STERILIZATION PACKAGE
A sterilization package for an endoscope that is described herein. The sterilization package may be used for endoscopes over six feet long. The sterilization package may include a first leg, a second leg connected to the first leg, an opening, and a flap disposed proximate the opening and configured to cover the opening. The package may be 95% by weight of a vapor permeable material. The package, with the endoscope disposed therein, may be coiled and placed into a vacuum chamber of a sterilization system.
1 . A sterilization package, comprising:
a first leg;
a second leg connected to the first leg;
an opening; and
a flap disposed proximate the opening and configured to cover the opening,
wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the flap are fabricated from a vapor-permeable material such that the package is at least 95% by weight of the material, and
wherein the first leg has a first length, the second leg has a second length, and the first length plus the second length equals a least approximately six feet.
2 . The package of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a non-woven fabric.
3 . The package of claim 2 , wherein the non-woven fabric includes flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers.
4 . The package of claim 2 , wherein the non-woven fabric is a non-woven polypropylene fabric.
5 . The package of claim 2 , further comprising an adhesive disposed upon the flap.
6 . The package of claim 5 , wherein the adhesive is adapted to seal the flap about the opening.
7 . The package of claim 5 , wherein the opening is a single opening disposed in the first leg proximate the second leg.
8 . The package of claim 7 , wherein the package lacks any other openings.
9 . The package of claim 7 , further comprising an endoscope disposed within the package.
10 . A method for sterilizing an endoscope, comprising:
providing a package, the package comprising,
a first leg;
a second leg connected to the first leg;
an opening; and
a flap disposed proximate the opening and configured to cover the opening;
wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the flap are fabricated from a vapor-permeable material such that the package is at least 95% by weight of the material, and
wherein the first leg has a first length, the second leg has a second length, and the first length plus the second length equals a least approximately six feet, placing an endoscope that is at least approximately six feet long within the package;
sealing the package;
placing the endoscope and package into a vacuum chamber of a sterilization system; and
passing a sterilant through the package.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of placing the endoscope and package in the vacuum chamber includes coiling the endoscope and package.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising confirming that no portion of the endoscope contacts another portion of the endoscope.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the material comprises a non-woven fabric
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the non-woven fabric includes flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the non-woven fabric is a non-woven polypropylene fabric.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the package further includes an adhesive disposed upon the flap.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the adhesive is adapted to seal the flap about the opening and the step of sealing the package includes covering the opening with the flap.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the opening is a single opening disposed in the first leg proximate the second leg.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the package lacks any other openings.
20 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of placing the endoscope and package into a vacuum chamber of a sterilization system is performed without placing a sterilization tray into the vacuum chamber.