Single use vial

A single use vial is provided in clusters of five or two times five separably joined vials. The vials are molded and filled with a medicated or non-medicated solution and each vial is provided with a converging, planar front wall. The vials include an integral dispensing nozzle, having a conduit which can be exposed by removing a twist off closure. A common separation strip joins the facing side of adjacent vials in the cluster but not the twist off closures. The angle of convergence of the front wall is designed to elevate the conduit above the solution level when the front wall is placed upon a horizontal surface to prevent unwanted dripping prior to use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to the field non-reclosable 
packages, and more particularly is directed to a novel single use vial 
suitable for storing and dispensing a quantity of either non-preserved or 
preserved product. 
For certain treatments in the field of respiratory therapy patient 
administration sets, or circuits, commmonly employ the use of a 
nebulization device, said device incorporating a fluid reservoir to 
contain the solution or medication to be administered. Some of nebulizer 
reservoirs are fitted with a special medication port, or opening, through 
which the solution to be nebulized may be added, provided the solution is 
contained in a package that will cooperate with, or fit into the port. If 
the package containing the solution to be nebulized does not fit into the 
medication port then the nebulizer unit, or a portion of the circuit, must 
be partially disassembled in order to place the solution in the reservoir. 
The nebulizer, or circuit, must then be reassembled prior to use. 
Alternatively, if the solution to be nebulized is presented in a container 
unsuitable for filling the reservoir, the solution is usually drawn-up 
into a syringe for the purpose of metering and delivering the solution via 
the medication port, into the reservoir. The nebulizer, or circuit, must 
then be reassembled prior to use. This manipulation not only imposes 
additional cost in operator time but incurs the added expense of the 
syringe and needle. 
In the field of nursing and the various facets of patient care it is 
frequently necessary to irrigate a patient through a tracheal or 
endotracheal tube. Due to several factors, e.g., the position of the 
patient, position or location of the tube, size of the tube opening, 
quantity (or volume) of irrigation solution required, it has generally 
been necessary to draw-up from another container, the solution for 
irrigation into a bulb type syringe or a needle and syringe unit. The 
above manipulation permits the nurse to present the proper quantity of 
irrigating solution in a device capable of performing the task at hand. 
The cost in nursing time as well as the cost of the components necessary 
for the above system is obvious. In addition to the above cost and 
preparation requirements, it has been recorded that in several instances 
the needle through which the irrigation solution was being administered 
inadvertently dislodged from the syringe and dropped into the patients 
throat. Complications here are also obvious. 
To respond to some of the many and varied requirements that the demand of 
better patient care places on the container in which medication is 
presented for administration, a few of which are illustrated above, a 
package, or family of packages that will permit delivery of the medication 
to the instrument being used in the patient, or to the patient per se, not 
only is in order but is necessary to support and keep pace with ever 
improving technology and medical practice. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to the field of single use 
respiratory therapy units as well as small volume irrigation units, and 
more particularly is directed to a non-reclosable liquid containing 
package including a preferred shoulder-neck-nozzle arrangement on which is 
located a self contained opening means which, upon removal, exposes a 
nozzle of correct size and shape designed to facilitate proper dispensing 
of the contained liquid. 
The present invention includes a cluster or block of separable, individual 
vials suitable for storing and dispensing discreet quantities of either 
medicated or non-medicated solutions. 
Each vial in a block is similarly configured and preferably includes front 
and back walls tapered or converging toward the bottom of the vial to 
elevate the nozzle when the vial is placed upon a table or other planer 
surface whereby the liquid product cannot accidentally drip from a vial 
after opening. Each vial is provided with a twist off opening key to 
expose a dispensing nozzle and orifice. Preferably the nozzle is sized to 
have a positive "locating" feature to fit into the medication port of a 
nebulizer unit, e.g., the Bird nebulizer as well as a positive "locating" 
feature to fit the opening of tracheal, or endotrachael tubes so that the 
contained solution can be properly directed into the tube and applied 
directly in a stream to the trachael treatment area. 
Preferably the clusters of vials are arranged in a block of five vials or 
in a block of two times five vials to reduce storage requirements as the 
vials are used. The twist off keys or closures are individually arranged 
on the vials of a block and are not joined so that the opening of one vial 
will not open an adjacent vial nor will a remaining vial in a block or 
cluster be opened when one end vial is detached. Each vial or ampoule in a 
block or cluster should preferably be fabricated of an FDA approved 
plastic of suitable characteristics to retain therein any particular 
solution selected for storage and later application purposes. In the event 
that the plastic utilized is permeable to moisture and air, e.g., oxygen 
permeation, the vial clusters could be stored within outer foil, or 
otherwise non-gas permeable packages to thereby protect the stored 
contents from light and oxygen or air deterioration. Preferably the 
protective outer packages are swept out with nitrogen in a known procedure 
prior to, during, or following placement of the vial clusters into the 
protective outer package to further protect against air or oxygen 
deterioration. 
It will be noted that the design of the ampoules or vials is such that when 
an open vial is placed upon a horizontal surface, the taper or incline of 
the body front or rear wall will maintain the dispensing end above the 
surface to thereby tend to preserve the sterile treatment of the ampoule. 
Additionally, the incline of the body front or rear walls positions the 
body opening above the level of the liquid contents of the solution in a 
manner to prevent inadvertant spilling or dribbling of the fluid contents 
from the dispensing orifice of an open vial. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved 
single use vial of the type set forth. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, filled 
single use vial which includes downwardly converging front and back walls 
and an integral twist off key. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a plurality of 
single use vials which are arranged in easily separable blocks or cluster 
packs. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel single use 
vial including a twist off key wherein, the removal of the key exposes a 
dispensing nozzle that is suitable for direct application into the 
entrance orifices of existing respiratory therapy and tracheal lavage 
devices. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel single use 
vial or ampoule that is simple in design, inexpensive in manfucture and 
trouble free when in use. 
Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by 
referring to the following description and claims of a preferred 
embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein 
like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several 
views and in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake 
of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular 
structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and 
are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention. 
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a 
block or cluster pack 10 comprising a plurality of similar, severable, 
liquid containing vials or ampoules 12 such as the cluster of edge 
connected vials 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e. The vials of the block or cluster 
are fabricated of suitable moldable plastic and are simultaneously molded 
and filled with a medicated or non-medicated treatment liquid 14 (FIG. 6) 
by employing existing ampoule fabricating and filling equipment well known 
to those skilled in the art. The individual vials 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e 
are preferably secured along tear strips or seams 36 to facilatate 
separation of individual, single service containers. The cluster pack 
provides an orderly, compact arrangement for convenient storage of a 
plurality of vials in a cabinet, desk, pocket, etc. Preferably, the 
individual vials 12 are arranged in clusters 10 of five vials as 
illustrated or in two time five vial clusters to provide for the user both 
a convenient means of storage and transportation and also a rapid 
accounting of the supply on hand. Each vial contains a known quantity of 
treatment liquid 14, for example, 5.0 ml capacity. 
Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that each vial 12 is 
upwardly provided with a dispensing nozzle 16 which extends forwardly of a 
cylindrical boss or flange 18. The vial 12 is preferably molded or 
otherwise formed to a generally trapazoidal longitudinal cross sectional 
configuration (FIG. 6) and includes flat, downwardly converging front and 
rear walls 28, 30. The front and rear walls are interconnected by 
respective left and right sidewalls 32, 34 to define a hollow interior 40 
suitable for retaining a measured quantity of medicated or non-medicated 
treatment liquid 14 therewithin. The front and rear walls 28, 30 and the 
sidewalls 32, 34 converge upwardly and define a narrow neck 20. A 
transistion channel 22 interconnects the neck 20 the dispensing boss or 
flange 18. 
Still referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a twist off opening key 26 includes a 
grasping area 42 and an air tight seal 44 to initially provide a top 
closure for the vial 12. The key 26 is defined from the top of the 
dispensing nozzle 16 by a weakened seam 46, which seam is formed when the 
vial 12 is molded or otherwise fabricated. Accordingly, when it is desired 
to use the treatment liquid 14 contained within a vial 12, the opening key 
26 is grasped by the fingers (not shown) of the user and is twisted about 
the weakened seam 46 until the sealing portion 44 separates from the 
dispensing nozzle 16, thereby exposing the outer end of the dispensing 
conduit 24. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the dispensing conduit 24 is in 
continuous fluid communication with the interior 40 of the vial 12 to 
permit dispensing of the treatment of the liquid 14 after removal of the 
opening key 26. As best seen in FIG. 1, it is noteworthy the the twist off 
opening keys 26 are individually formed and are not interconnected or 
otherwise joined so that the opening or removal of one vial, for example 
vial 12a, will not cause opening of the adjacent vial 12b. The complete 
separation of adjacent opening keys 26 will prevent a vial remaining in 
the block or cluster 10 from inadvertently being opened when one vial or 
ampoule is detached for use along a separation strip 36. 
Referring now to FIG. 6, it is noteworthy that when a vial opening key 26 
is removed and the vial is placed upon a flat, horizontal surface 38, such 
as a table top, the flat, tapered shape and orientation of a front wall or 
rear wall 28, 30 will prevent rolling or tipping and will maintain the 
nozzle 16 and conduit 24 well above the horizontal surface 38 and out of 
contact, hence possible contamination by contact, with surface 38. 
