阅读说明：本技术 与药瓶一起使用的保护性锁定系统 (Protective locking system for use with a vial ) 是由 M.D.胡文 R.P.努科尔斯 D.斯特凡奇克 于 2019-10-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于源药瓶的保护性锁定系统,有助于防止从源药瓶中取出并用于注射装置(比如可佩戴注射装置或注射器)的液体药物的误操作。该保护性锁定系统至少包括钥匙、锁定盖和滑动防护件,钥匙、锁定盖和滑动防护件的每个包括开口,该开口的尺寸至少大到足以容纳从中通过的针。(A protective locking system for a source vial helps prevent mishandling of liquid drug removed from the source vial and used in an injection device, such as a wearable injection device or syringe. The protective locking system includes at least a key, a locking cap, and a slide guard, each of the key, locking cap, and slide guard including an opening at least large enough in size to accommodate a needle therethrough.)

1. A protective locking system for a vial, comprising:

a) a vial cap lock configured to fit over a septum on a vial containing a medical fluid;

b) the vial cap lock further comprises a key, a locking cap, and a slide guard;

c) the key having a needle opening sized to receive a needle therethrough, the locking cap having a needle opening sized to receive a needle therethrough, the slide guard having a needle opening sized to receive a needle therethrough; and

d) the key is configured to be received by the locking cap and is movable relative to the locking cap from a first position in which the needle openings through the slide guard are not aligned with the respective needle openings through the key and locking cap to a second position in which the key moves the slide guard relative to the locking cap and is aligned with the respective needle openings through the slide guard, key and locking cap to receive the needle therethrough.

2. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the slide guard comprises a bias tending to bias the slide guard toward a position in which a needle opening through the slide guard is not aligned with a corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap.

3. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the key is configured as a vial elevator that slidably engages a vial elevator shaft of the vial holder portion of the transfer device.

4. The protective locking system for vials of claim 3, further comprising wherein a key is in a first position when the key is received by the locking cap and in a fully raised position relative to the vial elevator shaft, and wherein the key is in a second position when the key is received by the locking cap and in a fully retracted position relative to the vial elevator shaft.

5. The protective locking system for vials of claim 3, further comprising wherein the key is configured as a vial elevator received by and removably connected to the locking cap.

6. The protective locking system for vials of claim 4, further comprising wherein the key further comprises at least one rib that engages and moves the slide guard from the first position to the second position when the key is received by the locking cap.

7. The protective locking system for vials of claim 4, further comprising wherein a needle passes through aligned respective needle openings through the key, locking cap and slide guard when the key is moved to the fully retracted position.

8. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the key comprises at least one rib that engages and moves the slide guard from the first position to the second position when the key is received by the locking cap, wherein the respective needle openings through the key, locking cap and slide guard are aligned.

9. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the key is not removable from the locking cap and has a fully raised first position in which a needle opening through the slide guard is not aligned with a corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap.

10. The protective locking system for vials of claim 9, further comprising wherein the key has a fully depressed second position in which a needle opening through the slide guard is aligned with a corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap.

11. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising a snap lock between the locking cap and the slide guard.

12. The protective locking system for vials of claim 11, further comprising wherein the snap lock is movable from an initial set position when the key is in the fully raised first position to an active position biased toward blocking the needle opening through the slide guard when the key is pressed toward the locking cap.

13. The protective locking system for vials of claim 12, further comprising wherein the key comprises a protrusion extending toward the slide guard and received within an actuation opening through the locking cap.

14. The protective locking system for vials of claim 13, further comprising wherein a protrusion extending from a key forces the snap lock from the initial set position to the active position when the key is moved toward the locking cap.

15. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the key comprises at least one outward extension that engages and renders the key non-removable from the locking cap.

16. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein, when the key has been received by the locking cap, the key is locked to and not removable from the locking cap.

17. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the key is removable from the locking cap.

18. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the key is universal with respect to being usable to access a needle into a vial to which the protective locking system has been attached.

19. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the key is customized with respect to the drug and the rights to use the drug.

20. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the first position of the key is a first rotational position and the second position of the key is a second rotational position.

21. The protective locking system for vials of claim 20, further comprising wherein when the key is in the first rotational position, the needle opening through the slide guard is not aligned with the corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap, and wherein when the key is in the second rotational position, the needle opening through the slide guard is aligned with the corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap.

22. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein a key engages the slide guard and rotationally moves the slide guard when the key is moved from the first rotational position to the second rotational position.

23. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the key and locking cap comprise alignment features that must be aligned to move the key toward the locking cap and from the first position to the second position.

24. The protective locking system for vials of claim 1, further comprising wherein the slide guard comprises a slider arm having a pin that locates and follows a slot in an underside of a locking cap.

25. The protective locking system for vials of claim 24, further comprising wherein a pin on the slider arm is located in and follows a slot in the underside of the locking cap and controls locking of the slide guard in place after the needle has been passed through and withdrawn from the needle opening in the slide guard.

26. The protective locking system for vials of claim 25, further comprising wherein a pin on the slider arm is located in and follows a slot in the underside of the locking cap and is trapped behind a ramp after the key has been fully depressed to the second position and a needle has been removed from a needle opening through the slide guard.

Technical Field

The present subject matter relates generally to devices for transferring fluid from a vial to a medical device, and more particularly to a protective locking system for a source vial that helps prevent mishandling of liquid drug removed from the source vial and used in an injection device such as a wearable injection device or syringe.

Background

Injection devices that are worn by a patient temporarily or chronically are well known in the medical arts. The subject matter of the present application relates to a system for safely securing a liquid drug within a source vial until it is provided to a corresponding transfer device that may be configured for use with, inter alia, an injection device described in commonly assigned U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/572911 filed on 16.10.2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The injection device comprises an inner resilient bladder which can be filled with any suitable injectable medicament, whether a drug, antibiotic, biological or other injection, for subcutaneous injection, typically a bolus injection, to a patient while the device is being worn by the patient. Other injection devices may be used, including, but not limited to, syringes, for example.

The injection device must be (fully or partially) filled with the desired injectant before injection into the patient. The above-mentioned U.S. provisional patent application also discloses information about a transfer system for transferring an injection from a source vial, including, but not limited to, transferring such an injection from one or more source vials into an injection device. These may include and be embodied in, but are not limited to, pressurized gas power transfer devices. The present application discloses additional novel designs and improvements that enhance the safe use of the medicament in the source vial and that can be used to prevent misuse, such as attempting to use the medicament in a manner that is not intended by the prescribing physician. The transfer devices described herein may be variously referred to as transfer units, stations, modules, accessories, attachments, or other suitable terminology without intending to impose any limitation on the structure or function of the devices not set forth herein.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is an upper perspective view of an individual vial pressurized gas powered transfer device and injection device including a vial carrier having a vial elevator in a raised or extended position.

