Two layer edge joined sterilization wrap

Abstract

There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of first and second sheets or layers of sterilization material. Each sheet has first, second, third and fourth edges. Each sheet includes a central portion. The first edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the first edge of the second sheet; the second edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the second edge of the second sheet; the third edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the third edge of the second sheet; and the fourth edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the fourth edge of the second sheet. The central portions of the first and second sheets are substantially not bonded together. Thus, two layers of sterilization material are provided for an article to be sterilized.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 911,316 filed Aug. 3, 2004 and titled FOUR EDGE SEALED STERILIZATION WRAP AND METHOD FOR STERILIZING AN ARTICLE. Application Ser. No. 10 / 911,316 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 119,183 filed Apr. 9, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,793,879 on Sep. 21, 2004 and is titled FOUR EDGE SEALED STERILIZATION WRAP AND METHOD FOR STERILIZING AN ARTICLE. Application Ser. No. 10 / 119,183 is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 451,056, filed Nov. 30, 1999, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,916 on Feb. 11, 2003 and is titled FOUR EDGE SEALED STERILIZATION WRAP AND METHOD FOR STERILIZING AN ARTICLE.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to sterilization wrap. More particularly, it relates to sterilization wrap having two sheets or two layers of sterilization material. [0003] Reusable medical instruments must be sterilized prior to each use. Normally, th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The solution provides a reliable, easy-to-use two-sheet sterilization wrap that maintains sterility, reduces contamination risks, and eliminates user confusion regarding the number of sheets, ensuring effective protection and efficient sterilization processes.

Problems solved by technology

The wrapping of surgical instruments with two separate sheets of sterilization wrap obviously is labor intensive in that the nurse must first place the instruments on one sheet of sterilization material and wrap the instruments, and then place the wrapped package on another sheet of sterilization material and wrap the package containing the instruments.

With two of the edges being unbonded, it is possible that the sheets will become misaligned so that if a sharp object penetrates both sheets, the resulting holes in each sheet could also become misaligned, thus reducing ones ability to determine whether or not there is a hole through both sheets.

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