DEFINED REMOVAL SITE ON STERILE BLISTER PACK

Abstract

A system and method for systematic, controlled removal of sterile products from blister packs for use during surgery is disclosed.

Claims

1.-40. (canceled)

41. A system comprising: a blister pack having a front and a back, the blister pack comprising: a plurality of sterile holding areas, each sterile holding area configured to accommodate a sterile eye surgery instrument of a plurality of sterile eye surgery instruments, the plurality of sterile holding areas comprising: a first frustoconical sterile holding area having a first frustoconical shape configured to accommodate a first sterile eye surgery instrument of the plurality of sterile eye surgery instruments, the first sterile eye surgery instrument comprising an applanation cone having a projecting edge, the first frustoconical sterile holding area having a circular base proximate to the front of the blister pack; a tray sterile holding area proximate to the first frustoconical sterile holding area, the tray sterile holding area configured to accommodate the projecting edge of the applanation cone; a second frustoconical sterile holding area configured to accommodate a second sterile eye surgery instrument of the plurality of sterile eye surgery instruments, the second sterile eye surgery instrument having a projection; and a channel sterile holding area proximate to the second frustoconical sterile holding area, the channel sterile holding area configured to accommodate the projection of the second sterile eye surgery instrument; a plurality of pressure points located at the back of the blister pack for controlled removal of the plurality of sterile eye surgery instruments while maintaining sterility of the plurality of sterile eye surgery instruments, the plurality of pressure points comprising: at least one first pressure point associated with the first frustoconical sterile holding area, the at least one first pressure point configured to facilitate controlled removal of the first sterile eye surgery instrument; and at least one second pressure point associated with the second frustoconical sterile holding area, the at least one second pressure point configured to facilitate controlled removal of the second sterile eye surgery instrument; and a protective cover removably coupled to the front of the blister pack.

42. The system of claim 41, the tray sterile holding area located proximate to the circular base of the first frustoconical sterile holding area.

43. The system of claim 41, the channel sterile holding area located proximate a side of the second frustoconical sterile holding area.

44. The system of claim 41, at least one of the plurality of pressure points located within at least one of the plurality of sterile holding areas.

45. The system of claim 41, at least one of the plurality of pressure points located proximate to but distinct from at least one of the plurality of sterile holding areas.

46. The system of claim 41, at least one of the plurality of pressure points located between the front of the blister pack and the back of the blister pack.

47. The system of claim 41, at least one of the plurality of pressure points located on the front of the blister pack or on the back of the blister pack.

48. The system of claim 41, the at least one first pressure point comprising a plurality of first pressure points comprising: an alpha first pressure point located at a radial distance away from the first frustoconical sterile holding area; and a beta first pressure point located at the same radial distance away from the first frustoconical sterile holding area but at a different location as the alpha first pressure point.

49. The system of claim 41, the at least one second pressure point located on the channel sterile holding area.

50. The system of claim 41, at least one pressure point of the plurality of pressure points comprising a circular shape with a pattern comprising a plurality of parallel lines.

51. The system of claim 41, wherein: at least one of the plurality of pressure points is marked on the front of the blister pack; and the at least one of the plurality of pressure points is also marked on the back of the blister pack.

52. The system of claim 41, wherein: at least one of the plurality of pressure points is marked only on the front of the blister pack or only on the back of the blister pack.

53. The system of claim 41, wherein: at least one of the plurality of pressure points is marked with an embossed word.

54. The system of claim 41, wherein: at least one of the plurality of pressure points is marked with an embossed word push.

55. The system of claim 41, wherein: at least one of the plurality of pressure points is marked with a circled X.

56. The system of claim 41, wherein: at least one of the plurality of pressure points is marked with an arrow pointing to the at least one of the plurality of pressure points.

57. The system of claim 41, the plurality of sterile holding areas comprising: a rectangular sterile holding area having a rectangular shape.

58. The system of claim 57, the rectangular holding area adjacent to the tray sterile holding area.

59. The system of claim 57, the rectangular holding area adjacent to the channel sterile holding area.

60. The system of claim 41, wherein: the plurality of sterile eye surgery instruments comprises a lens; and the plurality of sterile holding areas comprises a lens sterile holding area configured to accommodate the lens.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a not-to-scale schematic view of the front of a blister pack with two sterile eye surgery instruments and defined pressure points;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a not-to-scale schematic view of the back of the blister pack of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the front of a blister pack with defined pressure points;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the back of the blister pack of FIG. 3;

[0014] FIG. 5 is flow chart of a method for using a blister pack with defined pressure points.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] This disclosure provides a way to allow removal of the sterile items with sensitive surfaces from the blister pack without requiring the non-sterile user to perform hand disinfection. This disclosure provides a blister pack with defined pressure points and methods of its use.

[0016] In the following description, details are set forth by way of example to facilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter. It should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the field, however, that the disclosed embodiments are exemplary and not exhaustive of all possible embodiments.

[0017] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are blister pack 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the front 110 of a blister pack 100 includes two sterile holding areas 120, 130. Each sterile holding area is shown with a single sterile eye surgery instrument (e.g. sterile eye surgery instrument 122, sterile eye surgery instrument 132). Blister packs with a single sterile holding area are also possible. More than the one sterile eye surgery instrument may be placed in a single sterile holding area. In the embodiment show in FIG. 2, the back 190 of blister pack 100 is shown. The location of sterile holding areas 120 and 130 and pressure points 140, 150, 160, and 170 are shown. Pressure points 140, 150, 160, and 170 are located within the sterile holding areas 120 and 130.

[0018] Non-limiting examples of sterile eye surgery instruments that could be used during eye surgery, such as refractive surgery, is an applanation cone or a lens.

[0019] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, as shown, are actually marked with a circled X at pressure points 140, 150, 160, and 170. Such markings are optional for any or all pressure points 140, 150, 160, and 170, and if marked, other indicators may be used such as an X mark or an embossed word, e.g. push. Optionally, pressure points 140, 150, 160, and 170 are marked on the rear surface 190 of blister pack 100 and not on the front surface 110. If the blister pack requires that the pressure points be pressed in a particular order or in particular combinations, then the blister pack will be so marked.

[0020] The invention does not require the rear surface 190 of blister pack 100 to be sterile.

[0021] Pressure points are placed to avoid sensitive spots or brittle spots on the sterile eye surgery instruments. In the case of a package design with simple sterile barriers, the absence of such defined pressure points means an increased risk of damage, especially to sensitive surfaces during removal of the sterile eye surgery instrument. By allowing controlled removal of the sterile eye surgery instrument using the pressure points, the sterile eye surgery instrument should drop out at a controlled time and in a controlled manner.

[0022] In another embodiment, not shown, blister pack 100 may include movable lugs instead of any one or more of the pressure points. The movable lugs are designed to keep the inside of blister pack 100 sterile when they are moved, e.g. actuated, removed, moved, or unscrewed.

[0023] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the front of a blister pack 200 with defined pressure points. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the front 210 of a blister pack 200 includes two sterile holding areas 220, 230. Each sterile holding area is shown with a single sterile eye surgery instrument (e.g. sterile eye surgery instrument 222, sterile eye surgery instrument 232). Blister packs with a single sterile holding area are also possible. More than one sterile eye surgery instruments may be placed in a single sterile holding area. The location of sterile holding areas 220 and 230 and pressure points 240, 250, and 260 are shown.

[0024] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the back of the blister pack 200 with defined pressure points. In the embodiment show in FIG. 4, the back 290 of blister pack 200 is shown. The location of sterile holding areas 220 and 230 and pressure points 240, 250, and 260, are shown. Pressure points 240, 250, and 260, are located near the sterile holding areas 220 and 230.

[0025] FIG. 5 is flow chart of a method of using a blister pack with defined removal sites, such as blister pack 100.

[0026] In this embodiment, operating room (OR) preparation or an eye surgery procedure is begun, 302.

[0027] A protective cover is removed from the blister pack, 304.

[0028] Then the blister pack is inverted onto a sterile surface, 306. It is important to maintain the surface and the inside of the blister pack as both sterile.

[0029] Next, at least one and likely all pressure points are pressed, 308. If the blister pack requires that the pressure points be pressed in a particular order or in particular combinations, then the blister pack will be so marked. In another embodiment, the pressure points are removable lugs that are removed at this step.

[0030] Finally, the blister pack is removed from the sterile surface, 310.

[0031] The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. For instance, many example embodiments herein are depicted and described using a blister pack. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of types of sterile eye surgery instruments, may be used in such embodiments with corresponding increases in the complexity of blister pack design.