Packaging system

• US 20040060260A1
• Filed: 12/27/2002
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Reghabi, Bahar, Gottlieb, Rebecca, Swanson, Aaron, Branch, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 6,991,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/425
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0065 Peelable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3005 containing a preservative liquid, e.g. an antiseptic liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/08 Radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/206 Ethylene oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/122 Chambers for sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/002 Packages specially adapted therefor combined with means for introducing catheters, e.g. dispensers, A61M25/0113; catheter kit packages for surgical articles A61B50/30
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/22 Immersing contents in protective liquids

Abstract

A packaging system for hydrating sterile devices without comprising the integrity of the sterilization. The packaging system may include an enclosure for enclosing a device requiring hydration, a container containing a hydrate, a base located within the interior of the enclosure and an activating member located within the interior of the enclosure. The container and the device may be located within a receptacle. The receptacle may rest on the base and the activating member may be affixed on top of the receptacle. A force may be exerted on an exterior portion of the enclosure such that the activating member pushes on the receptacle and crushes or ruptures the container. The hydrate located within the container is then released to the device, thereby hydrating the device without breaking the seal of the enclosure. The sterilized environment is therefore maintained and the device is hydrated.

Claims

1. A packaging system for hydrating a device, the packaging system comprising:

an enclosure for enclosing a device requiring hydration;

a container containing a hydrate, the container located within the packaging system adjacent to the device; and

a receptacle disposed within the enclosure,

wherein the container is operable to release the hydrate to the device, and

wherein the container and the device are located within an interior portion of the receptacle.

2. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising an activating member located within the interior of the enclosure for exerting a force on the container to release the hydrate to the device.

3. The packaging system of claim 2, further comprising a base having an inclined surface disposed within the enclosure, wherein the receptacle is disposed on the inclined surface of the base.

4. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein the activating member is located on top of the receptacle.

5. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein the force is applied to an external portion of the enclosure and is transferred to the container via the activating member.

6. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising a covering surrounding the container.

7. The packaging system of claim 6, wherein the covering is a mesh.

8. The packaging system of claim 7, wherein the mesh is nylon.

9. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the container is an ampule.

10. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the device requiring hydration resides in a first interior portion of the receptacle.

11. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the container resides in a second interior portion of the receptacle.

12. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the hydrate flows from a second interior portion of the receptacle to a first interior portion of the receptacle through a channel.

13. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the hydrate flows from a second interior portion of the receptacle to a first interior portion of the receptacle through a valve.

14. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the container is a bladder.

15. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the container is a sponge.

16. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the hydrate is a fluid.

17. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the hydrate is a gel.

18. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the hydrate is a sterilant.

19. A method for hydrating a device comprising:

placing a container inside a package, the container containing a hydrate;

enclosing the device within the package; and

causing the container to release the hydrate to the device.

20. The method for hydrating a device of claim 19, wherein causing the container to release the hydrate comprises exerting force on an activating member, whereby exerting force on the activating member causes the container to break.

21. The method for hydrating a device of claim 19, wherein causing the container to release the hydrate comprises exerting force on an activating member, whereby exerting force on the activating member causes the container to rupture.

22. The method for hydrating a device of claim 19, wherein placing a container inside a package comprises:

placing the container in a first cavity of a receptacle; and

placing the receptacle inside the package.

23. The method for hydrating a device of claim 22, wherein enclosing the device within the package comprises:

placing the device in a second cavity of the receptacle; and

placing the receptacle inside the package.

24. The method for hydrating a device of claim 23, further comprising:

placing a base inside the package, wherein the receptacle rests on the base; and

affixing an activating member on top of the receptacle, whereby a force exerted on an exterior portion of the package works through the activating member to cause the container to release the hydrate.

25. The method for hydrating a device of claim 23, further comprising:

hermetically sealing the package; and

sterilizing the device before causing the container to release the hydrate to the device.

26. The method for hydrating the device of claim 25, wherein sterilizing the device comprises sterilizing the device using ethylene oxide.

27. A packaging system for bringing elements located in a package into contact with each other, the packaging system comprising:

an enclosure for enclosing a first element;

a container containing a second element, the container located within the package adjacent to the first element; and

a receptacle disposed within the enclosure,

wherein the container is operable to release the first element to the second element, and

wherein the container and the device are located within an interior portion of the receptacle.

28. The packaging system of claim 27, further comprising a base having an inclined surface located within the enclosure, wherein the receptacle is supported on the inclined surface of the base.

29. A packaging system for bringing elements located in a package into contact with each other, the packaging system comprising:

an enclosure for enclosing a first element;

a container containing a second element, the container located within the package adjacent to the first element; and

a receptacle disposed outside the enclosure,

wherein the container is operable to release the first element to the second element, and

wherein the receptacle is operable to cause the container to release the second element to the first element.

30. The packaging system of claim 29, wherein the receptacle comprises:

an aperture for receiving the enclosure; and

an activating member for causing the container to release the second element to the first element.

31. A packaging system for hydrating a device, the packaging system comprising:

an enclosure for enclosing a device requiring hydration;

a reservoir containing a hydrate disposed outside the enclosure, and

a tube connecting the reservoir to the enclosure,

wherein the reservoir is operable to release the hydrate to the device.

32. The packaging system of claim 31, further comprising a valve for connected to the tube, wherein opening of the valve causes the hydrate to flow from the reservoir to the device through the tube.