Clear package for bioabsorbable articles
First Claim
1. A flexible package which comprises a first panel fabricated from a substantially transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer, said first panel having a measurable moisture vapor transmission rate, the first panel being bonded along its edges to the edges of a second panel fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of (i) substantially transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer which is the same as, or is different from, the film of the first panel and (ii) an opaque, flexible metal foil laminate, to form a contents-enclosing pouch therebetween, the pouch containing a quantity of desiccant and at least one sterile moisture-sensitive device or material, the desiccant being provided as at least one discrete desiccant unit loosely contained within the pouch or in a fixed location therein, the desiccant unit itself comprising a pouch made from a material having a moisture vapor transmission rate of about 1 g/100 in2 /24 hrs with the desiccant contained within a pouch of the desiccant unit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible package of low moisture permeability suitable for packaging moisture sensitive materials and devices such as bioabsorbable surgical staples and clips and instruments containing these devices includes a first panel fabricated from a substantially transparent polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer, the first panel having a measurable moisture vapor transmission rate and being bonded along its edges to the edges of a second panel fabricated from either (i) a transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer which is the same as, or is different from, the film of the first panel; or (ii) an opaque, flexible metal foil laminate to form a contents-enclosing pouch therebetween, the pouch containing a quantity of desiccant and at least one sterile moisture-sensitive material or device, e.g., the aforesaid bioabsorbable staples, clips or instruments containing such staples or clips.
112 Citations
42 Claims
- 1. A flexible package which comprises a first panel fabricated from a substantially transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer, said first panel having a measurable moisture vapor transmission rate, the first panel being bonded along its edges to the edges of a second panel fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of (i) substantially transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer which is the same as, or is different from, the film of the first panel and (ii) an opaque, flexible metal foil laminate, to form a contents-enclosing pouch therebetween, the pouch containing a quantity of desiccant and at least one sterile moisture-sensitive device or material, the desiccant being provided as at least one discrete desiccant unit loosely contained within the pouch or in a fixed location therein, the desiccant unit itself comprising a pouch made from a material having a moisture vapor transmission rate of about 1 g/100 in2 /24 hrs with the desiccant contained within a pouch of the desiccant unit.
- 20. A flexible package which comprises a first panel fabricated from a substantially transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer, said first panel having a measurable moisture vapor transmission rate, the first panel being bonded along its edges to the edges of a second panel fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of (i) substantially transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer which is the same as, or is different from, the film of the first panel and (ii) an opaque, flexible metal foil laminate, to form a contents-enclosing pouch therebetween, the pouch containing a quantity of desiccant and at least one sterile moisture-sensitive device or material, and a removable header at least partially fabricated from a gas permeable sheet material which is a barrier to microorganisms, one end of the header being attached to the opening of the package and the other end of the header being open or sealed.
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24. A method of packaging a moisture-sensitive device or material which comprises:
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a) providing an open flexible package comprising a first panel fabricated from a substantially transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer, the first panel being bonded along its edges to the edges of a second panel fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of (i) a substantially transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer which is the same as, or is different from, the film of the first panel and (ii) an opaque, flexible metal foil laminate, to form a contents-receiving open pouch therebetween; b) placing at least one moisture-sensitive device or material and a quantity of desiccant within the pouch, the desiccant being provided as at least one discrete desiccant unit loosely contained within the pouch or in a fixed location therein, the desiccant unit itself comprising a pouch made from a material having a moisture vapor transmission rate of about 1 g/100 /in2 /24 hrs with the desiccant contained within a pouch of the desiccant unit; c) sealing the pouch; and
,d) sterilizing the contents of the package. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of packaging a moisture-sensitive device or material which comprises:
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a) providing an open flexible package comprising a first panel fabricated from a substantially transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer, the first panel being bonded along its edges to the edges of a second panel fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of (i) a substantially transparent flexible polymeric film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer which is the same as, or is different from, the film of the first panel and (ii) an opaque, flexible metal foil laminate, to form a contents-receiving open pouch therebetween, and a header at least partially fabricated from a gas permeable sheet material which is a barrier to microorganisms, one end of the header being attached to the opening of the package and the other end of the header being open; b) placing at least one moisture-sensitive device or material and a quantity of desiccant within the open pouch; c) sealing the open end of the header; d) introducing a sterilizing gas into the pouch through the gas permeable sheet of the header to sterilize the contents of the package; e) removing the sterilizing gas from the pouch following sterilization of its contents; f) sealing the package; and
,g) removing at least part of the header. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
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Specification