Ampoule

Abstract

An ampoule comprises a self-contained body that defines a storage chamber, and that includes a port with a valve reconfigurable to allow recovery of fluid from the chamber via the port. The chamber is in part defined by structure that is operable or replaceable by a plunger element moveable in the chamber to dispense fluid via the port.

1 . An ampoule comprising a self-contained body that defines a storage chamber, and that includes a port with a valve reconfigurable to allow recovery of fluid from the chamber via the port, wherein said chamber is in part defined by structure that is operable or replaceable by a plunger element moveable in the chamber to dispense fluid via the port. 
     
     
         2 . An ampoule according to  claim 1  wherein said valve is reconfigurable by being selectively and reversibly operable to open the port. 
     
     
         3 . An ampoule according to  claim 2  further including a latch device on the valve that must be disengaged to allow operation of the valve. 
     
     
         4 . An ampoule according to  claim 3  wherein the latch device is a removable element that physically blocks operation of the valve and requires substantial finger force for its removal from its valve blocking position. 
     
     
         5 . An ampoule according to  claim 4  wherein said removal requires removal by complete separation from the ampoule body and/or the valve. 
     
     
         6 . An ampoule according to  claim 1  wherein said valve is reconfigurable by comprising a web with a break line about a hinge portion at which the web hinges back behind a needle employed to separate the web at the break line. 
     
     
         7 . An ampoule according to  claim 6  further including a hollow needle that is relatively slidable between a first position in which the interior of the needle is sealingly closed from the chamber and a second position in which the interior of the needle has separated the web at the break line and is in communication with the chamber. 
     
     
         8 . An ampoule according to  claim 6  wherein said structure comprises a plunger element mounted within said chamber and sealingly moveable in the chamber to dispense fluid via the port. 
     
     
         9 . An ampoule according to  claim 6  wherein said structure includes an end cap and seal element removeably engaged with an end of the body, being replaceable with said plunger element. 
     
     
         10 . An ampoule according to  claim 2  further including a hollow needle that is relatively slidable between a first position in which the interior of the needle is sealingly closed from the chamber and a second position in which the interior of the needle is in communication with the chamber. 
     
     
         11 . An ampoule according to  claim 10  wherein the needle includes one or more lateral holes that provide the aforesaid communication between the chamber and the needle interior in the second position of the needle. 
     
     
         12 . An ampoule according to  claim 10  wherein the valve is configured to allow the needle to be flushed clean when in its first position, not in communication with the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . An ampoule according to  claim 2  wherein said structure comprises a plunger element mounted within said chamber and sealingly moveable in the chamber to dispense fluid via the port. 
     
     
         14 . An ampoule according to  claim 2  wherein said structure includes an end cap and seal element removeably engaged with an end of the body, being replaceable with said plunger element. 
     
     
         15 . An ampoule comprising a self-contained body that defines a hermetically sealable chamber for storage of a known amount of a fluid, and that includes a port with a valve selectively operable to open the port to allow recovery of fluid from the chamber via the port, wherein the ampoule further includes a plunger element relatively moveable in the chamber to dispense fluid via the port, and a latch device on the valve that must be disengaged to allow operation of the valve. 
     
     
         16 . An ampoule comprising a self-contained body that defines a chamber for storage of a known amount of fluid, and that includes a port to allow recovery of fluid from the chamber via the port, wherein the ampoule further includes a plunger element relatively moveable in the chamber to dispense fluid via the port, and a formation on the body for engaging the body to a precision drive tool having a driving mechanism that is thereafter operable to move the plunger element to dispense fluid via the port. 
     
     
         17 . A dispensing system comprising a precision drive tool with a driving mechanism and an engagement head, and an ampoule according to  claim 1  engageable with the tool so that the driving mechanism is thereafter operable to move the plunger element of the ampoule to dispense fluid from the ampoule. 
     
     
         18 . A dispensing system according to  claim 17 , wherein the ampoule is a filled ampoule in which the chamber contains a volume of fluid and the port is sealingly closed. 
     
     
         19 . A dispensing system according to  claim 17 , in which said chamber contains a known amount of a solid, which can be dissolved in a known amount of fluid. 
     
     
         20 . An ampoule according to  claim 1 , wherein the ampoule is a filled ampoule in which the chamber contains a volume of fluid and the port is sealingly closed. 
     
     
         21 . An ampoule according to  claim 1 , in which said chamber contains a known amount of a solid, which can be dissolved in a known amount of fluid.