PRODUCT PACKAGING

• US 20170165023A1
• Filed: 02/27/2017
• Published: 06/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Larson, Eric Allan, Shah, Rajiv
• Granted Patent: US 11,446,108 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0065 Peelable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/063 Devices specially adapted for delivering implantable medical measuring apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/12 Manufacturing methods specially adapted for producing sensors for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/125 characterised by the manufacture of electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/242 Packaging, i.e. for packaging the sensor or apparatus before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/3001 for sharps
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/08 Radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/087 Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/003 Kits for diabetics
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/04 Packaging single articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/02 Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/16 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/16 Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/2842 Securing closures on containers in general B65B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 65/38 Packaging materials of special type or form
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/326 and forming one compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/26 Elements or devices for locating or protecting articles

Abstract

A product allows gaseous manufacturing by-products to be vented from the inside a sealed package tray. An exemplary method for packaging a device includes sealing the device inside a package tray with a gas-permeable sealing material, resulting in a sealed package tray. The sealing material allows volatile substances to vent from inside the sealed package tray to outside the sealed package tray.

Claims

1. A method for packaging a device, the method comprising:

sealing the device inside a package tray with a gas-permeable sealing material, resulting in a sealed package tray, wherein the sealing material allows volatile substances to vent from inside the sealed package tray to outside the sealed package tray.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the device comprises glucose oxidase enzyme; and

the sealing material vents volatile substances that would otherwise degrade the glucose oxidase enzyme.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the device comprises an electrochemical sensor with glucose oxidase enzyme; and

the sealing material vents volatile substances that would otherwise degrade the glucose oxidase enzyme.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the device comprises a sensor mounting pedestal for the electrochemical sensor, the sensor mounting pedestal formed at least in part from a plastic material; and

the sealing material vents volatile substances outgassed from the plastic material.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the device comprises a sensor introducer for the electrochemical sensor, the sensor introducer formed at least in part from a plastic material; and

the sealing material vents volatile substances outgassed from the plastic material.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the package tray is formed at least in part from a plastic material; and

the sealing material vents volatile substances outgassed from the plastic material.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealing material is composed of high-density polyethylene that forms a microbial barrier for the device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising sterilizing the device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising sterilizing the device after sealing the device inside the package tray.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein sterilizing the device comprises radiating the sealed package tray with sterilizing energy.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the package tray includes a sealing surface surrounding an opening, and wherein sealing the device inside the package tray with the gas-permeable sealing material comprises covering the opening with a microbial barrier material and forming a seal between the microbial barrier material and the sealing surface.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising sterilizing the device after sealing the device inside the package tray, wherein the microbial barrier material maintains sterility of the device while allowing volatile substances to vent from inside the sealed package tray to outside the sealed package tray.

13. A method for packaging a device, the method comprising:

placing the device in a package tray;

sealing the device inside the package tray with a gas-permeable sealing material, resulting in a sealed package tray; and

venting volatile substances from inside the sealed package tray to outside the sealed package tray.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the device comprises a glucose oxidase enzyme; and

the volatile substances would degrade the glucose oxidase enzyme if not vented.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the device comprises a plastic material; and

the volatile substances are outgassed from the plastic material.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the sealing material is composed of high-density polyethylene that forms a microbial barrier for the device.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising sterilizing the device.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising sterilizing the device after sealing the device inside the package tray.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein sterilizing the device comprises radiating the sealed package tray with sterilizing energy.

20. A product comprising:

a package tray;

a device in the package tray; and

a gas-permeable sealing material coupled to the package tray to form a sealed package tray, wherein the gas-permeable sealing material allows volatile substances to vent from inside the sealed package tray to outside the sealed package tray.