Implant package

Abstract

A system for packaging a medical implant may include a sleeve for housing the implant within a cavity in the sleeve, with at least a portion of the cavity conforming to the shape of the implant. A flexible material film may cover and substantially conform to the shape of the sleeve so as to aid in stabilizing the sleeve and implant within an outer package. An insertion instrument for inserting the implant within the body of a patient may also be provided with the system. In some embodiments, the sleeve, with the implant inserted in the cavity of the sleeve, is configured for manipulation by a user without contacting the implant, and the implant is connectable to the insertion instrument while in the sleeve.

1 . A method of removing and using a medical implant from within a package comprising:
 providing a package including:
 an implant inserted within a cavity in a sleeve, at least a portion of the cavity conforming to the shape of the implant; and 
 a flexible material film covering and substantially conforming to the shape of the sleeve; 
   separating the implant and sleeve from the flexible material film by grasping the sleeve while not contacting the implant; and   manipulating the sleeve, with the implant inserted in the cavity of the sleeve, so as to connect the implant to an insertion instrument.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of inserting the implant into a patient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a first side and a second side. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein, in one configuration, the second side is joined to the first side when in the package, and, in another configuration, the first and second sides are open while out of the package. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the second side is joined to the first side to form the cavity in the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second sides, in combination, cover at least a portion of the medical implant while leaving a remainder of the implant exposed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of grasping the covered portion of the medical implant by the sleeve so as to not contact the implant directly. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of vacuum forming the flexible material film over the sleeve to stabilize the sleeve and implant when inserted into an outer package. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sleeve is comprised of a biocompatible thermoplastic. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the implant is one of a femoral implant and a shoulder humeral implant.