The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 27, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 11, 2000
Phillip Davis, Weston, CT (US);
Vito L. DiPinto, South Windsor, CT (US);
General Hospital Supply Corporation, Wilton, CT (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a super-absorbent trayliner for use in a sterilization process and, more particularly, to a super-absorbent trayliner for cushioning surgical instruments and providing an advantageous moisture absorption functionality during and after completion of a sterilization process. The super-absorbent trayliner functions advantageously with steam or ethylene oxide gas as the sterilization agent. The super-absorbent trayliner is fabricated from a material having a desired level of moisture absorption, e.g., on the order of at least about thirty percent (30%) by dry weight, and is preferably fabricated from a hydrophilic polymeric foam material, e.g., a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The disclosed super-absorbent trayliner may be advantageously utilized in sterilizing surgical instruments such that potential residual moisture is eliminated from the surface of the sterilized surgical instruments.