flexible reservoir container 5 is schematically shown in Figure 1 . The supply container 4, here a vial containing a liquid medicament such as e.g. insulin solution, is connected to an adapter unit 3 of the device 1, comprising a vent passage 32 and a transfer passage 31. 

[0033] In the shown embodiment the vent passage 32 comprises a first hollow needle 321 for penetrating a septum 41 of the supply container 4. The length of the first needle 321 is chosen such that in a bottom-orientation of the vial 4 the opening of the first needle is as high as possible, to reduce the generation of air bubbles when ambient air 72 is vented into the container 4 during the liquid transfer process. Advantageously the tip of the first needle 321 is located above the liquid 71 phase also when the vial is yet completely filled. The first needle 321 is in fluid communication with a vent conduit 322 of the vent passage 32, opening toward ambient atmosphere 75. To avoid any possible contamination of the vial content, a filter such as a gas permeable membrane can be provided at the entry of the vent passage 32. 

[0034] The transfer passage 31 comprises a second hollow needle 311 for penetrating the septum 41 of the container 4. Said second needle is considerably shorter than the first needle 321, in order to ensure that in the applied bottom-up orientation the vial can be completely emptied. Furthermore a large distance between the openings of the first and second needle avoids the inadvertent transfer of vented air into the liquid transfer passage. 

[0035] A compartment unit 2 of the device 1 comprises a sealingly closed evacuation chamber 24, in which the flexible container 5 to be filled can be arranged and mounted. The initially empty flexible reservoir container 5 (dashed line) is connected with a transfer conduit 312 of the transfer passage 31, via a port 51 of the flexible reservoir container or the container 5 itself. 

[0036] Particularly suitable and advantageous embodiments of flexible containers for use in such a device according to the invention are for example disclosed in European patent application No. 08167548.0 of the applicants, which is hereby included by reference in its entirety. Said flexible containers are provided with an internal port as shown in Figure 1 , ref. 51. However, any suitable type of flexible containers may be used. Particularly it is also possible to use flexible containers without an internal port that can be connected to an external connector acting as the port 51. Such solutions have been disclosed for example in European patent applications No. 08170627.7 and 09155279.4 of the applicants, which are hereby included by reference in their entirety. Such an external port may also be embodied as an integral part of the compartment unit of the device according to the invention. 

[0037] To avoid the problems known from the state of the art, the transfer passage 31 does not provide a direct connection between the supply container 4 and the flexible reservoir container 5. To prevent the transfer of air bubbles or even larger amounts of air into the flexible reservoir container 5, a gas-liquid separator 8 is arranged in the transfer passage 31 for separating gas bubbles from the stream of transferred liquid, and if necessary to branch off gas streaming through the transfer passage. In the simplest case such a separator 8 comprises a gas-permeable membrane that is arranged in fluid connection to the transfer passage 31. The drain of the gas bubbles through the membrane is driven by a pressure differential across the membrane between the transfer passage 31 and the other side of the membrane, which for that purpose is in fluid connection 82 with the evacuation chamber 24. Said chamber 24 always provides a negative pressure during the transfer process. The transfer passage can also comprise a bubble trap in order to retain air bubbles in the liquid stream and to give the bubbles enough time to pass through the gas permeable membrane. 

[0038] Another possibility is the use of a gas-liquid separator 8 as disclosed in WO 2006/047053 A1 , in which a gas-permeable membrane is arranged adjacent to a liquid-permeable membrane to allow the separation of liquid and gas. The gas-permeable membrane and the smaller liquid-permeable membrane are arranged in parallel, with a small gap separating them. The width of the gap is chosen in such a way that for energetic reasons air bubbles are prevented from entering the gap and covering the liquid-permeable membrane, in which case the mere suction force could urge the air bubble through the liquid-permeable membrane. 

