WO2005073091A2 - Package of sensitive articles - Google Patents

Package of sensitive articles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005073091A2
WO2005073091A2 PCT/US2005/002241 US2005002241W WO2005073091A2 WO 2005073091 A2 WO2005073091 A2 WO 2005073091A2 US 2005002241 W US2005002241 W US 2005002241W WO 2005073091 A2 WO2005073091 A2 WO 2005073091A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
gas
interior
permeable
oxygen
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2005/002241
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2005073091A3 (en
Inventor
John Yan
Original Assignee
Avantec Vascular Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Avantec Vascular Corporation filed Critical Avantec Vascular Corporation
Publication of WO2005073091A2 publication Critical patent/WO2005073091A2/en
Publication of WO2005073091A3 publication Critical patent/WO2005073091A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/24Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • B65D81/26Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
    • B65D81/266Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/0095Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61LMETHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/26Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/12Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging
    • B65B55/18Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging by liquids or gases
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/12Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging
    • B65B55/19Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging by adding materials intended to remove free oxygen or to develop inhibitor gases, e.g. vapour phase inhibitors
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/38Articles or materials enclosed in two or more wrappers disposed one inside the other
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65D81/2069Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
    • B65D81/2084Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere in a flexible container
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A61B2050/314Flexible bags or pouches
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/82Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/86Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61LMETHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/16Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
    • A61L2/20Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
    • A61L2/206Ethylene oxide
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61LMETHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/16Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
    • A61L2/20Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
    • A61L2/208Hydrogen peroxide
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61LMETHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/10Apparatus features
    • A61L2202/18Aseptic storing means
    • A61L2202/181Flexible packaging means, e.g. permeable membranes, paper
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61LMETHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/20Targets to be treated
    • A61L2202/24Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to sterilized medical devices and packaging for sterilized medical devices.
  • the present invention relates to the packaging of sterilized environmentally sensitive medical devices, such as drug-coated stents.
  • the packaging which may be in the form of a pouch, bag, tube, box, or other sealed container, will maintain the sterility of the product until it is withdrawn from the packaging for use.
  • a particularly successful system and method for sterile packaging of medical devices relies on use of high- density polyethylene (HDPE) pouches which are used to contain the medical device or other product. The device may be placed in the package prior to sterilization.
  • HDPE high- density polyethylene
  • Sterilization is then effected by placing the package in an environment including a sterilant gas, such as ethylene oxide (EtO), ethylene oxide with nitrogen, various blends of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide with chlorofluorocarbon diluent(s), Oxyfume 2000 series of sterilant, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, or others.
  • a sterilant gas such as ethylene oxide (EtO), ethylene oxide with nitrogen, various blends of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide with chlorofluorocarbon diluent(s), Oxyfume 2000 series of sterilant, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, or others.
  • the spun HDPE material such as Tyvek ® which is available from Medical Packaging Division of E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company (DuPont), permits passage of the small molecule sterilant gas while remaining a barrier to bacteria, viruses, and other larger substances which might compromise sterility.
  • the present invention is directed to packages of articles such as medical devices, methods of packaging such articles and is particularly directed to packaging articles which are labile when exposed to ambient oxygen concentrations or oxygen containing materials over prolonged periods of time.
  • the present invention provides convenient, effective, and economical approaches for such packaging.
  • the method of packaging, the packages and the packaging systems are particularly suitable for drug-device combinations, such as drug-eluting stents and other drug-coated medical articles.
  • the packaging, the system and method may be utilized for sterilizing articles such as medical devices which are reactive to an ambient environment.
  • the sterilized packaging embodying features of the invention generally includes a container which has a wall defining at least part of an interior configured to receive one or more articles or products for sterilization.
  • the container has a portion, such as part of a wall forming the container, which is permeable to sterilizing gas, e.g. EtO, ethylene oxide with nitrogen, various blends of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide with chlorofluorocarbon diluent(s), Oxyfume 2000 series of sterilant (from Honeywell Chemicals, Morristown, NJ), ozone, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, or others.
  • the permeable portion allows the article or articles to be placed in the interior, the container sealed, a vacuum applied to the container interior and an environment of sterilizing gas in contact with the permeable portion of the container under conditions which drives the sterilizing gas through the gas permeable portion into the inner chamber to sterilize the one or more products disposed within the chamber.
  • the container interior is evacuated to about 15 psia to about 0.1 psia preferably 7 psia to about 0.5 psia for the purpose of aspirating the sterilizing gas through the permeable portion of the container.
  • the container interior can be partially or totally evacuated of oxygen and replaced totally or partially with a non-reactive gas such as nitrogen.
  • a steam injection slightly increasing the vacuum to about 0.1 psia to about 5 psia higher than the container interior, preferably to about 1 psia to about 3 psia higher than the container interior.
  • Sterilizing gas maintained about the exterior of the permeable portion of the container is drawn into the container interior through the permeable portion thereof.
  • the pressure of the sterilizing gas within the container interior for effective sterilization is about 20 psia to about 2 psia, preferably about 15 psia to about 5 psia.
  • the dwell time of the sterilizing gas within the container interior at that pressure is about 1 to about 24 hours preferably about 6 to about 18 hours.
  • the sterilizing gas is removed from the container interior, either by exposing the interior to a vacuum, by flushing or purging the container interior with air or a non reactive gas such as nitrogen, or some combination thereof or both.
  • the sterilized package is left at room temperature for several days to ensure that the interior is essentially free of sterilizing gas, i.e. less than about 150 ppm, preferably about 10 to about 50 ppm, and typically about 25 ppm.
  • the permeable portion of the container is sealed to prevent permeation of undesirable gas into the container interior while the one or more articles remain within the interior.
  • the sealing of the container may comprise, for example, sealing the permeable portion of the container with a impermeable patch or partitioning the container to isolate or seal off the portion of the container interior which contains the article(s) from the portion of the container interior in fluid communication with the gas permeable portion of the container.
  • the gas permeable portion of the container may be separated, e.g. severed, from the non-gas permeable portion.
  • the gas permeable portion of the container will typically be composed of a material which is permeable to the sterilizing gas and impermeable to liquids.
  • Suitable gas permeable materials include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), typically a spun HDPE or other spun olefin.
  • HDPE high-density polyethylene
  • Commercially available materials such as Tyvek ® (2FS, 1059B, 1073B or others) are specifically designed for packaging medical devices.
  • the available materials are coated partially or totally with an adhesive for the purpose of sealing the material to itself or to adjacent materials.
  • the permeability required for the sterilizing gas to permeate into the interior of the container and contact the one or more articles therein, can vary depending upon the pressure differential, the temperature and the time available for permeation of the sterilizing gas into the interior.
  • the container has both a gas permeable portion, as described above, and a gas impermeable portion, typically formed from a metal or polymer film or a metal-polymer composite which is impermeable to gases.
  • impermeable to gases it is meant that the permeation of oxygen is below about 30 cm 3 /100in 2 /day-atm, preferably below about 2 cm 3 /100in 2 /day- atm.
  • suitable material for the gas impermeable portion include metal foils such as aluminum; polymer films such as polyethylene, polyester, polyester (PET)/modified low density polyethylene (LDPE) laminated film; or any combination thereof (e.g., metalized PET).
  • the impermeable portions of the container may be incorporated with suitable oxygen scavenger materials or have adjacent thereto a partial or complete film of suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers, such as ethylene-cyclohexenyl methyl acrylate copolymer (ECHA) and ethylene- methylacrylate-cyclohexeneylmethyl acrylate terpolymer (EMCM) described in Ching et al. (2001), referenced above.
  • suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers such as ethylene-cyclohexenyl methyl acrylate copolymer (ECHA) and ethylene- methylacrylate-cyclohexeneylmethyl acrylate terpolymer (EMCM) described in Ching et al. (2001), referenced above.
  • oxygen scavengers include ethylenically unsaturated polymer, ferrous oxide (partially oxygenated iron), titanium oxide, activated carbon with sodium ascorbate, diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA), carbohydrazide, combination of above, or other chemicals which are readily reactive or combine with oxygen gas.
  • suitable oxygen scavenger materials are incorporated or lie adjacent to the impermeable portion, oxygen within the interior of the container can be removed to very low levels. Suitable oxygen levels in the container interior in most instances will be below 5% oxygen, preferably below 1%, more preferably below 0.1%.
  • the permeable portion or portions of the container may be incorporated with suitable oxygen scavenger materials or may be positioned adjacent to a partial or complete film of suitable oxygen scavengers. Not only oxygen is removed from the package, oxygen gas trying to permeate through the permeable portion will be limited from entering the package.
  • Oxygen scavengers can be placed inside the package, such as inside a permeable packet that is placed within the interior of the container or within the interior of an enclosure surrounding the container. Oxygen scavengers can be embedded in a protective sheath over or adjacent to the article within the inner chamber.
  • the sheath can be a polymer incorporated with suitable oxygen scavenger, or it can be formed of a polymer fully or partially coated with a suitable oxygen scavenger, or it can be made from suitable oxygen scavenger.
  • Another approach for sealing the gas permeable enclosure is to place a patch, cover, or other gas impermeable barrier over that portion of the enclosure which is initially gas permeable.
  • a window or other area of the enclosure typically a portion of a pouch, may be formed from gas permeable Tyvek or other material, while the remaining portion of the pouch or other enclosure is formed from a gas impermeable foil, polymer, or other material.
  • a patch sized to cover the gas permeable window may be provided to be sealed over the window after the initial sterilization has been completed.
  • Another approach for sealing the gas permeable enclosure is to place the enclosure inside of a separate gas impermeable enclosure after the initial sterilization has been performed.
  • Preferred gas impermeable materials will also be non-transmissive for light, UV radiation, heat, and the like.
  • the gas impermeable materials will also be impermeable to moisture.
  • desiccant materials in or over a portion of the impermeable enclosure in order to sequester any moisture which may remain within the pouch after final sealing.
  • the desiccant may be coated over or laminated within the polymer or metal film which comprises the gas impermeable enclosure.
  • a small inserter canister of the desiccant material may be provided within the enclosure, similar to the desiccant placed in conventional pharmaceutical packaging.
  • Figure 1 schematically illustrates a container embodying features of the present invention which includes both gas permeable and gas impermeable portions.
  • Figure 2 schematically illustrates an alternate design of a container embodying features of the present invention which includes a gas impermeable portions, a gas permeable portion or window and a separate impermeable patch or cover for sealing the window.
  • Figure 3 schematically illustrates an alternate design of a container having features of the present invention which includes gas permeable portions and a gas impermeable outer pouch or enclosure to seal the container.
  • Figures 4A-4E schematically illustrate use of the container shown in Fig. 1 for packaging and sterilizing an article in a manner embodying features of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the container constructed with an impermeable portion having a film adjacent thereto, the film comprising oxygen absorber or scavenger (in pure, composite, or matrix form).
  • Figures 6A-6C schematically illustrate use of one embodiment of a container constructed with a permeable portion incorporated with or has a film adjacent to made from oxygen scavenger material.
  • Figure 7 schematically illustrates use of one embodiment of a container with an oxygen scavenger packet or material.
  • Figure 8 schematically illustrates use of one embodiment of a container with a sheath made from oxygen scavenger material.
  • Figure 9 schematically illustrates use of one embodiment of a container within another enclosure that also contains oxygen scavenger material.
  • a container 10 embodying features of the invention has a portion 12 which is not permeable to gas and a portion 14 which is permeable to gas, particularly to sterilizing gas such as EtO, ethylene oxide with nitrogen, various blends of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide with chlorofluorocarbon diluent(s), Oxyfume 2000 series of sterilant, ozone, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, chlorine dioxide, or others.
  • the container 10 typically has an open end 16 disposed at one end of the impermeable portion, while the permeable portion 14 is formed about another end of the portion 12.
  • the container 10 is utilized by placing the article to be sterilized into the container interior 18 through the open end 16, sealing the open end 16, so that the article is fully contained within the gas permeable but otherwise impermeable structure of the container prior to sterilization.
  • FIG. 2 An alternative container 20 is depicted in Figure 2 which has an impermeable portion 22 having a opening 24 covered by a gas permeable layer or wall 25.
  • the article to be sterilized and packaged may be placed through open-end 26 of the container 20 into the container interior 27 prior to the sealing of the open end.
  • the open end 26 sealed and then sterilization performed by evacuating the interior 27 while maintaining a sterilizing gas at the gas permeable layer 25.
  • a impermeable sealing patch 28 is placed over the opening 24 as indicated by the dotted lines in order to seal the gas permeable layer 25 against subsequent gas permeation.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a third exemplary system 30 for sterilizing and packaging articles according to the present invention.
  • the system 30 includes an inner container 32, at least a portion of which is formed from a gas permeable material, and an outer enclosure or pouch 34 which is at least substantially formed from a gas impermeable material.
  • the one or more articles to be packaged and sterilized are placed within the interior of container 32 through the open end 33, the open end 33 sealed, and the sealed container sterilized using a sterilizing gas which passes through the permeable portion of the container. Residual sterilizing gas within the pouch may be removed as previously described.
  • the container 32 may be placed into the open end 36 of the outer enclosure 34, and the open end 36 sealed in order to prevent subsequent gas permeation into the interior of the outer enclosure 34 and ultimately into the interior of the container 32.
  • FIGs 4A-4E illustrate the use of the container 10 for packaging and sterilizing a catheter 40 which carries a drug eluting stent 42 (or any other environmentally sensitive medical or non-medical article).
  • the catheter 40 is first placed through the open end 16 of the container 10 so that it is positioned within the interior 18 thereof.
  • the container 10 is open at this point so that the gas impermeable portion 12 generally surrounds the catheter 40 and the gas permeable portion 14 is disposed to one side of the catheter, as shown in Figure 4A.
  • Open end 16 is sealed, typically by heat sealing, adhesive sealing, lamination, or the like, along a sealing line 44, as shown in Figure 4B, and the EtO is introduced through the gas permeable portion 14, typically by placing the sealed container 10 within a conventional gas sterilizer.
  • Other conditions of sterilization will be chosen to be compatible with the nature of the device and/or drug or other potentially labile component on the device.
  • the EtO will be removed from the interior of container, typically by vacuum and/or by purging with air, nitrogen, or other inactive gas.
  • a desiccant may be placed within the interior of the container and/or a portion of the container, typically the impermeable portion, may contain or be formed of a laminated or otherwise coupled oxygen absorbers or scavenger and/or moisture desiccants.
  • the container may be flattened so that the catheter 40 remains in the impermeable portion 12, which is isolated from the permeable portion 14 along a partition line 46.
  • the partition line 46 may then be flattened and sealed, as shown in Figure 4D, by conventional methods including heat sealing, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, and the like.
  • the permeable portion 14 is then severed from the impermeable portion 12, as shown in Figure 4E.
  • the impermeable portion 12 is then ready for transportation and storage prior to use.
  • the impermeable portion 12 itself may be placed in further packaging, such as boxes, trays, or the like.
  • the impermeable portion 12 of the container 10 can be made from a material with oxygen absorbers or scavengers incorporated therein as well as being coated, including lamination or layer 48 partially or completely with suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers.
  • the presence of the oxygen absorbers or scavengers can remove oxygen gas as it permeates into the container interior 18 containing the sterilized articles (not shown) during processing and during storage.
  • the permeable portion 14 of container 10 can be made from a material incorporated with oxygen absorbers or scavengers 50 as well as being coated partially or fully on the interior or exterior surface with a layer (or matrix of oxygen absorbers, scavenger, and/or permeable polymers) 50 or 52 of suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers.
  • the presence of the oxygen absorbers or scavengers can remove oxygen gas within the interior 18 as the gas permeates into the interior during sterilization and during storage. Even if the permeable portion of the enclosure is not eliminated from the path between outside and the drug device, oxygen can be limited from entering the interior 18.
  • the container 10 contains oxygen absorbers or scavengers within the interior 18 that may be packaged in its own packet 54 made from oxygen permeable material such as silicone rubber, polystyrene or any polymer that has an oxygen permeability coefficient greater than about 30 cm 3 /100in 2 /day-atm, matrix into a oxygen permeable polymer, or in its original form with or without a oxygen permeable coating.
  • oxygen absorbers or scavengers inside the packet 54 absorbs any oxygen gas that may enter the interior 18 during sterilization and storage.
  • the container 10 contains a protective sheath 56 made from suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers that is adjacent to the drug coated device 58.
  • the sheath 56 can be made directly from suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers such as ferrous oxide or ethylene-cyclohexenylmethyl acrylate copolymer, or an oxygen permeable polymer matrix with the oxygen absorber or scavenger.
  • suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers such as ferrous oxide or ethylene-cyclohexenylmethyl acrylate copolymer, or an oxygen permeable polymer matrix with the oxygen absorber or scavenger.
  • the protective sheath oxygen absorbers or scavengers inside the enclosure and adjacent to the drug device will locally absorb any oxygen gas that may enter the inner chamber of the container 10 during sterilization and storage and minimize oxygen gas in the vicinity of the drug device.
  • Figure 9 illustrates container 10 that is similar to the container shown in Fig. 5 and 6 or has oxygen absorbers or scavengers similar to that shown in Figure 7.
  • the container 10 is disposed within the interior of an outer enclosure 34.
  • Oxygen absorbers or scavengers are provided in the outer enclosure such as in a packet 60 as shown to reduce the oxygen level within the enclosure 34 to prevent penetration into the interior 18 of the container 10.
  • such scavengers can reduce the oxygen level within the interior 18 through the permeable portion of the container since oxygen is freely transported through the permeable portion of the container and that the scavengers attract the oxygen gas.
  • desiccants may be placed inside the interior of the outer and/or containers to reduce, maintain and/or control the moisture content of the container.
  • the present invention relies upon gas sterilization where the articles to be sterilized are first placed and sealed within a container. At least a portion of the container is gas permeable so that one or more articles within the interior of the container may be sterilized by placing the container in an environment of the sterilizing gas, typically an environment of essentially all ethylene oxide. Once the one or more articles are placed in the interior of the container, the interior may be evacuated to remove ambient gases which may be present. Sterilizing gas is introduced into the container interior through the permeable portion of the container and maintained within the container interior at sufficient levels to sterilize the articles therein.
  • an environment of the sterilizing gas typically an environment of essentially all ethylene oxide.
  • the interior is preferably evacuated to remove the sterilizing gas, and the container is modified, partitioned, replaced into a secondary enclosure, or otherwise placed in a condition so that further gas exchange between the exterior and interior of the container is inhibited or prevented.
  • the method and system of the present invention provide for convenient and effective sterilization of articles using a conventional gas sterilant, and prevent the degradation of the sterilized articles or portions thereof by subsequent exposure to oxygen, water, or other ambient gases.
  • EtO sterilization and packaging usually employs five major steps, including: pre-sterilization conditioning, sterilization, evacuation, air wash, and aeration.
  • the conditioning step includes placing the one or more articles to be sterilized into the interior of the container, sealing the container and evacuating the gas from the container interior.
  • the sterilization step includes introducing the sterilant into the interior of the container by passing a sterilizing gas through the permeable portion of the container, establishing the appropriate operating parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and relative humidity, within the inner chamber and keeping these conditions in the chamber for a pre-determined period of time for effective sterilization of the articles.
  • the container may be placed in a sterilization vessel with the atmosphere surrounding the container within the vessel being adjusted to control the procedure.
  • the evacuation step after sterilization includes the removal of EtO from the container interior by one or more vacuum washes and/or one or more purges with air or nitrogen, or combinations thereof.
  • the container package then undergoes aeration which can be performed in either the sterilization vessel or in a separate aeration chamber.
  • the EtO sterilization process embodying features of the present invention is performed at process parameters which are particularly useful and effective in the sterilization of an article which is at least in part formed of a reactive or labile material, such as a therapeutic agent coated on the device, while minimizing adverse effects on the integrity of the reactive or labile material during and post sterilization process.
  • a reactive or labile material such as a therapeutic agent coated on the device
  • the packaged device sterilized according to the present invention enables enhanced product shelf-life and greater confidence in the integrity and suitability of the sterilized aged device.
  • the sterilization step is preferably carried out at a temperature below 30°C. with a dwell time of about 6 to 18 hours or greater. While ethylene oxide is reactive in both liquid and gaseous phase, it is preferred to employ EtO in gaseous phase to increase penetration of the gas into the device/package and its reactivity. Either or both, higher temperature and lower pressure as well as relative humidity can increase gas penetration and/or reactivity.
  • the boiling point for ethylene oxide at atmospheric pressure is about
  • the temperature of the container interior can be any temperature at which to perform the sterilization step at atmospheric pressure.
  • the temperature of the container interior can be any temperature at which to perform the sterilization step at atmospheric pressure.
  • the sterilization step can effectively be performed at a temperature of 0°C by reducing the pressure within the container interior to about 4 psi (pounds per square inch).
  • Example 1 A drug eluting stent mounted onto the balloon of a stent delivery catheter (a drug eluting stent system) is packaged in a foil pouch that has a permeable portion or patch formed of Tyvek®.
  • the pouch is subjected to a vacuum within the inner chamber with a surrounding atmosphere of EtO gas at temperatures of 60°C to sterilize the drug eluting stent and delivery catheter. After sterilization, the pouch is resealed with the stent and delivery system within the post seal area and the Tyvek patch outside the post-seal area.
  • Example 2 A drug eluting stent mounted onto the balloon of a stent delivery catheter is packaged in a Tyvek pouch along with ferrous oxide as an oxygen absorber and desiccant. The pouch is closed, subjected to ethylene oxide gas which permeates the pouch. After sterilization, the Tyvek pouch is evacuated and purged with nitrogen and air to remove essentially all EtO and then placed inside a gas impermeable foil pouch. The foil pouch is evacuated by vacuum to remove the remaining air and nitrogen gas, and then finally sealed.
  • Example 3 A drug eluting stent crimped onto a PTCA catheter or a drug eluting stent system is packaged on Tyvek pouch along with ferrous oxide oxygen absorbers and desiccant.
  • the pouch is sterilized by ethylene oxide gas with sterilization temperatures of about 55°C.
  • the sterilized Tyvek pouch with the stent system sealed inside is inserted inside a foil pouch.
  • the foil pouch is sealed using a vacuum sealer that first purge the bag with nitrogen gas which replaces the air inside the foil pouch and that finally seal the foil pouch.
  • Example 4 A drug eluting stent mounted onto the balloon of a stent delivery catheter is packaged in an essentially gas impermeable foil container that has a Tyvek patch which allows for gas permeability through the gas permeable patch. The pouch is exposed to ethylene oxide gas using the following cycle:
  • Example 5 A drug eluting stent mounted onto the balloon of a stent delivery catheter is packaged on foil pouch that has a Tyvek patch (i.e., breathable). The pouch is exposed to ethylene oxide gas using the following cycle:
  • Example 6 A drug eluting stent is crimped onto the balloon of a stent delivery catheter.
  • a protective sheath made from ethylene-cyclohexenylmethyl acrylate copolymer (an oxygen absorber) is inserted over the drug eluting device.
  • the drug eluting stent and delivery catheter is packaged in a Tyvek pouch, the pouch is sealed and then sterilized by ethylene oxide gas at normal sterilization parameters.
  • the protective sheath formed of oxygen absorbing polymer material minimizes the oxidative degradation of the drug eluting stent by limiting exposure to oxygen gas.
  • the invention has been described herein primarily in terms of packaging medical devices, and in particular to drug eluting stents, it is also suitable for sterilization and packaging of other articles, including foods, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic and assay systems, sensitive electrical components, chemical system components, and the like, where the ability to sterilize articles after initial packaging has been completed is desirable.
  • the methods and systems of the present invention are simple to perform, require minimum changes from existing packaging practices, and provide a package to the end user which is as convenient and easy to use as prior packaging systems.

Abstract

The invention is directed to the treating, e.g. sterilizing and packaging of medical devices and other articles, particularly such devices and articles which are reactive to oxygen or moisture containing atmospheres. The sterilized package has a container which includes at least one portion (14, 25) which is gas permeable and at least one portion (12, 22) which is gas impermeable and an interior in fluid communication with the gas permeable portion. The container may be sealed by applying an impermeable patch (28) to the permeable portion thereof or by disposing the container in an enclosure (34) formed of impermeable material and sealing the enclosure. After exposing the container to a sterilizing gas, the gas permeable portion may be removed or sealed off from the gas impermeable portion of the container in order to provide a package which is gas impermeable and can protect one or more articles within the interior of the container against environmental gases and moisture.

Description

PACKAGE OF SENSITIVE ARTICLES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to sterilized medical devices and packaging for sterilized medical devices. In particular, the present invention relates to the packaging of sterilized environmentally sensitive medical devices, such as drug-coated stents.
[0002] Most, if not all, disposable medical devices require sterilization prior to or concurrent with packaging. The packaging, which may be in the form of a pouch, bag, tube, box, or other sealed container, will maintain the sterility of the product until it is withdrawn from the packaging for use. A particularly successful system and method for sterile packaging of medical devices relies on use of high- density polyethylene (HDPE) pouches which are used to contain the medical device or other product. The device may be placed in the package prior to sterilization. Sterilization is then effected by placing the package in an environment including a sterilant gas, such as ethylene oxide (EtO), ethylene oxide with nitrogen, various blends of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide with chlorofluorocarbon diluent(s), Oxyfume 2000 series of sterilant, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, or others. The spun HDPE material, such as Tyvek® which is available from Medical Packaging Division of E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company (DuPont), permits passage of the small molecule sterilant gas while remaining a barrier to bacteria, viruses, and other larger substances which might compromise sterility. It also acts as a barrier to water and other fluids which might detrimentally affect the sterilized contents. [0003] While this packaging system has been highly successful for conventional medical devices, such as catheters, stents, surgical instruments, probes, and the like, it is frequently not suitable for "hybrid" devices which contain coatings or components which are subject to oxygen degradation. For example, the use of drug-eluting stents is promising to revolutionize interventional cardiology. The stents are coated with drug at a central fabrication facility and must be distributed to the end user in sterile packaging. While at least some drugs presently contemplated for use will remain stable during ethylene oxide sterilization, exposure to oxygen during lengthy distribution and storage periods can adversely affect the drug.
[0004] For these reasons, it would be desirable to provide improved methods and systems for sterilizing and packaging medical devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention is directed to packages of articles such as medical devices, methods of packaging such articles and is particularly directed to packaging articles which are labile when exposed to ambient oxygen concentrations or oxygen containing materials over prolonged periods of time. The present invention provides convenient, effective, and economical approaches for such packaging. The method of packaging, the packages and the packaging systems are particularly suitable for drug-device combinations, such as drug-eluting stents and other drug-coated medical articles. The packaging, the system and method may be utilized for sterilizing articles such as medical devices which are reactive to an ambient environment. [0006] The sterilized packaging embodying features of the invention generally includes a container which has a wall defining at least part of an interior configured to receive one or more articles or products for sterilization. The container has a portion, such as part of a wall forming the container, which is permeable to sterilizing gas, e.g. EtO, ethylene oxide with nitrogen, various blends of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide with chlorofluorocarbon diluent(s), Oxyfume 2000 series of sterilant (from Honeywell Chemicals, Morristown, NJ), ozone, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, or others. The permeable portion allows the article or articles to be placed in the interior, the container sealed, a vacuum applied to the container interior and an environment of sterilizing gas in contact with the permeable portion of the container under conditions which drives the sterilizing gas through the gas permeable portion into the inner chamber to sterilize the one or more products disposed within the chamber.
[0007] The container interior is evacuated to about 15 psia to about 0.1 psia preferably 7 psia to about 0.5 psia for the purpose of aspirating the sterilizing gas through the permeable portion of the container. During this time, the container interior can be partially or totally evacuated of oxygen and replaced totally or partially with a non-reactive gas such as nitrogen. This is followed by a steam injection slightly increasing the vacuum to about 0.1 psia to about 5 psia higher than the container interior, preferably to about 1 psia to about 3 psia higher than the container interior. Sterilizing gas maintained about the exterior of the permeable portion of the container is drawn into the container interior through the permeable portion thereof. The pressure of the sterilizing gas within the container interior for effective sterilization is about 20 psia to about 2 psia, preferably about 15 psia to about 5 psia. The dwell time of the sterilizing gas within the container interior at that pressure is about 1 to about 24 hours preferably about 6 to about 18 hours.
[0008] After the sterilization, essentially all of the sterilizing gas is removed from the container interior, either by exposing the interior to a vacuum, by flushing or purging the container interior with air or a non reactive gas such as nitrogen, or some combination thereof or both. Usually, after the sterilizing gas is removed from the container interior, the sterilized package is left at room temperature for several days to ensure that the interior is essentially free of sterilizing gas, i.e. less than about 150 ppm, preferably about 10 to about 50 ppm, and typically about 25 ppm.
[0009] At this point, at least the permeable portion of the container is sealed to prevent permeation of undesirable gas into the container interior while the one or more articles remain within the interior. The sealing of the container may comprise, for example, sealing the permeable portion of the container with a impermeable patch or partitioning the container to isolate or seal off the portion of the container interior which contains the article(s) from the portion of the container interior in fluid communication with the gas permeable portion of the container. Optionally, the gas permeable portion of the container may be separated, e.g. severed, from the non-gas permeable portion. Another approach is to place the sterilized container inside a impermeable enclosure in order to prevent subsequent gas permeation into the container interior containing the sterilized article(s) through the permeable portion of the container. In the latter instance, any atmosphere within the impermeable enclosure would have to be non-detrimental to the articles disposed in the interior of the container within the enclosure. It would of course also be possible to combine two or more of these approaches, although that will usually not be necessary.
[0010] The gas permeable portion of the container will typically be composed of a material which is permeable to the sterilizing gas and impermeable to liquids. Suitable gas permeable materials include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), typically a spun HDPE or other spun olefin. Commercially available materials such as Tyvek® (2FS, 1059B, 1073B or others) are specifically designed for packaging medical devices. Typically, the available materials are coated partially or totally with an adhesive for the purpose of sealing the material to itself or to adjacent materials.
[0011] The permeability required for the sterilizing gas to permeate into the interior of the container and contact the one or more articles therein, can vary depending upon the pressure differential, the temperature and the time available for permeation of the sterilizing gas into the interior.
[0012] In one embodiment, the container has both a gas permeable portion, as described above, and a gas impermeable portion, typically formed from a metal or polymer film or a metal-polymer composite which is impermeable to gases. By " impermeable to gases," it is meant that the permeation of oxygen is below about 30 cm3/100in2/day-atm, preferably below about 2 cm3/100in2/day- atm. Exemplary suitable material for the gas impermeable portion include metal foils such as aluminum; polymer films such as polyethylene, polyester, polyester (PET)/modified low density polyethylene (LDPE) laminated film; or any combination thereof (e.g., metalized PET). [0013] In one embodiment, the impermeable portions of the container may be incorporated with suitable oxygen scavenger materials or have adjacent thereto a partial or complete film of suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers, such as ethylene-cyclohexenyl methyl acrylate copolymer (ECHA) and ethylene- methylacrylate-cyclohexeneylmethyl acrylate terpolymer (EMCM) described in Ching et al. (2001), referenced above. Other oxygen scavengers include ethylenically unsaturated polymer, ferrous oxide (partially oxygenated iron), titanium oxide, activated carbon with sodium ascorbate, diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA), carbohydrazide, combination of above, or other chemicals which are readily reactive or combine with oxygen gas. When suitable oxygen scavenger materials are incorporated or lie adjacent to the impermeable portion, oxygen within the interior of the container can be removed to very low levels. Suitable oxygen levels in the container interior in most instances will be below 5% oxygen, preferably below 1%, more preferably below 0.1%.
[0014] The permeable portion or portions of the container may be incorporated with suitable oxygen scavenger materials or may be positioned adjacent to a partial or complete film of suitable oxygen scavengers. Not only oxygen is removed from the package, oxygen gas trying to permeate through the permeable portion will be limited from entering the package.
[0015] Oxygen scavengers can be placed inside the package, such as inside a permeable packet that is placed within the interior of the container or within the interior of an enclosure surrounding the container. Oxygen scavengers can be embedded in a protective sheath over or adjacent to the article within the inner chamber. The sheath can be a polymer incorporated with suitable oxygen scavenger, or it can be formed of a polymer fully or partially coated with a suitable oxygen scavenger, or it can be made from suitable oxygen scavenger.
[0016] Another approach for sealing the gas permeable enclosure is to place a patch, cover, or other gas impermeable barrier over that portion of the enclosure which is initially gas permeable. For example, a window or other area of the enclosure, typically a portion of a pouch, may be formed from gas permeable Tyvek or other material, while the remaining portion of the pouch or other enclosure is formed from a gas impermeable foil, polymer, or other material. A patch sized to cover the gas permeable window may be provided to be sealed over the window after the initial sterilization has been completed.
[0017] Another approach for sealing the gas permeable enclosure is to place the enclosure inside of a separate gas impermeable enclosure after the initial sterilization has been performed.
[0018] Preferred gas impermeable materials will also be non-transmissive for light, UV radiation, heat, and the like. The gas impermeable materials will also be impermeable to moisture.
[0019] In some cases, it will be further desirable to provide desiccant materials in or over a portion of the impermeable enclosure in order to sequester any moisture which may remain within the pouch after final sealing. The desiccant may be coated over or laminated within the polymer or metal film which comprises the gas impermeable enclosure. Alternatively, a small inserter canister of the desiccant material may be provided within the enclosure, similar to the desiccant placed in conventional pharmaceutical packaging. [0020] These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a container embodying features of the present invention which includes both gas permeable and gas impermeable portions.
[0022] Figure 2 schematically illustrates an alternate design of a container embodying features of the present invention which includes a gas impermeable portions, a gas permeable portion or window and a separate impermeable patch or cover for sealing the window.
[0023] Figure 3 schematically illustrates an alternate design of a container having features of the present invention which includes gas permeable portions and a gas impermeable outer pouch or enclosure to seal the container.
[0024] Figures 4A-4E schematically illustrate use of the container shown in Fig. 1 for packaging and sterilizing an article in a manner embodying features of the present invention.
[0025] Figure 5 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the container constructed with an impermeable portion having a film adjacent thereto, the film comprising oxygen absorber or scavenger (in pure, composite, or matrix form).
[0026] Figures 6A-6C schematically illustrate use of one embodiment of a container constructed with a permeable portion incorporated with or has a film adjacent to made from oxygen scavenger material. [0027] Figure 7 schematically illustrates use of one embodiment of a container with an oxygen scavenger packet or material.
[0028] Figure 8 schematically illustrates use of one embodiment of a container with a sheath made from oxygen scavenger material.
[0029] Figure 9 schematically illustrates use of one embodiment of a container within another enclosure that also contains oxygen scavenger material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0030] Referring now to Figure 1 , a container 10 embodying features of the invention has a portion 12 which is not permeable to gas and a portion 14 which is permeable to gas, particularly to sterilizing gas such as EtO, ethylene oxide with nitrogen, various blends of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide with chlorofluorocarbon diluent(s), Oxyfume 2000 series of sterilant, ozone, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, chlorine dioxide, or others. The container 10 typically has an open end 16 disposed at one end of the impermeable portion, while the permeable portion 14 is formed about another end of the portion 12. As will be described further with reference to Figures 4A-4E below, the container 10 is utilized by placing the article to be sterilized into the container interior 18 through the open end 16, sealing the open end 16, so that the article is fully contained within the gas permeable but otherwise impermeable structure of the container prior to sterilization.
[0031] An alternative container 20 is depicted in Figure 2 which has an impermeable portion 22 having a opening 24 covered by a gas permeable layer or wall 25. The article to be sterilized and packaged may be placed through open-end 26 of the container 20 into the container interior 27 prior to the sealing of the open end. The open end 26 sealed and then sterilization performed by evacuating the interior 27 while maintaining a sterilizing gas at the gas permeable layer 25. After sterilization, a impermeable sealing patch 28 is placed over the opening 24 as indicated by the dotted lines in order to seal the gas permeable layer 25 against subsequent gas permeation.
[0032] Figure 3, illustrates a third exemplary system 30 for sterilizing and packaging articles according to the present invention. The system 30 includes an inner container 32, at least a portion of which is formed from a gas permeable material, and an outer enclosure or pouch 34 which is at least substantially formed from a gas impermeable material. The one or more articles to be packaged and sterilized are placed within the interior of container 32 through the open end 33, the open end 33 sealed, and the sealed container sterilized using a sterilizing gas which passes through the permeable portion of the container. Residual sterilizing gas within the pouch may be removed as previously described. After the sterilization is complete, the container 32 may be placed into the open end 36 of the outer enclosure 34, and the open end 36 sealed in order to prevent subsequent gas permeation into the interior of the outer enclosure 34 and ultimately into the interior of the container 32.
[0033] Figures 4A-4E illustrate the use of the container 10 for packaging and sterilizing a catheter 40 which carries a drug eluting stent 42 (or any other environmentally sensitive medical or non-medical article). The catheter 40 is first placed through the open end 16 of the container 10 so that it is positioned within the interior 18 thereof. The container 10 is open at this point so that the gas impermeable portion 12 generally surrounds the catheter 40 and the gas permeable portion 14 is disposed to one side of the catheter, as shown in Figure 4A.
[0034] Open end 16 is sealed, typically by heat sealing, adhesive sealing, lamination, or the like, along a sealing line 44, as shown in Figure 4B, and the EtO is introduced through the gas permeable portion 14, typically by placing the sealed container 10 within a conventional gas sterilizer. Other conditions of sterilization will be chosen to be compatible with the nature of the device and/or drug or other potentially labile component on the device. After the sterilization is complete, the EtO will be removed from the interior of container, typically by vacuum and/or by purging with air, nitrogen, or other inactive gas. Optionally, as discussed above, a desiccant may be placed within the interior of the container and/or a portion of the container, typically the impermeable portion, may contain or be formed of a laminated or otherwise coupled oxygen absorbers or scavenger and/or moisture desiccants.
[0035] As shown in Figure 4C, after the sterilizing gas has been removed from the interior 18 of the container 10, the container may be flattened so that the catheter 40 remains in the impermeable portion 12, which is isolated from the permeable portion 14 along a partition line 46. The partition line 46 may then be flattened and sealed, as shown in Figure 4D, by conventional methods including heat sealing, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, and the like. Preferably, the permeable portion 14 is then severed from the impermeable portion 12, as shown in Figure 4E. The impermeable portion 12 is then ready for transportation and storage prior to use. The impermeable portion 12 itself may be placed in further packaging, such as boxes, trays, or the like.
[0036] Referring to Figure 5, the impermeable portion 12 of the container 10 can be made from a material with oxygen absorbers or scavengers incorporated therein as well as being coated, including lamination or layer 48 partially or completely with suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers. The presence of the oxygen absorbers or scavengers can remove oxygen gas as it permeates into the container interior 18 containing the sterilized articles (not shown) during processing and during storage.
[0037] Referring to Figure 6A, 6B, and 6C, the permeable portion 14 of container 10 can be made from a material incorporated with oxygen absorbers or scavengers 50 as well as being coated partially or fully on the interior or exterior surface with a layer (or matrix of oxygen absorbers, scavenger, and/or permeable polymers) 50 or 52 of suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers. The presence of the oxygen absorbers or scavengers can remove oxygen gas within the interior 18 as the gas permeates into the interior during sterilization and during storage. Even if the permeable portion of the enclosure is not eliminated from the path between outside and the drug device, oxygen can be limited from entering the interior 18.
[0038] Referring to Figure 7, the container 10 contains oxygen absorbers or scavengers within the interior 18 that may be packaged in its own packet 54 made from oxygen permeable material such as silicone rubber, polystyrene or any polymer that has an oxygen permeability coefficient greater than about 30 cm3/100in2/day-atm, matrix into a oxygen permeable polymer, or in its original form with or without a oxygen permeable coating. The oxygen absorbers or scavengers inside the packet 54 absorbs any oxygen gas that may enter the interior 18 during sterilization and storage.
[0039] Referring to Figure 8, the container 10 contains a protective sheath 56 made from suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers that is adjacent to the drug coated device 58. The sheath 56 can be made directly from suitable oxygen absorbers or scavengers such as ferrous oxide or ethylene-cyclohexenylmethyl acrylate copolymer, or an oxygen permeable polymer matrix with the oxygen absorber or scavenger. The protective sheath oxygen absorbers or scavengers inside the enclosure and adjacent to the drug device will locally absorb any oxygen gas that may enter the inner chamber of the container 10 during sterilization and storage and minimize oxygen gas in the vicinity of the drug device.
[0040] Figure 9 illustrates container 10 that is similar to the container shown in Fig. 5 and 6 or has oxygen absorbers or scavengers similar to that shown in Figure 7. The container 10 is disposed within the interior of an outer enclosure 34. Oxygen absorbers or scavengers are provided in the outer enclosure such as in a packet 60 as shown to reduce the oxygen level within the enclosure 34 to prevent penetration into the interior 18 of the container 10. Moreover, such scavengers can reduce the oxygen level within the interior 18 through the permeable portion of the container since oxygen is freely transported through the permeable portion of the container and that the scavengers attract the oxygen gas. Optionally, desiccants may be placed inside the interior of the outer and/or containers to reduce, maintain and/or control the moisture content of the container.
[0041] The present invention relies upon gas sterilization where the articles to be sterilized are first placed and sealed within a container. At least a portion of the container is gas permeable so that one or more articles within the interior of the container may be sterilized by placing the container in an environment of the sterilizing gas, typically an environment of essentially all ethylene oxide. Once the one or more articles are placed in the interior of the container, the interior may be evacuated to remove ambient gases which may be present. Sterilizing gas is introduced into the container interior through the permeable portion of the container and maintained within the container interior at sufficient levels to sterilize the articles therein. After sterilization is complete, the interior is preferably evacuated to remove the sterilizing gas, and the container is modified, partitioned, replaced into a secondary enclosure, or otherwise placed in a condition so that further gas exchange between the exterior and interior of the container is inhibited or prevented. The method and system of the present invention provide for convenient and effective sterilization of articles using a conventional gas sterilant, and prevent the degradation of the sterilized articles or portions thereof by subsequent exposure to oxygen, water, or other ambient gases.
[0042] EtO sterilization and packaging according to the present invention usually employs five major steps, including: pre-sterilization conditioning, sterilization, evacuation, air wash, and aeration. The conditioning step includes placing the one or more articles to be sterilized into the interior of the container, sealing the container and evacuating the gas from the container interior. The sterilization step includes introducing the sterilant into the interior of the container by passing a sterilizing gas through the permeable portion of the container, establishing the appropriate operating parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and relative humidity, within the inner chamber and keeping these conditions in the chamber for a pre-determined period of time for effective sterilization of the articles. The container may be placed in a sterilization vessel with the atmosphere surrounding the container within the vessel being adjusted to control the procedure. The evacuation step after sterilization includes the removal of EtO from the container interior by one or more vacuum washes and/or one or more purges with air or nitrogen, or combinations thereof. In order to further remove residual EtO from the inner chamber, the container package then undergoes aeration which can be performed in either the sterilization vessel or in a separate aeration chamber.
[0043] The EtO sterilization process embodying features of the present invention is performed at process parameters which are particularly useful and effective in the sterilization of an article which is at least in part formed of a reactive or labile material, such as a therapeutic agent coated on the device, while minimizing adverse effects on the integrity of the reactive or labile material during and post sterilization process. The packaged device sterilized according to the present invention enables enhanced product shelf-life and greater confidence in the integrity and suitability of the sterilized aged device.
[0044] The sterilization step is preferably carried out at a temperature below 30°C. with a dwell time of about 6 to 18 hours or greater. While ethylene oxide is reactive in both liquid and gaseous phase, it is preferred to employ EtO in gaseous phase to increase penetration of the gas into the device/package and its reactivity. Either or both, higher temperature and lower pressure as well as relative humidity can increase gas penetration and/or reactivity.
[0045] The boiling point for ethylene oxide at atmospheric pressure is about
10°C (51 °F) where EtO is in gaseous state. Therefore, this temperature of 1°C is
the preferred lowest temperature at which to perform the sterilization step at atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, the temperature of the container interior can
further be reduced below 10°C by further reducing the pressure to below
atmospheric pressure. By way of example, the sterilization step can effectively be performed at a temperature of 0°C by reducing the pressure within the container interior to about 4 psi (pounds per square inch).
[0046] The following examples are offered by way of illustration, not by way of limitation. Example 1 [0047] A drug eluting stent mounted onto the balloon of a stent delivery catheter (a drug eluting stent system) is packaged in a foil pouch that has a permeable portion or patch formed of Tyvek®. The pouch is subjected to a vacuum within the inner chamber with a surrounding atmosphere of EtO gas at temperatures of 60°C to sterilize the drug eluting stent and delivery catheter. After sterilization, the pouch is resealed with the stent and delivery system within the post seal area and the Tyvek patch outside the post-seal area. The foil pouch minimizes the light exposure as well the oxygen and moisture exposure to the sterilized contents of the container. Example 2 [0048] A drug eluting stent mounted onto the balloon of a stent delivery catheter is packaged in a Tyvek pouch along with ferrous oxide as an oxygen absorber and desiccant. The pouch is closed, subjected to ethylene oxide gas which permeates the pouch. After sterilization, the Tyvek pouch is evacuated and purged with nitrogen and air to remove essentially all EtO and then placed inside a gas impermeable foil pouch. The foil pouch is evacuated by vacuum to remove the remaining air and nitrogen gas, and then finally sealed. The foil pouch minimizes the exposure of the sterilized product within the Tyvek pouch to light and to oxygen and moisture, thus providing a long shelf life. Example 3 [0049] A drug eluting stent crimped onto a PTCA catheter or a drug eluting stent system is packaged on Tyvek pouch along with ferrous oxide oxygen absorbers and desiccant. The pouch is sterilized by ethylene oxide gas with sterilization temperatures of about 55°C. After sterilization, the sterilized Tyvek pouch with the stent system sealed inside is inserted inside a foil pouch. The foil pouch is sealed using a vacuum sealer that first purge the bag with nitrogen gas which replaces the air inside the foil pouch and that finally seal the foil pouch. This minimizes the light exposure as well as limit oxygen and moisture exposure. Example 4 [0050] A drug eluting stent mounted onto the balloon of a stent delivery catheter is packaged in an essentially gas impermeable foil container that has a Tyvek patch which allows for gas permeability through the gas permeable patch. The pouch is exposed to ethylene oxide gas using the following cycle:
Figure imgf000020_0001
Example 5 [0051] A drug eluting stent mounted onto the balloon of a stent delivery catheter is packaged on foil pouch that has a Tyvek patch (i.e., breathable). The pouch is exposed to ethylene oxide gas using the following cycle:
Figure imgf000020_0002
Figure imgf000021_0001
Example 6 [0052] A drug eluting stent is crimped onto the balloon of a stent delivery catheter. A protective sheath made from ethylene-cyclohexenylmethyl acrylate copolymer (an oxygen absorber) is inserted over the drug eluting device. The drug eluting stent and delivery catheter is packaged in a Tyvek pouch, the pouch is sealed and then sterilized by ethylene oxide gas at normal sterilization parameters. The protective sheath formed of oxygen absorbing polymer material minimizes the oxidative degradation of the drug eluting stent by limiting exposure to oxygen gas.
[0053] While the invention has been described herein primarily in terms of packaging medical devices, and in particular to drug eluting stents, it is also suitable for sterilization and packaging of other articles, including foods, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic and assay systems, sensitive electrical components, chemical system components, and the like, where the ability to sterilize articles after initial packaging has been completed is desirable. The methods and systems of the present invention are simple to perform, require minimum changes from existing packaging practices, and provide a package to the end user which is as convenient and easy to use as prior packaging systems.
