Abstract:
A dilution kit for and a method of diluting concentrated solutions used to treat allergic symptoms are disclosed. The dilution kit may comprise a case comprising: a base; and a cover hingedly coupled to the base. A foam pad may be removably coupled within the base, the foam pad defining a plurality of vial apertures. A plurality of vials may be removably positionable within the plurality of vial apertures. The method may comprise: removably positioning at least one of a plurality of vials in an upwardly facing position within at least one of a plurality of apertures defined in a layer of foam padding in a base of a case of a dilution kit; and placing a predetermined amount of one of a diluent, a concentrated solution, and a combination thereof into at least one empty vial of the plurality of vials.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This document relates to devices and methods for diluting concentrated solutions. 
     2. Background 
     Conventionally, dilution of concentrated solutions is generally accomplished by adding concentrated solution to a diluent solution. Conventional methods of dilution vary as to whether the concentrated solution is added to the diluent or the diluent is added to the concentrate. Conventional dilution systems may use a wide variety of containers and extraction equipment to mix and remove the diluent and the concentrate including vials, syringes, beakers, and graduated cylinders. 
     Conventional dilution systems involving small containers, such as vials, often are challenging to use during the dilution process because the small size of the container makes it prone to tipping over. When the container tips over, at best the effect is merely annoying; however, at worst, the diluted solution being created may spill out and be rendered completely unusable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of this document relate to dilution kits and methods that improve the ease of use of small containers, such as vials. These aspects may comprise, and implementations may include, one or more or all of the components and steps set forth in the appended CLAIMS, which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     In one aspect, a dilution kit is disclosed. A dilution kit for and a method of diluting concentrated solutions used to treat allergic symptoms are disclosed. The dilution kit may comprise a case comprising: a base; and a cover hingedly coupled to the base. A foam pad may be removably coupled within the base, the foam pad defining a plurality of vial apertures. A plurality of vials may be removably positionable within the plurality of vial apertures. 
     Particular implementations may include one or more or all of the following. 
     The plurality of apertures in the foam padding may be smaller than the plurality of vials. The plurality of apertures may be one of a same size, a different size, and a combination thereof. An o-ring seal may be provided in a groove along a circumferential edge of the base. The cover may comprise at least one latch that allows the cover to removably couple to the base. The base and the cover may each comprise an aligning locking member. The plurality of vials may be inserted in a specified order in the plurality of apertures corresponding to a label marker on the vials left to right and top to bottom. 
     In another aspect, a method of diluting concentrated solutions used to treat allergic symptoms is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of: removably positioning at least one of a plurality of vials in an upwardly facing position within at least one of a plurality of apertures defined in a layer of foam padding in a base of a case of a dilution kit; and placing a predetermined amount of one of a diluent, a concentrated solution, and a combination thereof into at least one empty vial of the plurality of vials. 
     Particular implementations may include one or more or all of the following. 
     The step of removably positioning at least one of a plurality of vials may comprise rotating a top of the at least one vial upward while a bottom of the at least one vial remains in the at least one aperture. 
     The step of removably positioning at least one of a plurality of vials may comprise: removably positioning a concentrated solution vial in an upwardly facing position within a corresponding aperture; and removably positioning an empty final vial in an upwardly facing position within a corresponding aperture. 
     The step of placing a predetermined amount of one of a diluent, a concentrated solution, and a combination thereof into at least one empty vial may comprise: removing a predetermined amount of concentrated solution from the concentrated solution vial and placing the predetermined amount concentrated solution into the empty final vial. 
     The method may further comprise: removably positioning a diluent vial in an upwardly facing position within a corresponding aperture; removably positioning at least one empty intermediate vial in an upwardly facing position within a corresponding aperture; removably positioning an empty start vial in an upwardly facing position within a corresponding aperture; removing a predetermined amount of diluent from the diluent vial and placing a portion of the predetermined amount of diluent into each of the at least one empty intermediate vial and the empty start vial; removing a predetermined amount of concentrated solution from the final vial and placing the predetermined amount of concentrated solution into the at least one intermediate vial; and removing a predetermined amount of a solution from the at least one intermediate vial and placing the predetermined amount of solution into the start vial. 
     The method may further comprise: placing the plurality of vials in a specified order left to right and top to bottom in the plurality of apertures corresponding to a label marker on the vials; inserting dropper tips into predetermined vials; nestling the plurality of vials into their corresponding apertures and removably latching a cover of the case to the base; and/or locking the cover to the base to prevent unauthorized access. 
     The foregoing and other aspects and implementations of dilution kits and related methods may have one or more or all of the following advantages. 
     Because all of the vials used to make a solution may be held upwardly facing in an aperture in a layer of foam padding during dilution, the potential for spillage and loss of solution is greatly reduced. 
     Placing completed vials containing diluted solution into a kit allows a patient for example to conveniently carry and transport the kit while treatments are ongoing. 
     The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended DRAWINGS (which are not necessarily to scale), where like designations denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an implementation of a dilution kit; and 
         FIGS. 2-3  are top perspective views of the dilution kit implementation illustrated in  FIG. 1  during use. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     This document features dilution kits for and methods of diluting concentrated solutions used, for example, to treat allergic symptoms. There are many features of dilution kits and methods disclosed herein, of which one, a plurality, or all features may be used in any particular implementation. 
     In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying DRAWINGS which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustration possible implementations. It is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural, as well as procedural, changes may be made without departing from the scope of this document. As a matter of convenience, various components will be described using exemplary materials, sizes, shapes, dimensions, and the like. However, this document is not limited to the stated examples and other configurations are possible and within the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     Accordingly, there are a variety of dilution kit implementations. Notwithstanding, turning to  FIGS. 1-3  and for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, dilution kit  10  is shown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , dilution kit  10  is illustrated in an assembled condition. Dilution kit  10  includes a plurality of openings or apertures  42  in foam padding  40  sized to receive a plurality of vials  50 . The openings or apertures  42  in foam padding  42  may be slightly smaller than the vials  50 . Such a smaller size and the material characteristics of the foam padding itself (e.g., its resiliency, conformity, and the like) maintain the vials with a snug fit not only in a horizontal position entirely within the apertures  42 , but in any angular or vertical position with the top of the vials  50  out of the apertures  42  and the bottom of the vials  50  within the apertures  42 . Obviously, a different padding could be used that includes similar material characteristics as foam padding. 
     The foam padding  42  is removably coupled into a base  24  of case or housing  20  which includes an o-ring seal  30  in a groove along its edge. A cover  22  of case or housing  20  is included that is hingedly coupled to base  24  and includes latches  26  that allow cover  22  to latch over base  24 . Aligned locking members  28  are included on cover  22  and base  24  and are configured to allow for insertion of a locking device through apertures in locking members  28 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , dilution kit  10  is illustrated in a disassembled condition. Foam padding  40  could comprise two layers, a top layer having apertures  42  sized to receive each of the vials  50  and a bottom layer (not shown) that fits into base  24  below the top layer. Openings or apertures  42  may be all the same size, all different in size, or contain any combination and/or arrangement of similarly/dissimilarly sized apertures depending in part on the vials  50  used. 
     Many additional implementations are possible. Further implementations are within the CLAIMS. 
     It will be understood that dilution kit implementations are not limited to the specific assemblies, devices and components disclosed in this document, as virtually any assemblies, devices and components consistent with the intended operation of a dilution kit implementation may be utilized. Accordingly, for example, although particular assemblies, devices and components are disclosed, such may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of a dilution kit implementation. Implementations are not limited to uses of any specific assemblies, devices and components; provided that the assemblies, devices and components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a dilution kit implementation. 
     Implementations of dilution kits and components may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the materials selected are consistent with the intended operation of a dilution kit implementation. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polypropylene (low or high density), Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals; alloys; any other suitable material; and/or any combination of the foregoing thereof. 
     Various dilution kit implementations may be manufactured using conventional procedures as added to and improved upon through the procedures described here. Some components defining dilution kit implementations may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another, while other components may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled with the integral components. Accordingly, manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, pressing, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. Components manufactured separately may then be coupled or removably coupled with the other integral components, if necessary, in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld joint, a solder joint, a fastener (e.g. a bolt and a nut, a screw, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), washers, retainers, wrapping, wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. 
     Thus, for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2  again, dilution kit  10  may be assembled by placing a layer of foam padding  40  having apertures  42  into the base  24 . Optionally, if included, a different layer of foam padding may be placed below foam padding  40 . Regardless, then vials  50  may be inserted into apertures  42  in the layer of foam padding  40 . In particular implementations, the vials  42  may be inserted in a specified order corresponding to a label marker on the vial. For example, a vial may have a label marker of “#1”, and may be placed in the topmost left aperture in the layer of foam padding  40 , and the next vial with a label marker of “#2” may be placed in the aperture immediately to the right. This process may be repeated for the remaining vials, moving left to right, top to bottom. 
     Dilution kit implementations may be used with similar results in a variety of applications. In general and for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, dilution kit  10  may be used to dilute concentrated solutions through execution of the following steps. An empty vial  52  may be placed in an upwardly facing position within one of the apertures  42  in the layer of foam padding  40  for support during the dilution process. For example, this may be accomplished by rotating the top of the vial  50  upward while the bottom of the vial  50  remains in the aperture  42 . Next, the cap of the vial  42  may be removed. Diluent may then be placed into the vial  42 , followed by concentrated solution. Because the vial  50  being filled is being held in the upwardly facing position within an aperture  42  in the foam padding  40 , it is not free to rotate or fall over. Accordingly, the probability that the vial  42  will overturn and spill its contents is dramatically reduced. 
     Describing the use of dilution kit implementations further and for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, dilution kit  10  may be used to dilute serum used to treat allergic symptoms. Turning to  FIG. 3 , a user (such as a prescribing doctor or even a technician for example) may open the cover  22  of case  20 . Any vials  50  present in the apertures  42  in the layer of foam padding  40  may be removed. Alternatively, vials  50  may remain in the apertures  42  in the layer of foam padding  40 , and as appropriate, the particular empty vial  52  to be addressed may be placed in an upwardly facing position within its aperture  42  in the layer of foam padding  40  as needed for support during the dilution process (e.g., by rotating to top of the vial  50  upward while the bottom of the vial  50  remains in the aperture  42  as depicted in  FIG. 3 ). 
     Thus, for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, a vial  50  labeled “Diluent” for example may be placed in an upwardly facing position in the topmost left hand aperture  42 . Next, a user may place a vial  50  (e.g., 50 cc vial) labeled “Start-Up Serum” for example upwardly facing in the aperture immediately to the right of the Diluents vial  50  in the topmost left hand aperture  42 . Similarly, a user may place a vial  50  labeled “Final” for example upwardly facing in the aperture immediately to the right of the Serum vial  50 . Likewise, a user may place a vial  50  labeled “#2” for example upwardly facing in the aperture immediately to the right of the Final vial  50  (i.e., in  FIG. 3 , the last aperture  42  in the top row of apertures). Finally, a user may place a vial  50  labeled “#1” for example upwardly facing in the aperture  42  below the #2 vial  50  in the right most aperture  42  in the bottom row of apertures; 
     Next, a user may take a 10 cc syringe for example and remove 10 cc from the Serum vial  50  and place it into the Final vial  50 . Then, with a syringe, a user may remove 8 cc from the Diluent vial  50  and place 4 cc of diluent into both the #2 vial  50  and the #1 vial  50 . Next, with a syringe, the user may remove 1 cc of serum from the Final vial  50  and place it into the #2 vial. The #2 vial  50  may then be removed, shaken and then replaced upwardly facing into the aperture  42  from which it came. Then, with a syringe, the user may remove 1 cc of solution from the #2 vial and place it into the #1 vial, upon which the #1 vial may be removed, shaken and then replaced upwardly facing into the aperture  42  from which it came. 
     Finally, the user may insert dropper tips for example into the appropriate vials. All vials  50  may then be nestled back flat into their corresponding apertures  42  and the cover  22  coupled to base  24  by latches  26 . Cover  22  may further be locked to base  24  using locking members  28  and a locking device to prevent unauthorized access. 
     In places where the description above refers to particular implementations, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be alternatively applied. The accompanying CLAIMS are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure set forth in this document. The presently disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure being indicated by the appended CLAIMS rather than the foregoing DESCRIPTION. All changes that come within the meaning of and range of equivalency of the CLAIMS are intended to be embraced therein.