[0039] During normal use of the device 1 according to the invention shown in Figure 1 , in a first step the flexible reservoir container 5 is mounted in the evacuation chamber 24 of the compartment unit 2 and fluidly connected to the transfer conduit 312 of the transfer passage 31. Then subsequently a supply container 4, such as a vial with liquid medicament, is connected with the adapter unit 3, by penetrating the septum 41 of the vial with the first 321 and second 311 hollow needle. Advantageously the adapter unit 3 is designed in such a way that the needles 321, 311 automatically penetrate the septum 41 when the supply container 4 is secured to the adapter unit 3, for example during insertion of the vial into a corresponding receptacle 34. 

[0040] If not yet happened the evacuation chamber 24 is now sealingly closed and the chamber venting valve 25 is closed. Then the pump mechanism 6 is actuated, reducing the pressure inside of the evacuation chamber 24. The negative pressure can for example lie between about -250 mbar to about -850 mbar, and advantageously lies between -650 mbar and -750 mbar. The exact values depend on the particular embodiment of the device and the container to be filled, and may lie above or below the beforementioned values. 

[0041] The pump mechanism 6 can be embodied for example as a manually operated piston pump, or even simply as a syringe fluidly connected to the evacuation chamber 24. Alternatively the pump mechanism may be a motor-driven pump. As a result of the negative pressure inside of the evacuation chamber 24, the higher ambient pressure in the vial propels the liquid 71 via the transfer passage 31 into the flexible container 5, while ambient air is constantly vented into the vial via the vent passage 32. The liquid stream 74 enters the second needle 311, passes the separator 8, where any air bubbles 73 carried along the stream 74 are diverted through the gas-permeable membrane 81 and degassing conduit 82 to the evacuation chamber 24, and flows into the flexible reservoir container 5. During filling the flexible container 5 is inflated (black line). 

[0042] To finish the transfer process, either the transfer passage is be blocked, for example by closing a valve arranged in the transfer passage, or the chamber venting valve 25 may be opened, thereby venting the evacuation chamber 24 and reducing the pressure differential to zero. The filled flexible reservoir container 5 is then ready for use in an infusion pump system. 

[0043] When the flexible reservoir container is filled, its walls are under a certain strain, which leads to certain over pressure in the flexible reservoir container. To prevent that any liquid may flow out of the filled flexible reservoir container 5 though the transfer passage 31 when the negative pressure in the chamber 24 is removed, a check valve (not shown) may be arranged in the transfer passage 31, advantageously upstream of the separator 8. 

[0044] In some embodiment a mechanism is provided to inform a user when the negative pressure has reached the necessary value, particularly when the pump mechanism is actuated manually. Such a mechanism may for example give the user a visual or acoustical signal. 

[0045] An alternative device according to the invention is shown in Figure 2 , suitable to work with an ampoule 4' with movable plug 43. Such ampoules are intended for the use with injection pen systems, particularly for insulin injection pens, and comprise a certain volume (e.g. 3 ml) of liquid medicament between a septum and a movable plug. Ambient pressure in the ampoule 4' is automatically sustained, since the movable plug 43 constantly reduces the volume of the ampoule during the draining of the ampoule. As a result the venting passage 32 used in the embodiment of the device of Figure 1 is not necessary. 

[0046] Such an embodiment of a device according to the invention is particularly suitable because some manufacturers of liquid medicaments, particularly of insulin solutions, directly provide their products in such prefilled injection pen cartridges. Thus a user of a device according to the invention can fill a flexible reservoir container with any suitable medicament, without a restriction of their choice of the most suitable product. 

[0047] Another advantageous embodiment of a device according to the invention is schematically depicted in Figure 3(a) . The compartment unit 2 comprises two casing parts 21, 22 that are sealingly connected to form the evacuation chamber 24. Thus for mounting the flexible reservoir container 5 one of the casing parts 21, 22 can be detached from the compartment unit 2, the flexible reservoir container is mounted, and the casing parts are reassembled. 

[0048] The adapter unit 3 is embodied as detachable unit that can be secured to the compartment unit 2 of the device, thereby establishing the necessary fluid connections between the port 51 of the flexible reservoir container, the separator 8 and transfer passage 31 of the adapter unit 3, and the evacuation chamber 24. A third hollow needle 313 is provided at the end of the transfer passage 31, which can penetrate a septum 511 arranged in the port 51 of the flexible reservoir container 5. 

[0049] The first hollow needle or pin 321 is longer than the second hollow needle 311, but does not reach the air phase 72. The distance of the tips of the needles 321, 311 is sufficient to prevent any air sucked directly from the vent passage 32 into the transfer passage, and air bubbles 73 flowing in through the first needle 322 ascend to the air phase 72. The entry into the venting conduit 322 is located above the maximum possible filling level of the vial 4. Thus no liquid 71 can emerge through the vent passage 32 even if no sucking pressure is applied to the transfer passage 31. 

[0050] The adapter unit 3 is designed such that when mounted to the compartment unit 2 a sealing 33 provided on the adapter unit 3 and/or the compartment unit 2 sealingly closes the evacuation chamber 24. 

[0051] A liquid-permeable membrane or filter of a separator 8 for use with aqueous solutions, as which liquid medicaments are normally provided, advantageously consists of a hydrophilic material that, when wetted, effectively prevents the passage or air bubbles due to interface tension. As long as such a liquid-permeable membrane of filter is still dry, however, it remains permeable for air. With such an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention thus an evacuation step can precede the liquid transfer step. Since the liquid-permeable membrane is not yet wetted and still gas-permeable, the flexible reservoir container 5 is in fluid communication with the evacuation chamber 24, via a temporary evacuation passage comprising third needle 313, transfer conduit 312, separator 8, and degassing conduit 82. 

[0052] When evacuation chamber 24 is evacuated with the pump mechanism 6, a main valve 84 upstream of the separator 8 remains closed, and the inner volume of the flexible reservoir container 5 is evacuated via the temporary evacuation passage. Since there is a certain pressure drop over the two membranes of the separator 8, the pressure in the evacuation chamber 24 should advantageously be reduced slowly, in order to remain in a static regime where said pressure drop is irrelevant. Alternatively or additionally to a slow evacuation the pressure inside the evacuation chamber 24 may be increased again and the evacuation step repeated. When the flexible reservoir container 5 is completely evacuated, the main valve 84 is opened. The liquid flows now from the supply container 4 through the transfer passage 31 to the flexible reservoir container 5. When the liquid passes the separator 8 the liquid-permeable membrane 83 is wetted and becomes gas-impermeable. The temporary evacuation passage is now closed, and the primary function of the separator 8 is established. 

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3(a) a main valve 84 is provided upstream of the separator 8, which allows to close the transfer passage 31. Such an embodiment does not only allow to stop the fluid transfer by closing the main valve, it also allows to delay the transfer of the liquid 71 in the supply container 4 to the flexible reservoir container 5. This feature eventually allows the evacuation of the flexible reservoir container 5 prior to the filling process, in order to reduce the amount of remaining air in the flexible reservoir container 5. 

[0054] In addition to the main valve 84 a check valve 85 is provided, preventing any air or liquid in the transfer passage from flowing backwards. The two valves 84, 85 actually provide some redundancy. The check valve 85 ensures that even when a manipulation error with main valve 84 occurs, no liquid can flow back from the flexible reservoir container 5. The device would also work without the main valve 84 and only the check valve 85, although in such a case it would not be possible to evacuate the flexible reservoir container prior to the filling step. 

[0055] Since once the separator 8 is wetted the temporary evacuation passage is irreversibly closed, the above-mentioned embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a disposable adapter unit, in which after each filling procedure the detachable adapter unit, containing all potentially contaminated parts, is replaced. 

[0056] An alternative embodiment of such a device 1 according to the invention is shown in Figure 3(b) . Instead of a main valve this embodiment comprises a flow restrictor 86. Such a flow restrictor can be realized e.g. as a meandering channel with a diameter of 50 to 250 micrometer, or a capillary. This allows an antecedent evacuation step without the need of an additional handling step of the user, as e.g. the actuation of the main valve 85 of the embodiment in Figure 3(a) . After the evacuation chamber 24 has been evacuated with the pump mechanism 6, the liquid starts to flow from the supply container 4 into the transfer passage 31. In the flow restrictor 86 the liquid stream is delayed for a certain time, which allows the remaining air in the flexible reservoir container 4 to be sucked into the evacuation chamber 24, before the liquid stream reaches the separator 8 and closes the temporary evacuation passage. 

