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.
Claims10
A method for manufacturing a sterile lancet comprising:
- retaining a lancet needle within a mold cavity of a mold;
- injecting plastic to form a lancet body substantially encapsulating the needle therein;
- and
- maintaining a specified minimum mold temperature for a specified minimum cycle time effective to sterilize the lancet needle,
- wherein the mold comprises tooling for holding the lancet needle, a mold chamber for receiving the plastic to form the lancet body around the lancet needle, and means for maintaining the specified minimum mold temperature for the specified minimum cycle time effective to sterilize the lancet needle during manufacture, where 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.
7-16. (canceled)
A mold for a lancet having a needle, a body portion, and a cap portion, the mold comprising:
- a first mold part having a first mold cavity configured for receiving plastic for forming the body portion, and
- a heating element embedded within the first mold part to maintain a specified minimum mold temperature for a specified minimum cycle time to sterilize the needle,
- wherein the heating element is embedded within the first mold part adjacent to the first mold cavity such that the plastic does not come into direct contact with the heating element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.