Packaging systems are used for medical devices. For example, this document describes packaging systems for implantable medical devices such as, but not limited to, prosthetic heart valves that are deliverable in a minimally invasive manner using a system of catheters. Some embodiments of the packaging systems described herein are designed to facilitate preparation processes that clinicians perform to prepare the medical devices for implantation.

A holder for a heart valve prosthesis, the holder including a hub portion having a longitudinal axis, an engagement portion coupled to the hub portion and including plural finger members variably positionable relative to the hub portion between a collapsed condition wherein the finger members are closed onto the hub portion and an expanded condition wherein the finger members radially protrude with respect to the hub portion to engage a heart valve prosthesis.

A prophylactic kit apparatus configured to be used with only a single patient includes a plurality of sealed modules and a housing configured to contain those sealed modules such that only one of the plurality of sealed modules can be removed from the housing at a time. This kit may include a physically-discrete informational patient aid disposed within the housing and having information disposed thereon. By one approach these physically-discrete informational patient aids can have a bookmark form factor. So configured, a medical services provider can readily provide the physically-discrete informational patient aid to a patient to thereby facilitate the patient becoming informed regarding the corresponding prophylactic service with little or no burden on the service provider.

A pouch is formed from one or more webs of material that provide at least one absorbent surface. The pouch further includes an integral flap, which may be folded over the opening, or entrance, of the pouch so as to maintain the contents of the pouch in place and to help retain moisture within the pouch. The interior of the pouch is defined, at least partially, by its absorbent faces.

Described herein are pharmaceutical packaging systems which prevent oxidative degradation of oxygen-sensitive drugs, such systems including a primary packaging container with an oxygen permeable component, a secondary packaging with very low permeability to oxygen and an oxygen absorber.

A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture. The method includes the steps of providing a containment compartment molded from a polymeric resin comprising a polymeric material and an antimicrobial agent, positioning a suture within the containment compartment, the suture comprising one or more surfaces; covering the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package cover having an inner surface, and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the containment compartment to the suture, while retaining an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent on the containment compartment, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment. A packaged antimicrobial suture is also provided.

A syringe assembly includes (1) a syringe barrel defining a chamber; (2) a plunger mounted in the chamber and moveable with respect to the barrel; and (3) a cap assembly containing a cap and an absorbent material is removably attached to the plunger. A strip package includes at least two cap assemblies. Each of the cap assemblies includes a cap holder and an antiseptic cap positioned in the cap holder. The antiseptic cap includes a sidewall defining a chamber and an antiseptic substance within the chamber. A strip extends over at least two cap assemblies. The strip includes a first seal engaged to the cap holder and a second seal engaged to the antiseptic cap.

A prophylactic kit apparatus configured to be used with only a single patient includes a plurality of sealed modules and a housing configured to contain those sealed modules such that only one of the plurality of sealed modules can be removed from the housing at a time. This kit may include a physically-discrete informational patient aid disposed within the housing and having information disposed thereon. By one approach these physically-discrete informational patient aids can have a bookmark form factor. So configured, a medical services provider can readily provide the physically-discrete informational patient aid to a patient to thereby facilitate the patient becoming informed regarding the corresponding prophylactic service with little or no burden on the service provider.

Described herein are pharmaceutical packaging systems which prevent oxidative degradation of oxygen-sensitive drugs, such systems including a primary packaging container with an oxygen permeable component, a secondary packaging with very low permeability to oxygen and an oxygen absorber.

Devices, systems, and/or methods discussed herein relate to medical device packaging that includes various features for packaging a medical device and/or preparing the medical device for use in a procedure. For example, packaging can include features to retain a medical device during distribution, such as foldable ends that are configured to cover the medical device. Further, the packaging can include features that are configurable to elevate one end of packaging to assist in preparing the medical device for a procedure, such as to flush the medical device in an elevated state. Moreover, the packaging can include features to hold and/or dispose of a fluid in an efficient manner.