Reduction of discoloration in plastic materials
First Claim
1. A method for reducing discoloration in a discolored plastic material in which the discoloration was produced by sterilizing the plastic material with gamma radiation, which method comprises placing the material in a closed chamber containing at least one lamp which produces light having a wavelength within the range of 200 to 600 nm and exposing the material to said light for up to twenty four hours to reduce the discoloration in the plastic material until the material is substantially restored to its original appearance.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for reducing discoloration in a discolored plastic material which has been subjected to sterilization by gamma radiation which includes exposing the plastic material to light having a wavelength within the range of 200 to 600 nm for a time sufficient to restore the original clarity. A sterilized pack for a medical device including plastic material in which the clarity has been restored by the method is also included.
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Citations
9 Claims
- 1. A method for reducing discoloration in a discolored plastic material in which the discoloration was produced by sterilizing the plastic material with gamma radiation, which method comprises placing the material in a closed chamber containing at least one lamp which produces light having a wavelength within the range of 200 to 600 nm and exposing the material to said light for up to twenty four hours to reduce the discoloration in the plastic material until the material is substantially restored to its original appearance.
- 8. A sterilized pack for a medical device which comprises an envelope of transparent plastic material accommodating a device, at least part of which is made of plastic material, which pack has been sterilized by gamma radiation resulting in discoloration of at least some of the plastic material, wherein the original clarity of said plastic material is restored by exposing the pack to light having a wavelength within the range of 200 to 600 nm for a time up to twenty four hours to restore the original clarity.
Specification