Ampoule for dispensing medication and method of use

• US 6,379,342 B1
• Filed: 04/02/1999
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scion International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Scion International, Inc.
• Inventors: Levinson, Melvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Seidel, Richard K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/285,134
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 604/257, 604/132, 604/142, 604/153, 604/310, 604/316, 604/327, 222/81, 222/1, 222/129, 222/83, 222/207, 222/456, 222/83.5, 222/212, 222/420
• US Class Current: 604/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/067 Flexible ampoules, the contents of which are expelled by squeezing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/0238 Integral frangible closures
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 69/00 Articles joined together for convenience of storage or transport without the use of packaging elements packages joined together B65D5/427, B65D21/02 ; joining articles for convenience of packaging B65B17/02

Abstract

An ampoule which has been designed to contain sterile medicinal fluids of various types and doses in a measured dose fashion, which allows direct administration via linkage to standardized existing indwelling catheters, tubing and even hypodermic needle hubs by virtue of a contained Luer Lock fitting. The invention eliminates the need to draw up fluids into intermediary devices such as needles and syringes or other injection devices, thus minimizing costs and enhancing safety and convenience. The ampoule, by virtue of finger pressure on its flexible structure, allows complete administration directly into the body or its structures. The contents of the ampoule are protected and the sterility of contents and linkage mechanism is protected by a cover which occludes the opening into the ampoule until use. The ampoule also allows direct administration by connection of its Luer Lock fitting to standard hypodermic needles and hubs for injection into or through body structures.

Claims

1. An ampoule, for dispensing medicinal fluids into a structure, said ampoule comprising:

a container for storing medicinal fluid;

said container having an end with a fluid opening initially sealed by a projection which is integral with and extends beyond said opening;

said container having a first part of a standard connector fitting at said end, for mating with a second part of a standard connector fitting of the structure; and

means for breaking off said projection to terminate its sealing of said opening;

whereby,

upon mating of the fitting parts, fluid can be dispensed from said ampoule into the structure.

2. An ampoule according to claim 1 in which, said container has flexible walls;

whereby,

after said projection is broken off and the fitting parts are mated, compression of said flexible walls dispenses fluid into the structure.

3. An ampoule according to claim 2 in which, said container includes a fluid channel passing through said first connector fitting part to said end.

4. An ampoule according to claim 1 in which, said projection is in the form of a flag element which also covers said first part of said fitting;

whereby,

twisting of said flag element breaks it off to unseal said fluid opening and also uncover said first part of said fitting.

5. An ampoule, for dispensing medicinal fluids into a structure, said ampoule comprising:

a container for storing medicinal fluids;

said container having an end with a fluid opening sealed by a projection which extends beyond said opening;

said container having a first part of a standard connector fitting at said end, for mating with a second part of a standard connector fitting of the structure; and

means for breaking off said projection to terminate its sealing of said opening;

said projection breaking off means comprising a cap which tightly engages said projection and covers said terminal end;

whereby,

twisting of said cap breaks off said projection, and upon mating of the fitting parts, fluid can be dispensed from said ampoule into the structure.

6. An ampoule according to claim 5 in which, said projection has a narrowed neck portion to facilitate break off upon twisting of said cap.

7. An ampoule, for dispensing medicinal fluids into a structure, said ampoule comprising:

a container for storing medicinal fluid;

at least two said ampoules connected together, side by side, in fluid isolation from each other, by detachable lateral extensions of said container;

said container having an end with a fluid opening sealed by a projection which extends beyond said opening;

said container having a first part of a standard connector fitting at said end, for mating with a second part of a standard connector fitting of the structure; and

means for breaking off said projection to terminate its sealing of said opening;

whereby,

upon mating of the fitting parts, fluid can be dispensed from said ampoule into the structure.

8. An ampoule, for dispensing medicinal fluids into a structure, said ampoule comprising:

a container for storing medicinal fluid;

said container having an end with a fluid opening sealed by a projection which extends beyond said opening and in which said projection is in the form of a post;

said container having a first part of a standard connector fitting at said end, for mating with a second-part of a standard connector fitting of the structure; and

means for breaking off said projections to terminate its sealing of said opening;

whereby,

bending of said post breaks off said projection and,

upon mating of the fitting parts, fluid can be dispensed from said ampoule into the structure.

9. A method of dispensing medicinal fluid from an ampoule having flexible sides and a fluid opening, comprising the steps of:

storing a volume of the fluid in said ampoule;

sealing a fluid opening of said ampoule with a projection having one end integral with said opening and an opposite end extending outwardly away from said opening;

securing to said ampoule, proximate to said opening, a first part of a standard connector fitting;

breaking off said projection, at its said one end, from said ampoule for thereby;

unsealing said fluid opening of said ampoule;

mating a second part of a standard connector fitting to said first part;

squeezing said flexible sides of said ampoule;

thereby

dispensing said fluid from said fluid opening and through said standard connector fitting.

10. A method according to claim 9 comprising the further steps of:

covering said projection and at least a portion of said first part of said fitting with cover means; and

removing said cover means to accomplish said step of breaking off said projection.

11. A method according to claim 9 in which said step of storing is of a predetermined volume and, prior to said step of mating, the additional step of:

mounting said second part of said standard connector fitting to a structure for receiving said predetermined volume as a result of said step of dispensing.