Abstract:
A packaging enclosure for receiving a flexible endoscope during a sterilization procedure and sterile storage thereafter has a portion thereof which is semi-permeable. Provision is made for hanging the packaging enclosure over a hook or peg. In one embodiment the packaging enclosure conforms to the endoscope so that its two flexible portions may hang over opposite sides of the hook. Alternatively, a hook or aperture may be provided on the packaging enclosure for hanging it over the hook.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 60/114,288 filed Dec. 30, 1998. 
     
    
     
       FIELD  
         [0002]    The preset invention is directed to the field of coverings used to cover medical instruments during sterilization and in storage thereafter.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    An endoscope typically comprises two flexible tubes connected to a body. One of the tubes is for insertion into a bodily orifice and the other typically connects to a light source. After a cleaning of an endoscope such as a sigmoidoscope or colonoscope, the endoscope is typically hung over a peg with the two flexible tubes hanging to opposite sides of the peg. This allows the flexible tubes to hang in a straight configuration. Due to the delicate nature of the fiber-optics in such tubes it is not recommended to coil them for storage.  
           [0004]    A typical endoscope configuration comprises a small rigid control section connected to two flexible tubes. One tube comprises an insertion tube that contains a fiber-optic bundle and is usually covered with a sheath of polyurethane or other biocompatible material and contains a bending section that allows articulation or angulation of the insertion tube within human cavities. Connected to the control head, and hanging on the other side, is a universal cord that also contains a fiber-optic bundle and an air-water channel.  
           [0005]    In a sterilization procedure, instruments are typically placed into a sterile barrier having a semi-permeable membrane. One popular form thereof comprises a pouch having at least one layer of a semi-permeable polymer such as TYVEK (registered trademark of E. I. dupont de Nemours Co., Inc.) brand polyethylene nonwoven fabric and a secon layer which may comprise a layer of clear impermeable polymer or another layer of the same or a different semi-permeable polymer. The two layers are sealed together at their edges to enclose an instrument. Such pouches are typically rectangular in shape. Such a system allows sterilizing gases, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor, ethylene oxide or steam, to pass through the semi-permeable barrier to effect sterilization of the instrument therein but prevent microorganisms from entering the pouch after the sterilization process is complete thus allowing storage of the instrument in the packaging enclosure in a sterile manner. Those of skill in the art will recognize that many alternative package designs accomplish a similar function. For instance, such packages may comprise a layer of foam or other material which is rigid or semi-rigid and which may or may not be semi-permeable. The package may merely contain a small window or several small windows of semi-permeable material to allow sterilizing gases to enter.  
           [0006]    Endoscopes such as sigmoidoscopes or colonoscopes have previously been only disinfected and the peg storage system was acceptable in such condition. Many users now demand that such instruments be sterilized, not merely subjected to a high level disinfection. The preferred barrier packaging enclosure for sterilization is a pouch, such as the aforementioned pouch, with heat or adhesive sealed boundaries that provides a sterile barrier with mechanical integrity, thereby preserving the sterility of the endoscope during storage of the endoscope after the sterilization procedure. However, such known pouches place the two flexible tubes of the endoscope together in a coiled pattern, and provide no method for storing a sterilized endoscope in an uncoiled or bent configuration. Some operators have even removed sterile endoscopes from rectangular pouches or other barrier systems to hang them on their old peg systems, thus compromising sterility.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention overcomes these limitations to provide a sterile package which allow an endoscope to be sterilized therein and subsequently be stored in an uncoiled configuration by hanging over a peg while still in the package.  
           [0008]    A packaging enclosure according to the present invention packages a flexible endoscope having first and second flexible tubes. The packaging enclosure comprises a wall forming an interior space impervious to microorganisms for receiving the endoscope. At least a portion of the wall is semi-permeable. A hanging means is provided for hanging the packaging enclosure, with the endoscope therein, over a hook.  
           [0009]    Preferably, the packaging enclosure comprises a pouch having first and second films adhered to each other to form the interior space. The hanging means can comprise an aperture in the packaging enclosure. Alternatively, the hanging means can comprise the first flexible tube being receivable within one portion of the packaging enclosure and the second flexible tube being receivable within a second portion of the packaging enclosure and the packaging enclosure with the endoscope therein being drapable over the hook.  
           [0010]    In one embodiment, the packaging enclosure comprises a thermoformed tray covered with a permeable lidstock.  
           [0011]    Preferably, one side of the pouch or the entire lidstock of the tray is formed of a semi-permeable material pervious to sterilizing gases yet impervious to microorganisms. However, such pouch side or lidstock may merely have one or more semi-permeable ports.  
