Patent ID: 8448830

Claim:
A disposable ampoule opener in combination with an ampoule, comprising: a first plastic housing section; and a second plastic housing section that is directly or indirectly coupled to the first plastic housing section, wherein: the first and second plastic housing sections each has a concave inner surface sized and shaped to receive a portion of the glass ampoule but not the entire glass ampoule; the glass ampoule has a lower portion capable of containing liquid and an upper tip portion that is narrower in diameter than the lower portion, the ampoule further having a neck portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper tip portion; the first plastic housing section and the second plastic housing section are capable of joining to form a plastic housing having a longitudinal housing axis; the first plastic housing section or the second plastic housing section, or both, are capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal housing axis to enclose a potion of the glass ampoule but are not capable of enclosing the entire glass ampoule; and further comprising at least one latch for securing the first plastic housing section to the second plastic housing section after the first and second plastic housing sections have been rotated to enclose a portion of the glass ampoule.