Method for extracting a medical device from a medical device package
A medical device package for receiving, and securely and removably retaining, a medical device includes main and minor cap members. The main cap member has a proximal end, a distal end and a cavity with a cavity opening at the proximal end. The cavity is configured to receive, and to securely and removably retain, the medical device at least partially therein. The minor cap member is configured to seal the cavity opening once the medical device has been received in the cavity. A method for extracting a medical device from a medical device package includes first providing a medical device package as described above, with a medical device therein, and a connector. The method also includes breaching the minor cap member with the connector such that at least a portion of the connector enters the cavity of the medical device package. Next, the medical device is engaged by the connector and extracted from the medical device package.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/666,154, filed Sep. 19, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and to which application we claim priority under 35 USC §120.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to medical device packages and, in particular, to medical device packages for receiving, and securely and removably retaining, a medical device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of medical devices require packaging to, for example, protect the medical device from damage prior to use and to maintain sterility of the medical device. For integrated medical devices that combine a dermal tissue penetration member (e.g., a lancet or micro-needle) with a test strip, the associated package should provide for an uncomplicated deployment of the dermal tissue penetration member during use, while also providing for protection of a user from inadvertent contact with the dermal tissue penetration member prior and subsequent to use. Furthermore, the packaging should provide humidity resistance for the test strip during storage.
Single-use (i.e., disposable) integrated medical devices are illustrative of the above requirements in that they require a medical device package that maintains sterility and protects the single-use integrated medical device contained therein from damage prior to use. Such medical device packages should also provide humidity resistance and UV protection for a test strip of such single-use integrated medical devices prior to use. Furthermore, the medical device package should provide for deployment of a dermal tissue penetration member of such a single-use integrated medical device during use, as well as for disabling (i.e., preventing subsequent use) and safely discarding the single-use integrated medical device following use.
Conventional medical device packages do not fulfill all or even most of the requirements described above in a cost effective manner. Still needed in the field, therefore, is a medical device package that provides a sterility barrier and/or for protection of a medical device enclosed therein, while also providing for an uncomplicated deployment of the medical device during use. Furthermore, for integrated medical devices that include a dermal tissue penetration member (e.g., a lancet or micro-needle), a need exists for a medical device package that protects the dermal tissue penetration member from damage, humidity, and/or contamination prior to use, that protects a user from accidental contact therewith and that also disables the medical device following use, thereby preventing its repeated use. In addition, the materials and methods used to manufacture the medical device package should be cost effective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONMedical device packages according to the present invention provide a sterility barrier and/or protection for a medical device (e.g., an integrated medical device) enclosed therein. Embodiments of medical device packages according to the present invention also provide for an uncomplicated deployment of the medical device during use. Furthermore, with respect to integrated medical devices that include a dermal tissue penetration member (e.g., a lancet or micro-needle), medical device packages according to embodiments of the present invention protect the dermal tissue penetration member from damage, humidity, and/or contamination prior to use, and protect a user from accidental contact therewith. Embodiments of the medical device packages according to the present invention are also adapted to disable the medical device following use, thereby preventing its repeated use. In addition, due to relative simplicity of configuration, medical device packages according to the present invention are cost effective.
A medical device package according to embodiments of the present invention includes a main cap member and a minor cap member. The main cap member has a proximal end, a distal end and a cavity with a cavity opening at the proximal end. The cavity is configured to receive, and to securely and removably retain, a medical device (e.g., an integrated medical device that includes a dermal tissue penetration member and a test strip) at least partially therein. The minor cap member is configured to seal the cavity opening once the medical device has been received in the cavity.
Medical device package kits according to embodiments of the present invention include a main cap member, a minor cap member and a connector. The main cap member has a proximal end, a distal end and a cavity. The cavity has a cavity opening at the proximal end of the main cap member. The cavity is configured to receive, and to securely and removably retain, a medical device at least partially therein. The minor cap member is configured to seal the cavity opening once the medical device has been received in the cavity. The connector is configured to engage the medical device during removal of the medical device from the cavity.
Methods according to the present invention enable the uncomplicated deployment (i.e., extraction) of a medical device from a medical device package. Methods for extracting a medical device from a medical device package according to embodiments of the present invention first include providing a medical device package, with a medical device (e.g., an integrated medical device) therein, and a connector. The provided medical device package includes a main cap member having a cavity and proximal and distal ends, and a minor cap member. The cavity of the main cap member has a cavity opening at the proximal end of the main cap member and is configured to receive, and to securely and removably retain, the medical device at least partially therein. The minor cap member is configured to seal the cavity opening.
The methods also include breaching the minor cap member with the connector such that at least a portion of the connector enters the cavity. Next, the medical device is engaged by the connector and extracted from the medical device package.
Other methods according to the present invention include disabling a medical device that has been extracted from a medical device package by inserting the medical device back into a cavity of the medical device package to a position that results in a disabling of repeated use of the medical device. Such disablement can be obtained by, for example, a wedging of the medical device into a fixed position within the cavity of the medical device package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings (wherein like numerals represent like elements), of which:
FIGS. 9A-D are schematic, cross-sectional views depicting various stages of the process of
FIGS. 10A-E are schematic, perspective views depicting various stages of the process of
FIGS. 11A-C are schematic, top cross-sectional views depicting various stages of the process of
FIGS. 12A-C are schematic enlargements of portions of FIGS. 11A-C, respectively;
FIGS. 14A-D are schematic, cross-sectional views depicting various stages of the process of
FIGS. 15A-D are schematic, perspective views depicting various stages of the process of
FIGS. 1, 2A-2D, 3A and 3B are various simplified views of a medical device package 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Medical device package 100 includes a main cap member 110 and a minor cap member 150.
Main cap member 110 includes a cavity 116 therein, a proximal end 112 and a distal end 114. Cavity 116 has a cavity opening 118 at the proximal end 112 of the main cap member 110 and is configured to receive, and to securely and removably retain, a medical device (e.g., integrated medical device 300, illustrated in
Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2A-2D, 3A and 3B, in the embodiment of medical device package 100, cavity opening 118 is bounded by a rim 120 of sufficient surface area to enable minor cap member 150 to be adhered to rim 120 by processes known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, heat sealing processes. In this manner, minor cap member 150 and main cap member 110 of medical device package 100 provide a sterility barrier and humidity protection for a medical device contained therein.
External features of main cap member 110 include a first peripheral edge 122, a second peripheral edge 124, a main cap upper surface 126 and a main cap lower surface 128. As shown in
As shown in
Cavity 116 is defined (at least in part) by a first smooth inner surface 127 and a second smooth inner surface 129 and includes first and second lateral channels 140 and 142, respectively, as shown in
First and second lateral channels 140 and 142 begin at the end of first and second sloped lands 160 and 162, respectively, and extend approximately half way into cavity 116. First and second lateral channels 140 and 142 are divided into a post-use portion 202, a transition point 204, and a pre-use portion 206 (see
Main cap member 110 can be formed of any suitable material known to those of skill in the art including, for example, rigid plastic materials such as polystyrene, polycarbonate and polyester. Such rigid plastic materials are impervious to puncturing and to air and/or air-borne bacteria and, therefore, provide a sterility barrier and a puncture-resistant protective barrier. It can be particularly beneficial in terms of humidity protection for main cap member 110 to be formed of a desiccant-loaded high-density polyethylene (e.g., 2AP desiccant-loaded high-density polyethylene, commercially available from Airsec in France).
Minor cap member 150 is configured to seal cavity opening 118 once a medical device has been received in cavity 116. In the embodiment of
Connector 500 includes a strip extracting member 502 and a connector body 504. In addition, connector 500 includes a proximal end 510, a distal end 512, an upper surface 514 and a lower surface 516. Connector body 504 includes a connector directional marker 518 on upper surface 514. Connector directional marker 518 (optional) is discontinuous with (e.g., raised above or recessed below) upper surface 514 of connector 500. Connector directional marker 518 may include, but is not limited to, an ellipse 530 and an arrow 532. Connector directional marker 518 provides a user with both tactile and visual cues for proper orientation of connector 500 when inserted into medical device package 100.
Strip extracting member 502 includes a lower strip engaging arm 540, an upper strip engaging arm 542 and a plurality of strip engaging elements 544, as illustrated in
Process 800 includes first providing (i) a medical device package with a minor cap member and a medical device contained therein and (ii) a connector, as set forth in step 810 of
Next, as set forth in step 820, the minor cap member is breached (e.g., ruptured) with the connector such that at least a portion of the connector has entered into the cavity of the main cap member (see
It should be noted, that beaching the minor cap member (such as a breachable film) and engaging the medical device with the connector do not result in the medical device moving past the transition points 204 of the first and second lateral channels 140, 142 (as depicted in
Solid line 5F-5F of
Process 800 can be performed manually or automatically. Furthermore, process 800 can be, for example, performed by an integrated device that combines an analytical meter and a connector in a configuration that provides for (i) a medical device to be extracted from a medical device package; (ii) a sample (e.g., a whole blood sample) to be obtained from a user and (iii) an analytical result (e.g., blood glucose concentration of the whole blood sample) to determined, all by a single operation of the integrated device. Mechanical motions may be incorporated into a lancet cocking action, new test strip deployment and/or ejection.
Process 1300 includes first providing (i) a medical device package with a minor cap member and a medical device contained therein at a first position and (ii) a connector, as set forth in step 1310 of
Next, at step 1320, the minor cap member is breached (e.g., ruptured) with the connector such that at least a portion of the connector has entered the cavity of the main cap member. The medical device is then engaged by the connector, as set forth in step 1330. The connector and engaged medical device are then extracted from the cavity of the medical device package for use, as set forth in step 1340.
Subsequently, at step 1350, the connector and engaged medical device are inserted back into a cavity of the medical device package to a second position, whereby the medical device is disabled from reuse (see
It should be noted that during insertion of the connector and engaged medical device into the cavity at step 1350, the medical device is inserted to a second position within post-use portion 202 that is beyond transition points 204 of the first and second lateral channels (see, in particular,
Medical device package 1900 includes a main cap member 1910 with a proximal end 1912, a distal end 1914, a cavity 1918 and a cavity opening 1916. Distal end 1914 is configured to function as a handle during manually removal of medical device package 1900 from secondary packaging (not illustrated).
Medical device package 1900 can be constructed, for example, of molded plastic or other material that is impervious to air and/or air-borne bacteria, to provide a sterile-protective and puncture-resistant barrier. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, polystyrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate and polyester.
Cavity 1918 of medical device package 1900 is defined by surfaces depicted with dashed lines in
Minor cap member 2020 has a proximal end 2022, a distal end 2024, a minor cap opening 2026, and a minor cap cavity (not shown in
Both main cap member 2010 and minor cap member 2020 are beneficially constructed of molded plastic or other rigid material that is impervious to air and/or air-borne bacteria, to provide a sterile-protective and puncture-resistant barrier. Suitable materials for main cap member 2010 and minor cap member 2020 include, but are not limited to, polystyrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate and polyester.
Minor cap member 2120 of medical device package 2100 has a proximal end 2122 and a distal end 2124. Moreover, integrated medical device 300 is permanently attached to minor cap member 2120 at proximal end 2122. The permanent attachment of such an integrated medical device to minor cap member 2120 is envisioned to provide handling benefits during use of the integrated medical device. For example, minor cap member 2120 could be gripped by a meter, with the main cap member then being easily removed by a user (e.g., by pulling, twisting or snapping) to deploy the integrated medical device.
Referring to
Cavity opening 2516 is bounded by rim 2522 of Main cap member 2510. Rim 2533 is configured to mate with surface 2523 of minor cap member 2520. In
Both main cap member 2510 and minor cap member 2520 (other than flexible minor cap member portion 2520′) are beneficially constructed of molded plastic or other rigid material that is impervious to air and/or air-borne bacteria, to provide a sterile-protective and puncture-resistant barrier. Suitable materials for main cap member 2510 and minor cap member 2520 include, but are not limited to, polystyrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate and polyester.
Cavity 2518 is defined (at least in part) by a first smooth inner surface 2524 and a second smooth inner surface 2526 and includes first and second lateral channels 2528 and 2530, respectively, as shown in
Integrated medical device 300 extends between first lateral channel 2528 and second lateral channel 2530 and lies parallel to first smooth inner surface 2524 and second smooth inner surface 2526. Unused integrated medical device 300 is securely retained within cavity 2518 via a friction fit with first lateral channel 2528 and second lateral channel 2530 such that integrated medical device 300 is engaged by first and second lateral channels 2528 and 2530 in at least one direction (i.e., is restrained in the X and/or Z direction of
Distal end 310 of integrated medical device 300 is within proximal end 2512 of medical device package 2500 and is not in contact with first lateral channel 2528 and second lateral channel 2530. Furthermore, it should be noted that lancet 320 is within cavity 2518 and thus protected from inadvertent damage.
Medical device package 2600 includes a main cap member 2610 and a minor cap member (not shown). Main cap member 2610 has a proximal end 2612, a distal end 2614, a cavity opening 2616, and a cavity 2618. Cavity 2618 and cavity opening 2616 of main cap member 2610 are configured for placement of a dermal tissue penetration member of an integrated medical device wholly therein, thus providing a protective barrier for such a dermal tissue penetration member. Although the minor cap member of medical device package 2600 is not shown, it is configured to cover cavity opening 2616 in a removable manner.
Cavity opening 2616 includes a rim 2622 of sufficient surface area to enable the minor cap member to be adhered to rim 2622 by processes known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, heat sealing processes. In this manner, minor cap member and main cap member 2610 of medical device package 2600 provide a sterility barrier and humidity protection for a medical device contained therein.
Main cap member 2610 is beneficially constructed of molded plastic or other rigid material that is impervious to air and/or air-borne bacteria, to provide a sterile-protective and puncture-resistant barrier. Suitable materials for main cap member 2610 include, but are not limited to, polystyrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate and polyester.