[0054] Many other alterations and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill in this art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the method and packaging may be utilized for packaging articles treated by gases other than sterilizing gases The illustrated embodiments have been shown only for purposes of clarity and the examples should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined in the following claims. The claims are intended to include all equivalents, whether now or later devised.
[0055] Moreover, individual features of embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, but those skilled in the art will recognize that individual features of one embodiment of the invention can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated or described. It is therefore intended that this invention to be defined by the scope of the appended claims as broadly as the prior art will permit.
[0056] Terms such a "element," "member," "component," "device," "section," "portion," "means," "steps" and words of similar import when used herein shall not be construed as invoking the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(6) unless the following claims expressly use the term "means" followed by a particular function without specific structure or expressly use the term "step" followed by a particular function without specific action. All patents and patent applications referred to above are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A method for packaging a sterile article, comprising: a. providing a container which has a wall defining at least in part an interior and which has at least one portion permeable to sterilizing gas; b. placing an article into the interior of the container, c. exposing at least one permeable portion of the container to an exterior environment which includes a sterilizing gas under conditions such that the sterilizing gas permeates through at least one permeable portion of the container into the interior of the container; and d. removing sterilizing gas from the interior of the container after the articles therein are sterilized.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one permeable region of the container is sealed after the sterilizing gas is removed from the interior to prevent gas permeation while the article remains in the interior.
3. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the sterilizing gas is at least in part ethylene oxide.
4. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the sterilizing gas is removed from the interior of the container by applying a vacuum to the interior.
5. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the sterilized gas is removed from the interior of the container by purging the interior of the container with a non-active gas.
6. A method as in claim 1 , wherein sealing comprises partitioning the container to isolate the article within an impermeable portion of the container interior.
7. A method as in claim 6, further comprising removing the gas permeable portion of the container.
8. A method as in claim 1 , wherein sealing comprises deploying the container into an impermeable enclosure.
9. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the container is sealed by applying a gas impermeable barrier over the gas permeable portion of the container.
10. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the article within the interior of the container is a medical device.
11. A method as in claim 10, wherein the medical device is formed at least in part of a labile material which is degradable in an atmosphere containing oxygen and/or water vapor.
12. A method as in claim 10, wherein the medical device is a stent coated with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent.
13. A method as in claim 12 wherein the interior of the container has less than about 150 ppm sterilizing gas or residuals.
14. A method as in claim 12 wherein the container interior has about 10 ppm to about 50 ppm sterilizing gas or residuals.
15. A method as in claim 1 wherein the sterilizing gas is selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, ethylene oxide and nitrogen, ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide with one or more chlorofluorocarbon diluents, Oxyfume 2000 series of sterilant, ozone, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, chlorine dioxide and mixtures thereof.
16. A sterile packaging system for one or more sterile articles, comprising: a. a container which has a wall, an interior defined at least in part by the container wall and configured to receive at least one article and at least one portion that is permeable to sterilizing gas and is in fluid communication with the interior, and b. a patch of impermeable material on the permeable portions to prevent permeation of gas into the interior through the permeable portions.
17. The sterile packaging system as in claim 16 wherein the container interior is essentially free of sterilizing gas.
18. The sterile packaging system as in claim 16 wherein the container interior has less than about 150 ppm sterilizing gas or residuals.
19. The sterile packaging system as in claim 16 wherein the sterilizing gas is selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, ethylene oxide and nitrogen, ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide with one or more chlorofluorocarbon diluents, Oxyfume 2000 series of sterilant, ozone, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, chlorine dioxide and mixtures thereof.
20. A system as in claim 16, wherein the at least one gas permeable portion is formed of material which is impermeable to liquid.
21. A system as in claim 16, wherein the at least one gas permeable portion is at least in part formed of a spun olefin.
22. A system as in claim 16, wherein the patch sealing the permeable portion is formed of a material which is moisture and gas impermeable and is non- transmissive for light and UV radiation.
23. A system as in claim 16, wherein the sealing patch is part of a gas impermeable enclosure which receives the container.
24. The system of claim 23 wherein the impermeable enclosure is sealed about the container to isolate the container from an atmosphere containing oxygen and moisture.
25. A system as in claim 23, wherein the enclosure is formed of a polymer film which is impermeable to oxygen and moisture.
26. A system as in claim 16, wherein the container has a first portion which is impermeable to gas and a second portion which is permeable to gas, and wherein the first portion impermeable to gas contains the one or more articles and the second portion permeable to gas is sealed from the first portion by a partition line which can be selectively adhered to isolate the portion of the interior of the container within the gas impermeable portion from the inner portion of the gas permeable portion.
27. A system as in claim 16, wherein the enclosure receiving the container is a pouch having a sealable open end and a receptacle portion formed from a non- gas permeable material and wherein the gas permeable portion lies between the receptacle portion and the open end and a partition line lies between the gas permeable portion and the receptacle portion.
28. The system of claim 16 wherein the container has oxygen absorbers or scavengers.
29. The system of claim 28 wherein oxygen absorbers or scavengers are provided in fluid communication with the interior of the container.
30. The system of claim 28 wherein the oxygen absorbers or scavengers are inside the permeable portion of the container.
31. The system of claim 28 wherein an oxygen absorber is incorporated into or coated on the permeable portion of the container.
32. The system of claim 28 wherein an oxygen absorber is incorporated into or coated on the impermeable portion of the container.
33. The system of claim 28 wherein the oxygen absorber is coated onto an interior surface of the container.
34. The system of claim 28 wherein the oxygen absorber is coated onto an exterior surface of the container.
35. The system of claim 28 wherein the oxygen absorber is selected from the group consisting of ethylene-cyclohexenyl methyl acrylate copolymer and ethylene-methylacrylate-cyclohexeneylmethyl acrylate terpolymer.
36. The system of claim 28 wherein the oxygen scavenger is selected from the group of materials consisting of ethylenically unsaturated polymers, ferrous oxide, titanium oxide, activated carbon with sodium ascorbate, diethylhydroxylamine, carbohydrazide, combinations of these materials.
37. The system of claim 28 wherein the oxygen absorbers or scavengers are packaged in a packet made from oxygen permeable material that has an oxygen permeability coefficient greater than 30 cm3/100in2/day-atm.
38. The system of claim 28 wherein the oxygen absorbers or scavengers are packaged in a packet made from oxygen permeable material that has an oxygen Permeability Coefficient greater than 100 cm3/100in2/day-atm.
39. The system of claim 28 wherein the oxygen absorbers or scavengers are packaged in a packet made from oxygen permeable material that has an oxygen permeability coefficient greater than about 300 cm3/100in2/day-atm.
40. The system of claim 28 wherein the oxygen absorbers or scavengers are incorporated into a protective sheath that is disposed proximate to the sterilized medical device.
41. A sterilized package, comprising: a. a sealed container which has an interior defined at least in part by a wall, which has at least a portion permeable to sterilizing gas and which has at least one sterilized article within the interior; and b. an atmosphere within the interior of the container which is substantially free of sterilizing gas.
42. The sterilized package of claim 41 wherein the container portion permeable to sterilizing gas is sealed to prevent penetration of non-sterilizing gas exterior to the container into the interior of the container.
43. The sterilized package of claim 41 wherein an oxygen scavenger is maintained in fluid communication with the interior of the container.
44. The sterilized package of claim 43 wherein the oxygen scavenger is in particulate form.
45. The sterilized package of claim 43 wherein the oxygen scavenger is incorporated within at least part of a wall defining the interior of the container.
46. The sterilized package of claim 41 wherein the container is sealed by disposing the container in a gas impermeable enclosure.
47. The sterilized package of claim 46 wherein the gas impermeable enclosure is formed at least in part of a polymer which is impermeable to vapor and moisture.
48. The sterilized package of claim 41 wherein the at least one article is a drug eluting stent.
49. The sterilized package of claim 48 wherein the stent is coated with a drug that is degraded by oxygen and/or water vapor.
50. The sterilized package of claim 48 wherein the stent is mounted on a balloon of a delivery catheter.
51. The sterilized package of claim 41 wherein the atmosphere within the container interior has less than about 150 ppm sterilizing gas or residuals.
52. A method of packaging and treating an article, comprising: a. providing a container which has an interior defined at least in part by a wall, which has a portion permeable to treating gas and which has a article to be treated disposed within the interior of the container; b. surrounding the permeable portion of the container with a treating gas under conditions which facilitate permeation of the treating gas through the permeable portion of the container into the container interior to treat the article disposed therein; and c. removing treating gas from the inner chamber after the article has been treated.
53. The method of claim 52 wherein treating gas is removed from the interior of the container by purging the interior with innocuous gas.
54. The method of claim 53 wherein the container interior is purged with innocuous gas until substantially free of treating gas.
55. The method of claim 53 wherein the container interior has less than about 150 ppm treating gas or residuals.
56. The method of claim 54 wherein the permeable portion is sealed after the container interior is purged with innocuous gas.
57. The method of claim 52 wherein the article is a medical device.
58. The method of claim 57 wherein the medical device is a delivery catheter with an inflatable balloon and a drug eluting stent mounted on the balloon.
59. The method of packaging and sterilizing a medical device as in claim 52 wherein the sterilizing gas is removed from the container interior until essentially free of sterilizing gas.
60. The method of packaging and sterilizing a medical device as in claim 52 wherein the sterilizing gas is removed from the container interior until the interior has less than about 150 ppm sterilizing gas or residuals.
61. A method of packaging and sterilizing a medical device as in claim 52 wherein the sterilizing gas is selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, ethylene oxide and nitrogen, ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide with one or more chlorofluorocarbon diluents, Oxyfume 2000 series of sterilant, ozone, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, chlorine dioxide and mixtures thereof.
62. A treated package, comprising: a. a sealed container which has an interior defined at least in part by a wall, which has at least a portion permeable to treating gas and which has at least one treated article within the interior; and b. an atmosphere within the interior of the container which is substantially free of treating gas.
63. A method for packaging one or more treated articles, comprising: a. providing a container which has a wall defining at least in part an interior and which has at least one portion permeable to treating gas; b. placing one or more articles into the interior of the container; c. exposing at least one permeable portion of the container to an exterior environment which includes a treating gas under conditions such that the treating gas permeates through at least one permeable portion of the container into the interior of the container; and d. removing treating gas from the interior of the container after the articles therein are treated.
64. A packaging system for one or more treated articles, comprising a container which has a wall, an interior defined at least in part by the container wall and configured to receive at least one article and a treating gas permeable means in fluid communication with the interior.
65. The packaging system of claim 64 wherein a patch of impermeable material covers at least part of the permeable means to prevent permeation of gas into the interior.
66. A method for packaging one or more treated articles, comprising: a. a step of providing a container which has a wall defining at least in part an interior and which has at least one portion permeable to treating gas; b. a step of placing one or more articles into the interior of the container; and c. a step of exposing at least one permeable portion of the container to an exterior environment which includes a treating gas under conditions such that the treating gas permeates through at least one permeable portion of the container into the interior of the container.
67. The method of claim 66 including the step of removing treating gas from the interior of the container after the articles therein are treated.
PCT/US2005/002241 2004-01-20 2005-01-20 Package of sensitive articles WO2005073091A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US53797204P 2004-01-20 2004-01-20
US60/537,972 2004-01-20
US54082804P 2004-01-29 2004-01-29
US60/540,828 2004-01-29
US11/038,377 US20050268573A1 (en) 2004-01-20 2005-01-19 Package of sensitive articles
US11/038,377 2005-01-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005073091A2 true WO2005073091A2 (en) 2005-08-11
WO2005073091A3 WO2005073091A3 (en) 2005-12-22

