Special receptacle or package – For body treatment article or material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-05-22
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3721)
Special receptacle or package
For body treatment article or material
C053S425000, C141S092000, C141S314000, C383S066000, C383S207000, C422S028000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234310
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related generally to the field of sterile packaging. In particular, it relates to a device and method for sterile packaging of sterilized items such as endoscopes after reprocessing.
2. Description of the Related Art
The importance of sterile medical and dental equipment has been recognized for many years. Sterilizing dental and medical instruments prior to use may be accomplished in a number of ways such as steam or heat sterilization through autoclaving, liquid or vapor chemical sterilization through soaking, irradiation, or ethylene oxide. However, each of these methods has drawbacks. Irradiation and ethylene oxide systems require large capital expenditures. Autoclaving is limited to those items that can withstand repeated high temperatures. Liquid and vapor chemical sterilization is generally limited to surface sterilization and cannot be used to sterilize items within fluid tight packages.
Hospitals and clinics that use heat sensitive medical and dental equipment such as endoscopes are generally prefer to use liquid chemical sterilization.
However, the sterile environment of liquid chemical sterilization is breached as soon as the sterilizing system is opened. Therefore, a system is needed for long term storage that encloses the sterilizable item into a sterile portable package before the sterile environment is breached.
A new and useful sterile packaging apparatus and method is needed that overcomes the problems associated with conventional methods of sterile packaging by providing a sterile packaging system that fluidly connects to a sterilizer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the apparatus and method of the sterile packaging system in accordance with the present invention to solve the problems outlined above that have heretofore inhibited the successful sterilization and packaging of sterilized items after sterilization.
More particularly, the apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention provides a device for sterile packaging of sterilized items, particularly reprocessed endoscopes.
The unique sterile packaging device in accordance with the present invention broadly includes a pouch having a frangible opening, the pouch defining a sterile compartment therein to hold a sterilizable item and a support element for fluid attachment to a sterilizer, the support element defining a window thereupon, the support element attached to the pouch along a perimeter of the frangible opening.
The device in accordance with the present invention may also include a pouch that is flexible or inflatable.
The device in accordance with the present invention may also include a pouch that has a front side and a back side sealed along a perimeter thereof.
The device in accordance with the present invention may also include a frangible opening that is a rectangular portion scored into the front side of the pouch.
The device in accordance with the present invention may also include a support element that is a rectangularly shaped piece of rigid cardboard.
The device in accordance with the present invention may also include a window that is perforated with a knock out piece positioned in the window.
The device in accordance with the present invention may also include a support element that is adhesively attached along a perimeter thereof to the front side of the pouch.
The device in accordance with the present invention may also include an adhesive strip and a removable backing strip.
The device in accordance with the present invention may also include a cover adhesively in contact with the window. The window may be a perforated window with a knock out piece, wherein the cover is in contact with the window for ensuring that the knockout piece remains attached to the support element until broken open.
The device in accordance with the present invention may also include an adhesive strip and removable backing strip attached to the front side of the cover.
The device in accordance with the present invention may also include a sterilizer for use with the above packaging system.
The apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention provides a method of packaging a sterilizable item.
The method broadly includes providing a pouch defining a sterile compartment, the pouch having a frangible opening; providing a sterilizer; providing a sterilizable item; causing a fluid and microbial tight connection between the pouch and the sterilizer, the fluid tight connection having exposed surfaces; sterilizing the exposed surfaces with the sterilizer; sterilizing the sterilizable item with the sterilizer; breaking open the frangible opening; passing the sterilizable item through the frangible opening into the sterile compartment; and, sealing the sterilizable item inside the sterile compartment.
The apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention may also include manually breaking open the frangible opening and manually passing the sterilizable item through the frangible opening.
One advantage of the present invention is that the present invention provides portable sterile packaging for sterilized items.
Another advantage is that the packaging system is inexpensive.
Another advantage is that the storage system takes minimal storage space.
Another advantage is that the system of the present invention does not require a significant capital investment.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims. The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.
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Gerrity Stephen F.
Wrigley Barbara A.
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