Reduced temperature sterilization of stents
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of sterilizing a stent comprising:
- cooling a stent to a sterilization temperature below ambient temperature; and
exposing the cooled stent to a dose of radiation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for reduced temperature radiation sterilization of stents are disclosed.
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Citations
87 Claims
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1. A method of sterilizing a stent comprising:
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cooling a stent to a sterilization temperature below ambient temperature; and exposing the cooled stent to a dose of radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of sterilizing a stent comprising:
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cooling a stent to a sterilization temperature below ambient temperature; exposing the stent to a dose of radiation; and cooling the stent during the exposure to maintain the temperature of the stent during exposure at less than a selected temperature. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for packaging a stent comprising:
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a container capable of storing a stent; a stent disposed within the container; and a cold medium disposed within the container adjacent to the stent, the cold medium capable of reducing and maintaining the temperature of the stent below ambient temperature. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for packaging a stent comprising:
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disposing a stent in a container for storing the stent, wherein a cold medium is disposed within the container, the cold medium reducing and maintaining the temperature of the stent below ambient temperature; and exposing the stent to a dose of radiation to sterilize the stent. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of sterilizing a stent comprising:
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selectively conveying a cooling fluid at or adjacent to a stent to reduce the temperature of the stent to a sterilization temperature below an ambient temperature; and directing a dose of radiation at the cooled stent. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of sterilizing a stent comprising:
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disposing a stent in a container; disposing a cooling medium adjacent to the stent to reduce and/or maintain a temperature of the stent in the container at a sterilization temperature that is below ambient temperature; and directing a dose of radiation at the container to sterilize the stent. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of sterilizing a stent comprising:
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cooling a stent to a sterilization temperature below an ambient temperature; and directing a dose of radiation from a radiation source at the cooled stent, a radiation barrier between the stent and the radiation source selectively reducing the radiation exposure of the stent. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A system for sterilizing a stent comprising:
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a hollow ring-shaped conduit including a plurality of holes for disposing a stent; a cooling medium within the conduit for maintaining the temperature of a stent disposed through one of the holes within the conduit in a sterilization temperature range; and a radiation source capable of exposing the conduit to a dose of radiation as the conduit is translated through the radiation source, the source being capable of exposing the stent to radiation.. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for sterilizing a stent comprising:
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disposing a stent on or adjacent to a surface of a cooling member, wherein the cooling member maintains a temperature of the stent at a sterilization temperature below ambient temperature before, during, and/or after exposing the stent to radiation; and directing a dose of radiation at the stent, the stent being positioned between the cooling slab and the radiation source. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A system for sterilizing a stent comprising:
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a cooling member capable of maintaining a temperature of a stent at a sterilization temperature below ambient temperature before, during, and/or after exposing the stent to radiation, wherein the stent is positioned on or adjacent to a surface of the cooling member; and a radiation source for exposing the stent to radiation to sterilize the stent, the stent being positioned between the cooling member and the radiation source. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55)
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56. A method of sterilizing a stent comprising:
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disposing a stent adjacent to a surface of a cooling member; conveying a cooling fluid from the surface of the cooling member, wherein the cooling fluid facilitates maintaining a temperature of the stent at a sterilization temperature below ambient temperature before, during, and/or after exposing the stent to radiation; and directing a dose of radiation at the stent, the stent being positioned between the cooling member and the radiation source. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A system for sterilizing a stent comprising:
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a cooling member including a cooling medium disposed in cavity of the cooling medium, the surface of the cooling member having a plurality of holes in communication with the cavity, the holes for conveying a cooling fluid from the surface of the cooling member, the cooling fluid facilitating maintaining a temperature of a stent disposed at or adjacent to the surface of the cooling member at a sterilization temperature below ambient temperature before, during, and/or after exposing the stent to radiation; and a radiation source for exposing the stent to radiation, the stent being positioned between the cooling member and the radiation source. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65)
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66. A system for sterilizing a stent comprising:
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a stent disposed in a storage container, the storage container being disposed within a cavity of a body of thermal insulating material; a cold medium disposed adjacent to the storage container within the cavity to cool the stent; and a radiation source for directing radiation at the stent to sterilize the stent. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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73. A method of sterilizing a stent comprising:
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disposing a storage container containing a stent within a cavity of a body a thermal insulating material, wherein a cold medium is disposed adjacent to the storage container within the cavity to cool the stent; and directing radiation at the stent. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75, 76, 77)
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78. A system for sterilizing a stent comprising:
a stent disposed in a storage container, the container including a sealed storage region including the stent and a cooling region adjacent to the storage region, the cooling region including a cold medium for reducing and maintaining the temperature of the stent below an ambient temperature. - View Dependent Claims (79, 80, 81, 82)
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83. A method of sterilizing of a stent comprising:
directing radiation at a stent in a storage container, the container including a sealed storage region including the stent and a cooling region adjacent to the storage region, the cooling region including a cold medium for reducing and maintaining the temperature of the stent below an ambient temperature.
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84. A system for sterilizating of a stent comprising:
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a cooling container comprising a cooling region and a sleeve adjacent to the cooling region, the cooling region including a cold medium; and a sealed stent storage container including a stent, the container disposed in the sleeve, the cold medium reduces and maintains the temperature of the stent below an ambient temperature. - View Dependent Claims (85, 86, 87)
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Specification