Patent ID: 7695674
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: A61L,B32B,B65B

Abstract:
1. A method of sterilizing a balloon susceptible to degradation by ionizing radiation, comprising (a) packaging said balloon in a first sealed interior space of a pouch capable of providing a barrier to atmospheric oxygen, wherein said pouch includes a first layer including a plastics-coated foil, a second layer having a porosity of 18-240 seconds by the Gurley porosimeter test, and a third layer including a plastics-coated foil, wherein the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer; (b) placing an oxygen absorber in a second sealed interior space of the pouch, wherein said second sealed interior space is formed by a seal line formed in the layers of said pouch; (c) exposing said balloon enclosed in said pouch to a nitrogen gas flush sufficient to reduce the oxygen content within said pouch to less than about 10%; and (d) exposing said balloon and said oxygen absorber enclosed in said pouch to ionizing radiation, wherein said ionizing radiation is either gamma radiation or electron beam radiation at a dose of no greater than about 100 kGy.