Method of using a sterilization wrap system
Inventors
Farmer, Jeffrey James • Holt, Kelly L. • Anderson, Ronald K. • Gaynor, Melissa R. • Schwarz, Corinna
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11654652-B2
Publication Date
2023-05-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of using a sterilization wrap system including a permeable material having barrier properties and having a first surface and a second opposing surface, the exterior panel being substantially opaque or having a first level of translucence, and an interior panel including a permeable material having barrier properties and having a first surface and a second opposing surface, the interior panel having a level of translucence that is higher than the translucence of the exterior panel, the panels being joined together over at least a portion of their surfaces. Also disclosed is inspection of the sterilization wrap system for exterior panel breaches by looking for light passing through a panel facing the viewer.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a sterilization wrap system with an exterior panel and an interior panel, each including a permeable nonwoven material having barrier properties and a first surface and a second opposing surface. The exterior panel has a first level of translucence, while the interior panel has a second level of translucence higher than the first level of translucence of the exterior panel.
The difference between the first level of translucence and the second level of translucence allows a viewer to identify a breach on a panel of the sterilization wrap system that is opposite the viewer. The interior panel includes a plurality of bond points, and the bond points define discrete locations having higher translucence than locations on the permeable nonwoven material of the interior panel that are not bond points.
In further embodiments, the translucence relationships and breach-identification capability are refined by specifying quantitative differences in translucence between panels and by enhancing translucence at bond-point locations relative to non-bond regions. The system can be configured as a steam sterilization wrap system and includes constructions in which the exterior and interior panels are formed from a single folded sheet or from independent sheets, including options for separate sheets and overlay/joined constructions.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. The claims center on a permeable nonwoven barrier sterilization wrap system with an exterior and an interior portion that differ in translucence to enable viewer identification of a breach opposite the viewer, with bond points creating discrete higher-translucence locations within the more-translucent portion.
Translucence difference between exterior and interior panels enables breach identification
A sterilization wrap system comprising an exterior panel with a first level of translucence and an interior panel with a second level of translucence higher than the first level of translucence, wherein the difference between the first level of translucence and the second level of translucence allows a viewer to identify a breach on a panel of the sterilization wrap system that is opposite the viewer.
Bond points define discrete higher-translucence locations in the interior panel
The interior panel includes a plurality of bond points and the bond points define discrete locations having higher translucence than locations on the permeable nonwoven material of the interior panel that are not bond points.
Exterior and interior sheets with translucence difference enable breach identification
A sterilization wrap system comprising a permeable nonwoven material having barrier properties including an exterior sheet having a first level of translucence and an interior sheet having a second level of translucence that is higher than the first level of translucence of the exterior sheet, wherein the difference between the first level of translucence and the second level of translucence allows a viewer to identify a breach on a sheet of the sterilization wrap system that is opposite the viewer.
Bond points define discrete higher-translucence locations in the interior sheet
The interior sheet includes a plurality of bond points and the bond points define discrete locations having higher translucence than locations on the interior sheet that are not bond points.
Across both independent claims, the core claim coverage is the combination of an exterior portion and a higher-translucence interior portion formed from permeable nonwoven barrier material to create a viewer-detectable translucence contrast for a breach opposite the viewer, together with bond points in the higher-translucence interior portion that define discrete higher-translucence locations relative to non-bond-point regions.
Stated Advantages
Allows a viewer to identify a breach on a panel of the sterilization wrap system that is opposite the viewer.
Documented Applications
Steam sterilization wrap system.
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