Fig. 1B is a front view of a drug vial having a first exemplary protective locking system configured as a single use drug vial cap lock and in an inverted position above the drug vial holder portion of the transfer device shown in fig. 1A, but with other portions of the transfer device and injection device removed.

Fig. 1C is a cross-sectional view of a drug vial having a protective locking system including a locking cap and a slide guard and a key in the form of a drug vial lifter in the drug vial holder portion of the transfer device shown in fig. 1B, and wherein the slide guard is biased to a position where the slide guard blocks passage of a needle through the locking cap and into the drug vial septum.

Fig. 1D is a front view of a key in the form of a vial elevator that receives a vial having a protective locking system, wherein the vial has been pushed or forced into a first position and thereby connected to the key shown in fig. 1A-1C, and has moved the slide guard into a position where the needle opening through the slide guard aligns with the corresponding needle opening on the key and lock cap, thereby no longer blocking passage of the needle through the lock cap and into the vial septum.

FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view of a vial having a protective locking system coupled to the vial elevator shown in FIG. 1D.

Fig. 1F is an elevation view of a vial having a protective locking system that has been pushed or forced further into a second position of the vial carrier such that the vial elevator has moved downwardly relative to the vial elevator shaft of the vial carrier shown in fig. 1D-1E to a retracted or lowered position within the transfer device.

Fig. 1G is a cross-sectional view of a drug vial having a protective locking system as shown in fig. 1F, wherein a needle in the drug vial elevator shaft or a drug vial needle has passed through the locking cap, the slidable shield, and the drug vial septum to enter the drug vial when the drug vial elevator is urged to a retracted or lowered position within the drug vial elevator shaft.

Fig. 2A is an upper perspective view of a vial having a second exemplary protective locking system configured with a single use vial cap lock and usable with a transfer device, such as that shown in fig. 1A, or used alone, such as with a syringe needle, and having a non-removable key initially and permanently attached to the locking cap.

Fig. 2B is an upper perspective exploded view of a protective locking system for a drug vial having the drug vial cap lock shown in fig. 2A (removed from the drug vial for purposes of explanation) and including a non-removable key, a locking cap, a snap lock and a slide guard, and showing that the respective needle openings through the key, locking cap and slide guard may be aligned.

Fig. 2C is a perspective view of the underside of a non-removable key shown only in fig. 2A-2B and removed from the remainder of the locking cover for purposes of explanation.

Fig. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 2A-2C (removed from the vial for purposes of explanation) and further showing a slide guard blocking access to a needle otherwise permitted to pass through the opening through the key and the lock cap when the key is in the installed and fully raised first position.

Fig. 2E is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 2D with the key pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position in which the slide guard has been moved to align the needle opening therethrough with the corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap, and showing the needle passing through the corresponding needle opening and the pin on the underside of the key having pushed and triggered the snap lock activity, but when the key is fully depressed the pin temporarily retains the snap lock.

Fig. 2F is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 2D-2E with the pushing force on the key removed such that the key has moved to an intermediate third position between the fully raised first position and the fully depressed second position wherein the slide guard and the snap lock have moved to a position biased through the needle passing through the aligned respective needle openings of the key, the locking cap and the slide guard.

Fig. 2G is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 2D-2F after the needle has been removed to the point where the needle no longer passes through the needle opening through the glide shield, wherein the snap lock has moved to block the needle from passing through the glide shield, such as into a vial.

Fig. 2H is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the first position shown in fig. 2D with the key fully raised, in which the needle openings through the slide guard are not aligned with the corresponding needle openings through the key and the lock cap, and the snap lock is in an initial set position.

Fig. 2I is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the second fully depressed position of the key shown in fig. 2E, with the respective needle openings of the key, locking cap and slide guard aligned, the needles passing through the respective needle openings, and the pins on the underside of the key having pushed and triggered the snap lock action, but when the key is fully depressed, the pins temporarily retain the snap lock.

Fig. 2J is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the intermediate third position of the key shown in fig. 2F, with the pushing force on the key removed, wherein the pin has released the active snap lock and the snap lock and slide guard have moved to bias the needle through the respective needle opening.

Fig. 2K is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the needle having been removed to the extent that the needle no longer passes through the needle opening of the slide guard as shown in fig. 2G, with the snap lock having moved to block passage of the needle through the slide guard, such as into a vial.

Fig. 3A is an upper perspective view of a vial having a third example protective locking system configured with a single use vial cap lock and usable with a transfer device such as shown in fig. 1A, or used alone, such as with a syringe needle, and having a key that is brought onto the vial to unlock the vial at the time of single use and thereafter is not removable from the locking cap on the vial.

Fig. 3B is an upper perspective exploded view of a protective locking system for a vial with the vial cap lock shown in fig. 3A (removed from the vial for purposes of explanation) and including a key, a locking cap, a snap lock and a slide guard, and showing that the respective needle openings through the key, locking cap and slide guard may be aligned.

Fig. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 3A-3B, removed from the vial for purposes of explanation, and further showing a slide guard blocking access to a needle that is otherwise allowed to pass through a corresponding needle opening through the key and the lock cap after the key is in the installed and fully raised first position.

Fig. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 3C with the key pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position in which the slide guard has been moved to align the needle opening therethrough with the corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap, and showing the needle passing through the corresponding needle opening and the pin on the underside of the key having pushed and triggered the snap lock activity, but when the key is fully depressed the pin temporarily retains the snap lock.

Fig. 3E is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 3C-3D with the pushing force on the key removed such that the key has moved to an intermediate third position between the fully raised first position and the fully depressed second position wherein the slide guard and the snap lock have moved to positions biased through the needles of the aligned respective needle openings through the key, the lock cap and the slide guard.

Fig. 3F is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 3C-3E after the needle has been removed to the point where the needle no longer passes through the needle opening through the glide shield, wherein the snap lock has moved to block the needle from passing through the glide shield, such as into a vial.

Fig. 3G is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the first position shown in fig. 3C with the key fully raised, wherein the opening through the slide guard is not aligned with the opening through the key and the locking cap, and the spring lock is in the initial set position.

Fig. 3H is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the second fully depressed position of the key shown in fig. 3D, with the respective needle openings of the key, locking cap and slide guard aligned, the needles passing through the respective needle openings, and the pins on the underside of the key having pushed and triggered the snap lock action, but when the key is fully depressed, the pins temporarily retain the snap lock.

