Biodegradable plastic tag

Abstract

Various aspects disclosed relate to a single-use biodegradable plastic tag. The tag includes a label portion and an attachment portion. Each of the attachment portion and the label portion comprise a biodegradable plastic material adapted to become brittle following sterilization.

Description

BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC TAGCLAIM OF PRIORITY AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 535,837, filed on August 31, 2023, entitled “BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC TAG,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] There is growing demand for reduction in plastic waste and increasing instances of legislation being created to put more ownership on end users and manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint. Reusable alternatives require reprocessing which does not provide a sustainability benefit.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Various aspects disclosed relate to a single-use biodegradable plastic tag. The tag includes a label portion and an attachment portion. Each of the attachment portion and the label portion comprise a biodegradable plastic material adapted to become brittle following sterilization.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0004] The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various aspects of the present invention.

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a tag, in accordance with various aspects.

[0006] FIG. 2 shows another tag, in accordance with various aspects.

[0007] FIG. 3 shows another tag, in accordance with various aspects.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Reference will now be made in detail to certain aspects of the disclosed subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in part in the accompanying drawings. While the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the enumerated claims, it will beunderstood that the exemplified subject matter is not intended to limit the claims to the disclosed subject matter.

[0009] Throughout this document, values expressed in a range format should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. For example, a range of “about 0.1% to about 5%” or “about 0.1% to 5%” should be interpreted to include not just about 0.1% to about 5%, but also the individual values (e.g., 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and the sub-ranges (e.g., 0.1% to 0.5%, 1.1% to 2.2%, 3.3% to 4.4%) within the indicated range. The statement “about X to Y” has the same meaning as “about X to about Y,” unless indicated otherwise. Likewise, the statement “about X, Y, or about Z” has the same meaning as “about X, about Y, or about Z,” unless indicated otherwise.

[0010] In this document, the terms “a,” “an,” or “the” are used to include one or more than one unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or” unless otherwise indicated. The statement “at least one of A and B” has the same meaning as “A, B, or A and B.” In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein, and not otherwise defined, is for the purpose of description only and not of limitation. Any use of section headings is intended to aid reading of the document and is not to be interpreted as limiting; information that is relevant to a section heading may occur within or outside of that particular section.

[0011] All publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

[0012] In the methods described herein, the acts can be carried out in any order without departing from the principles of the invention, except when a temporal or operational sequence is explicitly recited. Furthermore, specified acts can be carried out concurrently unless explicit claim language recites that they be carried out separately. For example, a claimed act of doing Xand a claimed act of doing Y can be conducted simultaneously within a single operation, and the resulting process will fall within the literal scope of the claimed process.

[0013] The term “about” as used herein can allow for a degree of variability in a value or range, for example, within 10%, within 5%, or within 1% of a stated value or of a stated limit of a range, and includes the exact stated value or range. The term “substantially” as used herein refers to a majority of, or mostly, as in at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.9%, 99.99%, or at least about 99.999% or more, or 100%.

[0014] The term “substantially free of’ as used herein can mean having none or having a trivial amount of, such that the amount of material present does not affect the material properties of the composition including the material, such that about 0 wt% to about 5 wt% of the composition is the material, or about 0 wt% to about 1 wt%, or about 5 wt% or less, or less than or equal to about 4.5 wt%, 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, 1, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.01, or about 0.001 wt% or less, or about 0 wt%.

[0015] The polymers described herein can terminate in any suitable way. In some aspects, the polymers can terminate with an end group that is independently chosen from a suitable polymerization initiator, -H, -OH, a substituted or unsubstituted (Ci-C2o)hydrocarbyl (e.g., (Ci-Cio)alkyl or (Ce-C2o)aryl) interrupted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -O-, substituted or unsubstituted -NH-, and -S-, a poly (substituted or unsubstituted (Ci- C2o)hydrocarbyloxy), and a poly(substituted or unsubstituted (Ci-C2o)hydrocarbylamino).

