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US 4,730,726 AGranted
Sealed sterile package
AssigneeUnited States Surgical Corporation
InventorHenry A. Holzwarth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The sealed package is sterilized with a sterilant gas such as ethylene oxide prior to application of a desiccant pack. The desiccant pack is applied after sterilization and held in place by a metallic foil which is impermeable to moisture. A moisture permeable layer separates the desiccant pack from the plastic tray-like layer in which the surgical instrument is disposed. Absorbable co-polymer staples are maintained moisture-free by virtue of the desiccant pack being located on the opposite side of the moisture permeable layer.
Claims16
A sealed sterile package comprising
- a sterilized surgical instrument having a moisture-sensitive component;
- a formed plastic layer having at least one recess receiving said instrument therein;
- a permeable layer secured to said plastic layer about said recess;
- a desiccant pack disposed on a side of said permeable layer opposite said plastic layer and adjacent said moisture-sensitive component of said instrument;
- and
- a moisture impervious layer secured to said permeable layer to encas said desiccant pack therebetween.
3 more elements
A sealed sterile package comprising
- a sterilized surgical instrument having at least one component made of a polymer subject to hydrolytic degradation;
- a formed plastic layer having at least one recess receiving said instrument;
- a moisture permeable layer secured to said plastic layer about said recess;
- a moisture impervious layer secured to and over said permeable layer;
- and
- a desiccant disposed between said permeable layer and said impervious layer opposite said component of said instrument.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.