Fig. 3I is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the intermediate third position of the key shown in fig. 3E, with the pushing force on the key removed, wherein the pin has released the active latch and the latch and slide guard have moved to bias the needle through the respective needle opening.

Fig. 3J is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the needle having been removed to the extent that the needle no longer passes through the needle opening of the slide guard as shown in fig. 3F, wherein the snap lock has moved to block passage of the needle through the slide guard, such as into a vial.

Fig. 4A is an upper perspective view of a vial having a fourth example protective locking system that is reusable and configured with a vial cap lock that provides access by a separate reusable universal key and that can be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A or used separately such as with a syringe needle and wherein the key is brought onto the vial to unlock the vial at the time of use and is thereafter not removable from the locking cap on the vial.

Fig. 4B is an upper perspective exploded view of a protective locking system for a vial with the vial cap lock shown in fig. 4A (removed from the vial for purposes of explanation) and including a key, a locking cap, a snap lock and a slide guard, and showing that the respective needle openings through the key, locking cap and slide guard may be aligned.

Fig. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 4A-4B, removed from the vial for purposes of explanation, and further showing a slide guard blocking access to a needle otherwise permitted to pass through a corresponding needle opening through the key and the locking cap after the key is brought to the locking cap and in the fully raised first position.

Fig. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 4C with the key pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position in which the slide guard has been moved to align the needle opening therethrough with the corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap, and showing the needle passing through the corresponding needle opening.

Fig. 4E is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 4C-4D with the key released and with the slide guard having moved to a position biased through the needle passing through the aligned respective needle openings of the key, lock cap and slide guard.

Fig. 4F is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 4C-4E after the key has been released and the needle removed to the point that the needle no longer passes through the needle opening through the slide guard, wherein the slide guard has moved to block passage of the needle through the slide guard, such as into a vial.

Fig. 4G is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the first position shown in fig. 4C with the key fully raised and with the slide guard in a position blocking needle entry.

Fig. 4H is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the second position shown in fig. 4D with the key fully depressed, with the respective needle openings through the key, locking cap and slide guard aligned and the needles passing through the respective needle openings.

Fig. 4I is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the key shown in fig. 4E having been released, with the slide guard having moved to bias the needle through the respective needle opening.

Fig. 4J is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the key having been released and the needle removed to the point where it no longer passes through the needle opening through the slide guard as shown in fig. 4F, where the slide guard has moved to block the needle from passing through the slide guard, such as into a vial.

Fig. 5A is an upper perspective view of a drug vial having a fifth example protective locking system configured with a vial cap lock for customized drugs, where the drug vial may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A, or used alone, such as with a syringe needle, and has a customized removable key as it relates to the drug and the rights to access the drug.

Fig. 5B is an upper perspective exploded view of a protective locking system for a vial with the vial cap lock shown in fig. 5A (removed from the vial for purposes of explanation) and including a key, a locking cap, a snap lock and a slide guard, and showing that the respective needle openings through the key, locking cap and slide guard may be aligned.

Fig. 5C is a perspective view of only the underside of the unique key shown in fig. 5A-5B, which key is removed from the remainder of the locking cover for purposes of explanation.

Fig. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 5A-5C, removed from the vial for purposes of explanation, and further showing a slide guard blocking access to a needle otherwise permitted to pass through a corresponding needle opening through the key and the locking cap after the key is brought to the locking cap and in the fully raised first position.

Fig. 5E is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 5D with the key pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position in which the slide guard has been moved to align the needle opening therethrough with the corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap, and showing the needle passing through the corresponding needle opening and the pin on the underside of the key having pushed and triggered the snap lock activity, but when the key is fully depressed the pin temporarily retains the snap lock.

Fig. 5F is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 5D-5E with the key released and with the slide guard and snap lock having moved to a position biased through the needle passing through the aligned respective needle openings of the key, lock cap and slide guard.

Fig. 5G is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 5D-5F after the key has been released and removed and the needle has been removed to the point where the needle no longer passes through the needle opening through the slide shield, wherein the snap lock has moved to block passage of the needle through the slide shield, such as into a vial.

Fig. 5H is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the key having been brought to the locking cap and in the fully raised first position shown in fig. 5D in which the needle openings through the slide guard are not aligned with the corresponding needle openings through the key and locking cap and the snap lock is in the initial set position.

Fig. 5I is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the second fully depressed position of the key shown in fig. 5E, with the respective needle openings of the key, locking cap and slide guard aligned, the needles passing through the respective needle openings, and the pins on the underside of the key having pushed and triggered the snap lock action, but when the key is fully depressed, the pins temporarily retain the snap lock.

Fig. 5J is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the key shown in fig. 5F having been released, wherein the pin has released the movable latch and the slide guard have moved to bias the needle through the respective needle opening.

Fig. 5K is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock, corresponding to the key having been released and removed and the needle removed to the point where the needle no longer passes through the needle opening through the slide guard as shown in fig. 5G, where the snap lock has moved to block the needle from passing through the slide guard, such as into a vial.

Fig. 6A is an upper perspective view of a reusable drug vial having a sixth exemplary protective locking system configured with a vial cap lock that provides access by a separate reusable rotating key and that may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A or used separately such as with a syringe needle and wherein the key is brought onto the vial to unlock the vial at the time of use and is thereafter not removable from the locking cap on the vial.

Fig. 6B is an upper perspective exploded view of a protective locking system for a vial with the vial cap lock shown in fig. 6A (removed from the vial for purposes of explanation) and including a key, a locking cap, a snap lock and a slide guard, and showing that the respective needle openings through the key, locking cap and slide guard may be aligned.

Fig. 6C is a perspective view of only the underside of the rotary key shown in fig. 6A-6B, which is removed from the remainder of the locking cover for purposes of explanation.

Fig. 6D is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 6A-6C, removed from the vial for purposes of explanation, and further showing a slide guard blocking access to a needle that is otherwise allowed to pass through a corresponding needle opening through the key and the lock cap after the key is brought to the lock cap and in the first rotational position.

Fig. 6E is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 6A-6D, with the key rotated to a second rotational position in which the slide guard has been moved to align the needle opening therethrough with a corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap, and showing the needle passing through the corresponding needle opening.

Fig. 6F is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 6D-6E after release of the key, wherein the slide guard has been moved to block passage of the needle through the slide guard, such as into a vial.

Fig. 6G is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 6D-6F after the key has been released and removed and the needle removed to the point that the needle no longer passes through the needle opening through the slide guard, wherein the slide guard has moved to block passage of the needle through the slide guard, such as into a vial.

Fig. 6H is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the key having been brought to the locking cap and in the first rotational position shown in fig. 6D, wherein the needle openings through the slide guard are not aligned with the corresponding needle openings through the key and locking cap, and the slide guard is in a position to block entry of the needle.

Fig. 6I is a perspective view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the key in the second rotational position shown in fig. 6E with the respective needle openings through the key, the lock cap and the slide guard aligned and the needles passing through the respective needle openings.

Fig. 6J is a cross-sectional view from the underside of the vial cap lock through the key, locking cap and slide guard and corresponding to a first rotational position of the key shown in fig. 6D and 6H in which the needle openings through the slide guard are not aligned with the corresponding needle openings through the key and locking cap.

Fig. 6K is a cross-sectional view from the underside of the vial cap lock through the key, locking cap and slide guard and corresponding to a second rotational position of the key shown in fig. 6E and 6I in which the needle openings through the slide guard are aligned with the corresponding needle openings through the key and locking cap.

Fig. 7A is an upper perspective view of a vial having a seventh exemplary protective locking system configured with a vial cap lock, where the vial may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A, or used alone, such as with a syringe needle, and having a removable key and an unsynchronized slidable guard that blocks needle insertion after use.

Fig. 7B is an upper perspective exploded view of a protective locking system for a vial with the vial cap lock shown in fig. 7A (removed from the vial for purposes of explanation) and including a key, a locking cap, a snap lock and a slide guard, and showing that the respective needle openings through the key, locking cap and slide guard may be aligned.

Fig. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 7A-7B, removed from the vial for purposes of explanation, and further showing a slide guard blocking access to a needle otherwise permitted to pass through a corresponding needle opening through the key and the locking cap after the key is brought to the locking cap and in the fully raised first position.

Fig. 7D is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 7C with the key pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position in which the slide guard has been moved to align the needle opening therethrough with the corresponding needle opening through the key and the locking cap, and showing the needle passing through the corresponding needle opening.

Fig. 7E is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 7C-7D with the key released and with the slide guard having moved to a position biased through the needle passing through the aligned respective needle openings of the key, the lock cap and the slide guard.

Fig. 7F is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 7C-7E after the key has been released and removed and the needle removed to the point that the needle no longer passes through the needle opening through the slide guard, wherein the slide guard has moved to block passage of the needle through the slide guard, such as into a vial.

Fig. 7G is a bottom view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the key having been brought to the locking cap and in the fully raised first position as shown in fig. 7C, with the needle openings through the slide guard not aligned with the corresponding needle openings through the key and locking cap, and with the pin on the slider arm of the slide guard in a neutral first position in the slot in the underside of the locking cap.

Fig. 7H is a bottom view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to a partially depressed position of the key, with the respective needle openings through the key, the locking cap and the slide guard partially aligned, and with the slider arm on the slide guard flexed outwardly as the pin on the slider arm follows the slot in the underside of the locking cap.

Fig. 7I is a bottom view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to a second position with the key fully depressed, wherein the respective needle openings through the key, the locking cap and the slide guard are aligned and the needle passes through the respective needle opening as shown in fig. 7D and the slider arm on the slide guard is further flexed as the pin on the slider arm follows the slot in the underside of the locking cap.

Fig. 7J is a bottom view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to fig. 7F where the key has been released and the needle removed and where the slide guard has moved to a locked position blocking passage of the needle through the slide guard, such as re-entry into the vial, and where the slider arm on the slide guard flexes inward as the pin on the slider arm follows the slot in the underside of the lock cap until the pin is jammed, thereby preventing further movement of the slide guard.

Fig. 8A is an upper perspective view of a vial having an eighth exemplary protective locking system configured with a vial cap lock, where the vial may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A, or used alone, such as with a syringe needle, and having a removable key and a slidable guard that blocks needle insertion after use.

Fig. 8B is an upper perspective exploded view of a protective locking system for a vial with the vial cap lock shown in fig. 8A (removed from the vial for purposes of explanation) and including a key, a locking cap and a slide guard, and showing that respective needle openings through the key, locking cap and slide guard may be aligned.

Fig. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 8A-8B, removed from the vial for purposes of explanation, and further showing a slide guard blocking access to a needle otherwise permitted to pass through a corresponding needle opening through the key and the locking cap after the key is brought to the locking cap and in the fully raised first position.

Fig. 8D is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 8C with the key pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position in which the slide guard has been moved to align the needle opening therethrough with the corresponding needle opening through the key and the locking cap, and showing the needle passing through the corresponding needle opening.

Fig. 8E is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 8C-8D with the key released and with the slide guard having moved to a position biased through the needle passing through the aligned respective needle openings of the key, the lock cap and the slide guard.

Fig. 8F is a cross-sectional view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 8C-8E after the key has been released and removed and the needle has been removed to the point where the needle no longer passes through the needle opening through the slide guard, where the slide guard has moved to block passage of the needle through the slide guard, such as into a vial.

Fig. 8G is a bottom view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to the key having been brought to the locking cap and in the fully raised first position as shown in fig. 8C, with the needle openings through the slide guard not aligned with the respective needle openings through the key and locking cap, and with the pin on the slider arm of the slide guard in a neutral first position in the first end of the slot in the underside of the locking cap.

Fig. 8H is a bottom view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to a partially depressed position of the key, with the respective needle openings through the key, the locking cap and the slide guard partially aligned, and with the slider arm on the slide guard flexed outwardly as the pin on the slider arm follows the slot in the underside of the locking cap.

Fig. 8I is a bottom view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to a second position with the key fully depressed, in which the respective needle openings through the key, the locking cap and the slide guard are aligned and the needle passes through the respective needle opening as shown in fig. 8D, and the slider arm on the slide guard has further flexed to a neutral second position as the pin on the slider arm follows the slot in the underside of the locking cap.

Fig. 8J is a bottom view of the underside of the vial cap lock corresponding to fig. 8F where the key has been released and the needle removed and where the slide guard has moved to a locked position blocking passage of the needle through the slide guard, such as into a vial, and as the pin on the slide guard follows the slot in the underside of the lock cap, the slide arm on the slide guard flexes inward until the pin clears and falls behind the ramp in the slot and is caught preventing further movement of the slide guard.

Fig. 8K is a cross-sectional side view of the vial cap lock shown in fig. 8J, removed from the vial for explanatory purposes, and further showing the slide guard blocking needle entry, with the pin on the slider arm being snapped behind a ramp in a slot in the underside of the lock cap.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure provides several examples of protective locking systems for vials. Examples are shown in FIGS. 1A-1G, 2A-2K, 3A-3J, 4A-4J, 5A-5K, 6A-6K, 7A-7J and 8A-8K. Protective locking systems for vials are commonly used to prevent the mishandling of liquid medicaments that may be transferred to a medical device, such as a wearable injection device or other injection device, for example, but not limited to, a syringe. A protective locking system for a vial may be configured for use with, particularly but not exclusively, an injection device described in commonly assigned U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/572911 filed on 2017, 10, 16, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Each example herein provides a protective locking system for a vial, the system comprising a vial cap lock configured to fit over a septum on a vial containing a medical fluid, such as a medicament. The vial cap lock includes a key, a locking cap and a slide guard. The key has a needle opening sized to receive the needle therethrough. The locking cap has a needle opening sized to receive a needle therethrough. The slide guard also has a needle opening sized to receive a needle therethrough. The key is configured to be received by the locking cap and movable relative to the locking cap from a first position in which the needle openings through the slide guard are not aligned with the corresponding needle openings through the key and locking cap to a second position in which the key moves the slide guard relative to the locking cap and is aligned with the corresponding needle openings through the slide guard, key and locking cap to receive the needle therethrough. In an example, the slide guard includes a bias that tends to bias the slide guard toward a position in which the needle opening through the slide guard is not aligned with the corresponding needle opening through the key and locking cap. It should be understood that the term "needle opening" is used herein to refer to an opening through a component that may allow a needle to pass through the opening, rather than to indicate an opening in the needle. It will also be understood that the term "sized to accommodate the passage of a needle" is used herein to mean that the opening is at least large enough to allow the needle to pass therethrough, so there is no upper limit on the size of the opening, and it can be significantly larger than the size required for the needle to pass therethrough.

Fig. 1A shows an injection device 2, such as a wearable injection device, and a single vial pressurized gas power transfer device 4 connected to the injection device 2. Fig. 1B-1G illustrate a first exemplary protective locking system 6 for a vial 8 configured for use with the transfer device 4 shown in fig. 1A.

Fig. 1B shows a vial 8 having a first exemplary protective locking system 6, the protective locking system 6 configured as a single use vial cap lock, and in an inverted position over the vial holder portion 10 of the transfer device 4 shown in fig. 1A, but with the transfer device 4 and other portions of the injection device 2 removed. As shown in fig. 1C, this first example system includes a locking cap 12 and a skid guard 14 and a key 16 configured with a vial lifter that is received by a vial lifter shaft 18 of the stand portion 10 of the transfer device 4. The locking cap 12 is attached to the vial 8 by an inwardly extending shoulder 13 on the locking cap 12, the shoulder 13 capturing the rim 9 of the vial 8. In fig. 1C, skid guard 14 is biased by bias 15 to a position where skid guard 14 blocks needle 20 from passing through locking cap 12 and through vial septum 22 into vial 8.

In fig. 1D, the vial 8 receives the key 16 in the form of a vial lifter when the locking cap 12 is pushed or forced into the first position and thereby connected to the key 16. The vial elevator 16 includes arms 11, the arms 11 extending inwardly and capturing the neck of the vial 8 and resting on the locking cap 12. Engagement with key 16 also moves slide guard 14 to a position in which needle opening 28 through slide guard 14 is aligned with needle opening 26 through lock cap 12 and with needle opening 24 through key 16 so as to no longer block passage of needle 20 through lock cap 12 and into vial septum 22. The key 16 in the form of a vial elevator also includes a rib 30 having a cam surface 32, the cam surface 32 engaging and moving the slide guard 14 from a first position blocking needle access to a second position allowing needle access when the key 16 is received by the locking cap 12.

In fig. 1F, the vial 8 and the protective locking system 6 have been further pushed or forced into the vial holder 10 to a second position such that the key 16 in the form of a vial lifter has been moved downwardly relative to the vial lifter axis 18 of the vial holder 10 to a retracted or lowered position within the transfer device 4. The vial holder 10 includes a needle 20 at its base 34, such as in the form of a vial needle. As shown in fig. 1G, as the drug vial 8 and the protective locking system 6 are moved further downward relative to the drug vial elevator shaft 18, the aligned respective needle openings 24, 26, 28 through the key, locking cap and slide guard have allowed the needle or drug vial needle 20 at the bottom of the drug vial elevator shaft 18 to engage the drug vial septum 22 and enter the drug vial 8 as the drug vial elevator 16 is urged to the second position.

Fig. 2A-2K illustrate a second exemplary protective locking system 106 for use with a vial 108 that is configured with a single use vial cap lock and that may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A, or used alone, such as with a syringe needle 120, and has a non-removable key 116 in the form of a cap that is initially and permanently attached to a locking cap 112. As shown in fig. 2B, the protective locking system 106 for the vial 108 includes a non-removable key 116, a locking cap 112, a spring lock 140, and a slide guard 114. The locking cap 112 is attached to the vial 108 by an inwardly extending shoulder 113 on the locking cap 112 that captures the rim of the vial 108. Fig. 2C shows the underside 142 of the non-removable key 116 including a locating opening 144 for proper registration with a locating projection 146 on the locking cover 112 and a projection 148 extending from the key 116.

Fig. 2D shows slide guard 114 biased to a first position by bias 115, blocking access to needle 120 that would otherwise be allowed to pass through needle opening 124 through key 116 and through needle opening 126 of locking cap 112, while key 116 is in the installed and fully raised first position. The key 116 includes at least one outwardly extending portion 150 that engages and renders the key 116 non-removable from the locking cover 112. At least one extension 150 has a cam surface 152 by which cam surface 152 key 116 can be pre-installed non-removably by pushing it toward locking cover 112 until at least one extension 150 rides over and is trapped behind an inwardly extending shoulder 154 on locking cover 112.

Fig. 2E shows key 116 pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position in which slide guard 114 has been moved from a first position in which it is biased by biasing portion 115 to a position blocking passage of needle 120, to a second position in which needle opening 128 therethrough is aligned with respective needle openings 124, 126 through key 116 and locking cap 112, and needle 120 is shown passing through respective needle openings 124, 126, 128. When pushed down on key 116, slide guard 114 moves from the first position to the second position due to inwardly facing cam surfaces 132 on key 116 engaging slide guard 114.

The projections 148 extending from the underside 142 of the key 116 may be in the form of pins and they align with actuation openings 160 through the locking cover 112. A snap lock 140 is located between locking cap 112 and slide guard 114. As shown in fig. 2E and 2I, when the key 116 is fully depressed, the protrusion 148 on the underside of the key 116 pushes and triggers the latch 140 to move from the initial set position shown in fig. 2H, in which the needle openings 128 through the slide guard 114 are not aligned with the respective needle openings 124, 126 through the key 116 and the locking cap 112, to the active position shown in fig. 2I. However, the protrusion 148 extending from the key 116 also temporarily retains the latch 140 so as not to allow the arms 162 of the latch 140 to obstruct the passage of the needle 120 when the key 116 is fully depressed.

Fig. 2F and 2J illustrate that when the pushing force on the key 116 has been removed, such that the key 116 has moved to an intermediate third position between the fully raised first position and the fully depressed second position. In this intermediate position, the projection 148 extending from the underside of the key 116 is withdrawn from the actuation opening 160 through the locking cover 112 and releases the movable spring lock 140. The arms 162 of the slide guard 114 and spring lock 140 have moved under the force of the biasing portion 115 to a position biased through the needle 120 passing through the aligned respective needle openings 124, 126, 128 of the key 116, locking cap 112 and slide guard 114.

As shown in fig. 2G and 2K, when needle 120 has been removed to the extent that needle 120 no longer passes through needle opening 128 through slide guard 114, snap lock 140, with its arms 162, has moved to cover needle opening 126 through lock cap 112, thereby blocking passage of needle 120 through slide guard 114, such as into vial 108.

Turning to fig. 3A-3J, a third protective locking system 206 for use with a vial 208 is configured with a single use vial cap lock and may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A, or used alone, such as with a syringe needle 220, and has a key 216 in the form of a cap that is brought to a locking cap 212 on the vial 208 to unlock the vial 208 for single use and is thereafter not removable from the locking cap 212 on the vial. As shown in fig. 3B, the protective locking system 206 for a vial 208 includes a key 216, a locking cap 212, a snap lock 240, and a slide guard 214. The locking cap 312 is attached to the vial 308 by an inwardly extending shoulder 313 on the locking cap 312 that captures the rim of the vial 308. The key 216 includes a locating opening 244 for proper registration with a locating projection 246 on the locking cap 212. The underside of the locking cover 212 is configured similar to that shown in FIG. 2C, with a protrusion 248 extending from the key 216.

Fig. 3C shows the slide guard 214 biased to a first position by the biasing portion 115 after the key 216 is in the installed and fully raised first position to block access to the needle 220 that would otherwise be allowed to pass through the respective needle openings 224, 226 through the key 216 and the locking cap 212. The key 216 includes at least one outwardly extending portion 250 that engages and renders the key 216 non-removable from the locking cover 212. The at least one extension 250 has a cam surface 252 by which the key 216 can be pushed toward the locking cap 212 until the at least one extension 250 rides over and is caught behind an inwardly extending shoulder 254 on the locking cap 212, thereby becoming non-removable.

Fig. 3D shows the key 216 pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position, wherein the slide guard 214 has been moved from a first position, in which it is biased by the biasing portion 215 to a position blocking passage of the needle 220, to a second position, in which the needle opening 228 therethrough is aligned with the respective needle openings 224, 226 through the key 216 and the locking cap 212, and showing the needle 220 passing through the respective needle openings 224, 226, 228. When pushed down on the key 216, the slide guard 214 moves from the first position to the second position due to the inwardly facing cam surface 232 on the key 216 engaging the slide guard 214.

The protrusion 248 extending from the underside of the key 216 may be configured in the same manner as described with respect to the second example. Thus, the projections 248 may be in the form of pins and they align with the actuation openings 260 through the locking cover 212. The snap lock 240 is located between the locking cap 212 and the slide guard 214. As shown in fig. 3D and 3H, when the key 216 is fully depressed, the protrusion 248 on the underside of the key 216 pushes and triggers the latch 240 to move from the initial set position shown in fig. 3G, in which the needle openings 228 through the slide guard 214 are not aligned with the corresponding needle openings 224, 226 through the key 216 and the locking cap 212, to the active position shown in fig. 3H. However, the protrusion 248 extending from the key 216 also temporarily retains the latch 240 so as not to allow the arms 262 of the latch 240 to obstruct the passage of the needle 220 when the key 216 is fully depressed.

Fig. 3E and 3I illustrate that when the pushing force on the key 216 has been removed, such that the key 216 has moved to an intermediate third position between the fully raised first position and the fully depressed second position. In this intermediate position, the protrusion 248 extending from the underside of the key 216 is withdrawn from the actuation opening 260 through the locking cover 212 and releases the movable latch 240. The arms 262 of the slide guard 214 and the snap lock 240 have moved under the force of the biasing portion 215 to a position biased through the pins 220 of the aligned respective pin openings 224, 226, 228 through the key, locking cap and slide guard.

As shown in fig. 3F and 3J, when the needle 220 has been removed to the extent that the needle 220 no longer passes through the needle opening 228 through the slide guard 214, the snap lock 240, with its arm 262, has moved to cover the needle opening 226 through the locking cap 212, thereby blocking passage of the needle 220 through the slide guard 214, such as into the vial 208.

Turning to fig. 4A-4J, a fourth protective locking system 306 for use with a vial 308 has a vial cap lock that provides access by a separate reusable universal key 316 and may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A or separately, such as with a syringe needle 320. A key 316 in the form of a cap is brought to the locking cap 312 on the vial 308 to unlock the vial 308 and is reusable. Thus, after use, the key 316 may be removed from the locking cap 312 on the vial 308. As shown in fig. 4B, the protective locking system 306 for the vial 308 includes a key 316, a locking cap 312, and a slide guard 314. The key 316 includes a locating opening 344 for proper registration with a locating projection 346 on the locking cover 312.

Fig. 4B illustrates that the protective locking system 306 includes a key 316, a locking cap 312, and a slide guard 314, and that the respective needle openings 324, 326, 328 through the key 316, locking cap 312, and slide guard 314 may be aligned. The locking cap 312 is attached to the vial 308 by an inwardly extending shoulder 313 on the locking cap 312 that captures the rim of the vial 308.

Fig. 4C and 4G illustrate the slide guard 314 being biased to the first position by the biasing portion 315 after the key 316 is brought to the locking cap 312 and in the fully raised first position so as to block entry of the needle 320 that otherwise is allowed to pass through the respective needle openings 324, 326 through the key 316 and locking cap 312. The key 316 is removable and reusable so it does not have features that cause it to be permanently attached to the locking cap 312. Fig. 4D and 4H illustrate the key 316 pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position, wherein the slide guard 314 has been moved from a first position, in which it is biased by the biasing portion 315 to a position blocking passage of the needle 320, to a second position, in which the needle opening 328 therethrough is aligned with the respective needle openings 324, 326 through the key 316 and the locking cap 312, and the needle 320 is shown passing through the respective needle openings 324, 326, 328. When pushed down on the key 316, the slide guard 314 moves from the first position to the second position due to an inwardly facing cam surface 332 on the key 316 engaging the slide guard 314.

In fig. 4E and 4I, the key has been released and the slide guard 314 has moved to a position biased against the needle 320 passing through the aligned respective needle openings 324, 326, 328 of the key, locking cap and slide guard. In fig. 4F and 4J, after key 316 has been released and needle 320 has been removed to the extent that needle 320 no longer passes through needle opening 328 through slide guard 314, slide guard 314 has moved to block passage of needle 320 through slide guard 320, such as into vial 308.

Fig. 5A-5K illustrate a fifth exemplary protective locking system 406 for use with a drug vial 408 configured with a vial cap lock for customizing a drug, wherein the drug vial 408 may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A, or used separately, such as with a syringe needle 420, and has a removable key 416 in the form of a cap that is customized as it relates to the drug and the rights to access the drug.

As shown in fig. 5B, protective locking system 406 for vial 408 includes key 416, locking cap 412, spring lock 440, and slide guard 414. Locking cap 412 is attached to vial 408 by an inwardly extending shoulder 413 on locking cap 412 that captures the rim of vial 408. Fig. 5C shows an underside 442 of unique key 416 that includes locating openings 444 for proper registration with locating projections 446 on locking cover 412 and projections 448 extending from key 416.

Fig. 5D shows slide guard 414 biased to the first position by biasing portion 415 when key 416 is in the installed and fully raised first position, thereby blocking access to needle 420 that would otherwise be allowed through needle opening 424 through key 416 and through needle opening 426 of locking cap 412. For security purposes, key 416 includes at least one inwardly extending rib 417 that must align with a slot 419 in the outer surface of locking cap 412 to allow key 416 to be used with locking cap 412. To enhance safety, various unique patterns of ribs 417 and slots 419 may be employed.

Fig. 5E shows key 416 pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position, in which slide guard 414 has been moved from a first position, in which it is biased by biasing portion 415 to a position blocking passage of needle 420, to a second position, in which a needle opening 428 therethrough is aligned with respective needle openings 424, 426 through key 416 and locking cap 412, and showing needle 420 passing through respective needle openings 424, 426, 428. When pushed down on key 416, slide guard 414 moves from the first position to the second position due to an inwardly facing cam surface 432 on key 416 engaging slide guard 414.

The projections 448 extending from the underside 442 of the key 416 may be in the form of pins and they align with actuation openings 460 through the locking cover 412. A snap lock 440 is located between locking cap 412 and slide guard 414. As shown in fig. 5E and 5I, when key 416 is fully depressed, protrusion 448 on the underside of key 416 pushes on and triggers movement of snap lock 440 from the initial set position shown in fig. 5H, in which needle openings 428 through slide guard 414 are out of alignment with corresponding needle openings 424, 426 through key 416 and locking cap 412, to the active position shown in fig. 5I. However, the protrusions 448 extending from the key 416 also temporarily retain the spring lock 440, thereby not allowing the arms 462 of the spring lock 440 to obstruct the passage of the needle 420 when the key 416 is fully depressed.

Fig. 5F and 5J illustrate that when the pushing force on the key 416 has been removed, such that the key 416 has moved to an intermediate third position between the fully raised first position and the fully depressed second position. In this intermediate position, the tab 448 extending from the underside of the key 416 is withdrawn from the actuation opening 460 through the locking cap 412 and releases the moveable latch 440. Arms 462 of slide guard 414 and snap lock 440 have moved under the force of biasing portion 415 to a position biased against pins 420 passing through aligned respective pin openings 424, 426, 428 through key 416, locking cap 412 and slide guard 414.

As shown in fig. 5G and 5K, when needle 420 has been removed to the extent that needle 420 no longer passes through needle opening 428 through slide guard 414, snap lock 440, with its arm 462, has moved to cover needle opening 426 through locking cap 412, thereby blocking passage of needle 420 through slide guard 414, such as into vial 408.

Fig. 6A-6K illustrate a sixth exemplary protective locking system 506 that is configured with a vial cap lock that provides access by a separate reusable rotation key 516, and that may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A, or used separately, such as with a syringe needle 520, and where the key 516 is in the form of a cap that is brought to the vial 508 and the locking cap 512 to unlock the vial 508 for use. Thereafter, the key 516 may be removed from the locking cover 512.

Fig. 6B shows that the protective locking system 506 includes a key 516, a locking cap 512, and a slide guard 514, and that the respective needle openings 524, 526, 528 through the key 516, the locking cap 512, and the slide guard 514 may be aligned. The locking cap 512 is attached to the vial 508 by an inwardly extending shoulder 513 on the locking cap 512 that captures the rim of the vial 508. Fig. 6C shows the underside of the key 516 and a projection in the form of at least one rib 517 extending inwardly from the key 516.

Fig. 6D, 6H and 6J show the slide guard 514 in a first position blocking entry of the needle 520 after the key 516 is brought to the locking cap 512 and in a first rotational position, otherwise the needle 520 is allowed to pass through the respective needle openings 524, 526 through the key 516 and the locking cap 512. Fig. 6E, 6I and 6K show the key 516 rotated to a second rotational position in which the slide guard 514 has been moved into alignment with the needle openings 528 therethrough with the corresponding needle openings 524, 526 through the key 516 and the locking cap 512. The sliding guard 514 is moved by the rotational movement of the key 516, which drives at least one rib 517 into engagement with a notch 521 in the sliding guard 514 to achieve the second position.

In fig. 6F and 6G, key 516 has been released and needle 520 has been removed to the extent that needle 520 no longer passes through needle opening 528 through slide guard 514. Slide guard 514 has also moved back to its first position blocking needle 520 from passing through slide guard 514.

Turning to fig. 7A-7J, a seventh protective locking system 606 for use with a vial 608 has a vial cap lock that provides access by a non-synchronized reusable key 616 and may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A, or used alone, such as with a syringe needle 620. A key 616 in the form of a cap is brought to the locking cap 612 on the vial 608 to unlock the vial 608 and is reusable. Thus, after use, the key 616 may be removed from the locking cap 612 on the vial 608. As shown in fig. 6B, the protective locking system 606 for the vial 608 includes a key 616, a locking cap 612, and a slide guard 614, and the respective needle openings 624, 626, 628 through the key 616, the locking cap 612, and the slide guard 614 may be aligned. The locking cap 612 is attached to the vial 608 by an inwardly extending shoulder 613 on the locking cap 612 that captures the rim of the vial 608.

