Ampule holders and methods of using the same

Abstract

In some embodiments, an ampule holder is provided that includes an ampule holder body having a first end and a second end; a first opening formed in the first end, the first opening sized to hold a cap of an ampule; a second opening formed in the second end, the second opening sized to hold a base of the ampule during delivery of contents of the ampule; and a radially extended surface located along the ampule holder body and configured to protect fingers of a user of the ampule holder. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Description

AMPULE HOLDERS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

[0001] This application claims benef it under 35 USC § 119 (e) of U. S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 713, 348 filed October 29, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to diagnostic laboratory systems and more particularly to ampule holders and methods of using the ampule holders.BACKGROUND

[0003] Ampules are sealed vials that may be employed to store substances sensitive to air or contamination. Ampules are typically made of a non-reactive container material such as glass, which maintains the purity and sterility of ampule contents.

[0004] Ampules are generally employed for single-use applications and may be used to deliver medications, reagents, or other solutions. An ampule may be hermetically sealed by melting the glass at the neck of the ampule, which can later be snapped open when the contents are needed. This packaging method is valuable for ensuring the integrity and longevity of substances stored in ampules and preventing oxidation, degradation, or contamination from external sources.

[0005] While convenient, ampules may be challenging to use because of the requirement of breaking the ampules (e.g., potentially exposing a user to glass shards or sharp edges of the broken ampules or the contents of the ampules).Accordingly, apparatus and methods for assisting in the use of ampules are desired.SUMMARY

[0006] In some embodiments, an ampule holder is provided that includes an ampule holder body having a first end and a second end; a first opening formed in the f irst end, the first opening sized to hold a cap of an ampule; a second opening formed in the second end, the second opening sized to hold a base of the ampule during delivery of contents of the ampule; and a radially extended surface located along the ampule holder body and configured to protect f ingers of a user of the ampule holder.

[0007] In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes obtaining an ampule having a base, a cap, and a neck joining the cap and base and obtaining an ampule holder having: an ampule holder body having a first end and a second end; a f irst opening formed in the first end, the first opening sized to hold the cap of the ampule; a second opening formed in the second end, the second opening sized to hold the base of the ampule during delivery of contents of the ampule; and a radially extended surface located along the ampule holder body and configured to protect f ingers of a user of the ampule holder. The method further includes inserting the cap of the ampule within the first end of the ampule holder; removing the cap of the ampule by employing the ampule holder; placing the base of the ampule within the second opening of the ampule holder; and aspirating contents of the ampule.

[0008] Other features and aspects of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIGS. 1A and 1B are a front perspective view and a side perspective view, respectively, of an example ampule in accordance with embodiments provided herein.

[0010] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate a side view, side perspective view, top view, and bottom view, respectively, of an ampule holder in accordance with embodiments provided herein.

[0011] FIG. 2E is a side view of an embodiment of an ampule holder in which at least one of a first internal sidewall of a first opening and a second internal sidewall of a second opening of the ampule holder is tapered so as to accommodate different size ampules as provided herein.

[0012] FIG. 2F is a side view of another embodiment of an ampule holder that may employ one or more inserts as provided herein.

[0013] FIG. 2G is a side perspective view of yet another embodiment of an ampule holder having vertically oriented gripping features as provided herein.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method of aspirating ampule contents in accordance with embodiments provided herein.

[0015] FIG. 4A illustrates a side perspective view of a cap of an ampule inserted into a f irst opening of an ampule holder in accordance with embodiments provided herein.

[0016] FIG. 4B illustrates a side perspective view of the ampule holder of FIG. 4A in which a base of the ampule is placed within the second opening of the ampule holder in accordance with embodiments provided herein.

[0017] FIGS. 4C-4E illustrate side views of the ampule holder and base of the ampule of FIG. 4B during an aspiration process in accordance with embodiments provided herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Independent of the grammatical term usage, individuals with male, female or other gender identities are included within the term.

[0019] FIGS. 1A and 1B are a front perspective view and aside perspective view, respectively, of an example ampule 100 in accordance with embodiments provided herein. Ampule 100 may be a sealed vial or other container employed to store a substance sensitive to air or contamination, for example. In some embodiments, ampule 100 may be made of a non-reactive container material such as glass, which maintains the purity and sterility of the ampule' s contents. Other ampule materials may be employed.

[0020] Ampule 100 includes a base 102 in which a liquid may be stored such as a biological sample, a reagent, another chemical, etc., that is sealed (e. g., fused) with a cap 104 at a neck 106. For example, the ampule 100 may be hermetically sealed by melting the glass at the neck 106 of the ampule 100. In some embodiments, to access the liquid stored within the ampule 100, the cap 104 may be snapped off from the base 102 at the neck 106 by applying a sheering force to the neck 106 (e. g., by application of a lateral force F to cap 104).

[0021] To deliver the liquid within the ampule 100 to a diagnostic analyzer or other laboratory equipment, the cap 104 is snapped off by a technician and the contents of the base 102 may be aspirated. Snapping the cap 104 from the base 102 may expose the technician to broken glass and / or the exposed glass edges of neck 106. Further, during aspiration of the contents of the ampule 100, a needle or similar structure from diagnostic laboratory equipment may be inserted into the opened ampule 100. As described below, misalignment between the needle and the ampule 100 might result in injury to the technician (e.g., if the needle contacts the fingers of the technician supporting the ampule 100 during aspiration).

[0022] Embodiments described herein overcome these disadvantages by providing ampule holders which may be employed to assist in both removal of the cap 104 of the ampule 100 (e.g., thereby opening the ampule 100 to provide access to the contents of the ampule 100) and supporting ofthe opened ampule 100 during aspiration. As described below, the ampule holders may include features which protect a user during removal of the cap 104 and aspiration of ampule contents. These and other features are described below with reference to FIGS. 2A-4E.

[0023] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate a side view, side perspective view, top view, and bottom view, respectively, of an ampule holder 200 in accordance with embodiments provided herein. The ampule holder 200 includes an ampule holder body 202 having a first end 204a and a second end 204b opposite the first end 204a. A first opening 206a is formed in the first end 204a of the ampule holder body 202 and may be sized to hold the cap 104 of the ampule 100. A second opening 206b is formed in the second end 204b and may be sized to hold the base 102 of the ampule 100 during delivery of contents of the ampule 100 (e. g., aspiration of the contents of the ampule 100 by diagnostic laboratory equipment such as a diagnostic analyzer). As shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, in some embodiments, a radially extended surface 208 (e. g., a flange) may be located along the ampule holder body 202 and configured to protect f ingers of a user of the ampule holder 200 (as described further below).

[0024] In some embodiments, the ampule holder 200 may be formed from a hard plastic such as a rigid polymer (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or the like). Other materials may be employed. In one or more embodiments, the ampule holder body 202 may be formed as a unitary molded unit by inj ection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, etc.

[0025] The first opening 206a, which is sized to accommodate the cap 104 of the ampule 100 during removal of the cap 104, may have a f irst diameter DI (FIG. 2A) and the second opening 206b, which is sized to accommodate the base102 of the ampule 100, may have a second diameter D2. In one or more embodiments, the first diameter DI may be larger than the second diameter D2 (e. g., to allow any broken glass from sheering of the neck 106 during removal of the cap 104 of the ampule 100 to fall out of the first opening 206a). In some embodiments, the first diameter DI and / or the second diameter D2 may range in size from about 6. 0 to 6.2 mm. Other dimensions may be employed.

[0026] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2D, the radially extended surface 208 is shown as a flange that extends around the ampule holder body 202. For example, the radially extended surface 208 may have a third diameter D3 that is larger than the first diameter DI and the second diameter D2. In some embodiments, the third diameter D3 may be selected so that the fingers of a user (not shown) gripping the ampule holder body 202 below the radially extended surface 208 are protected from any needle or other object used to aspirate the contents of the ampule 100 (as described further below with reference to FIGS. 4C-4E). In one or more embodiments, the third diameter D3 may range from about 10.0 to 10. 5 mm. Other diameters may be employed.

[0027] In some embodiments, a length LI between the first end 204a of the ampule holder 200 and the radially extending surface 208 may be larger than a length L2 between the second end 204b of the ampule holder 200 and the radially extending surface 208. For example, the length LI may be selected based on the length of the cap 104 of the ampule 100 (e. g., so that first opening 206a is sufficiently deep to accommodate a part of, all of, or more than the length of the cap 104).Additionally, the length LI may be selected so that fingers of a user of the ampule holder 200 are protected during ampule content delivery (e. g., as a larger length provides clearance and / or safety when delivering ampule contents to diagnostic laboratory equipment). The length L2 may be selected so thatthe second opening 206b has sufficient depth to securely support the base 102 of the ampule 100. In some embodiments, the length LI may range from about 17. 0 to 17. 5 mm and / or the length L2 may range from about 2. 0 to 2.25 mm. Other lengths may be employed.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, in some embodiments, the second opening 206b may include a plurality of sidewall features 210 (only a few labelled) configured to contact the base 102 of the ampule 100 and hold the ampule 100 in place within the ampule holder 200. Features 210 extend radially into the second opening 206b so as to contact the sidewall of the base 102 for the ampule 100 and securely hold the base 102 in place. In some embodiments, the sidewall features 210 may extend approximately 0.03 to 0. 05 mm into the second opening 206b. Other sizes and / or numbers of sidewall features 210 may be employed. In yet further embodiments, the second opening 206b may be configured with ridges, grooves, or other features for holding the base 102 of the ampule 100 within the second opening 206b (e. g., features that allow the base 102 of the ampule 100 to click in place within the second opening 206b such as protrusions).

[0029] In some embodiments, the ampule holder body 202 may include one or more gripping features 212 (a few labelled) configured to contact fingers of a user of the ampule holder 200 during use and provide a gripping region (see gripping region 402 in FIG. 4B) for the user. In one or more embodiments, the gripping features may extend radially from ampule holder body 202 and may be spaced along ampule holder body 202 as shown. For example, in some embodiments, the gripping features 212 may be horizontal ridges having a width of approximately 5.0 to 6. 0 mm, a height of approximately 1. 0 to 1.5 mm, a depth of approximately 1. 0 to 1.5 mm, and / or a spacing of approximately 1.2 to 1. 5 mm. Other widths, heights, depths, spacings, orientations (e. g., vertically or diagonallyoriented), and / or types of gripping features may be employed.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2D, the first opening 206a of the ampule holder 200 may include a first internal sidewall 214a configured to contact the cap 104 of the ampule 100 during sheering of the neck 106 of the ampule 100 to remove the cap 104. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 2C, the second opening 206b may include a second internal sidewall 214b conf igured to contact the base 102 of the ampule 100 (e. g., via sidewall features 210).

[0031] FIG. 2E is a side view of an embodiment of the ampule holder 200 in which at least one of the f irst internal sidewall 214a of the first opening 206a and the second internal sidewall 214b of the second opening 206b of the ampule holder 200 is tapered so as to accommodate different size ampules as provided herein. For example, the first internal sidewall 214a may have a diameter that decreases in size in the direction of the radially extended surface 208. In some embodiments, the first internal sidewall 214a may have a diameter of between about 4.8 and 4.9 mm at the first end 204a of the ampule holder body 202 and a diameter of between about 0. 5 and 1.0 mm at the radially extended surface 208. Other taper dimensions may be employed.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the f irst opening 206a may have a f irst depth that extends within the ampule holder body 202 a f irst distance DD1 equal to or greater than a height H (FIG. 1A) of the cap 104 of the ampule 100. In some embodiments, the first distance DD1 may range from about 20. 0 to 25. 0 mm, although other depths may be employed for the first opening 206a. Similarly, in some embodiments, the second opening 206b may have a second depth that extends within the ampule holder body 202 a second distance DD2 and def ines the second internal sidewall 214b conf igured to contact the base 102 of the ampule 100 and hold the ampule 100 in place within the ampule holder 200. In some embodiments, the seconddistance DD2 may range from about 4.0 to 5. 0 mm, although other depths may be employed for the second opening 206b.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2E, in one or more embodiments, the second internal sidewall 214b may be tapered so as to accommodate different size ampules (e. g., ampules having different diameter bases). For example, the second internal sidewall 214b may have a diameter that decreases in size in the direction of the radially extended surface 208. In some embodiments, the second internal sidewall 214b may have a diameter of between about 5. 8 and 5. 9 mm at the second end 204b of the ampule holder body 202 and a diameter of between about 4. 8 and 4. 9 mm at the radially extended surface 208. Other taper dimensions may be employed.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the f irst opening 206a and / or the second opening 206b may be sized to accommodate larger ampules as well as inserts for use with smaller sized ampules (e. g., ampules with smaller diameter caps and / or bases). For example, different sized inserts may be provided to accommodate different sized ampules. FIG. 2F is a side view of an embodiment of an ampule holder 200 having an insert 216a configured to fit within the f irst opening 206a of the ampule holder 200, the insert 216a defining an opening 218a sized to hold a cap 104 of a different (e. g., smaller) sized ampule 100 during sheering of a neck 106 of the ampule 100 to remove the cap 104 from the ampule 100.

[0035] Likewise, in some embodiments, the ampule holder 200 may include an insert 216b configured to fit within the second opening 206b of the ampule holder 200, the insert 216b def ining an opening 218b sized to hold a base 102 of a different (e.g., smaller) sized ampule 100 during delivery of contents of the ampule 100 (e. g., to diagnostic laboratory equipment).

[0036] In one or more embodiments, a sidewall 220a of insert 216a and / or a sidewall 220b of insert 216b may have auniform diameter (as shown in FIG. 2F). Alternatively, the sidewall 220a of insert 216a and / or the sidewall 220b of insert 216b may be tapered (similar to the tapered sidewalls 214a, 214b of FIG. 2E). In further embodiments, some inserts may have tapered sidewalls and some inserts may have uniform diameter sidewalls.

[0037] Other ampule holder conf igurations may be provided. For example, FIG. 2G is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the ampule holder 200 provided herein. In the ampule holder 200 of FIG. 2G, the radially extended surface 208 is formed at the second end 204b of the ampule holder 200 (i. e., radially extended surface 208 and end 204b of the second opening 206b are flush) and the gripping features 212 are vertically oriented. Such an embodiment may be easy and inexpensive to manufacture (e. g., mold). Other radially extended surface 208 positions and / or gripping feature 212 configurations may be employed. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the openings 206a and 206b of the ampule holder 200 of FIG. 2G may include tapered sidewalls and / or be sized to accommodate inserts having different opening sizes (so as to accommodate different ampule sizes).

[0038] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method 300 of aspirating ampule contents in accordance with embodiments provided herein. In some implementations, one or more method blocks of FIG. 3 may be performed through use of the ampule holder 200 of FIGS. 2A-2D, 2E, 2F, or 2G.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, method 300 may include obtaining an ampule having a base, a cap, and a neck joining the cap and base (block 302). For example, a user may obtain the ampule 100 (FIG. 1A) having a base 102, a cap 104, and a neck 106 joining the cap 104 and base 102, as described above.

[0040] As also shown in FIG. 3, method 300 may include obtaining an ampule holder having: an ampule holder body having a first end and a second end; a first opening formed inthe first end, the first opening sized to hold the cap of the ampule; a second opening formed in the second end, the second opening sized to hold the base of the ampule during delivery of contents of the ampule; and a radially extended surface located along the ampule holder body and configured to protect fingers of a user of the ampule holder (block 304 ). For example, the user may obtain the ampule holder 200 having ampule holder body 202 (FIGS. 2A-2D, 2E, 2F, or 2G). Ampule holder body 202 includes a first end 204a and a second end 204b. A first opening 206a is formed in the first end 204a, the first opening 206a sized to hold the cap 104 of the ampule 100. A second opening 206b is formed in the second end 204b, the second opening 206b sized to hold the base 102 of the ampule 100 during delivery of contents of the ampule 100. The ampule holder body 202 includes a radially extended surface 208 located along the ampule holder body 202 and configured to protect fingers of the user of the ampule holder 200, as described above.

[0041] As further shown in FIG. 3, method 300 may include inserting the cap of the ampule within the first end of the ampule holder (block 306). For example, the user may insert the cap 104 of the ampule 100 within the first end 204a (within first opening 206a) of the ampule holder 200, as described above. FIG. 4A illustrates a side perspective view of the cap 104 (not shown in FIG. 4A) inserted into the f irst opening 206a (of the first end 204a) of the ampule holder 200 in accordance with embodiments provided herein. In some embodiments, the first opening 206a of the ampule holder 200 has a first depth that extends within the ampule holder body 202 a first distance (e.g., DD1 in FIG. 2E) equal to or greater than a height (e.g., H in FIG. 1A) of the cap 104 of the ampule 100.

[0042] As also shown in FIG. 3, method 300 may include removing the cap of the ampule by employing the ampule holder(block 308). For example, the user may use the ampule holder 200 to remove the cap 104 of the ampule 100 by employing the ampule holder 200, as described above. In some embodiments, this may include contacting the cap 104 of the ampule 100 with a sidewall (e.g., sidewall 214a in FIG. 2D or FIG. 2E) of the first opening 206a to sheer the neck 106 of the ampule 100.

[0043] As further shown in FIG. 3, method 300 may include placing the base of the ampule within the second opening of the ampule holder (block 310). For example, once the cap 104 is removed from the base 102 of the ampule 100, the base 102 of the ampule 100 may be placed within the second opening 206b of the ampule holder 200, as described above. FIG. 4B illustrates a side perspective view of the ampule holder 200 in which the base 102 of the ampule 100 is placed within the second opening 206b of the ampule holder 200 in accordance with embodiments provided herein. In some embodiments, sidewall features 210 of ampule holder 200 may contact the base 102 of the ampule 100 and securely hold the base 102 within the second opening 206b of the ampule holder 200. That is, in one or more embodiments, placing the base of the ampule within the second opening of the ampule holder may include contacting the base of the ampule with a plurality of sidewall features within the second opening to hold the ampule in place within the ampule holder. As shown in FIG. 4B, the ampule holder body 202 may include a plurality of gripping features 212 configured to contact fingers of the user of the ampule holder 200 during use and provide a gripping region 402 for the user. For example, the gripping features 212 may be located on an outer surface of the ampule holder body 202 between the radially extend surface 208 and the first end 204a of the ampule holder body 202.

[0044] As also shown in FIG. 3, method 300 may include aspirating contents of the ampule (block 312). For example, the user may position the ampule 100 (with the cap 104 removedfrom the base 102 ) so that contents of the ampule 100 (e. g., within base 102) may be aspirated, as described above. FIGS.4C-4E illustrate side views of the ampule holder 200 and base 102 of ampule 100 during an aspiration process in accordance with embodiments provided herein. With reference to FIG. 4C, the ampule holder 200 may be placed near an input 404 of a diagnostic analyzer 406. The ampule holder 200 is shown holding the base 102 of the ampule 100, and the base 102 includes a liquid 408 to be aspirated. In FIG. 4D, the ampule holder 200 is positioned so that a needle 410 of the diagnostic analyzer 406 extends into the base 102 of the ampule 100 and aspirates liquid 408 contained therein. Should there be misalignment between the needle 410 and the base 102, the needle 410 may be prevented from contacting the user's fingers by the radially extended surface 208 of the ampule holder body 202 as shown in FIG. 4E. The larger length (L1 shown in FIG. 2A) from the first end 204a of the ampule holder body 202 to the radially extended surface 208 provides additional clearance between fingers of a user and diagnostic laboratory equipment such as an analyzer.

