Infusates with Enhanced pH Stability Under Ethylene Oxide Sterilization

A method of producing a buffered infusate contained in a container, the buffered infusate suitable for withstanding the effects of sterilization of the container using ethylene oxide, the method comprising:

• providing an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution suitable for infusion into a body of a patient;
• adding a buffer component to the aqueous solution to form a buffered solution;
• disposing the buffered solution in a container;
• and
• sterilizing the container using ethylene oxide,
• wherein the buffer component resists a change in pH of the buffered aqueous solution upon exposure of the buffered solution to the ethylene oxide during the sterilization of the container.

A medical device containing a buffered infusate, the medical device suitable for sterilization using ethylene oxide, the medical device comprising:

• a container defining a volume in which the buffered infusate is disposed, the buffered infusate including:
• an aqueous solution suitable for infusion into a body of a patient;
• and
• a buffer component that is added to the aqueous solution to form a buffered solution, the buffer component resisting a change in pH of the buffered solution upon exposure of the buffered solution to the ethylene oxide during the sterilization of the medical device.