Patent ID: 8003179

Claim:
A medical system comprising: a desiccant package comprising a multilayer film comprising: a first moisture barrier layer; a first product contact layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, cyclo-olefin copolymer, high density polyethylene or a blend of cyclo-olefin copolymer and high density polyethylene; and a first desiccant layer disposed between the first moisture barrier layer and the first product contact layer; wherein when the medical system is subjected for at least about one hour at a temperature of at least 110° Fahrenheit to an atmosphere comprising ethylene oxide and having a relative humidity of at least 30%, the first product contact layer allows the desiccant layer to survive the sterilization while retaining moisture scavenging efficacy of the desiccant layer, while allowing moisture to diffuse from the interior of the package and through the product contact layer after the package is sealed following ethylene oxide sterilization to lower the relative humidity of the interior of the package after the package is sealed and protect any product contained by the package from degradation by moisture present in the interior of the package while the sealed package is in storage, and wherein the first desiccant layer comprises a chemical desiccant comprising one or more materials selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, strontium oxide and aluminum oxide, and wherein regardless of the amount of humidity in the interior of the package when the package is sealed following subjection to ethylene oxide sterilization, the relative humidity in the interior of the package is less than approximately 20% within a time period of less than approximately 36 hours after the desiccant package is sealed.