Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a medical device package including a container for receiving a medical device and a self-puncturabie port.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a National State Application of PCT/US2007/021422 filed Oct. 5, 2007 under 35USC §371 (a), which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/850,063 filed Oct. 6, 2006, the disclosures of each of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to packaging for medical devices, and more particularly, to a package including a container having an area configured and dimensioned for receiving a medical device and a self-puncturable port including an integral puncturing structure, for permitting the passage of at least one agent between the outside of the container and the area configured and dimensioned for receiving the medical device. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Combination medical devices, i.e., medical devices coated with drugs or other bioactive agents, have become more prevalent commercially in recent years. There are many of these combination medical devices presently available however medical professionals are limited to using these devices in the specific combinations, dosages and strengths produced, without flexibility to after the product as needed for their respective patients. As a result, medical professionals have been known to independently combine a selected medical device with one of the many agents presently available. Since this practice is normally conducted immediately prior to use of the medical device, the medical professional is required to handle the medical device outside of the packaging, while simultaneously attempting to apply the agent using a syringe or other sharps device. 
     This activity not only increases the possibility of contamination of the medical device prior to coming in contact with the patient, but also increases the likelihood of a medical professional becoming injured by the sharp device while attempting to combine the agent with the device. 
     It would be desirable to provide a package configured for receiving a medical device, having a safe, self-puncturable port for permitting the passage of an agent between the outside of the package and the medical device contained therein, without exposing the medical professional to the possibility of a needle stick and yet minimize the likelihood of contaminating the medical device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, a package for a medical device in accordance with the present disclosure includes a container having an area configured and dimensioned for receiving a medical device and a self-puncturable port including an integral puncturing structure for permitting the passage of at least one agent between the outside of the container and the medical device contained therein. In embodiments, the puncturing structure is positioned within the port. In embodiments, puncturing structure is positioned along the exterior of the port. The package may further include a medical device. 
     In other embodiments, the package includes a container having an area configured and dimensioned for receiving a medical device and a port including an integral puncturing structure, wherein the puncturing structure is movably attached to the exterior of the port. The puncturing structure is designed to be movable to penetrate or puncture the barrier between the port and the container to allow the passage of at least one agent. It is envisioned that the puncturing structure may also be detachable from the port. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a side view of a port positioned on a container for a medical device; 
         FIG. 1B  is a top view of a port positioned on a container for a medical device; 
         FIG. 1C  is a side view of a port positioned on a container for a medical device; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of a port positioned on a container for a medical device; and 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of a port positioned on a container for a medical device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The medical device packages described herein include a container for a medical device which has an area configured and dimensioned for receiving a medical device and a self-puncturable port including a puncturing structure for permitting the passage of at least one agent between the outside of the container and the area configured and dimensioned for receiving a medical device. It is envisioned that any medical device may be stored within the package. Some examples include, but are not Limited to, sutures, staples, clips, adhesives, sealants, stents, grafts, meshes, sternum closures, pins, screws, tacks, and adhesion barriers. 
     The container is dimensioned and configured to receive a medical device. The container may be any conventional enclosure for storing medical devices and more than one container may be combined to form the medical device packages described herein. Some examples of useful containers include, but are not limited too, pouches, paper retainers, plastic retainers, bags, trays, envelopes, Tyvek® bags, foil-packs, and the like. It is envisioned that the containers may be sealable, non-sealable, breathable, non-breathable, peelable, resealable, and combinations thereof. 
     The container may be manufactured from any material known to those skilled in the art which is suitable for receiving or storing a medical device. Some examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, thermoplastic resins, polytetrafluoroethylene, ε-caprolactone, glycolide, 1-lactide, d,l-lactide, d-lactide, meso-lactide, trimethylene carbonate, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, p-dioxanone, dioxepanone, δ-vaterolactone, β-butyrolactone, ε-decalactone, 2,5-diketomorpholine, pivalolactone, α,α-diethylpropiolactone, 6,8-dioxabicyclooctan-7-one, ethylene carbonate, ethylene oxalate, 3-methyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione, 3,3-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione, polyolefins, polysiloxanes , polyalkylene glycols, polyacrylates, aminoalkyl acrylates, polyvinylalcohols, polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyoxyethylenes, polyacrylamides, poly(2-hydroxy-ethylmethacrylate), polymethacrylamide, dextran, alginic acid, sodium alginate, polysaccharides, gelatin, cellulose, and copolymers, homopolymers, and block copolymers thereof. 
     The at least one agent may be selected from any bioactive and/or non-bioactive agent suitable for combination with the medical device. Suitable agents include, but are not limited to, drugs, such as antiseptics, anesthetics, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, decongestants, antimicrobial agents, anti-viral agents, anti-fungal agents, antimalarials, amebicides, antituberculosal agents, antiretroviral agents, leprostatics, antiprotazoals, antihelmitics, antibacterial agents, steroids, hematopoictic agents, antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, coagulants, thrombolytic agents, hemorrheologic agents, hemostatics, plasma expanders, hormones, sex hormones, uterine-active agents, bisphosphonates, antidiabetic agents, glucose-elevating agents, growth hormones, thyroid hormones, inotropic agents, antiarrhythmic agents, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, sympatholytics, antihyperlipidemic agents, vasopressors, angiotensin antagonists, sclerosing agents, anti-impotence agents, urinary alkanizers, urinary acidifiers, anticholinergics, diuretics, bronchodilators, surfactants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antianxiety agents, sedatives, hypnotics, barbiturates, antiemetic agents, analgesics, stimulants, anticonvulsants, antiparkinson agents, proton pump inhibitors, H 2 -antagonists, antispasmodics, laxatives, antidiarrheals, antiflatulents, digestive enzymes, gallstone solubilizing agents, antihypertensive agents, cholesterol-lowering agents, radiopaque agents, immune globulins, monoclonal antibodies, antibodies, antitoxins, antivenins, immunologic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antineoplastic agents, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antimitotic agents, radiopharmaceuticals, vitamins, herbs, trace elements, amino acids, enzymes, chelating agents, immunomodulatory agents and immunosuppressive agents; coating materials such as lubricants, and non-bioabsorbable substances such as silicone, beeswax, or polytetrafluoroethylene, as well as absorbable substances such as collagen, chitosan, chitin, carboxymethylcellulose, and homopolymers and/or copolymers of polyalkylene glycols, and higher fatty acids or salts or esters thereof, glycolic acid, a glycolide, lactic acid, a lactide, p-dioxanone, valerolactone and other lactones derived from linear aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acids, α-hydroxybutyric acid, ethylene carbonate, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, propylene carbonate, malic acid ester lactones, succinic acid, adipic acid and other linear aliphatic dicarboxytic acids, and linear aliphatic diols such as butanediol and hexanediol; diluents, such as water, saline, dextrose in water and lactated ringers; wound healing agents; adhesives; sealants; blood products; blood components; preservatives; colorants; dyes; ultraviolet absorbers; ultraviolet stabilizers; photochromic agents; anti-adhesives; proteins; polysaccharides; peptides; genetic material; viral vectors; nucleic acids; nucleotides; plasmids; lymphokines; radioactive agents; metals; alloys; salts; growth factors; growth factor antagonists; cells; hydrophobic agents; hydrophilic agents; immunological agents; anti-colonization agents; diagnostic agents; imaging agents; and combinations thereof. 
     In addition to the container and the area configured and dimensioned for receiving a medical device, the package includes a self-puncturable port. The self-puncturable port permits the passage of at least one agent between the outside of the container and the area configured and dimensioned for receiving a medical device without the need of a separate needle or sharps device. The port includes puncture-capable part, i.e., a puncturing structure, affixed to the port. The puncturing structure is capable of penetrating or puncturing the barrier located between the container and the port. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1A-1C , self-puncturable port  20  is shown containing puncturing structure  30  therein. In some embodiments, puncturing structure  30  is attached to port  20  via tabs  40 . Delivery device  50  does not include a needle or sharpened end and is designed to matingly engage port  20 . Upon engagement, delivery device  50  is forced into port  20  thereby weakening tabs  40  and releasing puncturing structure  30  from port  20 . Puncturing structure  30  is forced deeper in port  20  by delivery device  50  to puncture barrier  60  located below port  20 . Puncturing structure  30  includes at least one opening  70  which is designed to allow the passage of the agent between the outside of the container and the area configured and dimensioned to receive the medical device following the puncturing of barrier  60 . 
     In other embodiments, puncturing structure  30  is movably attached to port  20 , a shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In these embodiments, puncturing structure  30  is capable of being manipulated by a device or the hand of the medical personnel to pivot about tab  40  to enter and penetrate port  20  to a sufficient depth to puncture barrier  60 . 
     In still other embodiments, puncturing structure  30  may be removable from port  20 . It is envisioned that the puncturing structure may be detached from port and positioned onto the delivery device. The delivery device with the puncturing structure may then engage the port and puncture the barrier located below. 
     The puncturing structure may be made from any material suitable for puncturing the barrier of the container. Some examples include but are not limited to polymeric and metallic compositions. In addition the puncturing structure may be configured and dimensioned into any shape suitable for puncturing the barrier. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a puncturing structure having a conical shape is particularly useful. 
     The port may be positioned along any side, edge or corner of the container. In embodiments wherein the package includes more than one container, the port may be positioned along any side, edge or corner of any of the containers included in the package. In addition, the package may contain more than one port and/or more than container may share a common port. In some embodiments, the port may be designed in such a way that only a particular injector can mate with the port, i.e., male/female, threaded or lock/key type hubs. In some embodiments, the port may include a piercable barrier positioned between the outside of the container and the area configured for receiving the medical device. 
     It is well understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particularly useful embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.