           [0012]    A method according to the invention for sterilizing and storing an endoscope having first and second flexible tubes is also provided. The method comprises the steps of:  
           [0013]    placing the endoscope within a packaging enclosure comprising a wall forming an interior space for receiving the endoscope, at least a portion of the wall being semi-permeable;  
           [0014]    passing a sterilizing gas into the packaging enclosure; and  
           [0015]    hanging The packaging enclosure with the sterile endoscope therein over a hook. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a packaging enclosure according to the invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a section view taken along lines  2 - 2  of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a packaging enclosure according to the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a section view taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 3;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a packaging enclosure according to the invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a packaging enclosure according to the invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roll of packaging enclosures, each of which comprise a fifth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a front view of one of the packaging enclosures of FIG. 7;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a sixth embodiment of a packaging enclosure according to the invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the film of a seventh embodiment of a packaging enclosure according to the invention; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 with the film removed to show the interior construction. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an elongated pouch  10  having a front film  12  of a clear impermeable polymer and a rear film  14  of a semi-permeable material such as TYVEK brand nonwoven polyethylene fabric or a medical grade paper. An adhesive seal  16  about the outer edges  18  and  20  of the front film and rear film respectively forms a sealed interior space  22 . The interior space  22  contains an endoscope  24  having a first flexible tube  26  and second flexible tube  28  attached to a body  30 . A portion of the edges  18  and  20  is expanded and contains an aperture  32  therethrough whereby the pouch  10  can be hung on a hook  34 . The elongated pouch  10 , would also allow the pouch  10  to merely be draped over the hook  34  as is conventional for endoscopes not in pouches.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment in which a pouch  40  in which a front film  42  and rear film  44  are not elongated. However, a support member  46 , preferably a rigid polymer, is formed into the pouch  40  and allows the endoscope  24  to hang thereover within the pouch  40 . The pouch has an aperture  48  for hanging and the support member  46  has a reinforcing loop  50  which extends around the aperture  48  so as to provide additional strength.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 shows an elongated pouch  60  which allows the first and second endoscope flexible tubes  26  and  28  to be separate to allow draping of the pouch  60  with the endoscope therein over a peg or hook (not shown in FIG. 5). Additionally, a separate hanger  62  with a support bar  64  with an upstanding central hook  66  and two depending clips  68  is provided for hanging the pouch  60  with the endoscope therein.  
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a pouch  70  conforms closely to the shape of the endoscope  24 , having a first portion  72  extending over and conforming to the first flexible tube  26  and a second portion  74  extending over and conforming to the second flexible tube. It is shown without the flat seals such as the seal  16  shown in FIG. 1, but such could be substituted. Preferably in the prior embodiments at least a portion of the seal  16  would completed by the user after inserting the endoscope  24 . Such portion could be protected with a release liner over the adhesive prior to use. This embodiment illustrates such principle by having a flap  76  covering an opening  78  between the first and second portions  72  and  74  through which the endoscope  24  is inserted. After the endoscope  24  is inserted, the flap  76  is folded over the opening  78  and adhesive  80  thereon seals the endoscope  24  within the pouch.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 7 and 8 show how pouches  90  according to the present invention may be provided on a convenient roll  92 . Any of the prior embodiments could be so provided. The pouch  90  has a wider upper portion  94  for receiving the endoscope body  30  and a narrower lower portion  96  for receiving the flexible tubes  26  and  28 . A hanger  100  such as the hanger  62  is provided.  
         [0033]    Other packaging designs may accomplish the same objectives. For instance, although pouches are convenient, one may desire to package the endoscope  24  within a more rigid container, yet nevertheless allow it to be draped over the hook  34 . Preferably such a rigid structure would be polymer based, such as a thermoformed or cold formed plastic material as is generally used for sterile packaging of medical devices. FIGS. 9, 10 and  11  show a package  110  comprising a thermoformed base  112  having an upper surface  114  and a recess  116 . The recess  116  is shaped to accommodate the endoscope  24  having a first portion  118  for receiving the first flexible tube  26  and a second portion  119  for receiving the second flexible tube  28 . A hook receiving aperture  120  is provided for hanging the package with the endoscope  24  therein. A semi-permeable film  122  seals to the upper surface  114  of the base  112  to seal the endoscope  24  in the package to allow ingress of sterilizing gases yet impede ingress of contaminating microorganisms.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of a package  126  wherein rather than provide a shaped recess the package  126  has internal peg-like supports  128  formed therein and over which the endoscope  24  may be draped. Further a film  130  comprises a non-permeable substance with a window  132  of semi-permeable material to allow ingress of sterilizing gases. However, the film  122  could be formed entirely of a semi-permeable material.  
         [0035]    Rather than sealing the endoscope  24  within a pouch prior to sterilization, the seal can be effected during the sterilization process, such as by drawing a vacuum in the sterilization environment which draws the adhesive opening closed. The effect could be enhanced by providing an inflatable ring around the opening which inflates under the vacuum to draw the adhesive edges closed.  
         [0036]    It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only those embodiments described in the Detailed Description. Any embodiment which retains the spirit of the present invention should be considered to be within its scope. However, the invention is only limited by the scope of the following claims.