Allegiance Corporation

Michael Duski

James F Whitaker

Alejandro Puentes

Gregory Stecklein

Greg Stecklein

Debra Schotz

Barbara Anne Blankenship

Brian G Hoge

Clay Cannady

Andrew G Rozycki

There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of at least one sheet, and preferably two sheets, of sterilization material and in some embodiments, includes an additional sheet which may be made of an absorbent material. The sheet of absorbent material may have a smaller perimeter than at least one sheet of sterilization material. One side of at least one sheet of sterilization material includes a central portion. The absorbent material may be attached to the central portion of at least one sheet of sterilization material. The article to be sterilized is placed on the sterilization wrap and is then wrapped. The absorbent material provides sterility protection for the article in addition to the at least one sheet of sterilization material and also wicks moisture away from the article after sterilization has taken place. A visual indicator may be provided to indicate whether or not the article has been exposed to adequate sterilization conditions.

Sterilization wraps and methods for sterilizing articles

There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of at least a first panel of sterilization material and includes an additional panel of material. The first panel is multi-layered and includes at least one pathogen filtration layer. The first panel is rectangular and has an outer periphery and a central portion. The outer periphery includes first, second, third and fourth edges. The additional panel of material is bonded to the first panel, approximately at a forty-five degree angle to the first panel, with a substantial portion of the additional panel being adjacent to the central portion of the first panel. The perimeter of the additional panel is smaller than the perimeter of the first panel. Portions of the additional panel are bonded to the first panel along the first, second, third and fourth edges of the first panel. The article to be sterilized is placed on the additional panel, is wrapped, and sterilant is applied to the wrapped article. A chemical visual indicator is provided to indicate whether or not the article has been exposed to adequate sterilization conditions.

A packaging system in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a sterilization pouch. The pouch includes a posterior portion attached to an anterior portion along three edges. The two portions define the pouch. The top part of the pouch is inverted so that the inside part of the pouch is facing outward and forms a cuff around the pouch. An integral internal sterilization indicator is further provided. The integral indicator comprises a sterilizing agent sensitive substance. The sterilizing agent sensitive substance can be an indicator ink printed as an ink line on the interior of the sterilization pouch below the cuff. Thus, the indicator becomes visible during aseptic delivery of the packaged article to provide a clear indication as to whether or not adequate conditions for sterilization have been achieved. In a further embodiment, the indicator ink line repeats as a pattern throughout the interior of the sterilization pouch. Alternatively, the indicator could be printed as an ink line on the exterior of the sterilization pouch below the cuff. In a further embodiment, both interior and exterior printing could be used.

Packaging system for a sterilized article

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Wheeling, IL, United States of America

Michael Duski