Cavity 2618 is defined (at least in part) by a first smooth inner surface 2624 and a second smooth inner surface 2626 and includes first and second lateral channels 2628 and 2630, respectively, as shown in
Integrated medical device 300 extends between first lateral channel 2628 and second lateral channel 2630 and lies parallel to first smooth inner surface 2624 and second smooth inner surface 2626. Unused integrated medical device 300 is securely retained within cavity 2618 via a friction fit with first lateral channel 2628 and second lateral channel 2630 such that integrated medical device 300 is engaged by first and second lateral channels 2628 and 2630 in at least one direction (i.e., in the X and/or Z direction of
Those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of medical device packages according to the present invention can be secondarily packaged for single use in, for example, a vial or cartridge configured for dispensing the medical device packages. The secondary package may be constructed of material containing desiccant or may contain separately packaged desiccant for maintaining contents moisture free. Moreover, functional characteristics of the various embodiments of medical device packages (e.g., restraint of a medical device in an X or Z direction by at least one lateral channel) can be employed, if desired, in methods according to the present invention.
Once apprised of the present disclosure, one skilled in the art will also recognize that a variety of medical devices can be beneficially employed with embodiments of medical device packages according to the present invention. Such medical devices include, but are not limited to, integrated medical devices that include a combination of a test strip and a lancet, examples of which are described in the aforementioned International Application No. PCT/GB01/05634 (published as WO 02/49507 on Jun. 27, 2002) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/143,399, both of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. One skilled in the art will also recognize that such test strips may have, but are not limited to, an electrochemical or photometric configuration. For illustrative purposes only, medical devices in various figures of the present disclosure were depicted as having an electrochemical configuration.
Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that medical device packages according to embodiments of the present invention can be employed with medical device adapted for the measurement of, for example, glucose, ketones, glycated albumin, coagulation parameters and cholesterol of a sample.
In addition, one skilled in the art will also recognize that medical device packages according to the present invention may be contained within a combined sample collection and metering system designed for in-situ testing. Examples of such systems designed for in-situ testing are disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT/US01/07169 (published as WO 01/64105 A1 on Sep. 7, 2001) and International Patent Application No. PCT/GB02/03772 (published as WO 03/015627 A1 on Feb. 27, 2003), each of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
Claims
1. A method for extracting a medical device from a medical device package, the method comprising:
- providing: a medical device package with a medical device contained therein, the medical device package including: a main cap member with a cavity therein, the main cap member including: a proximal end; and a distal end; a minor cap member; and wherein: the cavity has a cavity opening at the proximal end of the main cap member; the cavity is configured to receive, and to securely and removably retain, a medical device at least partially therein in at least one lateral channel of the main cap member; the at least one lateral channel has a longitudinal axis and the at least one lateral channel restrains free movement of the medical device package in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and the minor cap member is sealing the cavity opening; and a connector;
- breaching the minor cap member with the connector such that at least a portion of the connector has entered the cavity of the medical device cavity;
- engaging the medical device with the connector; and
- extracting the connector and engaged medical device from the cavity of the medical device package.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical device is an integrated medical device that includes a tissue penetration member and a test strip.
3. A method for extracting a medical device from a medical device package and subsequently disabling the medical device, the method comprising:
- providing: a medical device package with a medical device contained therein at a first position, the medical device package including: a main cap member with a cavity therein, the main cap member including: a proximal end; and a distal end; a minor cap member; and wherein: the cavity has a cavity opening at the proximal end of the main cap member; the cavity is configured to receive, and to securely and removably retain, a medical device at least partially therein in at least one lateral channel of the main cap member; the at least one lateral channel has a longitudinal axis and the at least one lateral channel restrains free movement of the medical device package in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and the minor cap member is sealing the cavity opening; and a connector;
- breaching the minor cap member with the connector such that at least a portion of the connector has entered the cavity of the medical device cavity;
- engaging the medical device with the connector;
- extracting the connector and engaged medical device from the cavity of the medical device package; and
- subsequently inserting the connector and engaged medical device into a cavity of the medical device package to a second position whereby the medical device is disabled from subsequent use.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the inserting step includes inserting the engaged medical device into the cavity of the main cap member.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the inserting step includes inserting the engaged medical device into a distal end cavity of the medical device package.
6. The method of claim 3 further including:
- disengaging the connector from the disabled medical device; and
- withdrawing the connector from the medical device package.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 24, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 7, 2006
Inventors: Bryan Windus-Smith (Elmswell), Gordon Sansom (Inverness), David Lang (Edinburgh)
Application Number: 11/388,451
International Classification: A61B 5/00 (20060101);