US5236088A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biomedical material shipment kit and method
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
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Filing: 1992-07-29
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Granted: 1993-08-17
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Expires: 2012-07-29
Abstract
Abstract An orthopedic implant retrieval kit which, when assembled, provides a shipping and handling container for explanted orthopedic devices which will protect individuals handling the container from the material in the container, and which will meet the appropriate regulations for shipping of potentially biohazardous material. The kit includes at least three plastic bags, at least two containers, a box, at least one foam insert, instructions and labels. The method involves assembling the kit components into a container for shipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitchell A. Dhority
- 👤 Denice C. Pian
- 👤 Paul J. Wisnewski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0095; A01; A01N; A01N1/00; A61J; A61J1/00; A61J1/14; A61J1/16; A61J1/165; B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/38; B65D81/3848; B65D81/3858; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/32; A61F2/36; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/3071; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
A kit for the safe handling and shipping of biomedical materials in a liquid preservative, comprising: (1) a first generally flexible sealable container for holding an explanted orthopedic device and a liquid preservative and for providing a liquid sealed barrier, said first generally flexible container being sized and shaped to permit the introduction of the explanted orthopedic device therein; (2) a first generally rigid sealable container for holding a tissue sample and a liquid preservative and for providing a liquid sealed barrier, said first generally rigid container being sized and shaped to permit the introduction of the tissue sample therein; (3) a second generally flexible sealable container for holding the first generally rigid container and for providing a liquid sealed barrier, said second generally flexible container being sized and shaped to permit the introduction of the first generally rigid container therein; (4) a second generally rigid sealable container for holding both the first and second generally flexible containers and for providing a liquid sealed barrier, said second generally rigid container being sized and shaped to permit the introduction of both the first and second generally flexible containers therein; (5) a third generally flexible sealable container for holding the second generally rigid container and for providing a liquid sealed barrier, said third generally flexible container being sized and shaped to permit the introduction of the second generally rigid container therein; (6) a box for containing the third generally flexible container, said box being sized and shaped to hold the third generally flexible container therein; (7) at least one foam insert for placement in the box for supporting and cushioning the third bag within the box; and (8) instructions and labels for the proper assembling and shipping of the components of the kit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
291 words
A kit for the safe handling and shipping of biomedical materials in a liquid preservative, comprising: (1) a first generally flexible sealable container for holding an explanted orthopedic device and a liquid preservative and for providing a liquid sealed barrier, said first generally flexible container being sized and shaped to permit the introduction of the explanted orthopedic device therein; (2) a first generally rigid sealable container for holding a tissue sample and a liquid preservative and for providing a liquid sealed barrier, said first generally rigid container being sized and shaped to permit the introduction of the tissue sample therein; (3) a second generally flexible sealable container for holding the first generally rigid container and for providing a liquid sealed barrier, said second generally flexible container being sized and shaped to permit the introduction of the first generally rigid container therein; (4) a second generally rigid sealable container for holding both the first and second generally flexible containers and for providing a liquid sealed barrier, said second generally rigid container being sized and shaped to permit the introduction of both the first and second generally flexible containers therein; (5) a third generally flexible sealable container for holding the second generally rigid container and for providing a liquid sealed barrier, said third generally flexible container being sized and shaped to permit the introduction of the second generally rigid container therein; (6) a box for containing the third generally flexible container, said box being sized and shaped to hold the third generally flexible container therein; (7) at least one foam insert for placement in the box for supporting and cushioning the third bag within the box; and (8) instructions and labels for the proper assembling and shipping of the components of the kit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The orthopedic implant retrieval kit of claim 1, wherein the box is formed of a three layer laminate material having polyurethane foam sandwiched between two layers of corrugated cardboard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The orthopedic implant retrieval kit of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third generally flexible containers are formed of a transparent, flexible plastic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The orthopedic implant retrieval kit of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third generally flexible containers include a zipper close top.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The orthopedic implant retrieval kit of claim 1, wherein the first and second generally rigid containers are formed of a transparent plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The orthopedic implant retrieval kit of claim 1, wherein the first and second generally rigid containers are formed of a semi-rigid material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The orthopedic implant retrieval kit of claim 1, wherein the first and second generally rigid containers are formed of a rigid material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The orthopedic implant retrieval kit of claim 1, wherein the first and second generally rigid containers have snap-on caps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The orthopedic implant retrieval kit of claim 1, wherein the labels comprise: at least one label for identification of the explanted orthopedic device; at least one packing diagram label to aid in kit assembly; and at least one identification label which complies with appropriate regulations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
A method of packing and shipping an explanted orthopedic device and a tissue sample in a liquid preservative comprising the steps of: (a) selecting an orthopedic implant retrieval kit having the components set forth in claim 1; (b) placing the explanted orthopedic device in the first generally flexible container; (c) adding a liquid preservative to the first generally flexible container; (d) sealing the first generally flexible container; (e) sealing the first generally flexible container within the second generally rigid container; (f) sealing the second generally rigid container within the third generally flexible container; (g) placing the third generally flexible container within the box; and (h) placing absorbent material around at least a portion of the third generally flexible container; (i) supporting and cushioning the third bag within the box with at least one form insert.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: (a) placing a tissue sample in the first generally rigid container; (b) adding a liquid preservative to the first generally rigid container; (c) sealing the first generally rigid container; (d) sealing the first generally rigid container within the second generally rigid container along with the first generally flexible container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of shipping the assembled kit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-02-15 | 1997-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-16 | 2005-02-15 | 2005-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |