Additive transfer unit having a slidable piercing member

Abstract

An additive container and transfer unit for transferring a solution from the additive container to a container which is under a vacuum, the transfer unit including a closure having a transfer pin or piercing member which is axially movable from a first position to a second position within a supporting member or guide. The additive container and transfer unit is particularly applicable to the transfer of a medicament within the container to a vacuumized parenteral fluid container. In this application, the additive container is inverted and the point of the transfer pin projecting from the closure is positioned on the I.V. fluid bottle stopper. As downward thrust is applied to the additive container, the end of the transfer pin projecting from the closure will pierce the I.V. fluid bottle stopper. As further thrust is applied, the additive container closure will move along the transfer pin, the other end of the transfer pin thereby piercing the diaphragm portion of the stopper within the transfer unit thereby providing a pathway between the two containers through the passageway in the transfer pin. The vacuum within the vacuumized container will then draw the solution within the additive container into the vacuumized container.