Leakproof container for implantable prosthetic device

• US 20020079286A1
• Filed: 12/21/2000
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corcym SRL (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: Clinton A. Haynes, Douglas L. Marriott, Kenneth R. Waeber, Reginald D. Fortson, Thomas William Iv Lytle
• Inventors: Fortson, Reginald D., Waeber, Kenneth R., Haynes, Clinton A., Marriott, Douglas L., Lytle, Thomas William IV
• Granted Patent: US 6,591,998 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 215/276
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/24 Heart valves ; Vascular valves, e.g. venous valves; Heart implants, e.g. passive devices for improving the function of the native valve or the heart muscle; Transmyocardial revascularisation [TMR] devices; Valves implantable in the body

Abstract

A packaging for an implantable medical device such as a heart valve wherein the implantable medical device is immersed in a liquid medium. The packaging comprises ajar and a lid assembly having a seal and a ridge therebetween, the ridge being adapted to contact the seal. At least one circumferential leg is interposed between the lid assembly and the jar. The leg maintains a predetermined spacing between the lid and the jar and may be loaded in compression. The lid assembly may comprise a lid and an overcap. The overcap may turn independently of the lid and may apply compressive pressure to the lid over the ridge and seal. The lid and overcap may be coupled together by, for example, mating snap hooks. At least one of the lid or overcap may have a plurality of snap hooks. At least one of the plurality of snap hooks may be of different length than other of the snap hooks, whereby an asymmetric force may be applied to the lid when the overcap is loosened from the jar.

Claims

1. A package for an implantable prosthetic device, the package comprising

a jar having an upper edge circumscribing an opening into said jar,

a lid assembly, adapted to be removably coupled to said jar, comprising

an overcap comprising a bottom surface,

a lid coupled to said overcap, said lid comprising an upper surface,

a connector for coupling said lid to said overcap, and

a seal interposed between said lid and said upper edge of said jar.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a first snap hook extending downwardly from the bottom surface of said overcap, and a second snap hook adapted to mate with said first snap hook, said second snap hook extending upwardly from the upper surface of said lid.

3. The package of claim 2 wherein at least one of said first snap hook and said second snap hook comprises a plurality of snap hooks.

4. The package of claim 3 wherein said plurality of snap hooks is integrally formed with said overcap.

5. The package of claim 4 wherein at least one of said plurality of snap hooks is of a different length than the remainder of said plurality of snap hooks.

6. The package of claim 5, said lid further comprising a ridge configured to press into said seal when said lid assembly is coupled to said jar.

7. The package of claim 6 further comprising an inner leg spaced radially inwardly from said ridge and said seal and an outer leg spaced radially outwardly from said ridge and said seal.

8. The package of claim 6 wherein said overcap further comprises an arm configured to press said ridge into said seal.

9. The package of claim 8 further comprising an inner leg spaced radially inwardly from said ridge and said seal and an outer leg spaced radially outwardly from said ridge and said seal.

10. The package of claim 9 wherein said legs are circumferentially continuous.

11. The package of claim 10 wherein said legs are integrally formed with said lid.

12. The package of claim 11 further comprising a groove in said upper edge of said jar, said seal being received in said groove.

13. The package of claim 12 further comprising a rim on said upper edge of said jar, said rim being spaced radially outwardly from said groove and seal and said outer leg being received between said seal and said rim.

14. The package of claim 13 wherein said overcap further comprises at least one slot adjacent a snap hook on said overcap.

16. The package of claim 15 further comprising an inner leg spaced radially inwardly from said ridge and said seal and an outer leg spaced radially outwardly from said ridge and said seal.

17. The package of claim 15 wherein said overcap further comprises an arm configured to press said ridge into said seal.

18. The package of claim 17 further comprising an inner leg spaced radially inwardly from said ridge and said seal and an outer leg spaced radially outwardly from said ridge and said seal.

19. The package of claim 18 wherein said legs are circumferentially continuous.

20. The package of claim 19 wherein said legs are integrally formed with said lid.

21. The package of claim 20 further comprising a groove in said upper edge of said jar, said seal being received in said groove.

22. The package of claim 21 further comprising a rim on said upper edge of said jar, said rim being spaced radially outwardly from said groove and seal and said outer leg being received between said seal and said rim.

24. The package of claim 23 further comprising a ridge configured to press into said seal when said lid assembly is received on said jar.

25. The package of claim 24 further comprising a groove in said upper edge of said jar, said seal being received in said groove.

26. The package of claim 23 further comprising a connector rotatably connecting said lid to said overcap, said connector comprising a first snap hook extending downwardly from the bottom surface of said overcap, and a second snap hook adapted to engage said first snap hook and extending upwardly from the upper surface of said lid.

27. The package of claim 26 wherein at least one of said first and said second snap hooks comprises a plurality of snap hooks.

28. The package of claim 27 wherein said plurality of snap hooks is integrally formed with said overcap.

29. The package of claim 28 wherein at least one of said plurality of snap hooks is shorter than at least some of said plurality of snap hooks.

30. The package of claim 29 further comprising a ridge configured to press into said seal when said lid assembly is received on said jar.

31. The package of claim 30 further comprising a groove in said upper edge of said jar, said seal being received in said groove.

32. The package of claim 31 further comprising a rim on said upper edge of said jar, said rim being spaced radially outwardly from said groove and seal.

15. A package for an implantable prosthetic device, the package comprising

a jar having an upper edge circumscribing an opening into said jar,

a lid assembly adapted to be removably coupled to said jar, said lid assembly comprising

an overcap adapted to be coupled to said jar, and

a lid,

a seal interposed between said lid and said upper edge of said jar, and

a ridge configured to press into said seal when said lid assembly is received on said jar.

23. A package for an implantable prosthetic device, the package comprising

a jar having an upper edge circumscribing an opening into said jar,

a lid assembly removably received on said jar, said lid assembly having

an overcap having bottom surface and a generally annular configuration defining an interior area, said overcap being adapted to be coupled to said jar and comprising an arm extending into said interior area,

a lid pressed against said upper edge of said jar by said arm of said overcap, said lid having an upper surface, and

a seal interposed between said lid and said upper edge of said jar.