Method for forming a sealed sterile package
AssigneeUnited States Surgical Corporation
InventorHenry A. Holzwarth
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims3
A method of packaging a surgical instrument having a moisture sensitive component comprising the steps of
- positioning the surgical instrument on a tray-like plastic layer;
- securing a moisture permeable and sterilant gas permeable layer on the plastic layer to encase the surgical instrument;
- passing a sterilizing gas through the permeable layer to sterilize the surgical instrument;
- evacuating the sterilizing gas from between the layers;
- applying a desiccant onto the permeable layer opposite the moisture-sensitive component of the surgical instrument;
- applying a moisture impermeable layer over the permeable layer to hold the desiccant in place and to complete the package.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.