Additionally, the surface 48 of the treatment liquid 14 will be maintained 
below the level of the dispensing conduit 24 and thus will prevent 
inadvertant leakage of the treatment liquid from the vial prior to the 
intended use. 
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a modified block or cluster 10' comprising 
a plurality of individual vials or ampoules 50 is illustrated. Each block 
or cluster 10' preferably includes a plurality of five vials or ampoules 
50 or two times five vials or ampoules to thereby require a minimum of 
storing space. These individual vials 50 are separable one from the other 
along the scored separation lines 36'. The individual vials 50 are 
preferably employed as single use, respiratory therapy units and each 
contains a known quantity of treatment liquid 14, for example 0.5 ml 
capacity. 
The modified vials 50 are generally diamond shaped in longitudinal cross 
section (FIG. 11) and include converging front and rear base surfaces 52, 
54 and interconnected, flat, converging front and rear upper surfaces 56, 
58. The front and rear walls 52, 56 and 54, 58 are laterally joined by 
interconnecting respective left and right sidewalls 60, 62 to define 
hollow interior storage spaces 64 for receipt and storage of a measured 
quantity of medicated or non-medicated treatment liquid 14 therewithin. 
The front and rear upper walls 56, 58 and the upper portions of the left 
and right sidewalls 60, 62 converge upwardly to define a generally 
cylindrical dipensing neck 66 within which is formed a liquid dispensing 
channel 68. The channel 68 is in fluid communication with the vial 
interior 64 to facilitate dispensing of the stored treatment liquid 14 in 
the manner hereinafter more fully set forth. 
As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, each modified vial 50 is provided with a 
twist off type opening key 26', which key includes a grasping portion 42' 
and a sealing portion 44' similar to the key 26 as hereinbefore set forth. 
By twisting the key 26' at the grasping area 42', the sealing section 44' 
will be separated from the vial dispensing neck 66 along the weakened seam 
46' to thus expose the outer end of the dispensing channel 68 for fluid 
dispensing purposes. 
Referring now to FIG. 11, the modified vial or ampoule 50 is illustrated at 
rest upon a horizontal surface 38, such as a table top. As illustrated, 
the opening key 26' has been removed to expose the end of the dispensing 
channel 68. The geometry of the configuration of the vial assures that the 
dispensing nozzle 66 will rest well above the surface 38 to prevent 
possible contamaination therefrom. One of the front or rear base surfaces 
52, 54 is applied directly upon the table surface 38 in stable manner to 
prevent rolling, tipping or other movement of the vial 50 until ready for 
use. In this resting position, it will be noted that the liquid surface 48 
will be maintained within the vial interior surface 54 below the open end 
of the dispensing channel 68 to thereby prevent premature dispensing or 
loss of the treatment liquid 14 prior to actual use. 
In order to use a single use vial 12 or 50, an individual vial 12, 50 is 
first removed from its associated cluster or pack 10, 10' by separation 
along a respective separation strip 36, 36'. The opening key 26, 26' is 
then twisted or otherwise manipulated to sever the key from the respective 
dispensing nozzle 16, 66 along the weakend seam 46, 46'. Vial 12, when 
being used in a respiratory therapy application, can then be applied to a 
medication port 70 of a known type of nebulizer housing generally 
designated 74, for treatment liquid application purposes. Preferably, the 
dispensing nozzles 16, 66 are designed of outer diameter and of suitable 
configuration to be universally adaptable for application, at all known 
nebulizer medication ports, for example, the port 70 of a respiratory 
therapy treatment unit. The small nozzle 16, 66 is particularly designed 
of configuration to fit directly within the medication port of the "Bird" 
brand nebulizer. In the case of treatment units for tracheal and/or 
endotracheal devices 76, the vial 12 may be directly applied by 
interfitting the neck 20, down to the shoulder of vial 12 into the 
tracheal device to properly align and fit the dispensing nozzle. The small 
size of the vial dispensing conduit 24 in cooperation with the nozzle 16, 
permits the treatment liquid to be applied interiorly of the treacheal 
unit 76 in a positive stream when the flat front and rear walls 28, 30 are 
squeezed. It is noteworthy that the fingers of the user never touch the 
dispensing nozzle 16, 66 of either vial configuraton 12, 50. Therefore, 
the dispensing channels 24, 68 will remain free from touch contamination 
after opening since the fingers do not touch or otherwise contact the 
dispensing channel or orifice. 
Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of 
particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made 
only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of 
construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted 
to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.