US20060153759A1 - Two layer edge joined sterilization wrap - Google Patents
Two layer edge joined sterilization wrap Download PDFInfo
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- US20060153759A1 US20060153759A1 US11/373,467 US37346706A US2006153759A1 US 20060153759 A1 US20060153759 A1 US 20060153759A1 US 37346706 A US37346706 A US 37346706A US 2006153759 A1 US2006153759 A1 US 2006153759A1
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- Prior art keywords
- layer
- edge
- edges
- article
- sterilized
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
- A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
- A61B50/3001—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for sharps
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form
- B32B3/02—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form characterised by features of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS 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
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
- B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H5/00—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length
- D04H5/08—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres or yarns
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS 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
- A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
- A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
- A61L2202/18—Aseptic storing means
- A61L2202/181—Flexible packaging means, e.g. permeable membranes, paper
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS 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
- A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
- A61L2202/20—Targets to be treated
- A61L2202/24—Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
- B32B2250/24—All layers being polymeric
- B32B2250/242—All polymers belonging to those covered by group B32B27/32
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2323/00—Polyalkenes
- B32B2323/10—Polypropylene
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
- Y10T428/1303—Paper containing [e.g., paperboard, cardboard, fiberboard, etc.]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
- Y10T428/1303—Paper containing [e.g., paperboard, cardboard, fiberboard, etc.]
- Y10T428/1307—Bag or tubular film [e.g., pouch, flexible food casing, envelope, etc.]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
- Y10T428/1334—Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
- Y10T428/1352—Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
- Y10T428/1352—Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
- Y10T428/1362—Textile, fabric, cloth, or pile containing [e.g., web, net, woven, knitted, mesh, nonwoven, matted, etc.]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24777—Edge feature
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24777—Edge feature
- Y10T428/24793—Comprising discontinuous or differential impregnation or bond
Definitions
- This invention relates to sterilization wrap. More particularly, it relates to sterilization wrap having two sheets or two layers of sterilization material.
- Reusable medical instruments must be sterilized prior to each use. Normally, these instruments are sterilized by steam or ethylene-oxide. In order for the instruments to remain sterile after the sterilization procedure, the instruments must be wrapped in a material called “sterilization wrap”.
- the most common type of sterilization wrap is a three-ply laminate consisting of a layer of melt blown polypropylene sandwiched between two layers of spun bond polypropylene.
- the wrap includes bond points all across the face of the material so that the material is held together, i.e., laminated.
- This three-ply material is commonly referred to as “SMS”, which is short for spun bond—melt blown—spun bond.
- SMS is sufficiently porous to permit steam, ethylene-oxide and other sterilization materials to penetrate through the material to the surgical instruments, but has filtration properties sufficient to prevent the passage of most pathogens there through and maintain sterility after the sterilization process.
- the wrap also protects articles during sterilization, and acts as a filtration medium for the sterilant.
- One Step Sterilization Wrap is made by bonding two separate sheets of sterilization wrap together near two of the edges of the adjacent sheets.
- the Kimberly-Clark One Step product is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,635,134 and 5,688,476.
- FIG. 1 shows one of the Kimberly-Clark One Step products described in these Kimberly-Clark patents.
- Sterilization wrap 10 includes a top layer 12 made of SMS and a bottom layer 14 also made of SMS.
- the two layers of SMS are bonded together near two opposing edges 16 and 18 , as illustrated by bond lines 20 and 22 .
- the method of bonding the two sheets together may be ultrasonic bonding.
- the other two opposing edges 24 and 26 are not bonded together so there is a visible gap 28 between sheets 12 and 14 so that the user of the sterilization wrap visually distinguishes the fact that there are, indeed, two sheets.
- a sterilization wrap made from two sheets or two layers of sterilization material.
- Each sheet or layer has first, second, third and fourth edges.
- Each sheet or layer includes a central portion. The first edge of the first sheet or layer is in register with and joined to the first edge of the second sheet or layer. The second edge of the first sheet or layer is in register with and joined to the second edge of the second sheet or layer. The third edge of the first sheet or layer is in register with and joined to the third edge of the second sheet or layer. The fourth edge of the first sheet or layer is registered with and joined to the fourth edge of the second sheet or layer.
- the central portions of each sheet or layer are substantially not bonded together.
- a method for sterilizing an article including the step of providing the article, wrapping the article with sterilization wrap made in accordance with the above-described design, and applying sterilization conditions to the wrapped article.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art sterilization wrap
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sterilization wrap, in accordance with this subject invention.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the sterilization wrap of FIG. 2 taken through Section Lines 3 - 3 ;
- FIG. 4 is sectional view of the sterilization wrap of FIG. 2 taken through Section Lines 4 - 4 ;
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sterilization wrap of FIG. 2 showing the materials to be sterilized in preparation for wrapping.