[0057] Yet another embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is shown in Figure 3(c) . In that particular embodiment the user actuated main valve 84 of Figure 3(a) is replaced by a pressure controlled main valve 84', which is controlled by the pressure differential between the ambient atmosphere 75 and the evacuation chamber 24. When the flexible reservoir container 5 is sufficiently evacuated the negative pressure reaches a certain value, for example -750 mbar. The main valve 84' opens automatically and the transfer process starts. Such an embodiment thus reduces the handlings steps of a user to a minimum, while at the same time reproducibly controlling the evacuation and filling of the flexible reservoir container. 

[0058] In an alternative variant the check valve 85 can be skipped. Since venting of the evacuation chamber 24 leads to a pressure drop, the pressure controlled valve 84' will automatically close, preventing the liquid from flowing backwards. Even if the supply container 4 is removed from the adapter unit 3 prior to venting the evacuation chamber 24, which does not immediately cause the valve 84' to close, ambient air will be sucked in into the evacuation chamber 24 via the needle 311, separator 8 and degassing conduit 82, preventing on one hand any liquid from flowing backwards and on the other hand slowly the venting the evacuation chamber 24. This finally causes the main valve 84' to close. 

[0059] A possible embodiment of a pressure regulated valve 84' that can be used in the device shown in Figure 3(c) is given in Figure 4 . The valve 84' comprises a valve seat 843 arranged in a conduit of the transfer passage 31, and a valve member 842 in the form of a resilient elastic membrane arranged above the valve seat 843 and sealingly closing the conduit. The other side of the membrane 842 is in fluid communication 82 with the evacuation chamber 24 and thus subject to the pressure in the evacuation chamber. The resilient flexible membrane 842 is chosen such that when the pressure differential between the transfer passage 31 and the evacuation chamber 24 is below a certain value, the membrane 842 bulges and the liquid stream 74 can pass the valve 84'. 

[0060] Yet another embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is shown in an exploded view in Figure 7 . The device basically comprises a compartment unit 2 consisting of a first 21 and a second 22 casing part, and an adapter unit 3. 

[0061] The adapter unit 3 has an adapter casing 35 and an supply container receptacle 34, the latter being design to accommodate and secure a supply container 4 in the form of a vial, e.g. a standard insulin vial of 10 ml volume. 

[0062] A supply container 4 can be engaged to the adapter unit 3 with the neck 42 of the supply container 4 facing downwards. The neck is inserted into the supply container receptacle 34 in a generally linear fashion. The supply container 4 is centred and guided in the first part of the engagement movement. During engagement, the first and second hollow needle (not visible) pierce the septum 41 of the supply container 4, thereby creating flow paths to the inside of the supply container 4. In addition the supply container receptacle 34 may be provided with catches that engage with the neck of the supply container In the final part of the engagement movement. 

[0063] The casing 35 is essentially cylindrical in shape. The section oriented toward the compartment unit 2 forms a connector part 37, to be connected with a corresponding connector part 27 of the compartment unit 2. A circumferential sealing 33 provides an air tight connection between the adapter unit 3 and the compartment unit 2 when attached together. The sealing may for example be realized as an 0-ring or by two-component injection moulding, the sealing being made by the soft component. 

[0064] A first casing part 21 of the compartment unit 2 comprises a connector part 27 intended to interact with the adapter unit 3, in the form of an open cylinder into which the adapter connector part 37 can be inserted. A pump port 23 is provided for connecting the evacuation chamber 24 of the compartment unit 2 with an external pump mechanism 6, here embodied as a standard syringe 61. Syringes are inexpensive and thus provide a very suitable manually operated pump. Since no needle is needed, there is no risk of injuries. 

[0065] In interaction with the syringe 61 the pump port 23 can act as a venting valve 25, since when the syringe in inserted into the port, the chamber 24 is closed (venting valve 25 closed), and when the syringe is removed from the port, the chamber 24 communicates with the ambient atmosphere (venting valve 25 open). 

[0066] A second casing part 22 comprises a circumferential sealing 26. It also comprises a port 51 for connecting a flexible reservoir container (not shown) with the hollow pin 313 of the adapter unit 3. Simultaneously the port 51 is designed to secure the flexible reservoir container to the second casing part 22. 

[0067] The embodiment of a device 1 as shown in Figure 7 has several particular advantages. For hygienic reasons all parts of the device that come into contact with the liquid medicament advantageously are replaced after a single filling procedure. Since all these parts are located in the adapter unit 3, it is sufficient to design the adapter unit 3 as a disposable part, while the compartment unit 2 can be reused several times. This is particularly advantageous if the pump mechanism used is not a standard syringe but is somewhat more complicated, and thus more expensive. 

[0068] In the shown embodiment the second casing part 22 allows to mount of the flexible reservoir container 5 and to fluidly connect it 51 with the adapter unit 3. Thus at least the port 51 would have to be replaced together with the used disposable flexible reservoir container. However, it is advantageous to transfer the filled flexible reservoir container 5 to its destination in an infusion pump device while still mounted on the second casing part 22, since the rigid structure of the casing 22 protects the flexible reservoir container and simplifies the handling for the user. In the infusion pump device the second casing part 22 then also acts as a part of the casing of the infusion pump device. After use, the casing part 22 and the emptied flexible reservoir container are disposed. 

[0069] A compartment unit 2 of a device 1 similar to the embodiment in Figure 7 is depicted in Figure 8 , in a perspective cross-sectional view with (a) a first casing part 21 and (b) a second casing part 22. In order to limit the expansion of a flexible reservoir container 5 during the filling process, thereby on one hand reproducibly defining a maximum filling volume and the other hand preventing an accidental damage of the flexible reservoir container due to overfilling, the first 21 and second 22 casing parts each comprise a support structure 28, 28'. 

[0070] In the first casing part 21 the support structure 28 is embodied as a curved wall with a plurality of venting conduits 281 in the form of holes. The wall 28 divides the evacuation chamber 24 formed by the two casing parts into two halves, a upper half above the wall 28, toward which the pump port 23 and the connector 27 are opening, and a lower half below the wall 28, in which the flexible reservoir container 5 is arranged. The surface of the wall facing the lower part of the evacuation chamber is concavely shaped. When the evacuation chamber is evacuated, the air in the lower half is sucked through the holes 281 into the upper half and from there to the pump mechanism 6. The volume of the upper half provides the necessary negative pressure reservoir when the flexible reservoir container 5 is filled, and finally the volume of the lower half of the evacuation chamber decreases to essentially zero. 

[0071] A similar hollow support structure 28' is provided in the second casing part 22, where the bottom of the casing wall is concave. In order to allow the complete expansion of the flexible reservoir container 5 towards the support structure 28', a network of open channels 281' is provided on the support structure 28', which allows the communication of the negative pressure to the lower flexible reservoir container during all states of expansion. 

[0072] In Figure 8(b) the completely empty flexible reservoir container 5 is shown, mounted to the second casing part 22. The flexible reservoir container 5 is clamped between the wall of the casing part 22 and an external port element 51. Said port element 51 is not an integral part of the flexible reservoir container 5 itself. Two screws 513, one of which is visible, secure the port element 51 to the casing part 22, thereby clamping a corner of the flexible reservoir container 5. The container is provided with holes in a peripheral sealing area (not visible), to prevent the screws from damaging the container hull. 

[0073] The port element 51 comprises a conduit 514 for fluidly connecting the transfer passage 31 of the adapter unit 3 with the flexible reservoir container. A septum 511 arranged in the conduit can be penetrated by a hollow needle or pin 313 of the transfer passage 31, thereby establishing a fluid connection. A circumferential sealing 512 provides a liquid-tight connection between the conduit 514 and an opening of the flexible reservoir container. 

[0074] The shown flexible reservoir container 5 is designed similar to the flexible container with a preformed fluid channel as known from the European patent application 08170627.7 of the applicants. Said applications also shows a clamp and connection system similar to the one formed by the casing part 22 and the port element 51. 

[0075] When mounted to the second casing part 22, the outer rim 52 of the flexible reservoir container 5 lies on a circumferential edge of the bottom wall 28' of the casing part 22. The first casing part 21 is provided with a similar edge 282. When the two casing parts are assembled, the rim 52 of the flexible reservoir container is optionally secured between the edges of the support structures 28, 28'. 

[0076] The first casing part 21 is provided with a pump port 23 in fluid connection with the upper part of the evacuation chamber 24. The pump port comprises a check valve 251 to avoid venting of the evacuation chamber when the syringe 61 connected to the port 23 is removed. 

[0077] In addition a second check valve may be provided that allows the exhaust of the air in the syringe 61 to the ambient atmosphere when the piston of the pump mechanism is pushed in. This would allow a user to perform several pumping strokes to evacuate the evacuation chamber 24, using a syringe with a smaller stroke volume. 

[0078] In an alternative embodiment to the one shown in Figure 8 , the support structure 28 may also be realized as a part of the second casing part 22. This has the advantage that when the first casing part is removed, the filled flexible reservoir container 5 is protected against accidental mechanical damages. 

[0079] An advantageous embodiment of an adapter unit 3 of a device according to the invention is shown in a cross-section in Figure 9 . The supply container receptacle 34 has two access openings or windows 341 that allow a user to see the label of the inserted supply container. In addition said windows 341 allow the user to easily grasp an inserted supply container and to remove it from the adapter unit 3. 

[0080] The hollow needles or pins 311, 321 of the vent passage 32 and the transfer passage 31 are arranged in a recess 342, thereby reducing the risk of an accidental injury by a user. The second needle 311 and the complete vent passage 32 are realized as metallic needles embedded in the body of the supply container receptacle 34, which is advantageously made of injection moulded plastic. The entry into the venting conduit 322 is located higher than the maximum possible liquid level of a supply container 4. Thus no liquid can flow out of the vent passage 32 even if no sucking pressure is applied to the transfer passage 31. 

[0081] The main valve 84 is realized as a slide valve mechanism 36 with a cylindrical slider 364 arranged in a bore of the adapter unit body. In Figure 9 the valve is in a closed state. The needle 311 and the transfer conduit 312 are fluidly disconnected by a circumferential sealing 363. Two buttons 361, 361' are fastened to the slider 364 with screws 362, 362'. The two buttons act as stoppers for the slider that define the two working states (open and closed) of the main valve 84. 

[0082] Figure 10 schematically shows the adapter unit with a closed main valve 84 [ Figure 10(a) ] and with an open valve 84 [ Figure 10(b) ]. When a user actuates the valve 84 by pushing the slider 364, the needle 311 and the transfer conduit 312 are fluidly connected via a conduit formed by a channel or groove (not visible) provided on the surface of the slider cylinder. The main valve may be provided with a biased spring element that automatically moves the slider back to a closed position when the user releases the valve. 

[0083] Downstream of the main valve 84 a check valve 85 is arranged in the transfer conduit 312. The transfer conduit then opens toward a separator 8, with a hydrophilic liquid-permeable membrane or filter 83 and a gas-permeable membrane 81, and finally ends in the third needle 313. 

[0084] In the shown embodiment the adapter unit 3 is built from a number of nested subunits. Sealing between the different subunits is achieved by circumferential sealings 314. The two membranes 81, 83 are mounted by sandwiching them between three subunits. In another variant the necessary sealings are achieved by welding the membranes to the adjacent subunits of the casing. 

[0085] A particularly suitable device 1 according to the invention is disclosed in Figure 11 , comprising the assembled compartment unit 2 of Figure 8 together with the adapter unit 3 in Figure 9 . A still empty flexible reservoir container 5 is mounted in the compartment unit 2. A syringe 61 is connected to the pump port 23 and acts as an external pumping mechanism 6. 