Family

ID=34831057

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2005/002241 WO2005073091A2 (en) 2004-01-20 2005-01-20 Package of sensitive articles

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20050268573A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005073091A2 (en)

Cited By (32)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007047028A1 (en) * 2005-10-14 2007-04-26 Atrium Medical Corporation Packaging and sterilization of medical devices
WO2007049076A1 (en) 2005-10-29 2007-05-03 Medicart International Limited Maintaining disinfection of medical equipment
EP1864909A1 (en) * 2006-06-06 2007-12-12 Aesculap AG & Co. KG Sterilised cyanoacrylate packaging
WO2008091409A1 (en) * 2007-01-25 2008-07-31 Boston Scientific Limited Endoscope with preloaded or preloadable stent
EP2108381A1 (en) * 2008-02-07 2009-10-14 Amcor Flexible Healthcare, Inc. Dual compartment pouch
WO2010000080A1 (en) * 2008-07-04 2010-01-07 Arik Zucker Metal stent for treating lesions in blood vessels, comprising a packaging
WO2011013640A1 (en) 2009-07-31 2011-02-03 マニー株式会社 Packaging bag for medical supplies, packaging bag containing medical supplies, and method for packaging medical supplies
EP2425863A1 (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-07 Veriplast Flexible Packaging for steam sterilisation of products
GB2485377A (en) * 2010-11-11 2012-05-16 Steripack Medical Ltd A peel-open sterilisable pouch
US8784473B2 (en) 2009-09-10 2014-07-22 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Endoprosthesis with filament repositioning or retrieval member and guard structure
EP2651338A4 (en) * 2010-12-16 2015-07-15 Edwards Lifesciences Corp Prosthetic heart valve delivery systems and packaging
EP2944328A3 (en) * 2014-04-24 2016-03-09 Schott AG Packaging unit for a pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic object and method for sterilizing a pharmaceutical, medicinal or cosmetic object which can be placed in the packaging unit
EP3085332A1 (en) * 2015-04-23 2016-10-26 Sofradim Production Package for a surgical mesh
WO2016191535A3 (en) * 2015-05-27 2017-01-12 Becton, Dickinson And Company Packaging method to enable re-sterilization of medical device
US9682175B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2017-06-20 Atrium Medical Corporation Coating material and medical device system including same
US9801913B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2017-10-31 Atrium Medical Corporation Barrier layer
US9801982B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2017-10-31 Atrium Medical Corporation Implantable barrier device
US9827352B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2017-11-28 Atrium Medical Corporation Cross-linked fatty acid-based biomaterials
US9867880B2 (en) 2012-06-13 2018-01-16 Atrium Medical Corporation Cured oil-hydrogel biomaterial compositions for controlled drug delivery
CN109089412A (en) * 2016-05-23 2018-12-25 百多力股份公司 The absorbent of encapsulation and its of short duration activation
US10285964B2 (en) 2009-03-10 2019-05-14 Atrium Medical Corporation Fatty-acid based particles
WO2019099910A1 (en) * 2017-11-17 2019-05-23 Merit Medical Systems, Inc. Systems and method for reducing medical component degradation
US10322213B2 (en) 2010-07-16 2019-06-18 Atrium Medical Corporation Compositions and methods for altering the rate of hydrolysis of cured oil-based materials
US10350381B2 (en) 2011-08-29 2019-07-16 Coloplast A/S Closing of flow through catheter
WO2020033234A1 (en) * 2018-08-09 2020-02-13 Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Techniques and packages for packaging medical supplies
US10772995B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2020-09-15 Atrium Medical Corporation Cross-linked fatty acid-based biomaterials
WO2020232159A1 (en) * 2019-05-15 2020-11-19 Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Sterilizable pouches for medical devices
US10864304B2 (en) 2009-08-11 2020-12-15 Atrium Medical Corporation Anti-infective antimicrobial-containing biomaterials
US11083823B2 (en) 2005-09-28 2021-08-10 Atrium Medical Corporation Tissue-separating fatty acid adhesion barrier
US11324392B2 (en) 2012-09-26 2022-05-10 Cantel (Uk) Limited Vacuum storage system
US11833037B2 (en) 2007-12-14 2023-12-05 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Leaflet attachment frame for prosthetic valve
US11925551B2 (en) 2022-03-24 2024-03-12 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Leaflet attachment frame for prosthetic valve

Families Citing this family (92)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9592324B2 (en) 2006-11-06 2017-03-14 Atrium Medical Corporation Tissue separating device with reinforced support for anchoring mechanisms
US20060272108A1 (en) * 2005-06-06 2006-12-07 Ruth Stern Method to apply a hair care preparation and kit for same
ES2691646T3 (en) 2005-07-15 2018-11-28 Micell Technologies, Inc. Polymer coatings containing controlled morphology drug powder
WO2007011708A2 (en) 2005-07-15 2007-01-25 Micell Technologies, Inc. Stent with polymer coating containing amorphous rapamycin
US8394446B2 (en) 2005-07-25 2013-03-12 Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Methods of providing antioxidants to implantable medical devices
AU2006304590A1 (en) 2005-10-15 2007-04-26 Atrium Medical Corporation Hydrophobic cross-linked gels for bioabsorbable drug carrier coatings
WO2007098350A2 (en) * 2006-02-17 2007-08-30 Western Precooling Systems Method and apparatus for killing insects on fresh produce
PL2019657T3 (en) 2006-04-26 2015-10-30 Micell Technologies Inc Coatings containing multiple drugs
DE102006027304A1 (en) 2006-06-06 2007-12-13 Aesculap Ag & Co. Kg Sterilized packaging, process for their preparation and their use in medicine
US10004584B2 (en) * 2006-07-10 2018-06-26 First Quality Hygienic, Inc. Resilient intravaginal device
CA2657138C (en) 2006-07-10 2014-08-26 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Resilient device
US10219884B2 (en) * 2006-07-10 2019-03-05 First Quality Hygienic, Inc. Resilient device
US7717892B2 (en) * 2006-07-10 2010-05-18 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Method of treating urinary incontinence
US8613698B2 (en) 2006-07-10 2013-12-24 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Resilient device
US8747738B2 (en) 2006-08-15 2014-06-10 Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Sterilization methods for medical devices
CN102886326A (en) 2006-10-23 2013-01-23 米歇尔技术公司 Holder for electrically charging a substrate during coating
US9492596B2 (en) 2006-11-06 2016-11-15 Atrium Medical Corporation Barrier layer with underlying medical device and one or more reinforcing support structures
US11426494B2 (en) 2007-01-08 2022-08-30 MT Acquisition Holdings LLC Stents having biodegradable layers
CN101711137B (en) 2007-01-08 2014-10-22 米歇尔技术公司 Stents having biodegradable layers
KR100794632B1 (en) * 2007-01-19 2008-01-14 주식회사 에프에스코리아 Sterilization packing case and method for packing thereof
EP2170418B1 (en) * 2007-05-25 2016-03-16 Micell Technologies, Inc. Polymer films for medical device coating
US9216101B2 (en) * 2007-07-10 2015-12-22 Boston Scientific Scime, Inc. Dual taper stent protector
US20090018635A1 (en) * 2007-07-10 2009-01-15 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Stent protector
US20090018633A1 (en) * 2007-07-10 2009-01-15 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Protector for an insertable or implantable medical device
US20090071855A1 (en) * 2007-09-14 2009-03-19 Bahuguna Sumit Packaging for amorphous statins and compositions thereof
WO2009146209A1 (en) 2008-04-17 2009-12-03 Micell Technologies, Inc. Stents having bioabsorbable layers
ES2522967T3 (en) 2008-05-05 2014-11-19 3M Innovative Properties Company Method and device for sterilization process challenge
CA2730995C (en) 2008-07-17 2016-11-22 Micell Technologies, Inc. Drug delivery medical device
WO2011009096A1 (en) 2009-07-16 2011-01-20 Micell Technologies, Inc. Drug delivery medical device
CN102272322B (en) 2008-11-06 2014-12-31 3M创新有限公司 Process challenge device and methods
US20110211991A1 (en) * 2008-11-06 2011-09-01 Foltz William E Process challenge device and method
US8006839B2 (en) * 2008-12-09 2011-08-30 Zimmer, Inc. Method and apparatus for packaging medical devices
US8241587B2 (en) 2008-12-24 2012-08-14 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Collapsible sterilization container
US20100158751A1 (en) * 2008-12-24 2010-06-24 Steven Scott Friderich Single use sterilization container
US8623289B2 (en) 2008-12-24 2014-01-07 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc. Single use sterilization container
US7942264B2 (en) * 2008-12-24 2011-05-17 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Sterilization container with peel top
US8834913B2 (en) 2008-12-26 2014-09-16 Battelle Memorial Institute Medical implants and methods of making medical implants
US8551454B2 (en) * 2009-03-13 2013-10-08 Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Device for intranasal administration
JP2012522589A (en) 2009-04-01 2012-09-27 ミシェル テクノロジーズ,インコーポレイテッド Covered stent
EP2419058B1 (en) 2009-04-17 2018-02-28 Micell Technologies, Inc. Stents having controlled elution
DE102009031447A1 (en) * 2009-07-01 2011-01-05 Manfred Sauer Gmbh Catheter set
US9649408B1 (en) 2009-11-05 2017-05-16 Lifecell Corporation Systems and methods for sterilization of bone or bone components
US20140193299A1 (en) * 2009-11-05 2014-07-10 Lifecell Corporation Systems and Methods for Sterilization
CN107585344B (en) * 2010-01-22 2021-02-12 忠诚股份有限公司 Method for packaging and sterilizing elastic articles and packaged elastic articles obtained thereby
WO2011097103A1 (en) 2010-02-02 2011-08-11 Micell Technologies, Inc. Stent and stent delivery system with improved deliverability
US8795762B2 (en) 2010-03-26 2014-08-05 Battelle Memorial Institute System and method for enhanced electrostatic deposition and surface coatings
FR2958853B1 (en) * 2010-04-20 2012-07-13 Sartorius Stedim Biotech Sa STERILIZABLE BIOPHARMACEUTICAL PACKAGING.
EP2560576B1 (en) 2010-04-22 2018-07-18 Micell Technologies, Inc. Stents and other devices having extracellular matrix coating
WO2012009684A2 (en) 2010-07-16 2012-01-19 Micell Technologies, Inc. Drug delivery medical device
EP2637937A4 (en) * 2010-08-06 2014-06-04 Valorisation Rech Société En Commandite Methods for plasma sterilization using packaging material
KR20130100115A (en) 2010-08-30 2013-09-09 시누시스 코포레이션 Devices for dilating a paranasal sinus opening and for treating sinusitis
NL1038265C2 (en) * 2010-09-24 2012-03-27 Geerts Peter CLEANING AND PACKING METHOD FOR CLEAN SPACE PRODUCTS.
US9096368B2 (en) 2011-01-19 2015-08-04 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device packaging and methods for preparing and packaging medical devices
US9101305B2 (en) * 2011-03-09 2015-08-11 Medtronic Minimed, Inc. Glucose sensor product and related manufacturing and packaging methods
WO2012166819A1 (en) 2011-05-31 2012-12-06 Micell Technologies, Inc. System and process for formation of a time-released, drug-eluting transferable coating
WO2013012689A1 (en) 2011-07-15 2013-01-24 Micell Technologies, Inc. Drug delivery medical device
US10188772B2 (en) 2011-10-18 2019-01-29 Micell Technologies, Inc. Drug delivery medical device
US20140262858A1 (en) 2011-10-21 2014-09-18 Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited Packaging for alitretinoin
DE202012001521U1 (en) * 2012-02-15 2012-02-28 Sartorius Stedim Biotech Gmbh Bag-shaped outer packaging for receiving stacked products
WO2013130468A1 (en) 2012-02-29 2013-09-06 SinuSys Corporation Devices and methods for dilating a paranasal sinus opening and for treating sinusitis
US10780228B2 (en) 2012-05-07 2020-09-22 Medline Industries, Inc. Prefilled container systems
DK177651B1 (en) 2012-10-26 2014-02-03 Mbh Internat A S Method of preparing a ready-to-use urinary catheter and a catheter assembly for use in said method
CA2905419C (en) 2013-03-12 2020-04-28 Micell Technologies, Inc. Bioabsorbable biomedical implants
EP3260024A1 (en) * 2013-05-10 2017-12-27 Juicero, Inc. Juicing systems and methods
AU2014265460B2 (en) 2013-05-15 2018-10-18 Micell Technologies, Inc. Bioabsorbable biomedical implants
WO2014187779A1 (en) * 2013-05-24 2014-11-27 Bayer Pharma Aktiengesellschaft Method for sterilizing the surface of a prefilled syringe
US9687263B2 (en) 2013-05-30 2017-06-27 SinuSys Corporation Devices and methods for inserting a sinus dilator
JP2017505817A (en) 2014-02-04 2017-02-23 アボット カーディオバスキュラー システムズ インコーポレイテッド Drug delivery scaffold or stent having a coating based on NOVOLIMUS and lactide so that the binding of NOVOLIMUS to the coating is minimized
EP3597176A1 (en) 2014-08-19 2020-01-22 The Regents Of The University Of California Implants for localized drug delivery and methods of use thereof
FR3027288B1 (en) * 2014-10-17 2022-11-04 Aptar Stelmi Sas METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING ELASTOMER PARTS.
WO2016153744A1 (en) * 2015-03-20 2016-09-29 Juicero, Inc. Juicer cartridges
US10537707B2 (en) * 2016-02-12 2020-01-21 C. R. Bard, Inc. Wrap systems for medical device kits
EP3413853B1 (en) 2016-02-12 2022-11-09 C. R. Bard, Inc. Wrap systems for medical device kits
US10543652B2 (en) 2016-03-03 2020-01-28 Fresh Press LLC Press
US20170349313A1 (en) * 2016-06-01 2017-12-07 Centurion Medical Products Corporation Methods for manufacturing non-glass prefilled syringes
JP6185631B2 (en) * 2016-08-05 2017-08-23 ベクトン・ディキンソン・フランス・エス.エー.エス. Aseptic package and sterilization method using the package
US10321967B2 (en) * 2016-09-27 2019-06-18 Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Pouches with multi-layer walls for improved durability and protection medical devices
JP6490113B2 (en) * 2017-01-17 2019-03-27 小川産業株式会社 Sterile bag
US10806850B2 (en) 2017-02-03 2020-10-20 Bee Sight Limited Medical apparatus and method for sterilizing medical apparatus
WO2018206286A1 (en) * 2017-05-09 2018-11-15 Straumann Holding Ag Process for providing a dental article
US10926058B2 (en) 2017-07-17 2021-02-23 Anteris Technologies Corporation Sterilized packaging system for catheter
DE102017121537A1 (en) * 2017-09-18 2019-03-21 Rolf Lenhardt Bag and method for the contamination-free freeze-drying of a substance
JP2019058587A (en) * 2017-09-28 2019-04-18 三井化学株式会社 Medical material or multiple bag body for medical equipment, and manufacturing method for the same
WO2019090117A1 (en) 2017-11-03 2019-05-09 The Regents Of The University Of California Methods of implanting a device into a brain
US11584558B2 (en) * 2018-12-12 2023-02-21 Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Shrink-formed package
CN109878907A (en) * 2019-03-01 2019-06-14 上海韧致医药科技有限公司 A kind of magnesium alloy bracket the storage box and method
US11338119B2 (en) 2020-03-20 2022-05-24 The Regents Of The University Of California Implantable drug delivery devices for localized drug delivery
US11173291B2 (en) 2020-03-20 2021-11-16 The Regents Of The University Of California Implantable drug delivery devices for localized drug delivery
US11344526B2 (en) 2020-03-20 2022-05-31 The Regents Of The University Of California Implantable drug delivery devices for localized drug delivery
US11672880B2 (en) * 2020-04-20 2023-06-13 Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, Llc Methods and devices for sterilizing medical equipment
DE102021106664A1 (en) 2021-03-18 2022-09-22 Plasmatreat Gmbh METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DISINFECTING, ESPECIALLY STERILIZING, PACKAGED GOODS
EP4260877A1 (en) * 2022-04-11 2023-10-18 ELIS ITALIA S.p.A. Sterilisation packaging and sterilisation process

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1569479A (en) * 1976-04-13 1980-06-18 Cordis Dow Corp Sterile artifical kidney dialyzer package
US4287995A (en) * 1978-11-30 1981-09-08 Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. Container sealing member with oxygen absorbent
US4644586A (en) * 1984-10-25 1987-02-17 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Combination sterilization and infectious waste disposal container
DE3717916A1 (en) * 1987-05-27 1988-12-08 Muenchner Medizin Mechanik Process for the packaging of sterilising material and sterilising pack
EP0380319A1 (en) * 1989-01-27 1990-08-01 Cmb Foodcan Plc Improvements in and relating to packaging
EP0513364A1 (en) * 1990-11-07 1992-11-19 Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc. Multi-chamber vessel
EP0633013A1 (en) * 1993-01-22 1995-01-11 Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc. Bicarbonate-containing powdered medicine storage container and method of stabilizing the same medicine
WO1996029362A1 (en) * 1995-03-21 1996-09-26 W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. Methods and compositions for improved initiation of oxygen scavenging
US6132781A (en) * 1998-04-03 2000-10-17 Pactiv Corporation Modified atmosphere package with accelerated reduction of oxygen level in meat compartment
WO2000071334A1 (en) * 1999-05-20 2000-11-30 Pechiney Emballage Flexible Europe Film structures containing oxygen scavenging compositions and method of application
US6447826B1 (en) * 1994-09-14 2002-09-10 Sealed Air (Nz) Limited Packaging for meat and foodstuff
WO2004039419A1 (en) * 2002-10-29 2004-05-13 Millipore Corporation Integrity testable autoclavable, sterile transfer bag
EP1520795A1 (en) * 2003-09-30 2005-04-06 CODMAN & SHURTLEFF, INC. A method and apparatus for packaging a drug-device combination product

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3004325A1 (en) * 1979-02-08 1980-08-14 Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co BAG CONTAINING OXYGEN ABSORPTION AGENTS AND CONTAINER LOCKED WITH IT
US4714595A (en) * 1984-12-27 1987-12-22 Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc. Tissue storage system
US5698250A (en) * 1996-04-03 1997-12-16 Tenneco Packaging Inc. Modifield atmosphere package for cut of raw meat
US5944709A (en) * 1996-05-13 1999-08-31 B. Braun Medical, Inc. Flexible, multiple-compartment drug container and method of making and using same
US5868244A (en) * 1997-12-01 1999-02-09 Ethicon, Inc. Microbial barrier vented package for sterile medical devices and method of packaging
US6477826B2 (en) * 2001-01-11 2002-11-12 Sara Lee Corporation Open end spun, cotton/rayon blended yarn
US20030204239A1 (en) * 2002-04-26 2003-10-30 Wenda Carlyle Endovascular stent with a preservative coating

