Importance

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Abstract

A unit dose chlorhexadine gluconate (CHG) applicator is disclosed wherein a unit dose of the CHG is contained in a hermetically sealed manually crushable glass ampule that has an internal volume not significantly greater than the unit dose volume of the CHG. The CHG in the ampule has an effective shelf life of at least 24 months. The glass ampule of the applicator is preferably protected by a flexible cover to protect the user's hand during manual crushing of the ampule to release the CHG therefrom. In one embodiment of the invention, a cylindrical glass ampule is housed within a tubular, flexible synthetic resin cover which has a porous applicator swab at one end thereof. Upon crushing of the glass ampule, the CHG released therefrom impregnates the swab allowing the user to spread the CHG across an area to be sanitized. In a second embodiment of the invention, a cylindrical glass ampule is received within a semi-cylindrical, open-sided body cover having a flange portion that mounts a sponge-like swab communicating with the interior of the body cover. Opposed integral wing-like gripping members on the ampule permit the user to crush the ampule by squeezing the members toward one another whereupon the CHG is released from the ampule and impregnates the sponge swab. The swab soaked with the CHG antiseptic may be rubbed across an area to be sanitized.

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First Claim