Apparatus for rupturing a sealed, frangible container

An opening device for opening frangible ampoules comprising:

• a housing adapted to receive a frangible ampoule and having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a push-rod received within the housing within a clearance space between the housing and an ampoule received therein, the push-rod being axially movable in the distal direction from a proximal position in which an ampoule received within the housing is intact, to a distal position in which an ampoule received within the housing has been opened;
• a push button attached to the push-rod and having a portion exposed outside of the proximal end of the housing for contact by a user of the opening device, the push button being depressible distally relative to the housing and thereby moving the push-rod from the proximal position to the distal position;
• and
• a ball adapted to be moved axially by axial movement of the push-rod from the proximal position to the distal position, the ball having a proximal position in which the push-rod is in its proximal position and in which an ampoule received within the housing remains intact, the ball having a distal position in which the push-rod is in its distal position and in which an ampoule received within the housing is broken open, the ball being free rolling relative to the push-rod,
• the housing defining a distal guide portion which is ramped inwardly toward an ampoule received in the housing, the guide portion being configured to force the ball to move inwardly as it moves axially from the proximal position to the distal position to break open an ampoule received within the housing.