Packaging for arcuate orthopedic implants such as a size varying series of femoral components for artificial knee joints

An easily openable presentation package for any one of a series of implant components of different sizes comprising:

• a. a base portion including a generally quadrilateral peripheral shape and at least one vertical projection;
• b. two generally quadrilateral side portions, each hingedly attached to one of two opposed edges of a periphery of said base portion such that an edge of each side portion is essentially coextensive with one of said opposed edges of the periphery of said base portion, each of said side portions having;
• i. a set of three outer vertical walls extending from respective peripheral edges of said side portion not hingedly attached to said base portion;
• ii. a generally horizontal ledge extending inward from each of said vertical walls;
• iii. an arcuate wall extending downward from a middle ledge to intersect with a horizontal plane which encompasses said peripheral edges of said base portion and a generally vertical wall extending downward from each of the two generally horizontal ledges to also intersect with said horizontal plane;
• iv. wherein one of said vertical projections from said base portion and said arcuate wall extending from said middle ledge of one of said side portions is configured such that when one of said side portions is rotated about said hinged attachment with said base portion to bring said generally horizontal ledge of said side portion into a generally vertical configuration or to meet with said generally horizontal ledge of said other side portion, said vertical projection and said arcuate wall define a clearance of up to about 0.125 inches to approximate an approximate common thickness dimension of a series of implant components which are each of a different size.

A package for the transport and handling of any one of a series of implant components of different sizes comprising:

• a. an insert portion having;
• i. a generally rectangular shaped horizontal base;
• ii. a generally rectangular shaped top which is narrower than, generally parallel to, and spaced from said base;
• iii. a first pair of side walls connecting a first pair of sides of said base to a first pair of edges of said top, said first pair of side walls being generally vertical so as to connect said top to said base;
• and
• iv. a second pair of side walls connecting a second pair of sides of said base to a second pair of edges of said top, wherein one or both of said second pair of side walls includes a portion oriented at an angle between vertical and horizontal, and wherein said second pair of side walls are longer than said first pair of side walls;
• b. a retainer portion having a surface defining a clearance of up to about 0.125 inches between a portion of said top of said insert and a portion of said surface of said retainer when held a fixed distance from said top;
• and
• c. a tray comprising a bottom wall and four sidewalls defining an opening into which said insert and said retainer fit within, said tray having engaging means for holding said insert and said retainer in said volume at said fixed distance from each other such that said clearance approximates an approximately common dimension of a series of implant components which are each otherwise of a different size.