[0045] In some embodiments, the ampule holder 200 may be reusable. As such, in one or more embodiments, method 300 may include reusing the ampule holder 200 to open another ampule (and / or assist in aspirating the contents of another ampule).

[0046] Although FIG. 3 shows example blocks of method 300, in some implementations, method 300 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in FIG. 3. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of method 300 may be performed in parallel.

[0047] The ampule holders described herein are simple to handle, low cost, and reusable and provide for dual functionality of (1) a safe and secure opening of ampules, and (2) safe and secure aspiration of ampule contents intodiagnostic laboratory equipment. The ampule holders may assist in ampule aspiration and mitigate the risk of a finger prick by the aspiration probe of diagnostic laboratory equipment. The ampule holders also may assist in breaking ampule caps (e.g., glass tops) and mitigate risk of finger cuts from sharp edges and protect a user against direct contact with fluids during opening and emptying ampules. Further, the ampule holders may eliminate the need for a separate ampule breaking and waste modules within diagnostic laboratory equipment.

[0048] In some embodiments, the ampule holder 200 may be made from a hard plastic material in a cylinder shape with a round flange (e.g., radially extended surface 208) near the finger gripping area (e. g., gripping region 402). The radially extended surface 208 may provide protection for a user's fingers while the user pushes an aspiration arm of a diagnostic analyzer to expose an aspiration probe (during an aspiration workflow). Because of the shape of the ampule holder 200, the base 102 of the ampule 100 may be nested inside the ampule holder 200 and extend the reach of the ampule 100 into an aspiration area which can be tight for a user's fingers.

[0049] As described above, in some embodiments, the ampule holder 200 may cover the cap 104 of the ampule 100 during the process of forcing the cap 104 to sheer off of the base 102 of the ampule 100.

[0050] The outer surface of the ampule holder body 202 may include the gripping region 402 having gripping features 212 for better grip during a user aspiration insertion step. The gripping features 212 and length of the ampule holder 200 provide for sufficient clearance between the user's hand and an aspiration probe to avoid injury to a user (minimizing finger pricking risk) and allow easy manipulation (minimizing blind spots) of the ampule 100 by the user during aspiration. The gripping features 212 may also help the user to apply moreforce / torque during the aspiration step by allowing a better grip.

[0051] Since the ampule holder 200 is reusable in some embodiments, the ampule holder 200 may be stored at or within diagnostic laboratory equipment which will perform aspiration of ampule contents. For example, the ampule holder 200 may be stored on an inside of an analyzer door 414 in a storage pocket 416 (FIGS. 4C-4E) or other location configured for holding the ampule holder 200 while it is not in use.

[0052] In some embodiments, the ampule holder 200 may have the ability to fit different sized ampules by modifying the diameter of the first opening 206a and / or second opening 206b (e. g., by having the sidewalls of the opening (s) tapered from a wide diameter to a narrow diameter so that multiple sizes of ampules can be accommodated as shown in FIG. 2E).Alternatively, the first opening 206a and / or second opening 206b may be sized with a larger diameter (s), and different sized smaller inserts may be inserted into the larger sized opening (s) as needed depending on ampule diameter size (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2F). Alternatively, the sidewalls of the first opening 206a and / or second opening 206b may be squeezable / slideable such that the opening (s) can be made wider or narrower. For example, the sidewalls may be molded from polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or another flexible material that is squeezable.NON- LIMITING ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0053] The following is a list of non-limiting embodiments of inventive concepts disclosed herein:

[0054] An illustrative ampule holder, comprising an ampule holder body having a first end and a second end; a first opening formed in the first end, the first opening sized to hold a cap of an ampule; a second opening formed in the second end, the second opening sized to hold a base of the ampuleduring delivery of contents of the ampule; and a radially extended surface located along the ampule holder body and configured to protect fingers of a user of the ampule holder.

