Intra-mold sterilization of plastic-embedded needle
AssigneeFacet Technologies, LLC
InventorKevin J. Seifert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods for intra-mold sterilization of a plastic-embedded metal component of a product, such as a medical lancet having a metal needle embedded within a plastic lancet body. For example, a lancet needle is retained within a mold, plastic is injected to encapsulate the needle, and a specified minimum temperature is maintained for a specified minimum cycle time. In example forms, the specified minimum mold temperature is at least about 370 degrees Fahrenheit and the specified minimum cycle time is at least about 10 seconds.
Claims9
A mold for manufacturing a product having a metal product component at least partially embedded within a plastic product component, the mold comprising tooling for holding the metal product component, a mold chamber for receiving plastic to form the plastic product component around the metal product component, and means for maintaining a specified minimum mold temperature for a specified minimum cycle time effective to sterilize the metal product component during manufacture, wherein the means for maintaining the specified minimum mold temperature is embedded within the mold adjacent to the mold chamber such that the plastic does not come into direct contact with the means for maintaining the specified minimum mold temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.