Methods of venting a vial adapter with aerosol retention
A method for retaining aerosols when accessing a sealed vial is disclosed. The method includes the steps of piercing the vial seal with a sharp cannula having a medicament lumen and a vent lumen, introducing a liquid through the medicament lumen into the vial, and conducting gas out of the vial through the vent lumen and a vent port to the atmosphere. The method also includes the steps of blocking the passage of non-dispersed liquid out the vent lumen at a first filter device comprising pores having a diameter in the range of 0.2-3.0 microns, absorbing liquid dispersed in gas at a second filter device, and inhibiting the passage of bacteria at a third filter device having a pore size smaller than 0.2 microns.
1. A method for retaining aerosols when accessing a vial having a pierceable seal located over an opening of the vial, the method comprising the steps of:
piercing the vial seal with a sharp cannula having a medicament lumen and a vent lumen separate from each other;
conducting non-dispersed liquid through the medicament lumen of the cannula into the vial;
conducting gas out of the vial through the vent lumen and through a vent port in fluid communication with the vent lumen to an atmosphere outside the vial;
blocking the passage of non-dispersed liquid out the vent lumen to the outside atmosphere at a first filter device comprising pores having a diameter in the range of 0.2-3.0 microns;
absorbing liquid dispersed in gas at a second filter device disposed between the first filter device and the vent port; and
inhibiting the passage of bacteria at a third filter device disposed between the second filter device and the vent port, the third filter device having a pore diameter smaller than 0.2 microns.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second filter device comprises pores having a pore diameter smaller than the pore diameter of the first filter device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first filter device comprises hydrophobic material.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first filter device comprises a membrane comprising a vinyl polymer.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the vinyl polymer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of blocking the passage of non-dispersed liquid comprises blocking the passage of non-dispersed liquid with a filter material having a pore diameter selected to prevent the passage of liquid.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second filter device comprises a desiccant.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second filter device comprises a molecular sieve.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second filter device comprises pores having a polar surface.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the third filter device comprises a membrane comprising a vinyl polymer.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the vinyl polymer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.