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1569479A (en) * 1976-04-13 1980-06-18 Cordis Dow Corp Sterile artifical kidney dialyzer package
US4287995A (en) * 1978-11-30 1981-09-08 Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. Container sealing member with oxygen absorbent
US4644586A (en) * 1984-10-25 1987-02-17 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Combination sterilization and infectious waste disposal container
DE3717916A1 (en) * 1987-05-27 1988-12-08 Muenchner Medizin Mechanik Process for the packaging of sterilising material and sterilising pack
EP0380319A1 (en) * 1989-01-27 1990-08-01 Cmb Foodcan Plc Improvements in and relating to packaging
EP0513364A1 (en) * 1990-11-07 1992-11-19 Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc. Multi-chamber vessel
EP0633013A1 (en) * 1993-01-22 1995-01-11 Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc. Bicarbonate-containing powdered medicine storage container and method of stabilizing the same medicine
US6447826B1 (en) * 1994-09-14 2002-09-10 Sealed Air (Nz) Limited Packaging for meat and foodstuff
WO1996029362A1 (en) * 1995-03-21 1996-09-26 W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. Methods and compositions for improved initiation of oxygen scavenging
US6132781A (en) * 1998-04-03 2000-10-17 Pactiv Corporation Modified atmosphere package with accelerated reduction of oxygen level in meat compartment
WO2000071334A1 (en) * 1999-05-20 2000-11-30 Pechiney Emballage Flexible Europe Film structures containing oxygen scavenging compositions and method of application
WO2004039419A1 (en) * 2002-10-29 2004-05-13 Millipore Corporation Integrity testable autoclavable, sterile transfer bag
EP1520795A1 (en) * 2003-09-30 2005-04-06 CODMAN & SHURTLEFF, INC. A method and apparatus for packaging a drug-device combination product

Cited By (70)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10792312B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2020-10-06 Atrium Medical Corporation Barrier layer
US10814043B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2020-10-27 Atrium Medical Corporation Cross-linked fatty acid-based biomaterials
US9801913B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2017-10-31 Atrium Medical Corporation Barrier layer
US10869902B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2020-12-22 Atrium Medical Corporation Cured gel and method of making
US9682175B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2017-06-20 Atrium Medical Corporation Coating material and medical device system including same
US11793912B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2023-10-24 Atrium Medical Corporation Cross-linked fatty acid-based biomaterials
US10016465B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2018-07-10 Atrium Medical Corporation Cured gel and method of making
US10772995B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2020-09-15 Atrium Medical Corporation Cross-linked fatty acid-based biomaterials
US9827352B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2017-11-28 Atrium Medical Corporation Cross-linked fatty acid-based biomaterials
US9801982B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2017-10-31 Atrium Medical Corporation Implantable barrier device
US11083823B2 (en) 2005-09-28 2021-08-10 Atrium Medical Corporation Tissue-separating fatty acid adhesion barrier
WO2007047028A1 (en) * 2005-10-14 2007-04-26 Atrium Medical Corporation Packaging and sterilization of medical devices
WO2007049076A1 (en) 2005-10-29 2007-05-03 Medicart International Limited Maintaining disinfection of medical equipment
US8747739B2 (en) 2005-10-29 2014-06-10 Medicart International Limited Maintaining disinfection of medical equipment
EP1864909A1 (en) * 2006-06-06 2007-12-12 Aesculap AG & Co. KG Sterilised cyanoacrylate packaging
WO2008091409A1 (en) * 2007-01-25 2008-07-31 Boston Scientific Limited Endoscope with preloaded or preloadable stent
US9125761B2 (en) 2007-01-25 2015-09-08 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Endoscope with preloaded or preloadable stent
US11850150B2 (en) 2007-12-14 2023-12-26 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Leaflet attachment frame for prosthetic valve
US11833037B2 (en) 2007-12-14 2023-12-05 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Leaflet attachment frame for prosthetic valve
EP2108381A1 (en) * 2008-02-07 2009-10-14 Amcor Flexible Healthcare, Inc. Dual compartment pouch
US7631760B2 (en) 2008-02-07 2009-12-15 Amcor Flexibles Healthcare, Inc. Dual compartment pouch
US8584852B2 (en) 2008-07-04 2013-11-19 Qvanteq Ag Metal stent for treating lesions in blood vessels, comprising a packaging
EA020197B1 (en) * 2008-07-04 2014-09-30 Квантек Аг Metal stent for treating lesions in blood vessels, comprising a packaging
KR101630889B1 (en) 2008-07-04 2016-06-15 크판테크 아게 Metal stent for treating lesions in blood vessels, comprising a packaging
JP2011526163A (en) * 2008-07-04 2011-10-06 クヴァンテック アーゲー Metal stent for vascular lesion treatment with package
KR20110028646A (en) * 2008-07-04 2011-03-21 크판테크 아게 Metal stent for treating lesions in blood vessels, comprising a packaging
CH699079A1 (en) * 2008-07-04 2010-01-15 Arik Zucker Arrangement consisting of a stent and a package.
WO2010000080A1 (en) * 2008-07-04 2010-01-07 Arik Zucker Metal stent for treating lesions in blood vessels, comprising a packaging
US11166929B2 (en) 2009-03-10 2021-11-09 Atrium Medical Corporation Fatty-acid based particles
US10285964B2 (en) 2009-03-10 2019-05-14 Atrium Medical Corporation Fatty-acid based particles
US10202215B2 (en) 2009-07-31 2019-02-12 Mani, Inc. Method for packaging medical supplies
EP2460506A4 (en) * 2009-07-31 2013-10-02 Mani Inc Packaging bag for medical supplies, packaging bag containing medical supplies, and method for packaging medical supplies
EP2460506A1 (en) * 2009-07-31 2012-06-06 Mani, Inc. Packaging bag for medical supplies, packaging bag containing medical supplies, and method for packaging medical supplies
WO2011013640A1 (en) 2009-07-31 2011-02-03 マニー株式会社 Packaging bag for medical supplies, packaging bag containing medical supplies, and method for packaging medical supplies
US10864304B2 (en) 2009-08-11 2020-12-15 Atrium Medical Corporation Anti-infective antimicrobial-containing biomaterials
US8784473B2 (en) 2009-09-10 2014-07-22 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Endoprosthesis with filament repositioning or retrieval member and guard structure
US11097035B2 (en) 2010-07-16 2021-08-24 Atrium Medical Corporation Compositions and methods for altering the rate of hydrolysis of cured oil-based materials
US10322213B2 (en) 2010-07-16 2019-06-18 Atrium Medical Corporation Compositions and methods for altering the rate of hydrolysis of cured oil-based materials
EP2425863A1 (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-07 Veriplast Flexible Packaging for steam sterilisation of products
FR2964370A1 (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-09 Veriplast Flexible PACKAGING FOR STEAM STERILIZATION OF PRODUCTS
GB2485377A (en) * 2010-11-11 2012-05-16 Steripack Medical Ltd A peel-open sterilisable pouch
EP4275735A3 (en) * 2010-12-16 2024-01-24 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Prosthetic heart valve delivery systems and packaging
US11027870B2 (en) 2010-12-16 2021-06-08 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Prosthetic heart valve delivery systems and packaging
US9498317B2 (en) 2010-12-16 2016-11-22 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Prosthetic heart valve delivery systems and packaging
EP2651338A4 (en) * 2010-12-16 2015-07-15 Edwards Lifesciences Corp Prosthetic heart valve delivery systems and packaging
US10350381B2 (en) 2011-08-29 2019-07-16 Coloplast A/S Closing of flow through catheter
US9867880B2 (en) 2012-06-13 2018-01-16 Atrium Medical Corporation Cured oil-hydrogel biomaterial compositions for controlled drug delivery
US10888617B2 (en) 2012-06-13 2021-01-12 Atrium Medical Corporation Cured oil-hydrogel biomaterial compositions for controlled drug delivery
US11324392B2 (en) 2012-09-26 2022-05-10 Cantel (Uk) Limited Vacuum storage system
EP2944328A3 (en) * 2014-04-24 2016-03-09 Schott AG Packaging unit for a pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic object and method for sterilizing a pharmaceutical, medicinal or cosmetic object which can be placed in the packaging unit
US10433944B2 (en) 2015-04-23 2019-10-08 Sofradim Production Package for a surgical mesh
US10959824B2 (en) 2015-04-23 2021-03-30 Sofradim Production Package for a surgical mesh
EP3085332A1 (en) * 2015-04-23 2016-10-26 Sofradim Production Package for a surgical mesh
WO2016191535A3 (en) * 2015-05-27 2017-01-12 Becton, Dickinson And Company Packaging method to enable re-sterilization of medical device
US10710759B2 (en) 2015-05-27 2020-07-14 Becton, Dickinson And Company Packaging method to enable re-sterilization of medical device
AU2018260861B2 (en) * 2015-05-27 2020-06-11 Becton, Dickinson And Company Packaging method to enable re-sterilization of medical device
US10293965B2 (en) 2015-05-27 2019-05-21 Becton, Dickinson And Company Packaging method to enable re-sterilization of medical device
CN107921154A (en) * 2015-05-27 2018-04-17 贝克顿·迪金森公司 It can make the packing method of medical treatment device re-disinfection
AU2016267149B2 (en) * 2015-05-27 2018-11-08 Becton, Dickinson And Company Packaging method to enable re-sterilization of medical device
CN109089412B (en) * 2016-05-23 2021-02-02 百多力股份公司 Encapsulated absorbent and its transient activation
CN109089412A (en) * 2016-05-23 2018-12-25 百多力股份公司 The absorbent of encapsulation and its of short duration activation
US11160951B2 (en) 2017-11-17 2021-11-02 Merit Medical Systems, Inc. Systems and method for reducing medical component degradation
WO2019099910A1 (en) * 2017-11-17 2019-05-23 Merit Medical Systems, Inc. Systems and method for reducing medical component degradation
US11498742B2 (en) 2018-08-09 2022-11-15 Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Techniques and packages for packaging medical supplies
CN112672766B (en) * 2018-08-09 2023-03-21 美敦力瓦斯科尔勒公司 Techniques and packages for packaging medical supplies
CN112672766A (en) * 2018-08-09 2021-04-16 美敦力瓦斯科尔勒公司 Techniques and packages for packaging medical supplies
WO2020033234A1 (en) * 2018-08-09 2020-02-13 Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Techniques and packages for packaging medical supplies
US11691797B2 (en) 2019-05-15 2023-07-04 Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Sterilizable pouches for medical devices
WO2020232159A1 (en) * 2019-05-15 2020-11-19 Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Sterilizable pouches for medical devices
US11925551B2 (en) 2022-03-24 2024-03-12 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Leaflet attachment frame for prosthetic valve

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2005073091A3 (en) 2005-12-22
US20050268573A1 (en) 2005-12-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20050268573A1 (en) Package of sensitive articles
US20080023346A1 (en) Protected Stent Delivery System and Packaging
US5464580A (en) Process of sterilization
EP0218003B1 (en) Radiation-sterilized, packaged medical device
US7762044B2 (en) Packaging for stent delivery systems
JP4610986B2 (en) Package for pharmaceutical / device composite product and packaging method
CN107074387B (en) Self-sterilizing packaging and methods of making and using same
JP2004513707A (en) Versatile package for sterile products or products to be sterilized
JP4373910B2 (en) Packaging containers for the transport of sterile objects or objects to be disinfected
KR20010021958A (en) Barrier Material
US20090236253A1 (en) Sterilized package, method for its production, and its use in medicine
WO2007099120A1 (en) A method and an apparatus for sterilizing packaging material
EP3782809A1 (en) Film and packaging for gas or vapor decontaminable packaging applications and method for creating a decontaminated packaging using the same
JPH03168150A (en) Production of radiation sterilizable medical device
WO2021206673A1 (en) Medical apparatus and method for sterilizing medical apparatus
JPH0834729B2 (en) Chemical solution container storage
WO2019215748A1 (en) System and method of sterilization and packaging of a medical device
IE20030044U1 (en) Improved packaging for stent delivery systems
IES20030044A2 (en) Improved packaging for stent delivery systems
IES83657Y1 (en) Improved packaging for stent delivery systems

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase