IMPLANT PACKAGE

• US 20120191203A1
• Filed: 04/03/2012
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp. (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Liccardo, Katherine, Patterson, Delphine, Wilmot, Joseph, Grare, Sarah
• Granted Patent: US 8,567,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/19.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/32 for the hip

Abstract

A system for packaging a medical implant may include a sleeve for housing the implant within a cavity in the sleeve, with at least a portion of the cavity conforming to the shape of the implant. A flexible material film may cover and substantially conform to the shape of the sleeve so as to aid in stabilizing the sleeve and implant within an outer package. An insertion instrument for inserting the implant within the body of a patient may also be provided with the system. In some embodiments, the sleeve, with the implant inserted in the cavity of the sleeve, is configured for manipulation by a user without contacting the implant, and the implant is connectable to the insertion instrument while in the sleeve.

Claims

1. A system for packaging a medical implant comprising:

an implant;

a sleeve housing the implant within a cavity in the sleeve, at least a portion of the cavity conforming to the shape of the implant;

a flexible material film covering and substantially conforming to the shape of the sleeve; and

an insertion instrument for inserting the implant within the body of a patient, the insertion instrument being connectable to the implant while housed in the sleeve,

wherein the sleeve, with the implant inserted in the cavity of the sleeve, is configured for manipulation by a user without contacting the implant.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible material film is vacuum formed over the sleeve to aid in stabilizing the sleeve and implant when inserted into an outer package.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises a first side having outer and inner surfaces and a perimeter, and a second side having outer and inner surfaces and a perimeter, the first and second sides being connected along their respective perimeters to form the cavity and situate the inner surfaces of the first and second sides adjacent one another.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second sides, in combination, cover at least a portion of the medical implant while leaving a remainder of the implant exposed so that the sleeve may be grasped by a user without contacting the implant.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the exposed portion of the implant is connectable with the insertion instrument.

6. A package for holding a medical implant comprising:

a sleeve including;

a cavity for housing the implant; and

a first side and a second side, wherein the second side is joined to the first side to conform a portion of the sleeve to the shape of the implant; and

a flexible material film covering and substantially conforming to the shape of the sleeve,

wherein, in one configuration, a first portion of the implant extends from the cavity in the sleeve.

7. The package of claim 6, wherein the flexible material film is vacuum formed over the sleeve to aid in stabilizing the sleeve and implant when inserted into an outer package.

8. The package of claim 6, wherein the first side of the sleeve is not the same shape as the second side.

9. The package of claim 6, wherein the first and second sides of the sleeve surround a second portion of the implant to protect the implant from surface abrasion during packaging, the surrounded portion of the implant being graspable via the sleeve so as to not contact the second portion of the implant.

10. The package of claim 9, wherein the first portion of the implant is connectable to an insertion instrument while the implant is in the cavity of the sleeve.

11. A method of removing and using a medical implant from within a package comprising:

providing a package including;

an implant inserted within a cavity in a sleeve, at least a portion of the cavity conforming to the shape of the implant; and

a flexible material film covering and substantially conforming to the shape of the sleeve;

separating the implant and sleeve from the flexible material film by grasping the sleeve while not contacting the implant; and

manipulating the sleeve, with the implant inserted in the cavity of the sleeve, so as to connect the implant to an insertion instrument.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of inserting the implant into a patient.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the sleeve includes a first side and a second side.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, in one configuration, the second side is joined to the first side when in the package, and, in another configuration, the first and second sides are open while out of the package.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the second side is joined to the first side to form the cavity in the sleeve.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second sides, in combination, cover at least a portion of the medical implant while leaving a remainder of the implant exposed.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of grasping the covered portion of the medical implant by the sleeve so as to not contact the implant directly.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of vacuum forming the flexible material film over the sleeve to stabilize the sleeve and implant when inserted into an outer package.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the sleeve is comprised of a biocompatible thermoplastic.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the implant is one of a femoral implant and a shoulder humeral implant.