- a sterilization wrap in the form of application 30 which is made of two sheets of sterilization material 32 and 34 .
- Each sheet of sterilization material is preferably a three ply laminate having a layer of melt blown polypropylene sandwiched between two layers of spun bonded polypropylene, referred to as SMS.
- SMS is commercially available from BBA Nonwovens Company.
- each sheet could be made of two bonded layers of medical grade paper CSR, a combination of paper CSR and SMS, a combination of tissue, polyethylene (or polypropylene) and tissue, and other known sterilization materials.
- Sheet 32 is the same size as sheet 34 , and the two sheets are in register with one another and are joined together by bonding the two sheets along all four of their respective edges, as illustrated by bond points 36 .
- edge 38 of sheet 32 is bonded to edge 40 of sheet 34 .
- Edge 42 of sheet 32 is bonded to edge 44 of sheet 34 .
- edge 46 of sheet 32 is bonded to edge 48 of sheet 34 .
- Edge 50 of sheet 32 is bonded to edge 52 of sheet 34 .
- the central region 54 of sheet 32 in not substantially bonded to the central region 56 of sheet 34 . This results in open space 58 occurring between sheet 32 and sheet 34 .
- the bond points 36 along the edges of each sheet are preferably at the very end of the edges of each sheet. This will substantially reduce the likelihood that fibers from free edges will be released since the bonding process melts the fibers at the bond points.
- the bond points illustrated in FIG. 2 show the bond points spaced apart for illustrative purposes only. Actually, the bond points are very close together.
- central region 54 of sheet 32 and central region 56 of sheet 34 remain substantially not bonded together so that the passage of the sterilization materials through the wrap to the articles 60 to be sterilized is not substantially reduced by the points. That is, thermal bonding of the two sheets together in their central regions 54 and 56 will melt the SMS, resulting in a film like structure which would block the passage of a substantial amount of ethylene oxide or steam, which are the preferred sterilization materials.
- the sterilization wrap Since the sterilization wrap is joined along all four edges, the wrap will not be visually distinguishable as two separate sheets. However, a significant advantage of the two sheets or layers being joined together along all four edges is the fact that debris will not be permitted to penetrate into the open space 58 since all four edges, in effect, are sealed. In addition, since the joining occurs directly adjacent to the edges, or even overlapping the edges, loss of fibers about the edges is substantially reduced. Furthermore, since all four edges are joined together, the likelihood that the two sheets or layers will stay together is substantially enhanced. Also, since the joining of all four edges occurs directly adjacent to the edges, there should be no user perception that there might be contamination between the sheets and/or that the sterilization materials might escape.
- the sterilization wrap of the subject invention also provides a reasonable rigid edge which is easily grasped by the person using the sterilization wrap.
- One of the methods of joining is ultrasonic bonding which results in bond points.
- hot melt glue a heated knife or wire, laser, water jet, thermo-mechanism, or mechanical embossing may be used to create the bonding.
- the sterilization wrap of the subject invention is easy to manufacture. Two identical size sheets may be cut into the desired shape, most commonly square shape. The two sheets are placed in register, and then all four edges may be joined together by one of the techniques referred to above.
- a single application 30 is removed from its container and placed flat on a table.
- the article to be sterilized is placed in the center of the wrap/application 30 .
- the article is then wrapped in the generally prescribed or acceptable fashion.
- the wrapped article is placed in an autoclave or gas enclosure and is subjected to sterilizing conditions.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/911,316 filed Aug. 3, 2004 and titled FOUR EDGE SEALED STERILIZATION WRAP AND METHOD FOR STERILIZING AN ARTICLE. Application Ser. No. 10/911,316 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/119,183 filed Apr. 9, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,793,879 on Sep. 21, 2004 and is titled FOUR EDGE SEALED STERILIZATION WRAP AND METHOD FOR STERILIZING AN ARTICLE. Application Ser. No. 10/119,183 is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/451,056, filed Nov. 30, 1999, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,916 on Feb. 11, 2003 and is titled FOUR EDGE SEALED STERILIZATION WRAP AND METHOD FOR STERILIZING AN ARTICLE.
- This invention relates to sterilization wrap. More particularly, it relates to sterilization wrap having two sheets or two layers of sterilization material.
- Reusable medical instruments must be sterilized prior to each use. Normally, these instruments are sterilized by steam or ethylene-oxide. In order for the instruments to remain sterile after the sterilization procedure, the instruments must be wrapped in a material called “sterilization wrap”.