[0086] In the following the different steps for a proper preparation of the device 1 shall be explained. In a first step the flexible reservoir container 5 is mounted in the second casing part 22 of the compartment unit 2, as shown in Figure 8(b) . In a second step the first casing part 21 as shown in Figure 8(a) and the second casing part 22 are assembled, arriving at Figure 11 . It is irrelevant if the syringe 61 is connected to the compartment unit 2 before or after assembling the compartment unit 2. In a third step the adapter unit 3 is inserted into the connector element 27 of the compartment unit 2, arriving at Figure 12(a) . The main valve 84 is closed. In a fourth step the vial 4 is inserted into the supply container receptacle 34, arriving at Figure 12(b) . Alternatively the vial 4 may be inserted into the supply container receptacle 34 before the adapter unit 3 is secured to the compartment unit 2. However, such a variant carries the risk that the user may accidentally actuate the main valve 84. Driven by gravity, the content of the vial could then flow along the transfer passage, prematurely wetting the separator, and finally being spilled. In a fifth step, as shown in Figure 12(c) , the piston of the syringe 61 is protracted. The main valve 84 remains closed. The pressure in the evacuation chamber 24 of the compartment unit is reduced, and any remaining air in the flexible reservoir container 5 is sucked into the evacuation chamber via the dry separator 8. 

[0087] In a sixth step the main valve 84 is opened by the user, which causes the liquid in the vial 4 to flow along the transfer passage 31 through the separator 8 into the flexible reservoir container 5. Simultaneously the vial 4 is vented through the venting passage 32. The flexible reservoir container 5 expands during the filling, and finally its wall sheets reach the support structures 28, 28' of the casing parts. Although there is still a remaining negative pressure, the expansion of the flexible reservoir container 5 is stopped, since its maximum volume is reached. 

[0088] The user then closes the valve 84, and removes adapter unit 3, thereby venting the evacuation chamber 24. The first, upper casing part 21 is removed. Now the filled flexible container may be detached from the second casing part 22 and inserted into an infusion pump system. In the shown embodiment, however, the flexible reservoir container does not have an internal port. In this embodiment the flexible reservoir container 5 remains mounted to the second casing part 22 with is port 51, and is transferred together with the casing part 22 to the infusion pump system, where it is connected to the pump system via the port 51 of the second casing part 22. Such an approach is particularly useful since the second casing part 22 and port 51 can be reused as a casing part and connector port of the infusion pump system. 

[0089] In Figure 13 a number of approaches for the design of the venting passage 32 and the transfer passage 31 of the adapter unit in interaction with a liquid filled vial 4 are shown. In Figure 13(a) the tip of the first needle 321 is located in the liquid, while the tip of the venting conduit 322 is located equal or above the maximum surface level of the liquid in the vial 4. Thus the liquid 71 cannot flow out of the vent passage 32 for hydrostatic reasons. This variant is similar to the one in Figures 3 and 9 . 

[0090] In the variant shown in Figure 13(b) , the tip of the first needle 321 is above the maximum surface level, similar to Figure 1 . Since no liquid can enter the needle 321, the venting conduit can be shorter, without restrictions to the position of the inlet of the venting conduit 322. This variant has the advantage that no air bubbles are produced. The longer needle, however, complicates the handling by a user. 

[0091] A particularly advantageous variant is shown in Figure 13(c) . The first needle 321 is short, its tip being located in the liquid 71. To prevent liquid 71 from flowing out of the venting conduit 322, a hydrophobic, gas-permeable membrane 323 is located at the inlet of the venting conduit. While air 72 can enter the inlet through the membrane 323, no liquid can flow out. Such an approach simplifies the construction of the adapter unit, since the venting passage 32 can be considerably short. A similar advantageous variant is shown in Figure 13(d) , where a check valve 324 is located at the inlet of the of the venting conduit 322. 

