Fluid filled ampoules and methods for their use in aerosolizers

• US 7,032,590 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2004
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis Ag)
• Original Assignee: Aerogen, Inc. (Nektar Therapeutics)
• Inventors: Klimowicz, Michael, Loeffler, Joseph P., Rapp, David, Poynter, Richard Q.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, NIHIR B
• Application Number:
  US10/752,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20040139968A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 206/528, 206/530, 206/531, 206/532
• US Class Current: 128/200.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/065 Rigid ampoules, e.g. glass ampoules
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0031 by bursting or breaking the package, i.e. without cutting or piercing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0607 generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/095 made of flexible material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/00 Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators see also B65D5/4212, B65D33/004
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/828 Medicinal content
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/03 Medical

Abstract

A fluid filled ampoule comprises an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end and a sealed interior containing a liquid. A top tab is coupled to the top end and is removable to create a drain vent in the top end. A bottom tab is coupled to the bottom end and is removable to create a drain opening in the bottom end. A movable shroud is coupled to the top end and is disposed about the top tab. The shroud is movable to permit access to the top tab.

Claims

1. A method for supplying liquid to an aerosolization device, the method comprising:

providing an ampoule comprising an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end, and a sealed interior containing a liquid, and an air vent disposed near the top end;

creating a drain opening in the bottom end;

inserting the ampoule into a receiving portion of the aerosolization device;

separately opening the air vent;

wherein upon opening of the air vent and the creation of the drain opening, the liquid in the interior flows out of the drain opening and into the aerosolization device where it is available for aerosolization by the aerosolization; and

wherein the ampoule further includes at least one keying element on the ampoule body, and further comprising inserting the aerosolization device and permitting operation of the aerosolization device only when the keying element is accepted by the aerosolization device.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising inserting the ampoule into the aerosolization device after creating the drain opening and prior to opening the drain vent.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the ampoule includes a top tab that is removable to form the air vent and a shroud that is disposed about the top tab, and further comprising bending the shroud to move the shroud away from the top tab.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein the bottom end includes a bottom tab that is removable to create the drain opening, and further comprising twisting the top tab and the bottom tab to remove them from the ampoule body.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the ampoule further includes a pair of longitudinal rails on the ampoule body, and further comprising inserting the ampoule into the aerosolization device such that the rails are received into corresponding slots in the aerosolization device.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the rails and the slots have different sizes, and further comprising inserting the ampoule such that the rails and received into the appropriately sized slots.

7. A method as in claim 2, wherein the bottom end is tapered, and further comprising providing a seal with the bottom end and the aerosolization device.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the keying element comprises a protrusion on the ampoule body, and further comprising inserting the ampoule into the aerosolization device such that the protrusion is received into a keyed slot in the aerosolization device.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a medicament.

10. A method for supplying liquid to an aerosolization device, the method comprising:

providing an ampoule comprising an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end, and a sealed interior containing a liquid, and an air vent disposed near the top end;

creating a drain opening in the bottom end;

inserting the ampoule into a receiving portion of the aerosolization device;

separately opening the air vent;

wherein upon opening of the air vent and the creation of the drain opening, the liquid in the interior flows out of the drain opening and into the aerosolization device where it is available for aerosolization by the aerosolization device; and

wherein the ampoule further includes a pair of longitudinal rails on the ampoule body, and further comprising inserting the ampoule into the aerosolization device such that the rails are received into corresponding slots in the aerosolization device.