Instrument for impermanent sealed perforation of thin-walled packaging

Abstract

An instrument for impermanent sealed perforation of thin-walled, hermetically sealed packaging. The instrument includes a longitudinally tapered needle and a septum with a hole. The underside of the septum is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The hole through the septum is configured and arranged to permit unrestricted passage of the distal longitudinal end portion of the needle through the hole, while sealingly engaging the longitudinal midsection of the needle. The septum is incapable of sealing the hole through the septum after withdrawal of the needle from the hole.

1 . An instrument for impermanent sealed perforation of a thin-walled, hermetically sealed packaging, comprising:
 (a) a longitudinally-tapered, blunt-tipped, needle having a longitudinal lumen, a proximal longitudinal end portion, a distal longitudinal end portion and a longitudinal midsection, and   (b) a septum having (i) a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on an underside of the septum, and (ii) a hole configured and arranged to (1) permit unrestricted passage of the distal longitudinal end portion of the tapered needle through the hole, and (2) sealingly engage the longitudinal midsection of the tapered needle,   (c) wherein the septum is incapable of sealing the hole through the septum after withdrawal of the tapered needle from the hole.   
     
     
         2 . The instrument of  claim 1  wherein the lumen has an access port through a sidewall of the distal end portion of the needle. 
     
     
         3 . The instrument of  claim 1  wherein the tip is flat with a radius of about 0.1 to 0.6 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The instrument of  claim 1  wherein the tip is rounded with a radius of about 0.2 to 0.7 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The instrument of  claim 1  wherein the needle is plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The instrument of  claim 1  wherein the needle is thermoplastic. 
     
     
         7 . The instrument of  claim 1  wherein the septum is a rubber septum. 
     
     
         8 . The instrument of  claim 1  wherein the septum is flat and thin.