[0092] Another embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is disclosed in Figure 14 , in a simplified schematic way. A can be seen in Figure 14(a) the flexible reservoir container 5 is permanently mounted in a box-like second casing part 22. The flexible reservoir container 5 is equipped with an adapter unit 3 fluidly connected 313 to the flexible reservoir container 5. For simplicity the needle 321 for the venting passage, the main valve 84, etc. are not shown. 

[0093] The adapter unit 3 and the empty flexible reservoir container 5 are sterilely packed in the casing part 22, which is covered by a removable cover 29. For example the casing part 22 may be provided with a peelable protective foil 29. The advantage of such an embodiment is the fact that the second casing part 22 and the adapter unit 3 of the device 1 according to the invention as well as the flexible reservoir container can be provided as a combined, disposable single-use product. 

[0094] When a user wishes to fill a fresh flexible reservoir container 5 with a liquid medicament, for example because the previous flexible reservoir container in his infusion pump system has been emptied, he removes the cover sheet 29 from the casing part / box 22 [ Figure 14(b) ]. The user then attaches the durable part of the device 1 according to the invention, comprising the first casing part 21 with a manually operated piston pump mechanism 6, as shown in Figure 14(c) . A first sealing 26 provided on the first casing part 21 connects the two casing parts 21, 22. A second sealing 33 provided on the first casing part 21 connects the connector parts of the adapter unit 3 and the compartment unit 2. Since the durable elements 22, 6 of the device 1, which contain the more complex mechanical parts such as the piston pump 6, do not come into contact with the liquid at any time, they can be reused. 

[0095] In a next step the supply container / vial 4 with the liquid medicament 71 is inserted top-down into the adapter unit's supply container receptacle 34, and the user manually operates the piston pump 6 [ Figure 14(d) ]. The negative pressure in the evacuation chamber 24 conveys the liquid 71 in the vial 24 through the adapter unit 3 into the flexible reservoir container 5. 

[0096] After completion of the filling, the evacuation chamber 24 is vented, and the durable elements 22, 6 of the device are removed for later use. The contaminated adapter unit 3 is disposed. The filled flexible reservoir container 5, still mounted in the second casing part 21, is then attached to an infusion pump system 9 [ Figure 14(e) ]. If the flexible reservoir container 5 is emptied, it is removed from the infusion pump device and disposed, together with the second casing part 22. 

[0097] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. 

 List of Reference Numerals 

[0098] 
1 : device for transferring a liquid medicament
2 : compartment unit
21 : first casing part
22 : second casing part
221 : clip
23 : pump port
24 : evacuation chamber
25 : chamber venting valve
251 : check valve
26 : sealing between two casing parts
27 : first connector part
28 28' : support structure
281, 281' : venting conduits, channels
282 : edge
29 : removable cover
3 : adapter unit
31 : liquid transfer passage
311 : second hollow needle or pin
312 : transfer conduit
313 : third hollow needle or pin
314 : sealing
32 : vent passage
321 : first hollow needle or pin
322 : vent conduit
323 : hydrophobic gas-permeable membrane
324 : check valve
33 : sealing between compartment unit and adapter unit
34 : supply container receptacle
341 : window, access opening
342 : recess
35 : adapter casing
36 : valve mechanism
361,361' : button
362, 362' : screw
363 : circumferential sealing
364 : slider
37 : second connector part
4, 4' : supply container, vial
41 : septum
42 : neck
43 : piston
5 : flexible reservoir container
51 : reservoir port
511 : septum
512 : sealing
513 : screw
514 : conduit
52 : rim
6 : pump mechanism
61 : syringe
63, 63' : check valve
64 : piston
65 : cylinder
71 : liquid
72 : air
73 : gas/air bubbles
74 : liquid stream
75 : ambient atmosphere
8 : separator for separating gas bubbles from a liquid stream
81 : gas-permeable membrane
82 : degassing conduit
83 : hydrophilic liquid-permeable membrane
84 : main valve
84' : main valve, pressure controlled
841 : control connection
842 : resilient membrane, valve member
843 : valve seat
86 : flow restrictor
85 : check valve
9 : infusion pump device
91 : pump system
92 : control system
93 : infusion conduit
94 : sealing

