Penetrable Absorber Container for Medical Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for gas absorption in medical device packaging are inefficient, requiring multiple pouches that increase material costs, waste, and complexity, while also leaving the outer surface of inner pouches non-sterile.

Innovation Solution

An absorber device with a container and a movable penetration device that penetrates a contact section on the package wall, allowing fluid from the package to be absorbed by an absorber within the container, which is gas-tightly packed for efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two separate gas-permeable pouches are used for absorption, then gas absorption function is achieved, but material costs and packaging complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas absorption functionVSAvoidpackaging complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the absorber component and the package into a single integrated unit. The absorber is placed inside the package and connected to the package wall through a penetration element, eliminating the need for separate inner and outer pouches while maintaining the gas absorption function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The package wall serves multiple functions: it contains the medical device, provides structural integrity, and allows gas permeation to the absorber through the penetration element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If two separate pouches are used for absorption, then gas absorption function is achieved, but material costs and waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas absorption functionVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the absorber component and the package into a single integrated unit. The absorber is placed inside the package and connected to the package wall through a penetration element, eliminating the need for separate inner and outer pouches while maintaining the gas absorption function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a two-chamber pouch design is used, then absorber can be added after sterilisation, but material costs and waste increase due to complex pouch design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorber addition after sterilisationVSAvoidpouch design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The penetration element is pre-installed in the package wall during manufacturing, creating a predetermined access path. This allows the absorber to be easily inserted after sterilisation without requiring complex pouch designs or post-sterilisation pouch opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The package is divided into functional zones: a sterile inner space containing the medical device, and an outer region with the absorber. The penetration element creates a controlled interface between these zones, allowing gas exchange while maintaining sterility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If standardised absorber components with two pouches are used, then gas absorption is achieved, but user-friendliness decreases due to opening two pouches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas absorptionVSAvoiduser-friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the absorber component and the package into a single integrated unit. The absorber is placed inside the package and connected to the package wall through a penetration element, eliminating the need for separate inner and outer pouches while maintaining the gas absorption function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Reliability

If two pouches are used for absorption, then gas absorption function is achieved, but storage volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas absorption functionVSAvoidstorage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the absorber component and the package into a single integrated unit. The absorber is placed inside the package and connected to the package wall through a penetration element, eliminating the need for separate inner and outer pouches while maintaining the gas absorption function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The absorber device effectively absorbs gases from medical device packaging without the need for multiple pouches, reducing material costs, waste, and packaging complexity while maintaining sterility.

Implementation Method 1

the penetration device is configured to be moved from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position, the penetration device is positioned in the inner space of the container, and wherein in the second position, the penetration device is configured to penetrate the contact section and the wall of the package

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical penetration: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

allowing fluid from the inner space of the package to pass to the inner space of the container and be absorbed by the absorber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4126698B1Absorber device, packaging system and method to absorb a fluid
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 BIOTRONIK AG
  • EP4126698B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4126698B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4126698B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention is related to an absorber device (1) for absorbing a fluid (131) residing in an inner space (120) enclosed by a package (100) of a medical device (132), the package (100) comprising a wall (110) enclosing the inner space (120) of the package (100). The absorber device (1) comprises a container (10), wherein the container (10) comprises a wall (12) enclosing an inner space (14) of the container (10), wherein the wall (12) comprises a contact section (20), wherein the contact section (20) is configured to be penetrated. The absorber device (1) comprises an absorber (30) arranged in the inner space (14) of the container (10), and a movable penetration device (40), wherein the penetration device (40) is configured to be moved from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the penetration device (40) is positioned in the inner space (14) of the container (10). In the second position, the penetration device (40) is configured to penetrate the contact section (20) and the wall (110) of the package (100), when the contact section (20) is arranged on an outer surface (140) of the wall (110) of the package (100), such that the inner space (14) of the container (10) is fluidically connected to the inner space (120) of the package (100) to thereby allow fluid (131) from the inner space (120) of the package (100) to pass to the inner space (14) of the container (10) and be absorbed by the absorber (30).