Apparatus and a method for removing a sterile product from a sterile package containing the product

An apparatus for removing a sterile product from a closed sterile package containing the sterile product, comprising:

• a clamp for clamping against one another a facing first surface and a second surface which are part of the sterile package, the facing first surface and second surface being clamped in a region locatable between the sterile product contained in the sterile package and a relative flap of the sterile package, to form a closed sterile environment around the sterile product within the sterile package and a segregated region between the clamped first and second facing surfaces and the flap;
• a cutter for cutting the sterile package in the region interposed between the facing first surface and second surface, clamped to one another, of the sterile package and the flap, so as to maintain a sterile environment around the sterile product during cutting, the cutter forming an opening in the sterile package through which the sterile product can be expelled;
• a pusher for expelling the sterile product completely from the sterile package by exerting a pushing action on an external surface of the sterile package such as to move the sterile product through the opening after a release of the clamp and a disengagement of the facing first surface and second surface of the sterile package, the sterile product expelled without the sterile product being contacted by the apparatus for removing the sterile product.