PACKAGING SYSTEM
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Accused Products
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.
51 Citations
52 Claims
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1-32. -32. (canceled)
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33. A packaging method comprising:
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providing a package configured to be supported on a surface generally extending along an x-y plane; enclosing a first element with an enclosure; containing a second element in a container operable to selectively release the second element from the container; and positioning the container and the enclosure in the package such that the container rests at an elevated position above a position of the first element, along a direction generally perpendicular to the x-y plane, when the package is supported on the surface, wherein the elevated position of the container with respect to the position of the first element facilitates directing of the second element to move toward the first element upon release of the second element from the container, when the package is supported on the surface. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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44. A method for hydrating an end portion of a catheter at which a hydratable element is disposed, the end portion of the catheter extending less than the entire length of the catheter adjacent to a distal end of the catheter, the hydrating method comprising:
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containing a hydrate in a container; receiving the container and the end portion of the catheter in an interior of a receptacle while the rest of the catheter is disposed outside of the receptacle; and enclosing the receptacle in an enclosure having an interior; wherein the container is operable to release the hydrate to the end portion of the catheter when the end portion of the catheter is received within the receptacle, and wherein the container is arranged relative to the receptacle such that upon the release of the hydrate from the container, the hydrate travels toward the end portion of the catheter, contacts the end portion of the catheter and is inhibited from contacting other portions of the catheter when the end portion of the catheter is received within the receptacle.
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48. A packaging method for bringing elements located in a package into contact with each other, the packaging method comprising:
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enclosing a first element with an enclosure; containing a second element in a container located within a package adjacent to the first element, the container operable to selectively release the second element from the container; and arranging a receptacle for capturing the second element upon release of the second element from the container; wherein the container and the enclosure are arranged relative to each other and operable such that upon release of the second element from the container, the second element travels by gravity to and contacts the first element while the first element is enclosed within the enclosure.
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Specification