Medical Device Link.

PACKAGING RESOURCE CENTER

Unit-Dose Strips

A company offers a unit-dose delivery system (UDDS) for oral thin-film strip products. DelStrip UDDS is designed to be a practical and convenient delivery system for this dosage form. The system is designed to give users the freedom to take their medicine whenever they need it and wherever they want by providing individual pouches for each thin-film strip. The convenient dosing method was designed with children and senior citizens in mind. Cardinal Health Packaging Services, Philadelphia; 215/613-3001; www.cardinal.com.

Vacuum Stoppering Unit

A vacuum stoppering unit is designed to insert and seat stoppers or plunger rods into unit-dose syringes. It can also seal evacuated glass tubes with stoppers on both ends. The unit features an air-driven transfer punch plate. During operation, the loaded syringe rack is put in the unit’s chamber. The transfer punch plate is moved by a short stroke sufficient to seal the stopper to the syringe. A vacuum is reached and then released. The venting of the chamber restores atmospheric pressure, creating a pressure differential between the top and bottom of the stopper, which provides a final seating of the stopper in the syringe. The chamber is constructed of materials that are fully autoclavable, allowing the chamber unit to be easily sterilized. Rormac Packaging Systems, Reading, PA; 610/370-0861; www.rormac.com.

Reclosable Tube

A reclosable tube is designed to be a cost-saving alternative to traditional rigid tubes. The Tear n’ Tuck reclosable tubes are designed for liquid, cream, and paste products that may require multiple applications. The easy-open tear top features a fold-and-tuck tip that enables the user to tightly reseal the tube after the initial dispensing of product. The user tears off the top where indicated, gently squeezes the tube to dispense the product, then folds the tip over and tucks the tube’s little flap into a premade slit. The fold-and-tuck closure system cuts off the product flow like a folded garden hose cuts off water to a sprinkler. A variety of tip designs, orifice dimensions, package sizes, and fills are offered. The tubes can be customized to accommodate measured doses or different product flow rates. Hot stamping is also offered. Unette, Wharton, NJ; 973/328-6800; www.unette.com.

Glass Cartridges

Cartridges are designed to package insulin and other drugs. They are available in the form of pen or pump systems. Dual-chamber cartridges are offered for dual-component applications. Cartridges for autoinjectors and needle-free injectors are also provided. The company also supplies dental cartridges. Schott North America Inc., Elmsford, NY; 914/831-2200; www.us.schott.com.

Prefilled Syringe

A fully passive safety device for prefilled syringes was designed in response to perceived continued concern over unprotected-needle exposures. Safe ’n’ Sound is designed to provide healthcare providers and patients with full protection from needlesticks to avoid contamination. The system is composed of three components: a sleeve, a body, and a spring. The plunger rod is customized. Short and long body styles for the 1-ml syringes are offered. Rexam Pharma, Suresnes, France; +33 41 389817; www.rexam.com.

Antiseptic Applicator

To increase convenience and decrease clutter and contamination, a company offers soft cotton-tipped individually filled applicators packaged in small plastic cases. The Dr. Snapz pocket-sized personal medicine cabinet features ready-to-use applicators designed to keep each application fresh. Snapping the tip of the applicator releases the product flow so it can be applied with the clean cotton tip. Applicators are available containing antiseptic formula, povidone iodine, acne treatment, fungus relief, insect bite relief, and mouth sore relief. Swabplus Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA; 909/987-7898; www.swabplus.com.

Oral-Strip Packaging

Packaging for oral-dissolve strips addresses requirements for child resistance, ease of opening, unit dosing, and portability. A foil-based laminate incorporates a peel system that is designed to provide easy processing on high-speed equipment and to offer consistent peel strength. Controlled peelability is important to avoid damaging the fragile drug-impregnated strips during package opening. The peelable structure can be combined with a child-resistant tear feature. An olefin-based sealant ensures low drug interaction between the package sealant layer and the drug, and nonadherence to the thin strip, allowing for easy dispensing of the medication. Printing services are available in up to 10 colors. Amcor Flexibles, Mundelein, IL; 800/447-0049; www.amcor.com/flexibles-healthcare.

Glass Containers

A company has expanded its glass packaging range to include sterile syringes made of borosilicate tubular glass. Prefillable syringe systems, vials, ampules, and cartridges are offered. Syringes with staked-in needles are available with flexible or rigid needle shields. Glass insulin and dental cartridges are available in sizes from 1 to 10 ml. Larger sizes up to 100 ml are also offered. Optional baked-on siliconization is available. Cartridges come in PP boxes, in trays, or shrink-wrapped. Gerresheimer Group GmbH, Dusseldorf, Germany; +49 211 6181251; www.gerresheimer.com.