Release of ClO
A multilayer medical packaging film includes a first layer and a chlorine dioxide-producing layer. The chlorine dioxide-producing layer includes a polymer composition and a plurality of chlorite ions. The chlorine dioxide-producing layer is substantially free of an energy-activated catalyst and is substantially free of an acid-releasing compound. However, the film is capable of generating chlorine dioxide when exposed to UV light and moisture.
1. A multilayer medical packaging film comprising:
a first layer, and
a chlorine dioxide-producing layer comprising a polymer composition and a source of a plurality of chlorite ions;
wherein the chlorine dioxide-producing layer comprises less than 2% by weight of an energy-activated catalyst and comprises no acid-releasing compound, wherein the weight ratio of the energy-activated catalyst to the source of the plurality of chlorite ions is 1:20 or less, and
wherein the chlorine dioxide-producing layer produces a sufficient amount of chlorine dioxide when exposed to UV light and moisture to disinfect or sterilize a medical device packaged in the film.
2. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the source of the plurality of chlorite ions comprises a salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, and mixtures thereof.
3. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the first layer is an oxygen barrier layer; wherein the oxygen barrier layer comprises aluminum foil, metal coated polymer, metal oxide coated polymer, or an aromatic polyamide polymer.
4. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the first layer is an oxygen barrier layer; wherein the oxygen barrier layer comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyvinylidene chloride copolymer, or an aliphatic polyamide.
5. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the chlorine-dioxide-producing layer is a coating having a thickness less than 15 μm.
6. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 5 , wherein the polymer composition comprises at least one of polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene alpha-olefins, or polypropylene.
7. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 5 , wherein the source of the plurality of chlorite ions comprises a salt, and the salt is present in an amount within a range from 0.1 weight percent to 30 weight percent relative to the total weight of the chlorine dioxide-producing layer.
8. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 5 , wherein the source of the plurality of chlorite ions comprises a salt, and the salt is present in an amount within a range from 10 weight percent to 20 weight percent relative to the total weight of the chlorine dioxide-producing layer.
9. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the chlorine dioxide-producing layer has a thickness of at least 25 μm.
10. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 9 , wherein the polymer composition comprises at least one of polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene alpha-olefins, or polypropylene.
11. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 9 , wherein the source of the plurality of chlorite ions comprises a salt, wherein the salt is present in an amount within a range from 0.1 weight percent to 25 weight percent relative to the total weight of the chlorine dioxide-producing layer.
12. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 9 , wherein the source of the plurality of chlorite ions comprises a salt, wherein the salt is present in an amount within a range from 5 weight percent to 20 weight percent relative to the total weight of the chlorine dioxide-producing layer.
13. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the first layer is an outer layer proximate the chlorine dioxide-producing layer, wherein the outer layer comprises at least one of polyethylene or polypropylene.
14. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the first layer is an abuse-resistant layer, wherein the abuse-resistant layer is UV-light transparent.
15. The multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the film has a layer composition in the following sequence:
a layer of polyethylene;
the chlorine dioxide-producing layer;
a tie layer;
the first layer comprising an oxygen barrier layer;
a tie layer; and
an abuse layer,
wherein optional additional layers may be dispersed within said sequence.
16. A medical package comprising a sidewall comprising the multilayer medical packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the medical package comprises an interior volume defined by an inside surface of the sidewall.
17. The medical package according to claim 16 , wherein the chlorine dioxide-producing layer is proximate the inside surface of the sidewall.
18. The medical package according to claim 16 , wherein the chlorine dioxide-producing layer has a surface area smaller than the inside surface of the sidewall.
19. The multilayer medical packaging film of claim 1 , wherein the chlorine dioxide-producing layer comprises no energy-activated catalyst.