[0055] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the first opening has a first diameter and the second opening has a second diameter and wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.

[0056] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the radially extended surface includes a flange that extends around the ampule holder body, the flange having a third diameter that is larger than the first diameter and the second diameter.

[0057] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein a length between the first end and the radially extending surface is larger than a length between the second end and the radially extending surface.

[0058] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the second opening includes a plurality of sidewall features configured to contact the base of the ampule and hold the ampule in place within the ampule holder.

[0059] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the ampule holder is a unitary molded unit.

[0060] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the ampule holder body includes a plurality of gripping features configured to contact fingers of a user of the ampule holder during use and provide a gripping region for the user.

[0061] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the first opening has a first internal sidewall conf igured to contact the cap ofthe ampule during sheering of a neck of the ampule to remove the cap.

[0062] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the first internal sidewall is tapered so as to accommodate different size ampules.

[0063] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the first opening has a first depth that extends within the ampule holder body a first distance equal to or greater than a height of the cap of the ampule.

[0064] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the second opening has a second depth that extends within the ampule holder body a second distance and defines a second internal sidewall configured to contact the base of the ampule and hold the ampule in place within the ampule holder.

[0065] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the second internal sidewall is tapered so as to accommodate different size ampules.

[0066] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, further comprising an insert configured to fit within the first opening, the insert defining an opening sized to hold a cap of a different sized ampule during sheering of a neck of the different sized ampule to remove the cap from the different sized ampule.

[0067] The illustrative ampule holder of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, further comprising an insert configured to fit within the second opening, the insert defining an opening sized to hold a base of a different sized ampule during delivery of contents of the different sized ampule.

[0068] An illustrative method comprising obtaining anampule having a base, a cap, and a neck joining the cap and base; obtaining an ampule holder having: an ampule holder body having a first end and a second end; a first opening formed in the first end, the first opening sized to hold the cap of the ampule; a second opening formed in the second end, the second opening sized to hold the base of the ampule during delivery of contents of the ampule; and a radially extended surface located along the ampule holder body and configured to protect fingers of a user of the ampule holder; inserting the cap of the ampule within the first end of the ampule holder; removing the cap of the ampule by employing the ampule holder; placing the base of the ampule within the second opening of the ampule holder; and aspirating contents of the ampule.

[0069] The illustrative method of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein aspirating contents of the ampule comprises positioning the ampule holder so that a needle of a diagnostic analyzer extends within the ampule, the radially extended surface of the ampule holder body preventing the needle from contacting a user of the ampule holder.

[0070] The illustrative method of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, further comprising reusing the ampule holder to open another ampule.

[0071] The illustrative method of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein removing the cap of the ampule by employing the ampule holder comprises contacting the cap of the ampule with a sidewall of the first opening to sheer the neck of the ampule.

[0072] The illustrative method of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein placing the base of the ampule within the second opening of the ampule holder comprises contacting the base of the ampule with a plurality of sidewall features within the second opening to hold the ampule in place within the ampule holder.

[0073] The illustrative method of any one of the proceedingillustrative embodiments, wherein the ampule holder body includes a plurality of gripping features configured to contact fingers of a user of the ampule holder during use and provide a gripping region for the user.

[0074] The illustrative method of any one of the proceeding illustrative embodiments, wherein the first opening has a first depth that extends within the ampule holder body a first distance equal to or greater than a height of the cap of the ampule.

[0075] The foregoing description discloses only example embodiments of the invention. Modifications of the above disclosed apparatus and methods which fall within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0076] Accordingly, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with example embodiments thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An ampule holder, comprising:an ampule holder body having a first end and a second end;a first opening formed in the first end, the first opening sized to hold a cap of an ampule;a second opening formed in the second end, the second opening sized to hold a base of the ampule during delivery of contents of the ampule; anda radially extended surface located along the ampule holder body and configured to protect f ingers of a user of the ampule holder.

2. The ampule holder of claim 1 wherein the first opening has a first diameter and the second opening has a second diameter and wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.

3. The ampule holder of claim 2, wherein the radially extended surface includes a flange that extends around the ampule holder body, the flange having a third diameter that is larger than the first diameter and the second diameter.

4. The ampule holder of claim 1, wherein a length between the first end and the radially extending surface is larger than a length between the second end and the radially extending surface.

5. The ampule holder of claim 1, wherein the second opening includes a plurality of sidewall features configured to contact the base of the ampule and hold the ampule in place within the ampule holder.

6. The ampule holder of claim 1, wherein the ampule holder is a unitary molded unit.

7. The ampule holder of claim 1, wherein the ampule holder body includes a plurality of gripping features configured to contact fingers of a user of the ampule holder during use and provide a gripping region for the user.

8. The ampule holder of claim 1, wherein the f irst opening has a first internal sidewall conf igured to contact the cap of the ampule during sheering of a neck of the ampule to remove the cap.

9. The ampule holder of claim 8, wherein the f irst internal sidewall is tapered so as to accommodate different size ampules.

10. The ampule holder of claim 1, wherein the first opening has a first depth that extends within the ampule holder body a first distance equal to or greater than a height of the cap of the ampule.

11. The ampule holder of claim 10, wherein the second opening has a second depth that extends within the ampule holder body a second distance and def ines a second internal sidewall configured to contact the base of the ampule and hold the ampule in place within the ampule holder.

12. The ampule holder of claim 11, wherein the second internal sidewall is tapered so as to accommodate different size ampules.

13. The ampule holder of claim 1, further comprising an insert configured to fit within the first opening, the insertdef ining an opening sized to hold a cap of a different sized ampule during sheering of a neck of the different sized ampule to remove the cap from the different sized ampule.

14. The ampule holder of claim 1, further comprising an insert configured to fit within the second opening, the insert defining an opening sized to hold a base of a different sized ampule during delivery of contents of the different sized ampule.

15. A method comprising:obtaining an ampule having a base, a cap, and a neck joining the cap and base;obtaining an ampule holder having:an ampule holder body having a first end and a second end;a first opening formed in the first end, the first opening sized to hold the cap of the ampule;a second opening formed in the second end, the second opening sized to hold the base of the ampule during delivery of contents of the ampule; anda radially extended surface located along the ampule holder body and configured to protect f ingers of a user of the ampule holder;inserting the cap of the ampule within the first end of the ampule holder;removing the cap of the ampule by employing the ampule holder;placing the base of the ampule within the second opening of the ampule holder; andaspirating contents of the ampule.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein aspirating contents of the ampule comprises positioning the ampule holder so that aneedle of a diagnostic analyzer extends within the ampule, the radially extended surface of the ampule holder body preventing the needle from contacting a user of the ampule holder.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising reusing the ampule holder to open another ampule.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein removing the cap of the ampule by employing the ampule holder comprises contacting the cap of the ampule with a sidewall of the first opening to sheer the neck of the ampule.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein placing the base of the ampule within the second opening of the ampule holder comprises contacting the base of the ampule with a plurality of sidewall features within the second opening to hold the ampule in place within the ampule holder.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the ampule holder body includes a plurality of gripping features configured to contact fingers of a user of the ampule holder during use and provide a gripping region for the user.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the first opening has a first depth that extends within the ampule holder body a first distance equal to or greater than a height of the cap of the ampule.

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