Fig. 7C and 7G show the slide guard 614 biased to a first position by the biasing portion 615 after the key 616 is brought to the locking cap 612 and in the fully raised first position so as to block entry of the needle 620 otherwise allowed to pass through the respective needle openings 624, 626 through the key 616 and the locking cap 612. The key 616 is removable and reusable so it does not have features that cause it to be permanently attached to the locking cap 612. When the key 616 is in the fully raised first position, the needle openings 628 through the slide guard 614 are not aligned with the respective needle openings 624, 626 through the key 616 and the locking cap 612, and the pin 672 on the slider arm 670 of the slide guard 614 is in the neutral first position in the slot 674 in the underside of the locking cap 612.

Fig. 7H shows the slide guard 614 being moved when the key 616 is partially depressed, with the respective needle openings 624, 626, 628 through the key 616, the lock cap 612 and the slide guard 614 partially aligned, and with the slider arms 670 on the slide guard 614 flexing outward as the pins 672 on the slider arms 670 follow the slots 674 in the underside of the lock cap 612.

Fig. 7D and 7I show key 616 pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position, wherein slide guard 614 has been moved from a first position, in which it is biased by bias 615 to a position blocking passage of needle 620, to a second position, in which a needle opening 628 therethrough is aligned with respective needle openings 624, 626 through key 616 and locking cap 612, and needle 620 is shown passing through respective needle openings 624, 626, 628. When pushed down on the key 616, the slide guard 614 moves from the first position to the second position as a result of the inwardly facing cam surface 632 on the key 616 engaging the slide guard 614. The slider arm 670 on the slide guard 614 flexes further as the pin 672 on the slider arm 670 follows the slot 674 in the underside of the lock cap 612.

In fig. 7E, the key has been released and the skid guard 614 has moved to a position biased against the pins 620 passing through the aligned respective pin openings 624, 626, 628 of the key 616, locking cap 612 and skid guard 614. In fig. 7F and 7J, after the key 616 has been released and the needle 620 has been removed to the point that the needle 620 no longer passes through the needle opening 628 through the skid guard 614, the skid guard 614 has moved to block the needle 620 from passing through the skid guard 620, such as re-entering the vial 608. As slider arms 670 on the skid guard 614 flex inward and pins 672 on the slider arms 670 follow slots 674 in the underside of the locking cap 612, the skid guard 614 has moved to a locked position blocking the passage of the needle 620 through the skid guard 620, such as re-entering the vial 608, until the pins 672 become jammed, preventing further skid guard movement.

Turning to fig. 8A-8J, an eighth protective locking system 706 for use with a vial 708 has a vial cap lock that provides access by a reusable key 716 and may be used with a transfer device such as that shown in fig. 1A or used alone, such as with a syringe needle 720. A key 716 in the form of a cap is brought to a locking cap 712 on the vial 708 to unlock the vial 708 and is reusable. Thus, after use, the key 716 may be removed from the locking cap 712 on the vial 708. As shown in fig. 8B, the protective locking system 706 for the vial 708 includes a key 716, a locking cap 712, and a slide guard 714, and the respective needle openings 724, 726, 728 through the key 716, locking cap 712, and slide guard 714 may be aligned. Locking cap 712 is attached to vial 708 by an inwardly extending shoulder 713 on locking cap 712 that captures the rim of vial 708.

Fig. 8C and 8G illustrate the slide guard 714 biased to a first position by the biasing portion 715 after the key 716 is brought to the locking cap 712 and in the fully raised first position so as to block entry of the needle 720 otherwise permitted for passage of the needle 720 through the respective needle openings 724, 726 of the key 716 and locking cap 712. The key 716 is removable and reusable so it does not have features that cause it to be permanently attached to the locking cover 712. When the key 716 is in the fully raised first position, the needle openings 728 through the slide guard 714 are not aligned with the respective needle openings 724, 726 through the key 716 and the lock cover 712, and the pin 772 on the slider arm 770 of the slide guard 714 is in the neutral first position in the slot 774 in the underside of the lock cover 712.

Fig. 8H shows the slide guard 714 being moved when the key 716 is partially depressed, with the respective needle openings 724, 726, 728 through the key 716, lock cover 712 and slide guard 714 partially aligned, and with the slider arm 770 on the slide guard 714 flexing outward as the pin 772 on the slider arm 770 follows the slot 774 in the underside of the lock cover 712.

Fig. 8D and 8I illustrate the key 716 pushed or forced to a fully depressed second position, wherein the slide guard 714 has been moved from a first position, in which it is biased by the bias 715 to a position blocking passage of the needle 720, to a second position, in which the needle opening 728 therethrough is aligned with the respective needle openings 724, 726 through the key 716 and locking cap 712, and the needle 720 is shown passing through the respective needle openings 724, 726, 728. When pushed down on the key 716, the slide guard 714 moves from the first position to the second position due to an inwardly facing cam surface 732 on the key 716 engaging the slide guard 714. The slider arm 770 on the slide guard 714 flexes further as the pin 772 on the slider arm 770 follows the slot 774 in the underside of the lock cap 712.

In fig. 7E, the key has been released and the slide guard 714 has moved to a position biased against the pins 720 passing through the aligned respective pin openings 724, 726, 728 of the key 716, locking cap 712, and slide guard 714. In fig. 8F and 8J, after key 716 has been released and needle 720 removed to the point where needle 720 no longer passes through needle opening 728 through slide guard 714, slide guard 714 has moved to block passage of needle 720 through slide guard 720, such as re-entry into vial 708. Slide guard 714 has moved to a locked position blocking passage of needle 720 through slide guard 720, such as re-entering vial 708, and as pin 772 on slider arm 770 follows slot 774 in the underside of locking cap 712, slider arm 770 on slide guard 714 flexes inwardly until pin 772 rides over and behind ramp 776 in slot 774 to be caught, preventing further movement of slide guard 714. This can be seen in fig. 8K, where the pin 772 on the slider arm 770 is caught behind a ramp 776 in a slot 774 in the underside of the lock cap 774.

Although the subject matter has been described herein with reference to particular structures, methods, and examples, this is for illustrative purposes only and it is to be understood that the subject matter is applicable to a wide range of devices and systems that may differ in particular configuration and appearance while still employing the subject matter.