Method and apparatus for packaging a fluid containing prosthesis
First Claim
1. A packaged fluid containing prosthesis adapted to be implanted in a sterile condition, said prosthesis comprising:
- a prosthetic device having a closed, permeable housing defining a fluid containing chamber;
a sealed, substantially fluid impenetrable enclosure surounding said housing and defining a liquid retaining space between said enclosure and said housing, said enclosure adapted for separation from said device prior to implantation of said device; and
said enclosure containing a liquid in said space with activities that substantially match the activities of the fluid in said chamber such that the mass transfer gradient acoss the permeable housing is insubstantial.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for packaging a fluid containing prosthesis adapted to be implanted in a sterile condition involves filling a closable, permeable fluid containing housing within the prosthetic device with a fluid. The prosthetic device is then enclosed within a substantially fluid impenetrable enclosure that is filled with a fluid with activities which substantially match the activities of the fluid within the prosthetic device. Thus, even where the prosthetic device contains a physiological solution, by incorporating a solution of equal solute concentration within the enclosure that surrounds the prosthetic device, the tendency for osmosis to occur across the barrier defined by the walls of the prosthetic device can be adequately controlled. The enclosure may then be enclosed within an outer bag which may be handled by a non-sterile nurse, preparatory to implantation by a surgeon. In this way, it is possible to ship a prosthetic device in a fluid filled state despite the tendency for migration through the walls of the device by establishing mass transfer equilibrium within the package.
71 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A packaged fluid containing prosthesis adapted to be implanted in a sterile condition, said prosthesis comprising:
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a prosthetic device having a closed, permeable housing defining a fluid containing chamber; a sealed, substantially fluid impenetrable enclosure surounding said housing and defining a liquid retaining space between said enclosure and said housing, said enclosure adapted for separation from said device prior to implantation of said device; and said enclosure containing a liquid in said space with activities that substantially match the activities of the fluid in said chamber such that the mass transfer gradient acoss the permeable housing is insubstantial. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of packaging a fluid containing prosthesis adapted to be implanted in a sterile condition, said method comprising the steps of:
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filling a closable permeable housing within a prosthetic device with a fluid; enclosing said prosthetic device within an enclosure which contains a liquid with activities that substantially match the activities of the fluid within the housing, thereby rendering insubstantial the mass transfer gradient across the permeable housing; and sealing said enclosure about said prosthetic device to define a sealed substantially fluid impenetrable barrier to fluid migration. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A packaged fluid containing prosthesis adapted to be implanted in a sterile condition, said prosthesis comprising:
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a prosthetic device having a closed, permeable housing defining a fluid containing chamber, such that a mass transfer gradient would exist across said housing once said housing is exposed to atmospheric conditions; a sealed, substantially fluid impenetrable enclosure surrounding said housing and defining a fluid retaining space between said enclosure and said housing, said enclosure adapted for separation from said device prior to use of said device; and said enclosure containing a fluid in said space with activities that substantially match the activities of the fluid in said chamber such that the mass transfer gradient across the permeable housing is insubstantial. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification