SAFERampTM

SAFERamp is a new ampoule packaging device that quickly and safely opens a filled
ampoule and automatically labels the syringe drawing up the drug, avoiding drug ad-
ministration errors. SAFERamp provides an opportunity for ampoule manufacturers
to add value to the traditionally high-volume but low-margin sealed ampoule market.

SAFERamp provides benefits to:

PATIENTS—fewer drug administration errors
CLINICIANS—Fast, convenient drug preparation; No more glass cuts from bro-
ken ampoules and fewer needle injuries
PHARMA—Brand differentiation; drug life management
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS– Lower overall costs due to fewer consumables
used (e.g. needles), reduced sharps disposal costs and reduced costs associ-
ated with drug administration errors such as insurance and extra bed days

For further information please contact:

Dr Maher Khaled
 maher.khaled@enterprise.cam.ac.uk
 +44 (0)1223 760339
Cambridge Enterprise Limited, University of Cambridge
Hauser Forum, 3 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0GT, UK
www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk
Background Figure 1: SAFERamp
Over 10 000 drug administration errors are re-
Label
ported every year in the UK alone, with thousands
more errors potentially going unreported. These
errors can result in severe patient harm and in
some cases even death (e.g. 25 deaths reported
in 2006 in the UK). Drug administration errors are Aspirator: Label ring:
This part opens This part transfers to
also associated with significant costs to health the ampoule and the syringe automati-
care providers, in terms of extra bed days, admini- inserts a nozzle cally upon opening
stration costs and potential litigation. into the open top the ampoule
Syringe mislabelling is a common cause of drug
administration error, especially in the stressful en-
vironment of operating theatres.
The SAFERamp Solution Sealed ampoule

Dr Daniel Wheeler, an anaesthetist in the Univer-

sity’s Department of Medicine, conceived of
SAFERamp as a device to automatically label a
syringe while withdrawing a drug from a glass am-
poule, eliminating the possibility of syringe misla-
belling errors. A large labelling area allows the
drug name, type and dose and the manufacturer’s
brand to be clearly displayed.
SAFERamp allows the clinician to quickly and
easily open an ampoule while retaining the broken
glass within the device. This reduces the problem
of glass cuts encountered during conventional
ampoule opening. An integrated nozzle avoids
the need to use a needle to draw up the drug.
Other features incorporated into SAFERamp in-
clude:
a 5 m particulate filter that keeps the medica-
tion entering into the syringe sterile and free
from small shards of glass
A special nozzle tip that stops bubbles from
entering into the syringe—a common problem
with drawing up a drug using a needle
an integrated cap on the label ring, so that af-
ter the drug has been drawn up, the syringe
can be capped until ready for use, protecting
against contamination.
snap-locks that secure the mechanism in
place, preventing re-use. These snap-locks
also trap all broken glass in the device, mean-
ing that SAFERamp can be disposed of in
general clinical waste instead of taking up
valuable sharps bin space with empty am-
poules and needles.
Manufacture
SAFERamp consists of only 3 simple polypropyl-
ene parts and has been designed to be easily
manufactured and assembled. SAFERamp can
be supplied by ampoule manufacturers in a con-
ventional sterile pouch to maintain sterility.
Commercialisation
We are actively seeking partners to help us bring
SAFERamp to market.
A proof-of-concept prototype device has been
made and detailed 3D CAD designs have been
generated for tooling for an initial production run
of devices for field-testing.
SAFERamp is protected by a priority UK patent
application.

Whe-2314-09
 How to use SAFERampTM
Step 1—Insert syringe Step 4—Aspirate medication

Step 5—Snap down label

Step 2—Rotate syringe to break open ampoule

Step 3—Push down to click device into place

Watch a video of SAFERamp in action at:

www.enterprise.cam.ak/SAFERamp

Cambridge Enterprise is actively seeking partners to

help us bring SAFERamp to market.

For more information please contact:

Dr Maher Khaled
 maher.khaled@enterprise.cam.ac.uk
 +44 (0)1223 760339

Whe-2314-09