Medical Device Link.

Originally Published PMPN January 2004

Product Update

DelPouch

Suitable for topical applications, a pouch delivers a single dosage of lotion, cream, or ointment. The patient squeezes the pouch to release the contents and applies it directly onto the treatment area. The affected area is never touched by anything but the pad. The pad is discarded after one use. Two sizes are available with either a soft or coarse applicator surface. One size is a 0.8-g fill for a 0.5-g application. The other is a 1.3-g fill for a 1-g application. DelPouch can be individually packaged in a sterile or UV-protected pouch. A variety of customized containers and dispenser packs are available. Cardinal Health, Philadelphia; 800/296-0211; www.cardinal.com/pts. 

PrismaPak

A printed, see-through unit-of-use tube allows the product it contains to become an integral and visible part of the package design. The overall color of the PrismaPak and the message or graphics on it can be printed end-to-end for maximum design flexibility. In addition, both the tip and the bottom of the tube can be custom-shaped. The tubes are available in sizes ranging from 5 to 30 ml. The see-through color printing of the tube is available in virtually any color. Unette Corp., Wharton, NJ; 973/328-6800; www.unette.com. 

Plastic Ampules

Plastic ampules allow the user to activate the package with a gentle squeeze of one hand, rupturing the patented internal membrane. Another gentle squeeze then dispenses the contents onto the applicator tip. The user easily controls the rate and flow of the liquid. The absence of glass is also an advantage in clinical settings. Since the package does not contain a sealed glass ampule, both the contents and the outer package can be sterilized. The uniform package configuration is available in various sizes to allow for flexible dosing. JSJ Pharmaceuticals chose the plastic ampules for its G-Mastic liquid adhesive. James Alexander, Blairstown, NJ; 908/362-9266; www.james-alexander.com. 

Unit-Dose Vials

A unit-dose contract manufacturer introduces a polypropylene resin for its Twist-Tip line of single-use plastic vials. The natural polypropylene resin features improved barrier qualities for increased product protection and extended shelf life as well as exceptional clarity. This special polypropyl-ene formula is flexible, making the single-dose dispensers durable yet squeezable. Sizes range from 0.2 to 15 ml. The vial incorporates a cylindrical squeeze-bulb with a flat base, which allows it to stand upright, like a small bottle. The integral twist-off tab is easily removed. Once opened, the vial’s contents can be dispensed through the opening by squeezing or pouring. Unicep Packaging Inc., Towaco, NJ; 973/402-8855; www.unicep.com. 

Swabs
A company provides premoistened, snap-open swabs. These single-use dispensing packages consist of a sealed plastic tube that snaps open to reveal a ready-to-use swab with a premoistened tip. The swab can be premoistened with a wide variety of medications in liquid, gel, crème, or ointment formats and provides the pinpoint application accuracy of a swab tip. Swab packages can be used to deliver medications to the oral and nasal cavity as well as other areas of the skin. Innovative Swab Technologies, Antioch, IL; 847/395-4500; www.innovativeswab.com.   

Copyright ©2004 Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging News