EP2450487B1 - Biodegradable sterilization wrap - Google Patents
Biodegradable sterilization wrap Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2450487B1 EP2450487B1 EP10290595.7A EP10290595A EP2450487B1 EP 2450487 B1 EP2450487 B1 EP 2450487B1 EP 10290595 A EP10290595 A EP 10290595A EP 2450487 B1 EP2450487 B1 EP 2450487B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- fibers
- biodegradable
- sheet
- starch
- sterilization wrap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
Links
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 64
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 title claims description 57
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 113
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 49
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 29
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 claims description 27
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 229920003043 Cellulose fiber Polymers 0.000 claims description 20
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000006065 biodegradation reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 17
- -1 polybutylene succinate Polymers 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 229920001634 Copolyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 14
- 244000061456 Solanum tuberosum Species 0.000 claims description 13
- 235000002595 Solanum tuberosum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 229920000747 poly(lactic acid) Polymers 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000004626 polylactic acid Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 235000012015 potatoes Nutrition 0.000 claims description 13
- 229920001131 Pulp (paper) Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 229920002261 Corn starch Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000008120 corn starch Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 235000018102 proteins Nutrition 0.000 claims description 10
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 claims description 10
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 claims description 10
- 235000017166 Bambusa arundinacea Nutrition 0.000 claims description 9
- 235000017491 Bambusa tulda Nutrition 0.000 claims description 9
- 240000000907 Musa textilis Species 0.000 claims description 9
- 244000082204 Phyllostachys viridis Species 0.000 claims description 9
- 235000015334 Phyllostachys viridis Nutrition 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000011425 bamboo Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 244000198134 Agave sisalana Species 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 235000013339 cereals Nutrition 0.000 claims description 8
- 235000013312 flour Nutrition 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000049 pigment Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 229940100445 wheat starch Drugs 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920000331 Polyhydroxybutyrate Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000005014 poly(hydroxyalkanoate) Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000005015 poly(hydroxybutyrate) Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920000218 poly(hydroxyvalerate) Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920002961 polybutylene succinate Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004631 polybutylene succinate Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004630 polybutylene succinate adipate Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920009537 polybutylene succinate adipate Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920001610 polycaprolactone Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004632 polycaprolactone Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920000903 polyhydroxyalkanoate Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920002792 polyhydroxyhexanoate Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 241000219146 Gossypium Species 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004049 embossing Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000009264 composting Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012567 medical material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000012766 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. sativa Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000012765 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. spontanea Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 240000000491 Corchorus aestuans Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000011777 Corchorus aestuans Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000010862 Corchorus capsularis Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 240000000797 Hibiscus cannabinus Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 240000006240 Linum usitatissimum Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000004431 Linum usitatissimum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000297 Rayon Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000009120 camo Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000005607 chanvre indien Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011487 hemp Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010902 straw Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 102000008186 Collagen Human genes 0.000 claims description 2
- 108010035532 Collagen Proteins 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000195493 Cryptophyta Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 108010010803 Gelatin Proteins 0.000 claims description 2
- 244000068988 Glycine max Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000010469 Glycine max Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 240000003183 Manihot esculenta Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000016735 Manihot esculenta subsp esculenta Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 102000014171 Milk Proteins Human genes 0.000 claims description 2
- 108010011756 Milk Proteins Proteins 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004372 Polyvinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000209140 Triticum Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000021307 Triticum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001436 collagen Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;prop-1-ene Chemical group C=C.CC=C HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N fluoromethane Chemical class FC NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000159 gelatin Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000008273 gelatin Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000019322 gelatine Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000011852 gelatine desserts Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000140 heteropolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000021239 milk protein Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920006173 natural rubber latex Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002689 polyvinyl acetate Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011118 polyvinyl acetate Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002451 polyvinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003179 starch-based polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004628 starch-based polymer Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003048 styrene butadiene rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000002348 vinylic group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 13
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 9
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 8
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000012209 synthetic fiber Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920005822 acrylic binder Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 238000010002 mechanical finishing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 4
- WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Formaldehyde Chemical compound O=C WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007730 finishing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M Chloride anion Chemical compound [Cl-] VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sulfate Chemical compound [O-]S([O-])(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 239000006286 aqueous extract Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012736 aqueous medium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001055 blue pigment Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002361 compost Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000813 microbial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000007670 refining Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002028 Biomass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920013683 Celanese Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 244000024675 Eruca sativa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000014755 Eruca sativa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- IAYPIBMASNFSPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene oxide Chemical compound C1CO1 IAYPIBMASNFSPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000003139 biocide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000209 biodegradability test Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000003490 calendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003013 cytotoxicity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000135 cytotoxicity Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 239000013530 defoamer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000539 dimer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010894 electron beam technology Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011121 hardwood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009863 impact test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011534 incubation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002054 inoculum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001023 inorganic pigment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002655 kraft paper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010297 mechanical methods and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005226 mechanical processes and functions Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003801 milling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000001376 precipitating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012783 reinforcing fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000009738 saturating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011122 softwood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003786 synthesis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004809 thin layer chromatography Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003440 toxic substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
- D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D21H21/00—Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties
- D21H21/06—Paper forming aids
- D21H21/10—Retention agents or drainage improvers
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
- D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D21H5/00—Special paper or cardboard not otherwise provided for
- D21H5/22—Fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal, disinfecting, antiseptic, or corrosion-inhibiting paper antistatic, antioxygenic paper
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
- D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D21H27/00—Special paper not otherwise provided for, e.g. made by multi-step processes
- D21H27/10—Packing paper
Definitions
- the present invention in particular, relates to sterilization wraps.
- Sterilization wraps are mainly used in CSSD (Central Sterilization & Supplies Department) of hospitals and healthcare facilities for the packaging, the sterilization and the maintenance of the sterile state of re-usable, freshly washed, and disinfected medical devices such as scalpels, pliers, scissors, endoscopes, bedpans, tongue depressors or stents.
- CSSD Central Sterilization & Supplies Department
- the invention also concerns a set comprising a medical device and a sterilization wrap according to the invention, said sterilization wrap containing said medical device, in particular in a sterilized state.
- Sterilization wraps are generally made of special papers. Several types of papers for use in medical packaging are described in the patent literature.
- WO 2007/058822 describes papers having enhanced microbial barrier properties for use in sterile packaging.
- JP 4 334 448 describes a biodegradable composite material comprising a layer of vegetal fibers covered with a layer of polylactic acid.
- the known sterilization wraps may be nonwoven and may be made of:
- These sterilization wraps may have a grammage of 80g/m 2 or less, usually below 70g/m 2 .
- the Applicant has surprisingly found that the use of biodegradable compounds in a sterilization wrap may allow the meeting of the EN 868-2 requirements while allowing the maintain of the grammage of the formed sheet.
- biodegradable compounds may enhance the ability of the formed products to be recycled or decomposed.
- the invention provides a medical material, intended to be sterilized, the medical material for producing a product chosen in the group consisting of: a surgical drape, optionally provided with a hole, a container filter, a sterile field, in particular to be used as a mayo or table cover, a gown, a sterilization wrap or a sterile barrier system as per ISO 11607 standard definition, said material comprising or consisting of a, preferably nonwoven, sheet:
- the cellulose fibers may be refined.
- the sheet may have a grammage lying in the range 25g/m 2 to 75g/m 2 , preferably 50g/m 2 to 75g/m 2 , more preferably 55 g/m 2 to 65 g/m 2 .
- a sheet according to the invention may advantageously present a relatively low grammage and an enhanced biodegradability while still meeting the strong requirements of EN 868-2:09 and presenting satisfying barrier properties, in particular to microorganisms.
- the sheet may be considered as a paper and may be, as described hereunder, manufactured by papermaking methods.
- a compound is "biodegradable" when the ratio of its biodegradation percentage on the biodegradation percentage of cellulose fibers is at least 75 %, more preferably at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 %.
- the biodegradation percentages may be measured according to ISO 14855 (2005) method: “Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability and disintegration of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions", after 24 days as described in the examples.
- a compound is regarded as "biodegradable” if it is decomposed, when exposed to the outside natural environment, under the climate of Paris (France), in less than 10 years, less than 5 years, preferably less than 1 year, preferably less than 6 months, preferably less than 2 months.
- the "bio-based content” of a material is the ratio of its amount of organic carbon produced by the biomass or "bio-carbon” (i.e. from biologic origin, therefore excluding fossil or geologic materials) to its total amount of organic carbon.
- the bio-based content quantifies, in a given material, the concentration of young (i.e. renewable) organic carbon in comparison with the concentration of old fossil organic carbon based resources.
- the bio-based content may in particular be determined according to ASTM D6866-10.
- a “fiber” is, in particular, presenting a ratio L/l of its length “L” to its width (largest dimension in a transversal cross-section) "1" of at least 10.
- synthetic fiber means a fiber produced artificially by a chemical or biochemical synthesis.
- a “synthetic fiber” is synonymous of a man-made fiber.
- a "natural fiber” is a fiber which is not a “synthetic fiber” as defined above.
- a natural fiber may, in particular, be a cellulose-based fiber.
- the amount, by dry weight, of cellulose fibers includes the amount, by dry weight, of the natural biodegradable fibers which are mainly cellulosic.
- a sterilization wrap comprises 80%, by dry weight, of biodegradable fibers which are cellulosic (i.e. bamboo fibers) and 20%, by dry weight, of wood pulp, the amount, by dry weight, of cellulose fibers is 100 %.
- the fibers of a "layer” are intimately entangled.
- Woven or non woven mats are examples of layers.
- the "binder” binds the fibers together thus improving the cohesiveness and mechanical properties of the sheet.
- the invention also provides a product comprising a material as described above, said product being chosen in the group consisting of:
- the invention also provides a kit comprising:
- the invention also provides a method for manufacturing a material as described above comprising:
- on-line shall mean a period during which the material is formed (e.g., on the wire), and includes any process from wet laying through finishing (e.g., drying, calendaring, sizing, etc.).
- off-line shall mean any period after the on-line period.
- steps a) to d) may have a positive impact on the obtaining of the desired barrier properties.
- the cellulose fibers present in the furnish described in a) may be refined.
- a refining step may be carried out before step a).
- the refining step may advantageously densify the fiber network and improve its cohesion.
- the invention also provides a method of sterilization of a medical device, in particular chosen from scalpels, pliers, scissors, endoscopes, bedpans, tongue depressors or stents, comprising at least the following steps consisting in:
- the kit described above may, in particular, be wrapped in an additional sterilization wrap before being introduced in the sterilizing unit.
- the sterilizing unit may subject the kit to high pressure saturated steam (the sterilizing unit may be an autoclave), low temperature formaldehyde steam (LTFS), gamma-rays, electron beams, ethylene oxide or to a dry heat process.
- high pressure saturated steam the sterilizing unit may be an autoclave
- LTFS low temperature formaldehyde steam
- gamma-rays electron beams
- ethylene oxide or to a dry heat process.
- the invention also provides the use of a sheet as described above as a component of a product having barrier properties, in particular to microorganisms.
- the sheet may comprise biodegradable fibers selected from at least one of following ones: bleached wood pulp, semi-bleached wood pulp, unbleached wood pulp, cotton, abaca, straw, bamboo, viscose, hemp, jute, sisal, flax, kenaf, esparto or fibers from biodegradable or biocompostable polymers, according to EN 13432 standard, such as polylactic acid, polyhydroxyvalerate, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyhydroxyhexanoate, polycaprolactone, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate or copolymers of them, optionally modified with starch based polymer, plastified cereal flour based polymers, optionally modified with copolyesters, plastified starch, such as corn starch, wheat starch or potatoe starch optionally modified with copolyesters.
- biodegradable fibers selected from at least one of following ones: bleached wood pulp, semi-ble
- Any suitable pulps may be utilized for obtaining the cellulose, for example, kraft pulps from coniferous and/or deciduous trees. Portions of the cellulose may be mechanically, chemically, thermo-mechanically, and/or chemi-thermo-mechanically pulped, as desired.
- the natural biodegradable fibers may, in particular, be selected from at least one of the following ones: bleached wood pulp, semi-bleached wood pulp, unbleached wood pulp, cotton, abaca, straw, bamboo, hemp, jute, sisal, flax, kenaf or esparto.
- the synthetic (i.e. man-made) biodegradable fibers may preferably be selected from at least one of the following ones: polylactic acid fibers, fibers of polyhydroxyalkanoate, fibers of polyhydroxyhexanoate, fibers of polycaprolactone, fibers of polybutylene succinate, fibers of polybutylene succinate adipate, viscose fibers, fibers of plastified starch, such as corn starch, wheat starch or potatoe starch optionally modified with copolyesters, or fibers of plastified cereal flour polymer.
- the biodegradable fibers may have an average length lying in the range 0.1 mm to 30 mm, preferably 1 to 15 mm.
- the biodegradable synthetic fibers may, in particular, have an average length of at least 2.5 mm, preferably 3 mm, more preferably 5 mm.
- the biodegradable synthetic fibers may, in particular, have an average length of less than 12 mm.
- the biodegradable natural fibers may have an average length of at least 1.5 mm, preferably 2.5 mm, more preferably 3 mm.
- the biodegradable natural fibers may, in particular, have an average length of less than 10 mm.
- the "average length” is, unless otherwise specified, the median length.
- the cellulose fibers may be present in an amount of 30 % or more, preferably of 50 % or more, in particular of 70 % or more, by dry weight of the layer.
- the sheet may comprise, for a total of more than 80 %, in particular more than 85 %, in particular more than 90 %, in percentages by dry weight on the basis of the layer:
- the cellulose fibers may be present in an amount of 30 % or more, preferably of 50 % or more, in particular of 70 % or more, by dry weight of the layer.
- the sheet may comprise in percentages by dry weight on the basis of the layer:
- the cellulose fibers may be present in an amount of 50 % or more, preferably of 70 % or more, more preferably of 85 % or more, by dry weight of the layer.
- the sheet may comprise, in percentages by dry weight on the basis of the layer, 60% or more of biodegradable fibers selected from abaca, sisal, cotton, bamboo fibers or mixtures thereof, the total amount of cellulose fibers in the layer being more than 85%.
- the layer of the sheet comprises cellulose fibers and synthetic biodegradable fibers.
- the sheet may comprise a biodegradable binder, in particular in an amount of 2 % or more, in percentage by dry weight of the layer.
- the biodegradable binder may, in particular, be non-fibrous.
- the biodegradable binder may, in particular, be an adhesive.
- the biodegradable binder may, in particular, be polymeric.
- the sheet may, in particular, comprise at least 2 %, and/or less than 30 %, preferably less than 25%, preferably less than 20 %, preferably less than 15 %, preferably less than 10 %, more preferably less than 5%, in percentage by dry weight of the layer, of a biodegradable binder and/or of an additive providing wet strength, cohesiveness or softness, for example chosen from potatoe, wheat, tapioca or corn starch, proteins of vegetal origin, such as soya protein or silk protein, proteins of animal origin, such as milk proteins, egg derivatives or algae derivatives, gelatin, collagen, chitine, the natural rubber latex, preferably of low protein grade, or a mixture of these compounds.
- the sheet may comprise less than 20 %, preferably less than 15%, preferably less than 12 %, in percentage by dry weight of the layer, of a biodegradable hydrophobic additive, for example a vegetal modified oil, providing liquid repellency.
- a biodegradable hydrophobic additive for example a vegetal modified oil, providing liquid repellency.
- the sheet may have an amount less than 20 %, preferably less than 15%, preferably less than 12%, preferably less than 10%, preferably less than 6%, in percentage by dry weight of the layer, of non-biodegradable compounds, said non-biodegradable compounds being, in particular, chosen from pigments, non-biodegradable hydrophobic additives or binders either acrylic or vinylic, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylacetate, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene heteropolymers or a mixture thereof.
- the non-biodegradable binder may, in particular, be incorporated via a size-press process, a spraying process, a saturating process or a precipitating process.
- the non-biodegradable binder may, in particular, be a film-forming non-biodegradable binder.
- the concentration in the layer of eco-toxic substances, in particular fluorocarbon compounds additives, is preferably less than 200 parts per million.
- the products according to the invention may have, when completely unfold, a greatest dimension comprised between 15 cm and 180 cm, for example 60 cm and 150 cm.
- its greatest dimension may, in particular, be comprised between 15 cm and 60 cm.
- the thickness of the gowns, sterilization wraps or sterile fields according to the invention may, in particular, lie in the range 100 ⁇ m to 250 ⁇ m, preferably 125 ⁇ m to 175 ⁇ m.
- the sterilization wrap may have a density of 0.8 g/cm 3 or less.
- the sterilization wrap may have at least a portion comprising a softening process pattern, formed on-line or off-line, configured to soften said sterilization wrap, said softening process pattern being, in particular, selected from one of a creped pattern, micro-creped pattern, and an embossing pattern.
- the sterilization wrap is preferably a monolayer material.
- the sterilization wrap may be provided in a non-sterilized state and may be sterilized after.
- the sterilization wrap may, when completely unfold, be of any shape for e.g.: circular, elliptical or polygonal.
- the sterilization wrap when completely unfold, may be of square shape and, in particular, have a length of about 60cm, 75cm or 90cm.
- the invention also concerns a sterilized sterile barrier system as per ISO 11607 standard definition comprising a sterilization wrap as described above.
- the sterilization wrap, container filter and sterile field according to the invention may present at least one, preferably all of, the following features:
- the sterilization wrap may comprise less than 0.1 % of biocide agents, by dry weight.
- the sterilization wrap may be in the sterilized state.
- the sterilization wrap may be sterilized and provided in a sterilized packaging following its manufacture.
- the sterilization wrap and the field according to the invention may present at least one, preferably all of, the following features:
- the sterilization wrap may have a linting value, according to ISO 9073-10, of less than 10, preferably less than 6.
- the sterilization wrap may have water penetration resistance values, according to ISO 811, higher than 20 mbar, preferably higher than 40 mbar.
- the sheet may be manufactured according to steps a) to d) as described above.
- the furnish may comprise an aqueous solution
- a coloring agent e.g., a pigment and/or a dye
- a coloring agent e.g., a pigment and/or a dye
- an appropriate pigment and/or dye e.g., a blue pigment
- the pigments and/or dyes may be natural and/or synthetic, and combinations thereof, and such pigments may be biodegradable and/or may be inert towards the environment.
- the pigments may, in particular, be organic or inorganic, and when they are inorganic, they may, in particular, be inert towards the environment.
- the sheet according to the invention may, in particular, comprise for example green or blue, inorganic pigments which are inert towards the environment.
- the sheet may be void of any coloring agent and may be colored based substantially on the fibers used to manufacture said sheet and other environmental conditions.
- the drying can be carried out at a temperature between about 75 °C and about 200 °C.
- sheet may undergo one or more off line or on-line finishing processes.
- one or more softening processes e.g., mechanical finishing
- Such softening processes may be configured to effect a softening of the sheet, an increase in strength, an increase in breathability, and/or an increase in conformability.
- Such softening processes may therefore be effective to at least reduce drape values (i.e., increase conformability).
- Softening processes may include, for example, mechanical processes such as creping, micro-creping, flexage, embossing, etc.
- Micro-creping for example, may act on the web associated with the sheet by compacting it, particularly in the machine direction (MD). Therefore, when exposing to a micro-crepe finishing process, it may be desirable to have a certain percentage of fibers of the web oriented in the machine direction, thereby allowing more fibers to be creped.
- the finishing processes may be configured to form a pattern on and/or within the structure of sheet resulting in, for example, a softening process pattern on and/or within the structure of sheet.
- a pattern may be a visible pattern, semi-visible, or not visible to the naked eye (e.g., microscopic pattern), as desired, and/or combinations thereof.
- the mechanical finishing processes may be executed on any suitable processor, for example, when micro-creping sheet, a mechanical microcreper may be utilized.
- a Micrex® Microcreper may be implemented to micro-crepe the formed sheets. For example, a microcreper having rigid retarders, and/or comb roll cavity, and/or two rolls cavity, and/or flat blade cavity, or bladeless microcreper may be utilized.
- coloring agents may be added to provide color to the sheet after the mechanical finishing process, particularly where coloring agents may affect the mechanical finishing process (e.g., depending on sensitivity of a creping machine). For example, a blue pigment may be introduced into the aqueous solution prior to formation on the wire. Additionally, it may be possible to provide designs and/or text, among other things, via printing on the sheet. Alternatively, no coloring agents may be used.
- a single layer sheet according to example 4 was manufactured on a Fourdrinier paper machine in the following manner: 89.5% by dry weight of cellulose fibers were suspended in an aqueous medium with 5.1% by dry weight of polylactic acid fibers.
- a synthetic acrylic binder was added in a concentration of 3.5% by dry weight.
- a biodegradable binder was added in a concentration of 0.7% by dry weight, a non-biodegradable hydrophobic additive was added in a concentration of 0.3% by dry weight and an additive of unknown degradability was added in a concentration of 0.9% by dry weight.
- the suspension was dewatered on the wire of the paper machine in order to form the sheet.
- the sheet was dried at around 120 degrees C and the resulting sheet had a grammage of approximately 64.1 g/m 2 .
- the sheet was then micro-creped to effect a softening of the sheet.
- the micro-creping was performed resulting in a conformability value of approximately 75 in the machine direction.
- a single layer sheet according to example 5 was manufactured on a Fourdrinier paper machine in the following manner: 86.6% by dry weight of cellulose fibers were suspended in an aqueous medium with 7.4% by dry weight of polylactic acid fibers. A synthetic acrylic binder was also added in a concentration of 3.5% by dry weight. A non-biodegradable hydrophobic additive was added at a concentration of 0.3% by dry weight, an additive of unknown degradability was added at a concentration of 1.5% by dry weight and a biodegradable binder was added at a concentration of 0.7% by dry weight. The suspension was dewatered on the wire of the paper machine in order to form the sheet. The sheet was dried at around 120 degrees C and the resulting sheet had a grammage of approximately 63 g/m 2 .
- the sheet was then micro-creped to effect a softening of the sheet.
- the micro-creping was performed resulting in a conformability value of approximately 79 in the machine direction.
- the test item is prepared by milling said sterilization wrap in particles having a size less than 4 mm.
- the reference item is native cellulose powder for thin layer chromatography (cellulose Avicel, Merck).
- test item TABLE 3 Treatment Number of replicates Compost Inoculum (g) Test item (g) Compost (control) 3 1200 - Cellulose powder (reference item) 3 1200 80 test item 3 1200 80
- the incubation temperature is continuously kept on 58°C ⁇ 2°C and the test lasts 24 days.
- the net CO 2 production of the item under consideration (reference item or test item) is obtained by substracting the CO 2 production of the control to the CO 2 production of said item.
- the biodegradation percentage is the ratio of the net CO 2 production of the item under consideration to the original amount of carbon comprised in said item.
- the ratio of the biodegradation percentage of the item under consideration to the biodegradation percentage of cellulose is higher than 75%, the item under consideration is regarded as "biodegradable”.
- Table 4 illustrates the assessment of biodegradability for example 5. TABLE 4 Items Net CO 2 production (mg/g item) Biodegradation (%) AVG. STD. REL. Reference item 1314 84.4 1.3 100.0 Test item 1204 76.9 1.5 91.1
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
- Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
- Paper (AREA)
- Materials For Medical Uses (AREA)
- Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
Description
- The present invention, in particular, relates to sterilization wraps. Sterilization wraps are mainly used in CSSD (Central Sterilization & Supplies Department) of hospitals and healthcare facilities for the packaging, the sterilization and the maintenance of the sterile state of re-usable, freshly washed, and disinfected medical devices such as scalpels, pliers, scissors, endoscopes, bedpans, tongue depressors or stents.
- The invention also concerns a set comprising a medical device and a sterilization wrap according to the invention, said sterilization wrap containing said medical device, in particular in a sterilized state.
- Sterilization wraps are generally made of special papers. Several types of papers for use in medical packaging are described in the patent literature.
-
WO 2007/058822 describes papers having enhanced microbial barrier properties for use in sterile packaging. -
US 6 349 826 describes papers comprising non-biodegradable binders. -
JP 4 334 448 - The sterilization wraps performances are described in the European Standard (EN 868-2:09): "Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices - Part 2: Sterilization Wrap - Requirements and tests methods ".
- This document also describes the properties that a sterilization wrap must present. In order to be in conformity with EN 868-2:09 standard, a nonwoven sterilization wrap should meet:
- the general requirements described in the 11607-1:06 : "Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices - Part 1 : Requirements for materials, sterile barrier systems and packaging systems " defining, in particular, the microbial barrier properties and the compatibility with the sterilization process, and
- the general and the specific performance requirements of EN 868-2:09 #4.2.1 and #4.2.2.3 for nonwoven wrapping material, as summerized in the following table 1 :TABLE 1 EN 868-2 UNITS STANDARDS OR METHODS Specifications SUBSTANCE g/m2 ISO 536 + or -5% nominal TENSILE STRENGTH MD KN/m ISO 1924-2 1.00 < TENSILE STRENGTH CD KN/m ISO 1924-2 0.65 < WET TENSILE STRENGTH MD KN/m ISO 1924-2 0.75 < WET TENSILE STRENGTH CD KN/m ISO 1924-2 0.50 < STRETCH MD % ISO 1924-2 5 < STRETCH CD % ISO 1924-2 7 < BURST STRENGTH kPa ISO 2758 130 < WET BURST kPa ISO 3689 90 < TEARING STRENGTH MD mN ISO 1974 750 < TEARING STRENGTH CD mN ISO 1974 1000 < Drape MD mm EN 868-2D To be measured Drape CD mm EN 868-2D To be measured HYDROSTATIC TEST cm ISO 811 To be measured pH OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT ISO 6588 5 < pH < 8 SULFATE CONTENT % w ISO 9197-1 < 0.25 CHLORIDE CONTENT % w ISO 9197-1 < 0.05 FLUORESCENCE % DIN 58953-6 5 spots of maximum diameter of 1 mm/100 cm2 - The fabrication of a sterilization wrap meeting the requirements of the EN 868-2:09 #4.2.2.3 is well known by a man skilled in the art. For example, it is well known that:
- increasing the grammage, and/or
- adding non-biodegradable reinforcing fibers (e.g. polyester, polyamide or polypropylene fibers), and/or
- adding a non-biodegradable binder (e.g. acrylic binder),
- The known sterilization wraps may be nonwoven and may be made of:
- • a mixture of cellulosic wood pulp, binders, fibers and hydrophobic additives. Except the cellulosic wood pulp, those compounds are usually non biodegradable and made from non renewable raw materials (materials of fossil origin). Those nonwovens are known as "wet laid nonwovens", or
- • 100% synthetic fossil based fibers such as polypropylene. Those nonwovens are known as "SMS" (Spunbond - Meltblown - Spunbond) nonwovens.
- These sterilization wraps may have a grammage of 80g/m2 or less, usually below 70g/m2.
- The Applicant has surprisingly found that the use of biodegradable compounds in a sterilization wrap may allow the meeting of the EN 868-2 requirements while allowing the maintain of the grammage of the formed sheet.
- Further, the use of biodegradable compounds may enhance the ability of the formed products to be recycled or decomposed.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a sterilization wrap meeting the EN 868-2:09 requirements, including the barrier properties requirements, and having a relatively low grammage.
- It is another object of the invention to provide a sterilization wrap which is easy to get rid of.
- The invention provides a medical material, intended to be sterilized, the medical material for producing a product chosen in the group consisting of: a surgical drape, optionally provided with a hole, a container filter, a sterile field, in particular to be used as a mayo or table cover, a gown, a sterilization wrap or a sterile barrier system as per ISO 11607 standard definition, said material comprising or consisting of a, preferably nonwoven, sheet:
- comprising at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, in percentage by dry weight on the basis of said sheet, of biodegradable compounds,
- having a bio-based content of 60%, preferably 80%, more preferably 90%, or more, and
- having a grammage of 75 g/m2 or less, preferably of 70g/m2 or less, said sheet comprising or consisting of a layer comprising, for a total of more than 80%, in particular more than 85 %, in particular more than 90%, in percentages by dry weight on the basis of said layer, 15 % or more of cellulose fibers and:
- at least 1%, preferably 1% to 80%, preferably 1 to 50%, preferably 2% to 20%, more preferably 3 % to 10%, of synthetic biodegradable fibers having an average length of at least 2.5 mm, preferably 3 mm, said synthetic biodegradable fibers preferably being selected from fibers of plastified cereal flour based polymers, optionally modified with copolyesters, fibers of plastified starch, such as corn starch, wheat starch or potatoe starch optionally modified with copolyesters, fibers of polylactic acid, fibers of polyhydroxyvalerate, fibers of polyhydroxybutyrate, fibers of polyhydroxyalkanoate, fibers of polyhydroxyhexanoate, fibers of polycaprolactone, fibers of polybutylene succinate, fibers of polybutylene succinate adipate or mixtures thereof, and/or
- 20% to 100%, preferably 30% to 100%, preferably 40% to 100%, preferably 55% to 85%, more preferably 65% to 85%, of natural biodegradable fibers having an average length of at least 1.5 mm, preferably 2.5 mm, more preferably 3 mm, preferably selected from abaca, bamboo, cotton, sisal fibers or mixtures thereof, and/or
- a biodegradable binder.
- The cellulose fibers may be refined.
- The sheet may have a grammage lying in the range 25g/m2 to 75g/m2, preferably 50g/m2 to 75g/m2, more preferably 55 g/m2 to 65 g/m2.
- A sheet according to the invention may advantageously present a relatively low grammage and an enhanced biodegradability while still meeting the strong requirements of EN 868-2:09 and presenting satisfying barrier properties, in particular to microorganisms.
- The sheet may be considered as a paper and may be, as described hereunder, manufactured by papermaking methods.
- According to the invention, a compound is "biodegradable" when the ratio of its biodegradation percentage on the biodegradation percentage of cellulose fibers is at least 75 %, more preferably at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 %. The biodegradation percentages may be measured according to ISO 14855 (2005) method: "Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability and disintegration of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions", after 24 days as described in the examples.
- Preferably, a compound is regarded as "biodegradable" if it is decomposed, when exposed to the outside natural environment, under the climate of Paris (France), in less than 10 years, less than 5 years, preferably less than 1 year, preferably less than 6 months, preferably less than 2 months.
- The "bio-based content" of a material is the ratio of its amount of organic carbon produced by the biomass or "bio-carbon" (i.e. from biologic origin, therefore excluding fossil or geologic materials) to its total amount of organic carbon.
- The bio-based content quantifies, in a given material, the concentration of young (i.e. renewable) organic carbon in comparison with the concentration of old fossil organic carbon based resources.
- The bio-based content may in particular be determined according to ASTM D6866-10.
- A "fiber" is, in particular, presenting a ratio L/l of its length "L" to its width (largest dimension in a transversal cross-section) "1" of at least 10.
- According to the invention, the expression "synthetic fiber" means a fiber produced artificially by a chemical or biochemical synthesis. A "synthetic fiber" is synonymous of a man-made fiber.
- According to the invention, a "natural fiber" is a fiber which is not a "synthetic fiber" as defined above. A natural fiber may, in particular, be a cellulose-based fiber.
- Unless otherwise stated, the amount, by dry weight, of cellulose fibers includes the amount, by dry weight, of the natural biodegradable fibers which are mainly cellulosic. Thus, if a sterilization wrap comprises 80%, by dry weight, of biodegradable fibers which are cellulosic (i.e. bamboo fibers) and 20%, by dry weight, of wood pulp, the amount, by dry weight, of cellulose fibers is 100 %.
- According to the invention, the fibers of a "layer" are intimately entangled. Woven or non woven mats are examples of layers.
- According to the invention, the "binder" binds the fibers together thus improving the cohesiveness and mechanical properties of the sheet.
- The invention also provides a product comprising a material as described above, said product being chosen in the group consisting of:
- a sterilization wrap,
- a container filter,
- a sterilized surgical drape, optionally provided with a hole,
- a sterilized sterile field, in particular to be used as a mayo or table cover,
- a sterilized gown,
- a sterilized sterile barrier system as per ISO 11607 standard definition.
- The invention also provides a kit comprising:
- a sterilization wrap as described above, said sterilization wrap defining a closed inner volume, and
- a sterilized medical device disposed inside said inner volume, said sterilized medical device being, in particular, chosen from sterilized scalpels, pliers, scissors, endoscopes, bedpans, tongue depressors or stents.
- The invention also provides a method for manufacturing a material as described above comprising:
- a) preparing a furnish:
- comprising at least 80%, preferably 90%, more preferably 95%, by dry weight, of biodegradable compounds,
- having a bio-based content of 60%, preferably 80%, more preferably 90%, or more, said furnish further comprising:
- for a total of more than 80 %, in particular more than 85 %, in particular more than 90 %, in percentages by dry weight of said furnish, at least 15 percent of cellulose fibers and:
- i. at least 1%, preferably 1% to 80%, preferably 1 to 50%, preferably 2% to 20%, more preferably 3% to 10%, of synthetic biodegradable fibers having an average length of at least 2.5 mm, preferably 3 mm, said synthetic biodegradable fibers preferably being selected from fibers of plastified cereal flour based polymers, optionally modified with copolyesters, fibers of plastified starch, such as corn starch, wheat starch or potatoe starch optionally modified with copolyesters, fibers of polylactic acid, fibers of polyhydroxyvalerate, fibers of polyhydroxybutyrate, fibers of polyhydroxyalkanoate, fibers of polyhydroxyhexanoate, fibers of polycaprolactone, fibers of polybutylene succinate, fibers of polybutylene succinate adipate or mixtures thereof, and/or
- ii. 20% to 100%, preferably 30% to 100%, preferably 40% to 100%, preferably 55% to 85%, more preferably 65% to 85%, of natural biodegradable fibers having an average length of at least 1.5 mm, preferably 2.5 mm, more preferably 3 mm, preferably selected from abaca, bamboo, cotton, sisal fibers or mixtures thereof, and/or
- iii. a biodegradable binder,
- b) forming a sheet from the furnish in a wet-laid process, in particular selected from one of a fourdrinier process, an inclined wire process, a mold table process, a former process and a mold cylinder process;
- c) preferably pressing and drying the sheet; and
- d) optionally forming a pattern on and/or within the sheet via a softening process, performed on-line or off-line, configured to result in a softening of the sheet and a barrier performance of the sheet according to the EN 868-2:09 standard, said softening process being, in particular, selected from at least one of creping, micro-creping and/or an embossing,
said method being, preferably, deprived of a hydro-entangling step. - As used herein the term "on-line" shall mean a period during which the material is formed (e.g., on the wire), and includes any process from wet laying through finishing (e.g., drying, calendaring, sizing, etc.). The term "off-line" shall mean any period after the on-line period.
- The above-mentioned steps a) to d) may have a positive impact on the obtaining of the desired barrier properties.
- The cellulose fibers present in the furnish described in a) may be refined.
- A refining step may be carried out before step a). The refining step may advantageously densify the fiber network and improve its cohesion.
- The invention also provides a method of sterilization of a medical device, in particular chosen from scalpels, pliers, scissors, endoscopes, bedpans, tongue depressors or stents, comprising at least the following steps consisting in:
- providing a sterilization wrap according to the invention,
- wrapping in said sterilization wrap a medical device to obtain a kit,
- introducing said kit into a sterilizing unit, and
- sterilizing said kit.
- The kit described above may, in particular, be wrapped in an additional sterilization wrap before being introduced in the sterilizing unit.
- The sterilizing unit may subject the kit to high pressure saturated steam (the sterilizing unit may be an autoclave), low temperature formaldehyde steam (LTFS), gamma-rays, electron beams, ethylene oxide or to a dry heat process.
- The invention also provides the use of a sheet as described above as a component of a product having barrier properties, in particular to microorganisms.
- Other features of the invention will become apparent when reading the following description in view of the drawings, wherein:
-
Figure 1 shows the evolution of the biodegradation percentage of a sterilization wrap according to the invention and of cellulose in average of the 3 corresponding replicates, -
Figures 2 and3 respectively show the evolution of the biodegradation percentage of cellulose and of a sterilization wrap according to the invention, for each of the three corresponding replicates (RN1-RN6). - The sheet may comprise biodegradable fibers selected from at least one of following ones: bleached wood pulp, semi-bleached wood pulp, unbleached wood pulp, cotton, abaca, straw, bamboo, viscose, hemp, jute, sisal, flax, kenaf, esparto or fibers from biodegradable or biocompostable polymers, according to EN 13432 standard, such as polylactic acid, polyhydroxyvalerate, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyhydroxyhexanoate, polycaprolactone, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate or copolymers of them, optionally modified with starch based polymer, plastified cereal flour based polymers, optionally modified with copolyesters, plastified starch, such as corn starch, wheat starch or potatoe starch optionally modified with copolyesters.
- Any suitable pulps may be utilized for obtaining the cellulose, for example, kraft pulps from coniferous and/or deciduous trees. Portions of the cellulose may be mechanically, chemically, thermo-mechanically, and/or chemi-thermo-mechanically pulped, as desired.
- The natural biodegradable fibers may, in particular, be selected from at least one of the following ones: bleached wood pulp, semi-bleached wood pulp, unbleached wood pulp, cotton, abaca, straw, bamboo, hemp, jute, sisal, flax, kenaf or esparto.
- The synthetic (i.e. man-made) biodegradable fibers may preferably be selected from at least one of the following ones: polylactic acid fibers, fibers of polyhydroxyalkanoate, fibers of polyhydroxyhexanoate, fibers of polycaprolactone, fibers of polybutylene succinate, fibers of polybutylene succinate adipate, viscose fibers, fibers of plastified starch, such as corn starch, wheat starch or potatoe starch optionally modified with copolyesters, or fibers of plastified cereal flour polymer.
- The biodegradable fibers may have an average length lying in the range 0.1 mm to 30 mm, preferably 1 to 15 mm.
- The biodegradable synthetic fibers may, in particular, have an average length of at least 2.5 mm, preferably 3 mm, more preferably 5 mm.
- The biodegradable synthetic fibers may, in particular, have an average length of less than 12 mm.
- The biodegradable natural fibers may have an average length of at least 1.5 mm, preferably 2.5 mm, more preferably 3 mm.
- The biodegradable natural fibers may, in particular, have an average length of less than 10 mm.
- The "average length" is, unless otherwise specified, the median length.
- When the sheet comprises synthetic biodegradable fibers, the cellulose fibers may be present in an amount of 30 % or more, preferably of 50 % or more, in particular of 70 % or more, by dry weight of the layer.
- In one embodiment, the sheet may comprise, for a total of more than 80 %, in particular more than 85 %, in particular more than 90 %, in percentages by dry weight on the basis of the layer:
- 3 to 10% of synthetic biodegradable fibers, preferably selected from polylactic acid fibers, fibers of plastified starch, such as corn starch, wheat starch or potatoe starch optionally modified with copolyesters, fibers of polyhydroxyvalerate, fibers of polyhydroxybutyrate or fibers of plastified cereal flour polymers, and
- 70 % or more of cellulose fibers.
- When the sheet comprises a biodegradable binder, the cellulose fibers may be present in an amount of 30 % or more, preferably of 50 % or more, in particular of 70 % or more, by dry weight of the layer.
- In one embodiment, the sheet may comprise in percentages by dry weight on the basis of the layer:
- 1 to 10% of a biodegradable binder, preferably selected from potatoe starch, and
- 90 % or more of cellulose fibers.
- When the sheet comprises natural biodegradable fibers, the cellulose fibers may be present in an amount of 50 % or more, preferably of 70 % or more, more preferably of 85 % or more, by dry weight of the layer.
- In one embodiment, the sheet may comprise, in percentages by dry weight on the basis of the layer, 60% or more of biodegradable fibers selected from abaca, sisal, cotton, bamboo fibers or mixtures thereof, the total amount of cellulose fibers in the layer being more than 85%.
- In a particularly preferred embodiment, the layer of the sheet comprises cellulose fibers and synthetic biodegradable fibers.
- The sheet may comprise a biodegradable binder, in particular in an amount of 2 % or more, in percentage by dry weight of the layer.
- The biodegradable binder may, in particular, be non-fibrous.
- The biodegradable binder may, in particular, be an adhesive.
- The biodegradable binder may, in particular, be polymeric.
- The sheet may, in particular, comprise at least 2 %, and/or less than 30 %, preferably less than 25%, preferably less than 20 %, preferably less than 15 %, preferably less than 10 %, more preferably less than 5%, in percentage by dry weight of the layer, of a biodegradable binder and/or of an additive providing wet strength, cohesiveness or softness, for example chosen from potatoe, wheat, tapioca or corn starch, proteins of vegetal origin, such as soya protein or silk protein, proteins of animal origin, such as milk proteins, egg derivatives or algae derivatives, gelatin, collagen, chitine, the natural rubber latex, preferably of low protein grade, or a mixture of these compounds.
- The sheet may comprise less than 20 %, preferably less than 15%, preferably less than 12 %, in percentage by dry weight of the layer, of a biodegradable hydrophobic additive, for example a vegetal modified oil, providing liquid repellency.
- The sheet may have an amount less than 20 %, preferably less than 15%, preferably less than 12%, preferably less than 10%, preferably less than 6%, in percentage by dry weight of the layer, of non-biodegradable compounds, said non-biodegradable compounds being, in particular, chosen from pigments, non-biodegradable hydrophobic additives or binders either acrylic or vinylic, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylacetate, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene heteropolymers or a mixture thereof.
- The non-biodegradable binder may, in particular, be incorporated via a size-press process, a spraying process, a saturating process or a precipitating process.
- The non-biodegradable binder may, in particular, be a film-forming non-biodegradable binder.
- The concentration in the layer of eco-toxic substances, in particular fluorocarbon compounds additives, is preferably less than 200 parts per million.
- The products according to the invention may have, when completely unfold, a greatest dimension comprised between 15 cm and 180 cm, for example 60 cm and 150 cm.
- When the product is a container filter, its greatest dimension may, in particular, be comprised between 15 cm and 60 cm.
- The thickness of the gowns, sterilization wraps or sterile fields according to the invention may, in particular, lie in the
range 100 µm to 250 µm, preferably 125 µm to 175 µm. - The sterilization wrap may have a density of 0.8 g/cm3 or less.
- The sterilization wrap may have at least a portion comprising a softening process pattern, formed on-line or off-line, configured to soften said sterilization wrap, said softening process pattern being, in particular, selected from one of a creped pattern, micro-creped pattern, and an embossing pattern.
- The sterilization wrap is preferably a monolayer material.
- The sterilization wrap may be provided in a non-sterilized state and may be sterilized after.
- The sterilization wrap may, when completely unfold, be of any shape for e.g.: circular, elliptical or polygonal.
- The sterilization wrap, when completely unfold, may be of square shape and, in particular, have a length of about 60cm, 75cm or 90cm.
- The invention also concerns a sterilized sterile barrier system as per ISO 11607 standard definition comprising a sterilization wrap as described above.
- The sterilization wrap, container filter and sterile field according to the invention may present at least one, preferably all of, the following features:
- a barrier meeting at least level 2 performance requirements based on the standard defined by AAMI PB70,
- a Log Reduction Value of at least 1, preferably at least 2, in particular lying in the range 1 to 4, in particular 1 to 3, the Log Reduction Value being determined by ASTM F 1608,
- a barrier filtration efficiency; according to ASTM F2101-01, higher than 90%, preferably higher than 96%, when the product comprises a single layer according to the invention and higher than 95%, preferably higher than 99.5%, when it comprises two or more layers according to the invention.
- The sterilization wrap may comprise less than 0.1 % of biocide agents, by dry weight.
- The sterilization wrap may be in the sterilized state.
- The sterilization wrap may be sterilized and provided in a sterilized packaging following its manufacture.
- The sterilization wrap and the field according to the invention may present at least one, preferably all of, the following features:
- some tensile strength values, according to ISO 1924-2, higher than 1.0 kN/m in machine direction and higher than 0.65 kN/m in cross direction, preferably higher than 3.0 kN/m in machine direction and higher than 1.5 kN/m in cross direction,
- some wet tensile strength values according to ISO 1924-2 higher than 0.75 kN/m in machine direction and higher than 0.50 kN/m in cross direction, preferably higher than 1.0 kN/m in machine direction and higher than 0.6 kN/m in cross direction,
- some stretch values, according to ISO 1924-2, higher than 5% in machine direction and higher than 7% in cross direction, preferably higher than 10% in machine direction and higher than 8% in cross direction,
- some burst values, according to ISO 2758, higher than 130 kPa, preferably higher than 180 kPa,
- some wet burst values, according to ISO 3689, higher than 90 kPa, preferably higher than 105 kPa,
- some tear strength values, according to ISO 1974, higher than 750 inN in machine direction and higher than 1000 mN in cross direction, preferably higher than 850 mN in machine direction and higher than 1150 mN in cross direction,
- the softening process pattern resulting in a cross direction drape value lower than 200 mm, preferably lower than 140 mm,
- the softening process pattern resulting in a machine direction drape value lower than about 120 mm, preferably lower than 90 mm.
- The sterilization wrap may have a linting value, according to ISO 9073-10, of less than 10, preferably less than 6.
- The sterilization wrap may have water penetration resistance values, according to ISO 811, higher than 20 mbar, preferably higher than 40 mbar.
- The sheet may be manufactured according to steps a) to d) as described above.
- At step a), the furnish may comprise an aqueous solution, according to some embodiments, a coloring agent (e.g., a pigment and/or a dye) may be introduced into the aqueous solution where desired and/or the sheet may be printed or otherwise colored following formation on the wire. For example, where a color match is desired, an appropriate pigment and/or dye (e.g., a blue pigment) may be added to cause the dried sheet to have a desired color. The pigments and/or dyes may be natural and/or synthetic, and combinations thereof, and such pigments may be biodegradable and/or may be inert towards the environment. The pigments may, in particular, be organic or inorganic, and when they are inorganic, they may, in particular, be inert towards the environment.
- As such, the sheet according to the invention may, in particular, comprise for example green or blue, inorganic pigments which are inert towards the environment.
- Alternatively, the sheet may be void of any coloring agent and may be colored based substantially on the fibers used to manufacture said sheet and other environmental conditions.
- At step c), the drying can be carried out at a temperature between about 75 °C and about 200 °C.
- At step d), sheet may undergo one or more off line or on-line finishing processes. For example one or more softening processes (e.g., mechanical finishing) may be applied to the sheet as desired. Such softening processes may be configured to effect a softening of the sheet, an increase in strength, an increase in breathability, and/or an increase in conformability. Such softening processes may therefore be effective to at least reduce drape values (i.e., increase conformability).
- Softening processes may include, for example, mechanical processes such as creping, micro-creping, flexage, embossing, etc. Micro-creping, for example, may act on the web associated with the sheet by compacting it, particularly in the machine direction (MD). Therefore, when exposing to a micro-crepe finishing process, it may be desirable to have a certain percentage of fibers of the web oriented in the machine direction, thereby allowing more fibers to be creped.
- According to some embodiments, the finishing processes (e.g., softening) may be configured to form a pattern on and/or within the structure of sheet resulting in, for example, a softening process pattern on and/or within the structure of sheet. Such a pattern may be a visible pattern, semi-visible, or not visible to the naked eye (e.g., microscopic pattern), as desired, and/or combinations thereof. The mechanical finishing processes may be executed on any suitable processor, for example, when micro-creping sheet, a mechanical microcreper may be utilized. According to some embodiments, a Micrex® Microcreper may be implemented to micro-crepe the formed sheets. For example, a microcreper having rigid retarders, and/or comb roll cavity, and/or two rolls cavity, and/or flat blade cavity, or bladeless microcreper may be utilized.
- According to some embodiments, coloring agents may be added to provide color to the sheet after the mechanical finishing process, particularly where coloring agents may affect the mechanical finishing process (e.g., depending on sensitivity of a creping machine). For example, a blue pigment may be introduced into the aqueous solution prior to formation on the wire. Additionally, it may be possible to provide designs and/or text, among other things, via printing on the sheet. Alternatively, no coloring agents may be used.
- A single layer sheet according to example 4 (see Table 2 below) was manufactured on a Fourdrinier paper machine in the following manner: 89.5% by dry weight of cellulose fibers were suspended in an aqueous medium with 5.1% by dry weight of polylactic acid fibers. A synthetic acrylic binder was added in a concentration of 3.5% by dry weight. A biodegradable binder was added in a concentration of 0.7% by dry weight, a non-biodegradable hydrophobic additive was added in a concentration of 0.3% by dry weight and an additive of unknown degradability was added in a concentration of 0.9% by dry weight. The suspension was dewatered on the wire of the paper machine in order to form the sheet. The sheet was dried at around 120 degrees C and the resulting sheet had a grammage of approximately 64.1 g/m2.
The sheet was then micro-creped to effect a softening of the sheet. The micro-creping was performed resulting in a conformability value of approximately 75 in the machine direction. - A single layer sheet according to example 5 (see Table 2 below) was manufactured on a Fourdrinier paper machine in the following manner: 86.6% by dry weight of cellulose fibers were suspended in an aqueous medium with 7.4% by dry weight of polylactic acid fibers. A synthetic acrylic binder was also added in a concentration of 3.5% by dry weight. A non-biodegradable hydrophobic additive was added at a concentration of 0.3% by dry weight, an additive of unknown degradability was added at a concentration of 1.5% by dry weight and a biodegradable binder was added at a concentration of 0.7% by dry weight. The suspension was dewatered on the wire of the paper machine in order to form the sheet. The sheet was dried at around 120 degrees C and the resulting sheet had a grammage of approximately 63 g/m2.
- The sheet was then micro-creped to effect a softening of the sheet. The micro-creping was performed resulting in a conformability value of approximately 79 in the machine direction.
-
TABLE 2 Component Ref (supplier) Nature Ex.1 Ex.2 Ex.3 Ex.4 Ex.5 Wood cellulose - Bleached or semi-bleached or unbleached hardwood or softwood cellulosic fibers 95.4% 82.1% 22.5% 89.5% 86.6% Natural bioD fibers AK 102S (Ogura Trading) Abaca cellulosic fibers 0.0% 0.0% 76.2% 0.0% 0.0% Non BioD hydrophobic additive Alkyl Keten Dimer 0.6% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% BioD hydrophobic additive Topscreen DS13 (Topchim) Vegetal modified oil 0.0% 10.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Non BioD Binder Vinacryl 4333 (Celanese) Acrylic binder 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 3.5% 3.5% BioD binder N°1 Emcol KF1000 (Emsland) Modified potatoe starch 2.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Additive of unknown degradability - Wet strength additive, pigment, defoamer... 0.9% 0.8% 0.5% 0.9% 1.5% BioD binder N°2 Hicat 1164A (Roquette) Potatoe starch 0.7% 0.0% 0.5% 0.7% 0.7% Fluoro-chemical additives - - 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Synthetic Bio D fibers Grade 811 (FIT) PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) fibers 0.0% 6.2% 0.0% 5.1% 7.4% softening process microcreping either in-line or off-line EN 868-2 part 4.2.1 requirements Units Standards or TM Objective Ex.1 Ex.2 Ex.3 Ex.4 Ex.5 Substance g/m2 ISO 536 + or -5% nominal 70.7 60.6 65.8 64.1 63.0 pH OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT ISO 6588 5 < pH < 8 5 < pH < 8 5 < pH <8 5 < pH < 8 5 < pH < 8 5 < pH < 8 SULFATE CONTENT % ISO 9197-1 < 0.25 < 0.25 < 0.25 < 0.25 < 0.25 < 0.25 CHLORIDE CONTENT % ISO 9197-1 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 FLUORESCENCE % DIN 58953-6 5 spots of maximum diameter of 1 mm/100 cm2 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Drape MD mm EN 868-2D To be measured 79 75 79 Drape CD mm EN 868-2D To be measured 148 156 170 Surface Resistivity oms BS 6524 To be measured <10e13 <10e13 <10e13 <10e13 <10e13 EN 868-2 part 4.2.3 requirements Units Standards or TM Objective Ex.1 Ex.2 Ex.3 Ex.4 Ex.5 TENSILE STRENGTH MD KN/m ISO 1924-2 > 1.00 3.6 3.6 6.2 3.1 3.1 TENSILE STRENGTH CD KN/m ISO 1924-2 > 0.65 2.4 1.6 2.5 1.8 1.8 WET TENSILE STRENGTH MD KN/m ISO 1924-2 > 0.75 1.0 1.1 0.9 1.2 1.2 WET TENSILE STRENGTH CD KN/m ISO 1924-2 > 0.50 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 STRETCH MD % ISO 1924-2 > 5 17 7 7 15 13.0 STRETCH CD % ISO 1924-2 > 7 7.4 8.5 8.9 8.1 7.5 BURST STRENGTH kPa ISO 2758 > 130 212 187 350 190 210.0 WET BURST kPa ISO 3689 > 90 92 95 115 105 110.0 TEARING STRENGTH MD mN ISO1974 > 750 910 1005 949 796 840.0 TEARING STRENGTH CD mN ISO1974 > 1000 1155 1172 1250 1205 1130.0 AAMI PB 70 PB70 2 2 2 2 2 Linting log 10 ISO 9073- 10 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 Spray impact test g AATCC42 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 HYDROSTATIC TEST mbar ISO 811 69 40 65 52 60 11607-1 Barrier claims Din test (Dry/Wet) OK/Not OK Din 58953/6 OK/ OK OK/ OK OK/OK OK/ OK OK/ OK BFE single % ASTM F2101-01 > 98% > 98% > 98% 98.4 98.9% BFE double % ASTM F2101-01 > 99% > 99% > 99% 99.9% 99.5% Cytotoxicity OK/Not OK ISO 10993-5 OK OK OK OK OK Biodegradability claims Biobased content (estimates) % ASTM D6866 98.5% 98.9% 99.2% 95.2% 94.6% Biobased content (measured values) (when available) % N/A N/A N/A N/A 96.0% OK bio based numbers of * Vincotte **** **** **** **** **** Biodegradability OK/Not OK ISO14855 OK OK OK OK OK - The biodegradability of a sterilization wrap consisting in a sheet according to example 5 is tested according to ISO 14855 (2005) method: "Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability and disintegration of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions".
- The test item is prepared by milling said sterilization wrap in particles having a size less than 4 mm.
- The reference item is native cellulose powder for thin layer chromatography (cellulose Avicel, Merck).
- The test details are reported in table 3.
TABLE 3 Treatment Number of replicates Compost Inoculum (g) Test item (g) Compost (control) 3 1200 - Cellulose powder (reference item) 3 1200 80 test item 3 1200 80 - During the test, the incubation temperature is continuously kept on 58°C ± 2°C and the test lasts 24 days.
- The net CO2 production of the item under consideration (reference item or test item) is obtained by substracting the CO2 production of the control to the CO2 production of said item.
- The biodegradation percentage is the ratio of the net CO2 production of the item under consideration to the original amount of carbon comprised in said item. When the ratio of the biodegradation percentage of the item under consideration to the biodegradation percentage of cellulose is higher than 75%, the item under consideration is regarded as "biodegradable".
- An overview of the evolution of the biodegradation percentage of the different materials is given in
Figure 1 , whileFigures 2 up to 3 show the biodegradation of the replicates of reference and test items. - Table 4 illustrates the assessment of biodegradability for example 5.
TABLE 4 Items Net CO2 production (mg/g item) Biodegradation (%) AVG. STD. REL. Reference item 1314 84.4 1.3 100.0 Test item 1204 76.9 1.5 91.1 - Throughout the description, including the claims, the term "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth in the description, including the claims should be understood as including its end value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific measurement values for described elements should be understood to be within generally accepted manufacturing or industry tolerances, and any use of the terms "substantially" and "approximately" should be understood to mean falling within such generally accepted tolerances. Component ratios throughout the disclosure shall be understood to be by dry weight unless otherwise specified.
Claims (14)
- A medical material, intended to be sterilized, the medical material for producing a product chosen in the group consisting of: a surgical drape, optionally provided with a hole, a container filter, a sterile field, in particular to be used as a mayo or table cover, a gown, a sterilization wrap or a sterile barrier system as per ISO 11607 standard definition, said material comprising or consisting of a, preferably nonwoven, sheet:- comprising at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, in percentage by dry weight on the basis of said sheet, of biodegradable compounds, a biodegradable compound having a ratio of its biodegradation percentage on the biodegradation percentage of cellulose fibers of at least 75%, the biodegradation percentages being measured according to ISO 14855 (2005) method: "Determination of the ultimata aerobic biodegradability and disintegration of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions ", after 24 days,- having a bio-based content of 60%, preferably 80%, more preferably 90%, or more, and- having a grammage of 75 g/m2 or less, preferably of 70g/m2 or less, said sheet comprising or consisting of a layer comprising, for a total of more than 80%, in particular more than 85 %, in particular more than 90%, in percentages by dry weight on the basis of said layer, 15 % or more of cellulose fibers and:- at least 1%, preferably 1% to 80%, preferably 1 to 50%, preferably 2% to 20%, more preferably 3 % to 10%, of synthetic biodegradable fibers having an average length of at least 2.5 mm, preferably 3 mm, said synthetic biodegradable fibers preferably being selected from fibers of plastified cereal flour based polymers, optionally modified with copolyesters, fibers of plastified starch, such as corn starch, wheat starch or potatoe starch optionally modified with copolyesters, fibers of polylactic acid, fibers of polyhydroxyvalerate, fibers of polyhydroxybutyrate, fibers of polyhydroxyalkanoate, fibers of polyhydroxyhexanoate, fibers of polycaprolactone, fibers of polybutylene succinate, fibers of polybutylene succinate adipate or mixtures thereof, and/or- 20% to 100%, preferably 30% to 100%, preferably 40% to 100%, preferably 55% to 85%, more preferably 65% to 85%, of natural biodegradable fibers having an average length of at least 1.5 mm, preferably 2.5 mm, more preferably 3 mm, preferably selected from abaca, bamboo, cotton, sisal fibers or mixtures thereof, and/or- a biodegradable binder.
- The material according to claim 1, the sheet comprising biodegradable fibers selected from at least one of following ones: bleached wood pulp, semi-bleached wood pulp, unbleached wood pulp, cotton, abaca, straw, bamboo, viscose, hemp, jute, sisal, flax, kenaf, esparto or fibers from biodegradable or biocompostable polymers, according to EN 13432 standard, such as polylactic acid, polyhydroxyvalerate, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyhydroxyhexanoate, polycaprolactone, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate or copolymers of them, optionally modified with starch based polymer, plastified cereal flour based polymers, optionally modified with copolyesters, plastified starch, such as corn starch, wheat starch or potatoe starch optionally modified with copolyesters.
- The material according to claims 1 or 2, the sheet comprising less than 30 %, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, in percentage by dry weight of the layer, of a biodegradable binder or additive providing wet strength, cohesiveness or softness, for example chosen from potatoe, wheat, tapioca or corn starch, proteins of vegetal origin, such as soya protein or silk protein, proteins of animal origin, such as milk protein, egg derivatives or algae derivatives, gelatin, collagen, chitine, the natural rubber latex, preferably of low protein grade, or a mixture of these compounds.
- The material according to any preceding claim, the sheet having an amount less than 20 %, preferably less than 6%, in percentage by dry weight of the layer, of non-biodegradable compounds, in particular chosen from pigments, non-biodegradable hydrophobic additives or binders either acrylic or vinylic, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylacetate, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene heteropolymers or a mixture thereof.
- The material according to any preceding claim, the sheet having a concentration in the layer of fluorocarbon compounds additives of less than 200 parts per million.
- The material according to any preceding claim, the sheet having a grammage lying in the range 25 g/m2 to 75 g/m2, preferably 50 g/m2 to 75 g/m2, more preferably 55 g/m2 to 65 g/m2.
- The material according to any preceding claim, the sheet having at least a portion comprising a softening process pattern, formed on-line or off-line, configured to soften said sheet, said softening process pattern being, in particular, selected from one of a creped pattern, micro-creped pattern, and an embossing pattern.
- The material according to any preceding claim, having a density of 0.8 g/cm3 or less.
- The material according to any preceding claim, being a monolayer material.
- The material according to any preceding claim, the product being a sterilization wrap.
- A product chosen in the group consisting of: a surgical drape, optionally provided with a hole, a container filter, a sterile field, in particular to be used as a mayo or table cover, a gown, a sterilization wrap or a sterile barrier system as per ISO 11607 standard definition, said product comprising a material as defined in any of the preceding claim.
- A kit comprising:- a sterilization wrap according to claim 10, said sterilization wrap defining a closed inner volume, and- a sterilized medical device present inside said inner volume, said sterilized medical device being, in particular, chosen from sterilized scalpels, pliers, scissors, endoscopes, bedpans, tongue depressors or stents.
- A method for manufacturing a material according to any of claims 1 to 11 comprising:a) preparing a furnish:- comprising at least 80%, preferably 90%, more preferably 95%, by dry weight, of biodegradable compounds, a biodegradable compound having a ratio of its biodegradation percentage on the biodegradation percentage of cellulose fibers of at least 75%, the biodegradation percentages being measured according to ISO 14855 (2005) method: "Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability and disintegration of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions", after 24 days,- having a bio-based content of 60%, preferably 80%, more preferably 90%, or more, said furnish further comprising:- for a total of more than 80 %, in particular more than 85 %, in particular more than 90 %, in percentages by dry weight of said furnish, at least 15 percent of cellulose fibers and:i. at least 1%, preferably 1% to 80%, preferably 1 to 50%, preferably 2% to 20%, more preferably 3% to 10%, of synthetic biodegradable fibers having an average length of at least 2.5 mm, preferably 3 mm, said synthetic biodegradable fibers preferably being selected from fibers of plastified cereal flour based polymers, optionally modified with copolyesters, fibers of plastified starch, such as corn starch, wheat starch or potatoe starch optionally modified with copolyesters, fibers of polylactic acid, fibers of polyhydroxyvalerate, fibers of polyhydroxybutyrate, fibers of polyhydroxyalkanoate, fibers of polyhydroxyhexanoate, fibers of polycaprolactone, fibers of polybutylene succinate, fibers of polybutylene succinate adipate or mixtures thereof, and/orii. 20% to 100%, preferably 30% to 100%, preferably 40% to 100%, preferably 55% to 85%, more preferably 65% to 85%, of natural biodegradable fibers having an average length of at least 1.5 mm, preferably 2.5 mm, more preferably 3 mm, preferably selected from abaca, bamboo, cotton, sisal fibers or mixtures thereof, and/oriii. a biodegradable binder,b) forming a sheet from the furnish in a wet-laid process, in particular selected from one of a fourdrinier process, an inclined wire process, a mold table process, a former process and a mold cylinder process;c) preferably pressing and drying the sheet; andd) optionally forming a pattern on and/or within the sheet via a softening process, performed on-line or off-line, configured to result in a softening of the sheet and a barrier performance of the sheet according to the EN 868-2:09 standard, said softening process being, in particular, selected from at least one of creping, micro-creping and/or an embossing,
said method being, preferably, deprived of a hydro-entangling step. - A method of sterilization of a medical device, in particular chosen from scalpels, pliers, scissors, endoscopes, bedpans, tongue depressors or stents, comprising at least the following steps consisting in:- providing a sterilization wrap according to claim 10,- wrapping in said sterilization wrap a medical device to form a kit,- introducing said kit into a sterilizing unit, and- sterilizing said kit.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP10290595.7A EP2450487B1 (en) | 2010-11-05 | 2010-11-05 | Biodegradable sterilization wrap |
PL10290595T PL2450487T3 (en) | 2010-11-05 | 2010-11-05 | Biodegradable sterilization wrap |
PCT/IB2011/054777 WO2012059847A1 (en) | 2010-11-05 | 2011-10-26 | Biodegradable sterilization wrap |
US13/883,595 US20130294970A1 (en) | 2010-11-05 | 2011-10-26 | Biodegradable sterilization wrap |
ARP110104106A AR083752A1 (en) | 2010-11-05 | 2011-11-04 | BIODEGRADABLE STERILIZATION WRAP |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP10290595.7A EP2450487B1 (en) | 2010-11-05 | 2010-11-05 | Biodegradable sterilization wrap |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2450487A1 EP2450487A1 (en) | 2012-05-09 |
EP2450487B1 true EP2450487B1 (en) | 2016-01-27 |
Family
ID=43901413
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10290595.7A Not-in-force EP2450487B1 (en) | 2010-11-05 | 2010-11-05 | Biodegradable sterilization wrap |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130294970A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2450487B1 (en) |
AR (1) | AR083752A1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2450487T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012059847A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10590577B2 (en) | 2016-08-02 | 2020-03-17 | Fitesa Germany Gmbh | System and process for preparing polylactic acid nonwoven fabrics |
US11441251B2 (en) | 2016-08-16 | 2022-09-13 | Fitesa Germany Gmbh | Nonwoven fabrics comprising polylactic acid having improved strength and toughness |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104088191A (en) * | 2014-07-07 | 2014-10-08 | 福建希源纸业有限公司 | Medical crepe paper raw paper and manufacturing method thereof |
ITUA20161829A1 (en) * | 2016-03-18 | 2017-09-18 | Gruppo Cordenons Spa | TISSUE PAPER FOR HYGIENIC AND SANITARY USE AND ITS PROCESS OF PROCESSING |
ES2782001T3 (en) * | 2017-12-18 | 2020-09-09 | SWISS KRONO Tec AG | Wood fiber mat for use as a vegetable substrate |
CN108049024A (en) * | 2018-01-23 | 2018-05-18 | 东纶科技实业有限公司 | A kind of bamboo charcoal fiber non-woven material and preparation method thereof |
CN109288547B (en) * | 2018-10-11 | 2021-02-02 | 高�玉 | Pediatric tongue depressor |
RU2769362C1 (en) * | 2018-10-17 | 2022-03-30 | Глатфельтер Гернсбах Гмбх | Biodegradable nonwoven fabric containing wood pulp and the method for its manufacture |
CN111575906A (en) * | 2020-05-29 | 2020-08-25 | 新疆维吾尔自治区工业经济和信息化研究院 | Preparation method of biodegradable cotton stalk fiber non-woven fabric |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2513091B2 (en) * | 1991-05-10 | 1996-07-03 | 株式会社島津製作所 | Biodegradable composite material and manufacturing method thereof |
AU8173898A (en) * | 1997-06-30 | 1999-01-19 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Medical packaging paper |
US20050177119A1 (en) * | 2004-01-21 | 2005-08-11 | Tsai M. L. | Pouch for medical use |
CN101675849A (en) * | 2008-09-19 | 2010-03-24 | 江南大学 | Medical diaper mattress adopting polylactic acid fibers |
-
2010
- 2010-11-05 EP EP10290595.7A patent/EP2450487B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2010-11-05 PL PL10290595T patent/PL2450487T3/en unknown
-
2011
- 2011-10-26 US US13/883,595 patent/US20130294970A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-10-26 WO PCT/IB2011/054777 patent/WO2012059847A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-11-04 AR ARP110104106A patent/AR083752A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10590577B2 (en) | 2016-08-02 | 2020-03-17 | Fitesa Germany Gmbh | System and process for preparing polylactic acid nonwoven fabrics |
US11441251B2 (en) | 2016-08-16 | 2022-09-13 | Fitesa Germany Gmbh | Nonwoven fabrics comprising polylactic acid having improved strength and toughness |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20130294970A1 (en) | 2013-11-07 |
WO2012059847A1 (en) | 2012-05-10 |
PL2450487T3 (en) | 2016-07-29 |
EP2450487A1 (en) | 2012-05-09 |
AR083752A1 (en) | 2013-03-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2450487B1 (en) | Biodegradable sterilization wrap | |
KR102602312B1 (en) | Fiber sheets and structures comprising fiber sheets | |
US8808501B2 (en) | Methods for individualizing trichomes | |
US7691472B2 (en) | Individualized seed hairs and products employing same | |
EP3516111A1 (en) | Absorbent paper products having unique physical strength properties | |
US8715464B2 (en) | Soy stalk and wheat straw pulp fiber mixtures | |
CN101871179A (en) | The non-woven paper that has superfine fibre by hydraulic pressure formation | |
US11686047B2 (en) | Fibrous structures comprising trichome compositions and methods for obtaining same | |
KR20120054026A (en) | Fibrous sheet that disintegrates in water, process for manufacturing said fibrous sheet, core consisting of strips of said fibrous sheet | |
KR20160019470A (en) | Layered tissue structures comprising macroalgae | |
Harikrishnan et al. | Effect of chitosan-based bio coating on mechanical, structural and physical characteristics of microfiber based paper packaging: An alternative to wood pulp/plastic packaging | |
US20110220126A1 (en) | Biodegradable medical material | |
US20130040109A1 (en) | Biodegradable medical material | |
US20220073865A1 (en) | Mycelium-containing hybrid materials | |
Kumar et al. | Nanocellulose: Fascinating and sustainable nanomaterial for papermaking | |
EP1916335B1 (en) | Tissue paper product with a lotion containing silk proteins | |
WO2024141718A1 (en) | Nonwoven fabrics, products comprising the same and methods for manucaturing nonwoven fabrics | |
PL237035B1 (en) | Layered cellulose-paper composite and method of producing the composite | |
FI130980B1 (en) | ||
FI20226179A1 (en) |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20101105 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: ARJOWIGGINS HEALTHCARE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R079 Ref document number: 602010030329 Country of ref document: DE Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: D21H0027100000 Ipc: D21H0021360000 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: D21H 21/10 20060101ALI20150630BHEP Ipc: D21H 21/36 20060101AFI20150630BHEP Ipc: D21H 27/10 20060101ALI20150630BHEP |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20150811 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 772786 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20160215 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602010030329 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: KIRKER AND CIE S.A., CH |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: FP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 772786 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20160127 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160427 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160428 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160527 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160527 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602010030329 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20161028 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160427 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 602010030329 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20161130 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170601 Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20161105 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20171120 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20171121 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20171123 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: PL Payment date: 20171024 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20171120 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20101105 Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20161105 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160127 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20181201 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20181105 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181201 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181130 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181130 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181130 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181105 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181105 |