CA2211985C - Glass vial opener for liquid intravenous medications and liquid solutions - Google Patents

Glass vial opener for liquid intravenous medications and liquid solutions

Info

Publication number
CA2211985C
CA2211985C CA002211985A CA2211985A CA2211985C CA 2211985 C CA2211985 C CA 2211985C CA 002211985 A CA002211985 A CA 002211985A CA 2211985 A CA2211985 A CA 2211985A CA 2211985 C CA2211985 C CA 2211985C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
vial
neck
glass
syringe
place
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002211985A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2211985A1 (en
Inventor
William Dankwardt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PHILIP B CORNISH
Original Assignee
CORNISH, PHILIP B.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CORNISH, PHILIP B. filed Critical CORNISH, PHILIP B.
Priority to CA002211985A priority Critical patent/CA2211985C/en
Publication of CA2211985A1 publication Critical patent/CA2211985A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2211985C publication Critical patent/CA2211985C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L99/00Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67BAPPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B7/00Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers
    • B67B7/92Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers by breaking, e.g. for ampoules

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is a device and method for breaking a glass vial. In particular, the device is preferably composed of an apparatus capable of holding multi-sized glass vials in place while a cylinder apparatus is utilized to fit onto the vial neck such that the neck of the vial is cleanly snapped with the application of the appropriate amount of manual force, thus enabling the vial's liquid contents to be efficiently drawn out by syringe. The device also incorporates a means of holding the needle cap of the syringe and a means of ejecting the vial base and the severed vial neck for disposal after usage. The method of employing the device minimizes the manual contact required with the needle of the syringe, the glass vial, and the potentially hazardous liquid contents.

Description

CA 0221198~ 1998-07-10 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR BREAKING
A GLASS VIAL CONTAINING INJECTIBLE
LIQUID SOLUTIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device and method for breaking multi-si~ed glass vials and enabling liquid contents to be safely drawn out. The attributes of the device and the method for utilizing the device minimize the manual handling of the vial in the process of drawing out liquid subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous medications and other liquid solutions, thereby negating the risk of contamination or infection associated with exposure to the liquid agent and the risk of injury caused by glass shards in breaking the vial by manual handling.
2. Description of Related Art In administering liquid subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous medications, pharmaceuticals and biologicals and other liquid solutions by syringe injection, a concern exists as to contamination, infection and injury to the person administering the injection.
Prior art devices exist for the purpose of breaking ampoules in an apparatus for collecting and transporting biological specimens. A
typical collecting and transporting device has been patented as United States Patent No. 4,014,748. An improvement of this art was claimed in a device granted Canadian Patent No. 2,110,834.
Characteristic of the existing devices in the art is the collection and transportation of biological specimens contained in ampoules that can be broken in a container in order to release liquid medium.
The aim of such devices is to substantially prevent the specimen collected in the apparatus from being exposed to the outside environment.
Distinct from such devices which have as their aim the collection and transportation of biological specimens in ampoules, the purpose of the present invention is to ensure a safe and effectual means of administering injectible liquids contained in vials. The subject device and method is suitable for application to single-use glass CA 0221198~ 1998-07-10 vials or ampoules which require breakage of the glass in order to effect the administering of the contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a device and method for breaking glass vials containing liquid substances for subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous injection by syringe. In particular, the device may be used as an apparatus to safeguard human contact from hazardous liquids and glass shards deriving from the breaking of the vial, and further to minimize the risk of human contact and exposure to harmful bacteria in the environment while engaged in the process of administering injections of the liquid substances. More specifically, the device facilitates a method for minimizing contamination of the liquid substance, needle pricking of the person administering the injection, wastage of the liquid substance caused by shattering of the glass vial, and bacteriological or other infection caused by contact with the skin.
The device and method are suitable for application in the administering of liquid substances by injection in a broad context, including medical, veterinary and laboratory uses among others. It is appropriate for use in hospital, clinic and nursing home settings among others.
The device is preferably an apparatus in which the subject glass vial is placed and held in the appropriate sized cavity. A second apparatus in the nature of a cylinder and plunger is secured manually onto the top portion of the vial. With a twisting motion the neck of the vial is cleanly broken. The top portion of the vial is thereby held in the cylinder while the vial base with liquid contents remains in the holder apparatus.
The syringe with capped needle is placed in the appropriately sized slot in the holder apparatus, which secures the syringe in a fixed position. As the needle cap is held in place, the syringe and needle are withdrawn manually by a twisting motion with upward force.
The needle of the syringe is then inserted into the opened vial which remains held in place by the apparatus. The vial contents CA 0221198~ 1998-07-10 are drawn out of the vial and into the syringe where it is now capable of being administered by injection.
The button at the top of the plunger in the cylinder apparatus is depressed, releasing the cap of the broken vial for disposal. The cylinder apparatus is then replaced into its storage location on the holder apparatus, ready for the next usage.
The final step is to manually depress the lever handle on the holder apparatus which partially ejects the lower portion of the vial from the machine, enabling the operator to dispose of the empty vial.
By virtue of the preferable forms of each apparatus of the device and the method undertaken in the process, human contact with the needle, the glass vial and the vial contents is minimized, thereby diminishing the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals, biologicals, pharmaceuticals and other liquids and the exposure to needle pricking and broken glass. Additionally the device and method minimize the potential for unintended release of the liquid contents of the vial by spillage and minimize the wastage of the liquid by inefficient breakage.

