Fluid filled ampoules and methods for their use in aerosolizers

Abstract

A fluid filled ampoule comprises an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end and a sealed interior containing a liquid. A top tab is coupled to the top end and is removable to create a drain vent in the top end. A bottom tab is coupled to the bottom end and is removable to create a drain opening in the bottom end. A movable shroud is coupled to the top end and is disposed about the top tab. The shroud is movable to permit access to the top tab.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fluid filled ampoule, comprising: 
 an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end, and a sealed interior containing a liquid;    a top tab that is coupled to the top end, wherein the top tab is removable to create a drain vent in the top end;    a bottom tab that is coupled to the bottom end, wherein the bottom tab is removable to create a drain opening in the bottom end; and    a movable shroud that is coupled to the top end and which is disposed about the top tab.    
     
     
         2 . An ampoule as in  claim 1 , wherein the top tab and the bottom tab are coupled to the ampoule body such that they are removable by applying a twisting action.  
     
     
         3 . An ampoule as in  claim 1 , wherein the shroud is bendable to provide access to the top tab.  
     
     
         4 . An ampoule as in  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of longitudinal rails on the ampoule body that are adapted to guide the ampoule into a receiver of an aerosolization device.  
     
     
         5 . An ampoule as in  claim 4 , wherein the rails have different sizes so that the ampoule may be inserted into the receiver in only one orientation.  
     
     
         6 . An ampoule as in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom end is tapered to provide a surface area at the bottom end that is adapted to provide a seal with a receiver of an aerosolization device.  
     
     
         7 . An ampoule as in  claim 1 , wherein the ampoule body has a wall thickness of at least about 0.03 inch.  
     
     
         8 . An ampoule as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one keying element on the ampoule body that is adapted to permit operation of an aerosolization device when the keying element is accepted by the aerosolization device.  
     
     
         9 . An ampoule as in  claim 8 , wherein the keying element comprises a protrusion extending from the ampoule body.  
     
     
         10 . An ampoule as in  claim 8 , wherein the keying element comprises a readable pattern on the ampoule body.  
     
     
         11 . A fluid filled ampoule, comprising: 
 an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end, and a sealed interior containing a liquid, wherein the top end and the bottom end are each adapted to be opened to provide respective vent and drain openings; and    at least one orientation element to facilitate proper insertion of the ampoule into an aerosolization device.    
     
     
         12 . An ampoule as in  claim 11 , further comprising a pair of orientation elements that comprise a pair of longitudinal rails on the ampoule body that are adapted to guide the ampoule into the aerosolization device in a particular orientation.  
     
     
         13 . An ampoule as in  claim 12 , wherein the rails have different sizes so that the ampoule may be inserted into the aerosolization device in only one orientation.  
     
     
         14 . An ampoule as in  claim 11 , further comprising a top tab that is coupled to the top end, wherein the top tab is removable to create the drain vent in the top end, and a bottom tab that is coupled to the bottom end, wherein the bottom tab is removable to create the drain opening in the bottom end.  
     
     
         15 . An ampoule as in  claim 14 , wherein the top tab and the bottom tab are coupled to the ampoule body such that they are removable by applying a twisting action.  
     
     
         16 . An ampoule as in  claim 14 , further comprising a shroud disposed about the top tab, wherein the shroud is bendable to provide access to the top tab.  
     
     
         17 . An ampoule as in  claim 11 , wherein the bottom end is tapered to provide a surface area at the bottom end that is adapted to provide a seal with an aerosolization device.  
     
     
         18 . An ampoule as in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one keying element on the ampoule body that is adapted to permit operation of the aerosolization device when the keying element is accepted by the aerosolization device.  
     
     
         19 . An ampoule as in  claim 18 , wherein the keying element comprises a protrusion extending from the ampoule body.  
     
     
         20 . An ampoule as in  claim 18 , wherein the keying element comprises a readable pattern on the ampoule body.  
     
     
         21 . A fluid filled ampoule, comprising: 
 an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end, and a sealed interior containing a liquid, wherein the top end and the bottom end are each adapted to be opened to provide respective vent and drain openings; and    at least one keying element on the ampoule body that is adapted to permit operation of an aerosolization device when the keying element is accepted by the aerosolization device.    
     
     
         22 . An ampoule as in  claim 21 , wherein the keying element comprises a protrusion extending from the ampoule body.  
     
     
         23 . An ampoule as in  claim 21 , wherein the keying element comprises a readable pattern on the ampoule body.  
     
     
         24 . An ampoule as in  claim 21 , further comprising at least one orientation element to facilitate proper insertion of the ampoule into the aerosolization device.  
     
     
         25 . An ampoule as in  claim 24 , further comprising a pair of orientation elements that comprise a pair of longitudinal rails on the ampoule body that are adapted to guide the ampoule into the aerosolization device in a particular orientation.  
     
     
         26 . An ampoule as in  claim 25 , wherein the rails have different sizes so that the ampoule may be inserted into the aerosolization device in only one orientation.  
     
     
         27 . An ampoule as in  claim 21 , wherein the bottom end is tapered to provide a surface area at the bottom end that is adapted to provide a seal with the aerosolization device.  
     
     
         28 . An ampoule as in  claim 21 , further comprising a top tab that is coupled to the top end, wherein the top tab is removable to create the drain vent in the top end, and a bottom tab that is coupled to the bottom end, wherein the bottom tab is removable to create the drain opening in the bottom end.  
     
     
         29 . An ampoule as in  claim 28 , wherein the top tab and the bottom tab are coupled to the ampoule body such that they are removable by applying a twisting action.  
     
     
         30 . An ampoule as in  claim 28 , further comprising a shroud disposed about the top tab, wherein the shroud is bendable to provide access to the top tab.  
     
     
         31 . A method for supplying liquid to an aerosolization device, the method comprising: 
 providing an ampoule comprising an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end, and a sealed interior containing a liquid, a top tab that is coupled to the top end, a bottom tab that is coupled to the bottom end, and a shroud disposed about the top tab;    moving the shroud away from the tab;    removing the top tab to create a drain vent;    removing the bottom tab to create a drain opening;    wherein upon creation of the drain vent and the drain opening, the liquid in the interior flows out of the drain opening and is available for aerosolization by an aerosolization device.    
     
     
         32 . A method as in  claim 31 , further comprising inserting the ampoule into the aerosolization device after removing the bottom tab and prior to removing the top tab.  
     
     
         33 . A method as in  claim 31 , further comprising bending the shroud to move the shroud away from the top tab.  
     
     
         34 . A method as in  claim 31 , further comprising twisting the top tab and the bottom tab to remove them from the ampoule body.  
     
     
         35 . A method as in  claim 31 , wherein the ampoule further includes a pair of longitudinal rails on the ampoule body, and further comprising inserting the ampoule into the aerosolization device such that the rails are received into corresponding slots in the aerosolization device.  
     
     
         36 . A method as in  claim 35 , wherein the rails and the slots have different sizes, and further comprising inserting the ampoule such that the rails and received into the appropriately sized slots.  
     
     
         37 . A method as in  claim 32 , wherein the bottom end is tapered, and further comprising providing a seal with the bottom end and the aerosolization device.  
     
     
         38 . A method as in  claim 31 , wherein the ampoule further includes at least one keying element on the ampoule body, and further comprising inserting the aerosolization device and permitting operation of the aerosolization device only when the keying element is accepted by the aerosolization device.  
     
     
         39 . A method as in  claim 38 , wherein the keying element comprises a protrusion on the ampoule body, and further comprising inserting the ampoule into the aerosolization device such that the protrusion is received into a keyed slot in the aerosolization device.