Packaged antimicrobial medical device having improved shelf life and method of preparing same

A method of increasing the shelf life of a packaged antimicrobial medical device, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an inner package having a source of antimicrobial agent;
• providing an adsorbent material effective to adsorb a portion of the antimicrobial agent over time;
• positioning a medical device within the inner package, the medical device comprising one or more surfaces;
• covering the inner package with an outer package having an inner surface;
• and
• subjecting the medical device, the inner package and the inner surface of the outer package to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the medical device and the inner package, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the medical device and the inner package,
• wherein the packaged antimicrobial medical device exhibits improved shelf life.

A packaged antimicrobial suture having improved shelf life comprising:

• an inner package having a source of antimicrobial agent;
• an adsorbent material effective to adsorb a portion of said antimicrobial agent over time;
• a suture positioned within said inner package, said suture comprising one or more surfaces;
• and
• an outer package having an inner surface, said outer package having said inner package positioned within;
• wherein said suture, said inner package and said inner surface of said outer package are subjected to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent from said antimicrobial agent source to said suture and said inner package, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on said suture and said inner package.

A packaged medical device comprising:

• an inner package having a source of antimicrobial agent;
• an adsorbent material effective to adsorb a portion of said antimicrobial agent over time;
• a medical device positioned within said inner package, said medical device comprising one or more surfaces;
• and
• an outer package having an inner surface, said outer package having said inner package positioned within;
• wherein said medical device, said inner package and said inner surface of said outer package are subjected to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent from said antimicrobial agent source to said medical device and said inner package, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on said medical device and said inner package.