CA 0221198~ 1998-07-10 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAI~INGS
Fig. 1 shows two perspectives of the holder apparatus illustrating the manual placing of the glass vial in the apparatus and the manner in which the vial is held in place in a correct sized, slightly angled cavity in the apparatus.
E'ig. 2 illustrates a perspective of the manual placing of the cylinder apparatus onto the top of the glass vial and a perspective of the internal attachment of the cylinder and plunger apparatus onto the top of the vial which is secured in the holder apparatus.
Fig. 3 illustrates the manual twisting motion exerted on the cylinder apparatus in order to cleanly break the neck of the glass vial while the bottom portion of the vial is fixed in place. A second perspective shows an internal view of the severed vial top held in the cylinder.
Fig. 4 illustrates the placing of the needle-capp~ syringe into the appropriate slot of the holder apparatus where it is secured in place.
A second perspective shows an internal view of the needle-capped syringe and the open-topped vial held in place in their respective slots in the holder apparatus.
Fig. 5 illustrates the release and withdrawal of the syringe from the ~older apparatus by depressing the release button on the side of the holder. A second internal perspe~tive shows the needle cap and the open-topped vial secured in place.
Fig. 6 illustrates the manual insertion of the needle of the syringe into the open-topped vial to facilitate the drawing out of the liquid contents of the vial. A second perspective shows an internal view of the holder as the syringe withdraws the vial contents.
Fig. 7 illustrates how the liquid is drawn out of the vial and into the syringe by holding the body of the syringe with one hand while the syringe's plunger is slowly raised with the other hand. A
second internal perspective of the holder shows the liquid contents now transferred from the vial to the syringe.
Fig. 8 illustrates the syringe being replaced into the holder apparatus after usage, where it is reinserted into the se-~r~d needle cap. A second internal view of the holder shows the reintegrated CA 0221198~ 1998-07-10 syringe and needle cap held in place.
Fig. 9 illustrates the manual depressing of the ejector lever handle on the holder apparatus such that the bottom portion of the vial is partially ejected. A second internal view of the holder shows the partial ejection of the vial from the holder apparatus, ready for removal and disposal.
Fig. 10 illustrates the manual depressing of the button on the top of the plunger shaft of the cylinder apparatus, thereby releasing the severed top of the vial for disposal. A second partial internal view of the cylinder shows the ejection of the vial cap.
Fig. 11 is a depiction of the device showing the holder apparatus (1) with four cylinders stored in place at the side (2a-d). The drawing depicts the ejector handle (3), the needle cap lock shaft release button (4), two slots for holding syringe needle caps of different sizes (5a-b), and five double rows of cavities to accommodate the insertion of multi-sized vials (6a-e).
Fig. 12 is an internal view of the holder apparatus depicting five multi-sized cavities for holding the vials (6a-e), ejector handle (3), needle cap lock shaft (7), return spring (8), lever (9), axle (10), mounted dowel (11), peg board (12) and base screws (13a-b).
Fig. 13 is a depiction of the various constituent parts of the holder apparatus. Shown are the needle cap lock shaft (7), needle cap lock shaft release button (4), lever (9), mounted dowels of the ejector handle (11), return spring (8), axle (10) with axle shaft (14) and axle shaft retainer lock (15), peg board (12) and base screws (13a-b).
Fig. 14 illustrates four sizes of the cylinder apparatus, each from an external and internal perspectives. The top row shows the outer casing of the cylinders (16a-d) and plunger release b~tton (17) on each.
The lower row depicts the plunger shaft (18) of each cylinder, the 'o'-ring inside each cylinder (19) and multi-sized apertures at the base of each cylinder, fitted for various standard vial sizes (20a-d).
As shown in Fig.12, the vial-sized cavities i~ the hold~r apparatus are preferably angled at about ten degrees (10~) from vertical to allow the maximum liquid to be drawn out from the vial, which often has a concave base.

CA 0221198~ 1998-07-10 While this invention is satisfied by embodiments in may different fo~ms, the drawings depicted herein and described in detail illustrate the pr~ferred embodiments of the invention. It is understood that this disclosure is to be considered exemplary of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embo~iments depicted. Various other modifications will be apparent to and readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scop and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention will be measured by t'ne app~nded claims and their equivalents.

Claims (11)

1. A device for breaking a glass vial comprising, a holder apparatus having multi-sized cavitis in which vials and syringe needle caps can be inserted, held in place and released by means of a lever mechanism;
a cylinder apparatus fitting glass vials of multiple size by fastening onto the neck of the said vial to enable the breakage of the vial neck by a manual snapping motion of the cylinger.
2. The device of Claim 1 wherein the holder apparatus has multi-sized vial cavities.
3. The device of Claim 2 wherein the vial cavities of the holder apparatus are angled at 10° from vertical.
4. The device of Claim 1 wherein the holder apparatus has multi-sized cavities fitted for syringe needle caps.
5. The device of Claim 4 wherein the means of holding the syringe needle cap in place is a lock shaft.
6. The device of Claim 1 wherein the lever mechanism of the holder apparatus is comprised of the ejector handle, mounted dowels, return spring, axle and axle shaft, angled lever and peg board.
7. The device of Claim 1 wherein the cylinder apparatus comprised of a plunger mechanism with plunger shaft and 'o'-ring inside the cylinder and plunger release button at the top of the cylinder.
8. The device of Claim 1 wherein the cylinder apparatus has a barrel at the base fitted to the shape and size of the neck of the vial as a means of holding the vial neck in place.
9. A method for breaking a glass vial with the apparatus of Claim 1 holding the needle cap of the syringe in place and then releasing same.
10. A method for breaking a glass vial with the apparatus of Claim 1 holding the glass vial in place and then releasing same for disposal.
11. A method for breaking a glass vial with the apparatus of Claim 1 that fastens onto the neck of the glass vial, enabling the neck of the vial to be broken with a manual snapping motion and then releasing the severed vial neck for disposal.
CA002211985A 1997-09-25 1997-09-25 Glass vial opener for liquid intravenous medications and liquid solutions Expired - Fee Related CA2211985C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002211985A CA2211985C (en) 1997-09-25 1997-09-25 Glass vial opener for liquid intravenous medications and liquid solutions

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002211985A CA2211985C (en) 1997-09-25 1997-09-25 Glass vial opener for liquid intravenous medications and liquid solutions

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2211985A1 CA2211985A1 (en) 1998-08-10
CA2211985C true CA2211985C (en) 1999-07-06

Family

ID=4161159

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002211985A Expired - Fee Related CA2211985C (en) 1997-09-25 1997-09-25 Glass vial opener for liquid intravenous medications and liquid solutions

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2211985C (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
PE20180169A1 (en) * 2015-04-16 2018-01-22 Reliance Med Prod Inc SETS FOR EYE PROCEDURES AND METHODS OF USE OF THEM

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2211985A1 (en) 1998-08-10

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