Sterilization wrap system and methods of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9358071-B2
Application number	US-201414506944-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 6, 2014
Priority date	Dec 30, 2010
Publication date	Jun 7, 2016
Grant date	Jun 7, 2016

Abstract

A method of sterilizing an article is provided. The method includes providing sterilization wrap system with which to wrap the article to be sterilized. The sterilization wrap system comprises a plurality of wrap units configured in a stack, at least one wrap unit in the stack being detachably attached to at least one other wrap unit in the stack.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A sterilization wrap system, comprising:
a plurality of wrap units configured in a stack;
wherein each of the wrap units comprises a sheet material that is substantially permeable to vapor-phase sterilants and has filtration properties sufficient to prevent the passage of pathogenic microorganisms therethrough;
wherein at least one wrap unit is detachably attached via an adhesive means to another wrap unit in the stack.

2. The sterilization wrap system of claim 1 , wherein the sheet material comprises medical grade paper or a nonwoven material.

3. The sterilization wrap system of claim 2 , wherein the nonwoven material comprises cellulose, rayon, a thermoplastic polymer, a derivative of any of the foregoing materials, or a combination of any two or more of the foregoing materials.

4. The sterilization wrap system of claim 3 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyolefin polymer, a polyester polymer, or a polyamide polymer.

5. The sterilization wrap system of claim 1 , wherein the sheet material is made using a process selected from the group an air laying process, a wet-laid process, a hydroentangling process, spunbonding, meltblowing, staple fiber carding and bonding, and solution spinning.

6. The sterilization wrap system of claim 1 , wherein the sterilization wrap consists essentially of a three-ply laminate of spunbond polypropylene-meltblown polypropylene-spunbond polypropylene.

7. The sterilization wrap system of claim 1 , wherein each wrap unit in the stack is detachably attached to a wrap, if present, positioned immediately above it in the stack.

8. The sterilization wrap system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment means comprises a wax.

9. The sterilization wrap system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment means is positioned on a major surface of a first wrap unit, wherein the attachment means is detachably attached to a major surface of a second wrap unit.

10. The sterilization wrap system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment means coupling a first wrap unit to a second wrap unit is positioned along at least a portion of an edge of each of the first and second wrap units.

11. The sterilization wrap system of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive means consists of an adhesive layer or an adhesive tape.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Landgrebe Kevin D
• Reed Susan K
• Webb Heather M

Classifications

• A61L2202/181

  Flexible packaging means, e.g. permeable membranes, paper · CPC title

• A61B46/00

  Surgical drapes · CPC title

• A61B50/30 Primary

  Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments (for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40) · CPC title

• A61B2050/002

  having adhesive means, e.g. an adhesive strip · CPC title

• A61L2/26 Primary

  Accessories · CPC title