Fluid filled ampoules and methods for their use in aerosolizers

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.

1 - 39 . (canceled)  
     
     
         40 . An aerosolization system, comprising: 
 an aerosol generator comprising an aperture plate having a plurality of apertures and a vibratable member that is configured to expand and contract to thereby vibrate the aperture plate;    a receiving member; and    a fluid filled ampoule comprising an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end, and a sealed interior containing a liquid;    wherein the ampoule is configured to be opened and placed into the receiving region to permit fluid from the ampoule to flow to the aperture plate of the aerosol generate such that the liquid is available for aerosolization upon actuation of the vibratable member.    
     
     
         41 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein the aperture plate includes a plurality of tapered apertures.  
     
     
         42 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein the ampoule further comprises a top tab that is coupled to the top end, wherein the top tab is removable to create a drain vent in the top end; 
 a bottom tab that is coupled to the bottom end, wherein the bottom tab is removable to create a drain opening in the bottom end; and    a movable shroud that is coupled to the top end and which is disposed about the top tab.    
     
     
         43 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein the top tab and the bottom tab are coupled to the ampoule body such that they are removable by applying a twisting action.  
     
     
         44 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein the shroud is bendable to provide access to the top tab.  
     
     
         45 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein the ampoule further comprises a pair of longitudinal rails on the ampoule body that are adapted to guide the ampoule into the receiving member.  
     
     
         46 . A system as in  claim 45 , wherein the rails have different sizes so that the ampoule may be inserted into the receiver in only one orientation.  
     
     
         47 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein the bottom end of the ampoule is tapered to provide a surface area at the bottom end that is adapted to provide a seal with a receiving member.  
     
     
         48 . A system as in  claim 40 , further comprising at least one keying element on the ampoule body that is adapted to permit operation of an aerosolization device when the keying element is accepted by the aerosolization device.  
     
     
         49 . A method aerosolizing a liquid, the method comprising: 
 providing an aerosol generator comprising an aperture plate having a plurality of apertures and a vibratable member that is configured to expand and contract to thereby vibrate the aperture plate;    providing a fluid filled ampoule comprising an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end, and a sealed interior containing a liquid;    opening the ampoule;    placing the ampoule into a receiving member of the aerosol generator, wherein liquid from the ampoule flows to the aperture plate of the aerosol generator; and    vibrating the vibratable member to vibrate the aperture plate and to aerosolize the liquid.    
     
     
         50 . A method as in  claim 49 , further comprising opening the ampoule prior to inserting the ampoule into the receiving member.  
     
     
         51 . A method as in  claim 50 , further comprising opening the bottom end to open the ampoule.  
     
     
         52 . A method as in  claim 51 , further comprising forming an air vent in the top end.  
     
     
         53 . A method as in  claim 49 , wherein the ampoule body further includes a top tab that is coupled to the top end, a bottom tab that is coupled to the bottom end, and a shroud disposed about the top tab; 
 moving the shroud away from the tab;    removing the top tab to create a drain vent;    removing the bottom tab to create a drain opening;    wherein upon creation of the drain vent and the drain opening, the liquid in the interior flows out of the drain opening and is available for aerosolization by an aerosolization device.    
     
     
         54 . A method as in  claim 53 , further comprising inserting the ampoule into the aerosolization device after removing the bottom tab and prior to removing the top tab.  
     
     
         55 . A method as in  claim 54 , further comprising bending the shroud to move the shroud away from the top tab.  
     
     
         55 . A method as in  claim 54 , further comprising twisting the top tab and the bottom tab to remove them from the ampoule body.  
     
     
         56 . A method as in  claim 49 , 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.  
     
     
         57 . A method as in  claim 56 , 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.  
     
     
         58 . A method as in  claim 49 , wherein the bottom end of the ampoule is tapered, and further comprising providing a seal with the bottom end and the aerosolization device.  
     
     
         59 . A method as in  claim 49 , wherein the ampoule further includes at least one keying element on the ampoule body, and further comprising permitting operation of the aerosolization device only when the keying element is accepted by the aerosolization device.  
     
     
         60 . A method as in  claim 59 , 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.