- The most common type of sterilization wrap is a three-ply laminate consisting of a layer of melt blown polypropylene sandwiched between two layers of spun bond polypropylene. The wrap includes bond points all across the face of the material so that the material is held together, i.e., laminated. This three-ply material is commonly referred to as “SMS”, which is short for spun bond—melt blown—spun bond. Most hospitals specify SMS as the sterilization wrap to be used because SMS is sufficiently porous to permit steam, ethylene-oxide and other sterilization materials to penetrate through the material to the surgical instruments, but has filtration properties sufficient to prevent the passage of most pathogens there through and maintain sterility after the sterilization process. The wrap also protects articles during sterilization, and acts as a filtration medium for the sterilant.
- In most hospitals, there is a protocol which requires surgical instruments to be wrapped with two separate sheets of SMS so that in the event one sheet becomes torn, there is a redundancy which will maintain the sterility of the surgical instruments. The wrapping of surgical instruments with two separate sheets of sterilization wrap obviously is labor intensive in that the nurse must first place the instruments on one sheet of sterilization material and wrap the instruments, and then place the wrapped package on another sheet of sterilization material and wrap the package containing the instruments.
- In an attempt to reduce the labor required to provide dual wrapping of surgical instruments, Kimberly-Clark Corporation has developed a product called “One Step Sterilization Wrap”. One Step Sterilization Wrap is made by bonding two separate sheets of sterilization wrap together near two of the edges of the adjacent sheets. The Kimberly-Clark One Step product is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,635,134 and 5,688,476.
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FIG. 1 shows one of the Kimberly-Clark One Step products described in these Kimberly-Clark patents.Sterilization wrap 10 includes atop layer 12 made of SMS and abottom layer 14 also made of SMS. The two layers of SMS are bonded together near twoopposing edges bond lines opposing edges visible gap 28 betweensheets gap 28, debris could enter the region between the two sheets. With two of the edges being unbonded, it is possible that the sheets will become misaligned so that if a sharp object penetrates both sheets, the resulting holes in each sheet could also become misaligned, thus reducing ones ability to determine whether or not there is a hole through both sheets. In addition, sinceedges lines edges edges FIG. 1 is not sealed right to theedges - It is therefore one object of this invention to provide an improved two-sheet sterilization wrap.
- It is another object of this invention to provide a two-sheet sterilization wrap which is easy to use.
- It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved two-sheet sterilization wrap which is less likely to be contaminated and is less likely to be pulled apart.
- It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method for sterilizing an article utilizing an improved two-sheet sterilization wrap.
- It is still another object of this invention to provided a two sheet sterilization wrap which eliminates confusion by the user regarding the number of sheets in each wrap.
- In accordance with one form of this invention, there is provided a sterilization wrap made from two sheets or two layers of sterilization material. Each sheet or layer has first, second, third and fourth edges. Each sheet or layer includes a central portion. The first edge of the first sheet or layer is in register with and joined to the first edge of the second sheet or layer. The second edge of the first sheet or layer is in register with and joined to the second edge of the second sheet or layer. The third edge of the first sheet or layer is in register with and joined to the third edge of the second sheet or layer. The fourth edge of the first sheet or layer is registered with and joined to the fourth edge of the second sheet or layer. The central portions of each sheet or layer are substantially not bonded together. Thus two layers of sterilization material is provided for the article to be sterilized. The region between the central portion of each sheet or layer is protected from contaminates and the joined edges of the wrap are readily grasped by the person wrapping the articles to be sterilized.
- In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided a method for sterilizing an article, including the step of providing the article, wrapping the article with sterilization wrap made in accordance with the above-described design, and applying sterilization conditions to the wrapped article.
- The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof may be better understood in reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art sterilization wrap; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sterilization wrap, in accordance with this subject invention; -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the sterilization wrap ofFIG. 2 taken through Section Lines 3-3; -
FIG. 4 is sectional view of the sterilization wrap ofFIG. 2 taken through Section Lines 4-4; -
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sterilization wrap ofFIG. 2 showing the materials to be sterilized in preparation for wrapping. - Referring now more particularly to
FIGS. 2 through 5 , there is provided a sterilization wrap in the form ofapplication 30 which is made of two sheets ofsterilization material -
Sheet 32 is the same size assheet 34, and the two sheets are in register with one another and are joined together by bonding the two sheets along all four of their respective edges, as illustrated by bond points 36. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , edge 38 ofsheet 32 is bonded to edge 40 ofsheet 34.Edge 42 ofsheet 32 is bonded to edge 44 ofsheet 34. As shown inFIG. 4 , edge 46 ofsheet 32 is bonded to edge 48 ofsheet 34.Edge 50 ofsheet 32 is bonded to edge 52 ofsheet 34. Thecentral region 54 ofsheet 32 in not substantially bonded to thecentral region 56 ofsheet 34. This results inopen space 58 occurring betweensheet 32 andsheet 34. - The bond points 36 along the edges of each sheet are preferably at the very end of the edges of each sheet. This will substantially reduce the likelihood that fibers from free edges will be released since the bonding process melts the fibers at the bond points. The bond points illustrated in
FIG. 2 show the bond points spaced apart for illustrative purposes only. Actually, the bond points are very close together. - The
central region 54 ofsheet 32 andcentral region 56 ofsheet 34 remain substantially not bonded together so that the passage of the sterilization materials through the wrap to thearticles 60 to be sterilized is not substantially reduced by the points. That is, thermal bonding of the two sheets together in theircentral regions - Since the sterilization wrap is joined along all four edges, the wrap will not be visually distinguishable as two separate sheets. However, a significant advantage of the two sheets or layers being joined together along all four edges is the fact that debris will not be permitted to penetrate into the
open space 58 since all four edges, in effect, are sealed. In addition, since the joining occurs directly adjacent to the edges, or even overlapping the edges, loss of fibers about the edges is substantially reduced. Furthermore, since all four edges are joined together, the likelihood that the two sheets or layers will stay together is substantially enhanced. Also, since the joining of all four edges occurs directly adjacent to the edges, there should be no user perception that there might be contamination between the sheets and/or that the sterilization materials might escape. - The sterilization wrap of the subject invention, with the two sheets bonded or joined together on the edges, also provides a reasonable rigid edge which is easily grasped by the person using the sterilization wrap.
- One of the methods of joining is ultrasonic bonding which results in bond points. Alternatively, hot melt glue, a heated knife or wire, laser, water jet, thermo-mechanism, or mechanical embossing may be used to create the bonding.
- The sterilization wrap of the subject invention is easy to manufacture. Two identical size sheets may be cut into the desired shape, most commonly square shape. The two sheets are placed in register, and then all four edges may be joined together by one of the techniques referred to above.
- By utilizing this invention, there is no need for the user to handle two separate sheets of sterilization wrap in order to provide two layers of protection for the articles to be sterilized. A
single application 30 is removed from its container and placed flat on a table. The article to be sterilized is placed in the center of the wrap/application 30. The article is then wrapped in the generally prescribed or acceptable fashion. The wrapped article is placed in an autoclave or gas enclosure and is subjected to sterilizing conditions. - From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent that many modifications may be made therein. It will be understood, however, that the embodiments of the invention are an exemplification of the invention only and that the invention is not limited thereto. It is to be understood, therefore, that it is intended in the appended claims to cover all modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (28)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/373,467 US20060153759A1 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2006-03-10 | Two layer edge joined sterilization wrap |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/451,056 US6517916B1 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 1999-11-30 | Four edge sealed sterilization wrap and method for sterilizing an article |
US10/119,183 US6793879B2 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2002-04-09 | Four edge sealed sterilization wrap and method for sterilizing an article |
US10/911,316 US7153469B2 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2004-08-03 | Four edge sealed sterilization wrap and method for sterilizing an article |
US11/373,467 US20060153759A1 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2006-03-10 | Two layer edge joined sterilization wrap |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/911,316 Continuation US7153469B2 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2004-08-03 | Four edge sealed sterilization wrap and method for sterilizing an article |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20060153759A1 true US20060153759A1 (en) | 2006-07-13 |
Family
ID=23790636
Family Applications (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/451,056 Expired - Lifetime US6517916B1 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 1999-11-30 | Four edge sealed sterilization wrap and method for sterilizing an article |
US10/119,183 Expired - Lifetime US6793879B2 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2002-04-09 | Four edge sealed sterilization wrap and method for sterilizing an article |
US10/911,316 Expired - Lifetime US7153469B2 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2004-08-03 | Four edge sealed sterilization wrap and method for sterilizing an article |
US11/373,467 Abandoned US20060153759A1 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2006-03-10 | Two layer edge joined sterilization wrap |
Family Applications Before (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/451,056 Expired - Lifetime US6517916B1 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 1999-11-30 | Four edge sealed sterilization wrap and method for sterilizing an article |
US10/119,183 Expired - Lifetime US6793879B2 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2002-04-09 | Four edge sealed sterilization wrap and method for sterilizing an article |
US10/911,316 Expired - Lifetime US7153469B2 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2004-08-03 | Four edge sealed sterilization wrap and method for sterilizing an article |
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US (4) | US6517916B1 (en) |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8852502B2 (en) | 2010-12-30 | 2014-10-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Sterilization wrap system and methods of use |
US9358071B2 (en) | 2010-12-30 | 2016-06-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Sterilization wrap system and methods of use |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7153469B2 (en) | 2006-12-26 |
US6517916B1 (en) | 2003-02-11 |
US20050008527A1 (en) | 2005-01-13 |
US6793879B2 (en) | 2004-09-21 |
US20020197424A1 (en) | 2002-12-26 |
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