Method and apparatus for use of a vacuum package for allograft material
A method for reconstituting and delivering an allograft material is provided. A first container holds the allograft and maintains the allograft material at a vacuum and provides favorable negative pressure during reconstitution of the allograft. A reconstituting liquid is delivered to the allograft to reconstitute the allograft.
1 . A method of delivering an implantable substrate to a surgical area comprising:
providing a first container defining a chamber having a substrate therein and a sealing device;
maintaining a negative pressure within the chamber by housing the first container in a second container;
engaging the sealing device with a reconstituting delivery device; and
delivering a reconstituting liquid into the first container while preventing the introduction of significant amounts of gasses into the first container.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
removing the first container from the second container; and
opening the sealing device.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein opening the sealing device includes removing a membrane from the first container.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device includes a valve for drawing the negative pressure on the chamber.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein opening the sealing device includes opening a valve.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device is a gas permeable membrane.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting a plunger into the first container.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing the substrate from the first container.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a plunger seal is interposed between the sealing device and the substrate within the first container.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first container defines at least a part of a pressure boundary and the pressure boundary is adapted to maintain the negative pressure.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sealing device defines at least a part of the pressure boundary.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein engaging the sealing device with the reconstituting delivery device includes piercing the sealing device.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein engaging the sealing device with the reconstituting delivery device includes coupling the sealing device with leur fitting.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein delivering the reconstituting liquid includes injecting the reconstituting liquid into the first container through a leur fitting.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein delivering the reconstituting liquid includes injecting the reconstituting liquid into the first container through a hypodermic needle.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second container is a sealed bag.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second container is a glass jar.
18 . A method of hydrating an implantable substrate for delivery to a surgical area comprising:
providing a first container defining a chamber having a substrate therein and a sealing device;
maintaining a negative pressure within the chamber by housing the first container in a second container;
engaging the sealing device with a reconstituting delivery device containing a reconstituting liquid; and
drawing the reconstituting liquid into the first container to cause a localized pressure increase across the substrate; and
instantaneously reconstituting the substrate by delivering the reconstituting liquid into the first container where there is a pressure differential across the substrate while preventing the introduction of significant amounts of gasses into the first container.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein engaging the sealing device with the reconstituting delivery device includes coupling the sealing device with a leur fitting.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the sealing device includes a valve for drawing a negative pressure on the chamber to pressurize the substrate.
21 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the sealing device defines at least part of the first container.
22 . The method of claim 18 , wherein engaging the sealing device with the reconstituting delivery device includes piercing the sealing device.
23 . A method of hydrating an implantable substrate for delivery to a surgical area comprising:
providing a first container defining a chamber having an allograft therein and a sealing device defining at least part of the first container;
maintaining a negative pressure within the chamber by housing the first container in a second container;
engaging the sealing device with a reconstituting delivery device containing a reconstituting liquid comprising a platelet concentrate;
delivering the reconstituting liquid into the first container while preventing the introduction of significant amounts of gasses into the first container;
removing the first container from the second container and opening the sealing device;
removing the substrate from the first container; and
depositing the substrate at the surgical area.