Abstract Hypodermic ampoules of the contained-needle type, a method of assembling and filling such ampoules, and combinations of such ampoules with so-called ''''applicators'''' for actuating the ampoules to make injections are disclosed. Each of several ampoule forms has at least one cylindrical, medicament-containing chamber and a plunger closing one end thereof. A hollow needle is fixed to the plunger and is initially contained within such a chamber. The other end of the ampoule is sealed by a diaphragm which is pressed against a beaded end portion of a cylinder and is sealed thereto by a cup-shaped clip which snaps over the beaded end portion to thereby compress the diaphragm against the end portion. The clip has a peripheral rim about a recessed bottom end which stretches the patient''s skin to facilitate the injection. According to one aspect of the invention, such an ampoule is designed to perform a subcutaneous injection. According to a further aspect of the invention, such an ampoule is designed to perform an intramuscular injection. According to a still further aspect of the invention, the ampoule includes multiple chambers for premixing a medicament with at least one other medicament and injecting the mixture, either subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Applicators designed to receive and hold the several forms of ampoules and to actuate them as required by their particular forms and functions provide several applicatorampoule combinations of novel structure and functions.
A method of performing an intramuscular injection comprising the steps of: A. providing a hypodermic ampoule comprising: a. a cylinder, b. a diaphragm closing and sealing one end of saId cylinder and having a central, puncturable portion, c. a slidable plunger in the opposite end of said cylinder and spaced from said diaphragm to provide a chamber therebetween, d. a liquid medicament in said chamber, e. a hollow needle disposed in said chamber and extending axially thereof from said plunger to said diaphragm for piercing the diaphragm upon inward movement of the plunger, said needle having an opening from said chamber into the needle at one end adjacent said plunger and an opposite, pointed, discharge end adjacent said diaphragm, the volume of medicament in said chamber being substantially less than the initial volume of said chamber so that, when the axis of said cylinder is vertically disposed with its plunger end uppermost, said plunger is initially sufficiently spaced from the medicament to permit it to be moved inwardly for moving the pointed end of the needle through and beyond said diaphragm before the plunger contacts the medicament to express it through the needle; B. preprojecting said needle by moving said plunger inwardly until it substantially contacts the medicament, so that the pointed end of the needle pierces the diaphragm and so that a portion of the needle extends beyond said diaphragm; after preprojecting said needle, projecting said extended needle portion through the skin of a patient so that the pointed end of the needle enters a muscle of the patient and; C. further moving the plunger inwardly to inject medicament into said muscle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
273 words
A method of performing an intramuscular injection comprising the steps of: A. providing a hypodermic ampoule comprising: a. a cylinder, b. a diaphragm closing and sealing one end of saId cylinder and having a central, puncturable portion, c. a slidable plunger in the opposite end of said cylinder and spaced from said diaphragm to provide a chamber therebetween, d. a liquid medicament in said chamber, e. a hollow needle disposed in said chamber and extending axially thereof from said plunger to said diaphragm for piercing the diaphragm upon inward movement of the plunger, said needle having an opening from said chamber into the needle at one end adjacent said plunger and an opposite, pointed, discharge end adjacent said diaphragm, the volume of medicament in said chamber being substantially less than the initial volume of said chamber so that, when the axis of said cylinder is vertically disposed with its plunger end uppermost, said plunger is initially sufficiently spaced from the medicament to permit it to be moved inwardly for moving the pointed end of the needle through and beyond said diaphragm before the plunger contacts the medicament to express it through the needle; B. preprojecting said needle by moving said plunger inwardly until it substantially contacts the medicament, so that the pointed end of the needle pierces the diaphragm and so that a portion of the needle extends beyond said diaphragm; after preprojecting said needle, projecting said extended needle portion through the skin of a patient so that the pointed end of the needle enters a muscle of the patient and; C. further moving the plunger inwardly to inject medicament into said muscle.