[0016] Various aspects of the present disclosure are related to a single-use biodegradable plastic tag. As described in further detail herein, the instantly disclosed single use plastic devices are sustainable without inhibiting performance. Additionally, by designing breakaway and hinge features such that the modulus of elasticity increases following exposure to heat / humidity encountered in sterilization, the re-use of these devices can be mitigated.

[0017] FIGS. 1-3 show examples of single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300. Single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 include many of the same components and are discussed concurrently. In general, single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 includes label portion 102, 202, and 302 along with attachment portion 104, 204, and 304. Importantly, each of label portion 102, 202, and 302 along with attachment portion 104, 204, and 304 include a biodegradable plastic material.

[0018] Label portion 102, 202, and 302 is designed to identify an instrument or device that it single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 is attached to. To that end, label portion 102, 202, and 302 can include a visual image, a haptic feature, or both. A haptic feature can be any feature that conveys information to a user by feel or touch. As an example, the haptic feature can include one or more bumps, one or more ridges, alternating smooth and rough portions, curved portions, flat portions, or any combination thereof. A visual image can include a word, a number, a pattern, a picture, a color or a combination thereof.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, label portion 102, 202, and 302 is substantially flat or planar. Configuring label portion 102, 202, and 302 as substantially flat or planar can help to increase the area to which the visual image and / or haptic feature are located. In other examples, however, any of label portion 102, 202, and 302 can be modified to be curved, bent, or take on any suitable shape.

[0020] Attachment portion 104, 204, and 304 acts as the portion of single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 that allows single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 to be attached to an instrument or device. Attachment portion 104, 204, and 304 can take on many different forms. For example, single-use biodegradable tag 100 is a locking tag and attachment portion 104 includes tether 105 attached to label portion 102 at one end with probe 106 at another end. Probe 106 is designed to engage receiver 108, which is attached to label portion 102. Single-use biodegradable tag 200 is a breakaway tag. Similar to single-use biodegradable tag 100, attachment portion 204 includes tether 205 attached to label portion 202 at one end with probe 206 at another end. Probe 206 is designed to engage receiver 208, which is attached to label portion 102. Single-use biodegradable tag 300 is a tray tag. As shown, label portion 302 constitutes the majority of single-use biodegradable tag 300. Attachment portion 304 includes bores 310 that are formed through label portion 302. It is possible for attachment portion 304 to also include an adhesive.

[0021] As described herein, each of label portion 102, 202, and 302 and attachment portion 104, 204, and 304 include biodegradable plastic material. In general, biodegradable materials are substances that can be decomposed or broken down by microorganisms and other living organisms. By contrast, non-biodegradable materials are substances that cannot be decomposed or broken down by microorganisms and other living organisms rather leading to pollution.

[0022] Examples of biodegradable plastic materials include one hydrolytically degradable or compostable polymer. Specific examples of biodegradable plastic materials include polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyvinyl alcohol, polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polycaprolactones, copolyesters, aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, starches, celluloses, biopolymers, a copolymer thereof, a lignin-based polymer, a polyglycolic acid, a polybutylene adipate terephthalate, or a mixture thereof. In a specific example, the biodegradable plastic material is a polylactic acid.

[0023] Each of label portion 102, 202, and 302 and attachment portion 104, 204, and 304 can include the same biodegradable plastic material or mixture of materials. Alternatively, each label portion 102, 202, and 302 and attachment portion 104, 204, and 304 can include a different biodegradable plastic material or mixture of materials. In some examples, label portion 102, 202, and 302 and attachment portion 104, 204, and 304 can include the same biodegradable plastic material or mixture of materials but have different concentrations of those materials in the respective portions.

[0024] The biodegradable plastic material can range from about 30 wt% to about 100 wt% of label portion 102, 202, and 302, about 40 wt% to about 90 wt%, about 50 wt% to about 80 wt%, about 60 wt% to about 70 wt%, less than, equal to, or greater than about 30 wt%, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57,58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83,84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or about 100 wt%. Additionally, biodegradable plastic material can range from about 30 wt% to about 100 wt% of attachment portion 104, 204, and 304, about 40 wt% to about 90 wt%, about 50 wt% to about 80 wt%, about 60 wt% to about 70 wt%, less than, equal to, or greater than about 30 wt%, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36,37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62,63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88,89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or about 100 wt%. In a specific example, the biodegradable plastic material is 100 wt% of label portion 102, 202, and 302 as well as 100 wt% of attachment portion 104, 204, and 204.

[0025] Other materials present in single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 can include an additive such as a pigment, a colorant, a fluorophore, or mixture thereof. If present, these additives are usually in a comparatively low concentration. For example, the additive canbe in a range of from about 0.10 wt% to about 10 wt% of label portion 102, 202, and 302, about 0.5 wt% to 9.5 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 9 wt%, about 1.5 wt% to about 8.5 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 2.5 wt% to about 7.5 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 3.5 wt% to about 6.5 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 4.5 wt% to about 5.5 wt%, less than, equal to, or greater than about 0.5 wt%, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or about 10 wt%. Additionally, the additive can be in a range of from about 0.10 wt% to about 10 wt% of attachment portion 104, 204, and 304, about 0.5 wt% to 9.5 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 9 wt%, about 1.5 wt% to about 8.5 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 2.5 wt% to about 7.5 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 3.5 wt% to about 6.5 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 4.5 wt% to about 5.5 wt%, less than, equal to, or greater than about 0.5 wt%, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or about 10 wt%.

[0026] Single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 can be manufactured according to any suitable process. For example, single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 can be manufactured via a molding process or additive manufacturing process. An example of a suitable molding process includes an injection molding process. Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting molten material into a mold. Injection molding can be performed with a host of materials mainly including metals (for which the process is called die-casting), glasses, elastomers, confections, and most commonly thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. Material for single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 is fed into a heated barrel, mixed (using a helical screw), and injected into a mold cavity, where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity. After single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 is made, a mold maker (or tool maker) from metal, usually either steel or aluminum, and precision-machined to form the features of the desired part is fabricated. In general, injection molding uses a special-purpose machine that has three parts: the injection unit, the mold and the clamp. Parts to be injection-molded must be very carefully designed to facilitate the molding process; the material used for the part, the desired shape and features of the part, the material of the mold, and the properties of the mold machine must all be taken into account.

[0027] Single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 can also be made through compounding. Compounding is a process of melt blending plastics with other additives. Thisprocess changes the physical, thermal, electrical or aesthetic characteristics of the plastic. The final product is called a compound or composite.Compounding starts with a base resin or polymer. Resin and additive(s) are fed through an extruder where they are combined. The melted compound exits the extruder in strands about the diameter of yarn. These strands are cooled and cut into pellets. The pellets can be fed into mold or used as a feedstock for the injection molding described herein above.

[0028] In operation, single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 is attached to an instrument or device, single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 can be directly attached to the instrument or device. Alternatively, single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 can be attached to a packaging that encases the instrument or device. As an example, the instrument can be a laboratory instrument, a medical instrument, a dental instrument, or a pharmaceutical instrument. Pharmaceutical instruments generally include instruments used to manufacture pharmaceuticals. General examples of pharmaceutical instruments include quality monitoring equipment, environmental monitoring equipment and parts, testing equipment, clean room supplies, clean room equipment, glassware, purification equipment, filters, housings, chutes, tracks, rails, star wheels, bowls, hoppers, tubing, needles, fittings, clamps, gaskets, and assembly line equipment.

[0029] Medical instruments can include various devices used by a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse, medical assistant, or the like. Medical instruments can also include dental instruments used by a dentist or dental hygienist.

[0030] Non-limiting examples of dental instruments include, dental mirrors, dental probes, scalers, curettes, dental forceps, elevators, dental burs, dental drill bits, dental syringes, excavators, amalgam carriers, composite placement instruments, dental tweezers, retractors, crown removers, orthodontic instruments (e.g., Band Pushers, Pliers), endodontic instruments (e.g., Files, Reamers, Obturators), periodontal instruments (e.g., Periodontal Probes, Curettes), implant instruments (e.g., Implant Drivers, Abutment Removal Tools), rubber dam instruments (e.g., Rubber Dam Clamps, Frame Assemblies), and sterilization trays and cassettes (used to hold and organize various dental instruments during the sterilization process).

[0031] Non-limiting examples of medical instruments include surgical scissors, forceps (e.g., Hemostats, Tissue Forceps), scalpels, retractors, needle holders, surgical clamps (e.g., Bulldog Clamps, Kocher Clamps), specula (e.g., Nasal Specula), trocars, dilators, biopsypunches, curettes, bone chisels, rongeurs, surgical suction tubes, surgical drills and burrs, ophthalmic instruments (e.g., Eye Scissors, Retractors, Speculums), endoscopic instruments (e.g., Laparoscopic Graspers, Scissors, Trocars), and microsurgical instruments (e.g., Micro Scissors, Micro Forceps).

[0032] The device or instrument is commonly sterilized prior to use. As an example, steam autoclaving is a highly effective method for sterilizing objects using high-pressure steam. It works by subjecting the objects to a combination of high temperature and pressure, which eradicates any microorganisms present, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In general, steam autoclaving includes the following steps:1. Loading: The objects to be sterilized are placed inside the autoclave chamber, typically on racks or trays. These objects can include laboratory glassware, surgical instruments, pharmaceutical equipment, medical equipment, or other heat-resistant materials. Once the objects are loaded, the autoclave door is securely sealed.2. Steam Source: The autoclave is a sealable, leak free system that is connected to a steam source, which supplies steam to the autoclave and jacket.3. Air Removal: Air is removed from the autoclave chamber and associated piping either using pre-vacuum pulses or gravity displacement process. During pre-vacuum pulses, air is actively removed via a series of steam pulses. The chamber is alternately depressurized using a vacuum pump / water ejector system and pressurized with steam. For gravity displacement, air is forced out of the chamber through the drain, steam traps and / or steam bleeds as steam enters the autoclave.4. Heating: The heating process begins by injecting steam, and the temperature inside the chamber is gradually raised. Most autoclaves operate at temperatures between 121°C (250°F) and 134°C (273°F).5. Pressure Build-up: As steam is injected into the autoclave, pressure builds and the temperature rises. The pressure can range from 15 to 30 pounds per square inch (psi) above atmospheric pressure, depending on the desired sterilization conditions.6. Sterilization Phase: The combination of high temperature and pressure is lethal to microorganisms. The steam penetrates the objects being sterilized, effectively killing any bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens present. This phase typically lasts for a specifiedduration, which can vary depending on the load, size, and type of objects being sterilized. It ensures thorough sterilization of the objects.7. Depressurization: After the sterilization phase is complete, the autoclave begins to depressurize. Depressurization can be immediate, using a post-sterilization vacuum or gradual by venting through fdters.8. Drying: Once the pressure has been released, the autoclave enters the drying phase. During this phase, filtered hot air is circulated within the chamber to remove any residual moisture from the sterilized objects.9. Cooling: After drying, the autoclave initiates the cooling process. Cool filtered air is injected into the autoclave until the desired temperature is achieved, ensuring the objects can be safely handled without the risk of thermal damage.10. Unloading: Once the cooling process is complete, the autoclave door can be safely opened. The sterilized objects are removed from the chamber and are now ready for use in an aseptic environment.

[0033] While autoclave steam sterilization is described herein above other sterilization techniques can be used such as Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), which is a deep vacuum, low-temperature vapor process that has traditionally been used for sterilization of reusable medical devices in patient care facilities. Another sterilization technique is Ethylene Oxide Processing. Ethylene oxide (also known as EO or EtO) is a low temperature gaseous process widely used to sterilize a variety of healthcare products, such as single-use medical devices. Another sterilization technique is a gamma irradiation process, which uses Cobalt 60 radiation for a variety of applications, including sterilization, decontamination and materials modification. Gamma irradiation offers good penetration of dense products and is ideal for many types of materials and their packaging. Another sterilization technique is liquid chemical sterilization (LCS), which is used to liquid chemically sterilize heat-sensitive, immersible, reusable medical devices. When a device is liquid chemically sterilized, it is completely immersed in an active sterilant solution for a prescribed period of time at a controlled temperature and concentration. Other sterilization techniques include X-ray sterilization where products are exposed to high-powered electron beam accelerators..

[0034] Following sterilization, single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 is removed. Importantly the biodegradable material is chosen to be one that becomes brittle following sterilization. This serves two purposes. First, the brittle nature of single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300, following sterilization, makes it easier for single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 to be removed. That is a user can simply apply a minimal amount of force to cause label portion 102, 202, 304; attachment portion 104, 204, 304, or both to break. The ability to break single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 can be further enhanced by engineering a “break point” in single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300. For example, label portion 102, 202, or 302 or attachment portion 104, 204, or 304 can have a thin segment, relative to the balance of the respective portion that requires less force to break. A second purpose of the brittle nature of single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300, following sterilization, strongly discourages a second use of single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300. Discouraging a second use of single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 helps to reduce the risk of contamination and mislabeling. Although single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 is a single use article, the biodegradable nature of single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300 minimizes any negative environmental impact of discarding single-use biodegradable tag 100, 200, and 300.

[0035] The terms and expressions that have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the aspects of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by specific aspects and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those of ordinary skill in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of aspects of the present invention.Exemplary Aspects.

[0036] The following exemplary aspects are provided, the numbering of which is not to be construed as designating levels of importance:

[0037] Aspect 1 provides a single-use biodegradable plastic tag, comprising:a label portion; and an attachment portion, wherein each of the attachment portion and the label portion comprise a biodegradable plastic material adapted to become brittle following sterilization.

[0038] Aspect 2 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of Aspect 1, wherein the label portion comprises a visual image, a haptic feature, or both.

[0039] Aspect 3 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of Aspect 2, wherein the visual image comprises a word, a number, a pattern, a picture, a color or a combination thereof.

[0040] Aspect 4 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1-3, wherein the label portion comprises a flat surface.

[0041] Aspect 5 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1-4, wherein the attachment portion comprises a tether.

[0042] Aspect 6 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1-5, wherein the attachment portion comprises a probe and a receiver.

[0043] Aspect 7 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1-6, wherein the attachment portion comprises a bore defined by the label portion.

[0044] Aspect 8 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1-7, wherein the label portion and the attachment portion comprises the same biodegradable plastic material.

[0045] Aspect 9 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1-8, wherein the label portion, the attachment portion, or both comprise a pigment, colorant, a fluorophore, or mixture thereof.

[0046] Aspect 10 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1-9, wherein the biodegradable plastic material comprises one hydrolytically degradable or compostable polymer.

[0047] Aspect 11 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1- 10 wherein the biodegradable plastic material comprises polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyvinyl alcohol, polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polycaprolactones, copolyesters, aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, starches, celluloses, biopolymers, a copolymerthereof, a Lignin-based polymer, a polyglycolic acid, a polybutylene adipate terephthalate, or a mixture thereof.

[0048] Aspect 12 provides the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1- 11, wherein the attachment portion further comprises an adhesive attached thereto.

[0049] Aspect 13 provides an instrument comprising: the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1-12, attached thereto.

[0050] Aspect 14 provides the instrument of Aspect 13, wherein the instrument is a laboratory instrument, a medical instrument, a dental instrument, or a pharmaceutical instrument.

[0051] Aspect 15 provides the instrument of any of Aspects 13 or 14, wherein the instrument comprises a dental mirrors dental probe, scaler, curette, dental forceps, dental elevator, dental bur, dental drill bit, dental syringe, dental excavators, amalgam carrier, composite placement instrument, dental tweezer, dental retractor, dental crown remover, orthodontic instrument, endodontic instrument, periodontal instrument, implant instrument, rubber dam instrument sterilization tray, sterilization cassette, surgical scissors, forceps, scalpel, retractor, needle holder, surgical clamp, specula, trocar, dilator, biopsy punch, curette, bone chisel, rongeur, surgical suction tube, surgical drill, ophthalmic instrument, endoscopic instrument or microsurgical instrument.

[0052] Aspect 16 provides a method of using the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of Aspects 1-15, the method comprising: attaching the single-use biodegradable plastic tag to the instrument.

[0053] Aspect 17 provides the method of Aspect 16, further comprising sterilizing the instrument.

[0054] Aspect 18 provides the method of Aspect 17, further comprising removing the single-use biodegradable plastic tag from the sterilized instrument.

[0055] Aspect 19 provides the method of Aspect 18, wherein removing the single use biodegradable plastic tag comprises breaking the single-use biodegradable plastic tag.

[0056] Aspect 20 provides the method of any of Aspects 18 or 19, wherein the single-use biodegradable plastic tag is more brittle following sterilization of the instrument than it was prior to sterilization of the instrument.

[0057] Aspect 21provides the method of any of Aspects 17-20, wherein sterilization is accomplished using steam sterilization, vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilization, ethyleneoxide sterilization, gamma irradiation sterilization, liquid chemical sterilization, electron beam, sterilization, and X-ray sterilization.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A single-use biodegradable plastic tag, comprising: a label portion; and an attachment portion, wherein each of the attachment portion and the label portion comprise a biodegradable plastic material adapted to become brittle following sterilization.

2. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of claim 1, wherein the label portion comprises a visual image, a haptic feature, or both.

3. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of claim 2, wherein the visual image comprises a word, a number, a pattern, a picture, a color or a combination thereof.

4. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-3, wherein the label portion comprises a flat surface.

5. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-4, wherein the attachment portion comprises a tether.

6. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-5, wherein the attachment portion comprises a probe and a receiver.

7. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-6, wherein the attachment portion comprises a bore defined by the label portion.

8. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-7, wherein the label portion and the attachment portion comprises the same biodegradable plastic material.

9. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-8, wherein the label portion, the attachment portion, or both comprise a pigment, colorant, a fluorophore, or mixture thereof.

10. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-9, wherein the biodegradable plastic material comprises one hydrolytically degradable or compostable polymer.

11. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-10 wherein the biodegradable plastic material comprises polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyvinyl alcohol, polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly caprolactones, copolyesters, aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, starches, celluloses, biopolymers, a copolymer thereof, a Lignin-based polymer, a polyglycolic acid, a polybutylene adipate terephthalate, or a mixture thereof.

12. The single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-11, wherein the attachment portion further comprises an adhesive attached thereto.

13. An instrument comprising: the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-12, attached thereto.

14. The instrument of claim 13, wherein the instrument is a laboratory instrument, a medical instrument, a dental instrument, or a pharmaceutical instrument.

15. The instrument of any of claims 13 or 14, wherein the instrument comprises a dental mirrors dental probe, scaler, curette, dental forceps, dental elevator, dental bur, dental drill bit, dental syringe, dental excavators, amalgam carrier, composite placement instrument, dental tweezer, dental retractor, dental crown remover, orthodontic instrument, endodontic instrument, periodontal instrument, implant instrument, rubber dam instrument sterilization tray, sterilization cassette, surgical scissors, forceps, scalpel, retractor, needle holder, surgical clamp, specula, trocar, dilator, biopsy punch, curette, bone chisel, rongeur, surgical suction tube, surgical drill, ophthalmic instrument, endoscopic instrument or microsurgical instrument.

16. A method of using the single-use biodegradable plastic tag of any of claims 1-15, the method comprising: attaching the single-use biodegradable plastic tag to the instrument.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising sterilizing the instrument.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising removing the single-use biodegradable plastic tag from the sterilized instrument.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein removing the single use biodegradable plastic tag comprises breaking the single-use biodegradable plastic tag.

20. The method of any of claims 18 or 19, wherein the single-use biodegradable plastic tag is more brittle following sterilization of the instrument than it was prior to sterilization of the instrument.

21. The method of any of claims 17-20, wherein sterilization is accomplished using steam sterilization, vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilization, ethylene oxide sterilization, gamma irradiation sterilization, liquid chemical sterilization, electron beam, sterilization, and X-ray sterilization.

Images