Ampoule

An ampoule (also ampul, ampule, or ampulla) is a small sealed vial which is used to contain and preserve a sample, usually a solid or liquid. Ampoules are commonly made of glass, although plastic ampoules do exist. Modern ampoules are most commonly used to contain pharmaceuticals and chemicals that must be protected from air and contaminants. They are hermetically sealed by melting the thin top with an open flame, and usually opened by snapping off the neck. If properly done, this last operation creates a clean break without any extra glass shards or slivers; but the liquid or solution may be filtered for greater assurance. Glass particle contamination is of ongoing concern, with patients who receive medication parenterally, such as intravenously under hospital care, at greater risk of receiving glass particulates when medication is aspirated.[1] The space above the chemical may be filled with an inert gas before sealing. The walls of glass ampoules are usually sufficiently strong to be brought into a glovebox without any difficulty. Modern glass ampoules are produced industrially from short lengths of glass tubing, shaped by heating with gas torches and gravity in automated production lines. Computer vision techniques are usually employed for quality control. The filling and sealing of ampoules may be done by automated machinery on an industrial scale, or by hand in small-scale industries and laboratory settings. Blank ampoules can be purchased from scientific glass supply houses and sealed with a small gas torch. This forms a membrane allowing someone to turn the open ampule upside down without spilling. A Schlenk line may be used for sealing under inert atmospheres. Ampoules are a high-quality primary packaging solution for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. It is mandatory for CDMOs to ensure that the glass ampoule is of the highest quality level and is produced under secured and certified process conditions in accordance with the applicable guidelines and DIN/ISO 9187. Glass ampoules are the ideal single-use package for: Topical applications– application of product to the skin such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and health and beauty aids Dropper tip assemblies– dispensing of liquids in dropper form for microbiological reagents, fixatives and solvents Inhalation– as with attractants, deodorizers, respirator fit test products and pharmaceuticals Tandem applications– where two substances are mixed immediately prior to use such as medical device test reagents and topical pharmaceuticals. Plastic Ampoule is an innovative unit dose package designed to eliminate the inconvenience of having to tear or cut the top of the package in order to dispense the contents. With just a gentle squeeze, the inner membrane ruptures, allowing the contents to be easily dispensed and controlled by the user. This unique dispensing system is available in a wide range of sizes/colors and can be produced with a variety of different applicator heads including swabs, dropper tips and foam applicators. The Plastic Ampoule is available in either 2 or 5 ml polyethylene swab or dropper tip configurations and a 2 and 5ml polypropylene dropper tip configuration. Plastic Ampoules can be fluorinated at a number of different intensity levels. The fluorination process may enhance many Plastic Ampoule properties, including chemical resistance. For the dropper tip, the precision dropper is composed of polyethylene.