US4730726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealed sterile package
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1987-04-21
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Granted: 1988-03-15
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Expires: 2007-04-21
Abstract
Abstract The sealed package is sterilized with a sterilant gas such as ethylene oxide prior to application of a desiccant pack. The desiccant pack is applied after sterilization and held in place by a metallic foil which is impermeable to moisture. A moisture permeable layer separates the desiccant pack from the plastic tray-like layer in which the surgical instrument is disposed. Absorbable co-polymer staples are maintained moisture-free by virtue of the desiccant pack being located on the opposite side of the moisture permeable layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry A. Holzwarth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:55
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/24; B65D81/26; B65D81/266; B65D81/268; A; A61; A61B; A61B50/00; A61B50/30; A61B50/33; A61B17/00; A61B17/068; A61B2017/0688; A61B2050/002; A61B2050/005; A61B2050/0065; A61B2050/3004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A sealed sterile package comprising a sterilized surgical instrument having a moisture-sensitive component; a formed plastic layer having at least one recess receiving said instrument therein; a permeable layer secured to said plastic layer about said recess; a desiccant pack disposed on a side of said permeable layer opposite said plastic layer and adjacent said moisture-sensitive component of said instrument; and a moisture impervious layer secured to said permeable layer to encas said desiccant pack therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A sealed sterile package comprising a sterilized surgical instrument having a moisture-sensitive component; a formed plastic layer having at least one recess receiving said instrument therein; a permeable layer secured to said plastic layer about said recess; a desiccant pack disposed on a side of said permeable layer opposite said plastic layer and adjacent said moisture-sensitive component of said instrument; and a moisture impervious layer secured to said permeable layer to encas said desiccant pack therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said permeable layer is releaseably secured to said plastic layer for removal therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 2 wherein said moisture impervious layer is secured to a major portion of said permeable layer to expose a portion of said permeable layer for peeling of said permeable layer and said moisture impervious layer from said plastic layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plastic layer has a corrugated portion opposite and unsecured to said exposed portion of said permeable layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said component of said instrument is a cartridge of absorbable copolymer staples.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said permeable layer is permeable to moisture vapor and sterilant gas and impervious to microorganisms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 6 wherein said permeable layer is made of spun-bonded olefin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said moisture impervious layer is a metal foil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A sealed sterile package comprising a sterilized surgical instrument having at least one component made of a polymer subject to hydrolytic degradation; a formed plastic layer having at least one recess receiving said instrument; a moisture permeable layer secured to said plastic layer about said recess; a moisture impervious layer secured to and over said permeable layer; and a desiccant disposed between said permeable layer and said impervious layer opposite said component of said instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
A sealed sterile package comprising a sterilized surgical instrument having at least one component made of a polymer subject to hydrolytic degradation; a formed plastic layer having at least one recess receiving said instrument; a moisture permeable layer secured to said plastic layer about said recess; a moisture impervious layer secured to and over said permeable layer; and a desiccant disposed between said permeable layer and said impervious layer opposite said component of said instrument.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 9 wherein said permeable layer is releaseably secured to said plastic layer to be peeled therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 9 wherein said moisture impervious layer is secured to a major portion of said permeable layer to expose a portion of said permeable layer for peeling of said permeable layer and said moisture impervious layer from said plastic layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 9 wherein said component is an absorbable copolymer staple.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 9 wherein said permeable layer made of spun-bonded olefin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 13 wherein said impervious layer is a metal foil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 9 which further comprises a pouch of moisture permeable polymeric material encasing said desiccant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sealed sterile package as set forth in claim 15 wherein said desiccant is selected from the group consisting of silica gel, molecular sieves, activated alumina and porous silica glass.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-15 | 1991-09-14 | 1992-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-15 | 1995-09-14 | 1996-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-15 | 1999-09-14 | 2000-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |