System and Method for Sterilization of Medical Instruments within a Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilization Process

Abstract

A system and method of sterilization for medical instruments within a hydrogen peroxide sterilization process is provided. A medical instrument is housed in a sterilization tray, wherein the sterilization tray is formed from polypropylene and a glass material. The medical instrument and sterilization tray are subjected to a hydrogen peroxide sterilant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of sterilization for medical instruments within a hydrogen peroxide sterilization process, the method comprising:
 housing a medical instrument in a sterilization tray, wherein the sterilization tray is formed from polypropylene and a glass material; and   subjecting the medical instrument and sterilization tray to a hydrogen peroxide sterilant.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sterilization tray is formed from polypropylene and the glass material by:
 injection molding the polypropylene and the glass material into a sheet form; and   thermoforming the sheet form of the polypropylene and the glass material into a tray form.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 premixing the polypropylene and the glass material into a resin without the addition of copolymers prior to the injection molding.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sterilization tray is formed from polypropylene and the glass material by injection molding the polypropylene and the glass material into a tray form. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glass material includes one of glass fibers and glass spheres. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sterilization tray includes up to 30% glass material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 subjecting the medical instrument and sterilization tray to a steam sterilization.   
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing and using a sterilization tray comprising:
 combining a quantity of polypropylene with a glass material;   injecting the combined quantity of polypropylene with glass material into a sheet form;   thermoforming the sheet form of the combined quantity of polypropylene with glass material into a tray form, thereby providing a sterilization tray; and   subjecting the sterilization tray to a hydrogen peroxide sterilant.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 premixing the polypropylene and the glass material into a resin without the addition of copolymers prior to the injection molding.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sterilization tray is formed from polypropylene and the glass material by injection molding the polypropylene and the glass material into a tray form. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the glass material includes one of glass fibers and glass spheres. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sterilization tray includes up to 30% glass material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 subjecting the medical instrument and sterilization tray to a steam sterilization.   
     
     
         14 . A method of sterilization for medical instruments within a chemical sterilization process, the method comprising:
 housing a medical instrument on a sterilization tray, wherein the sterilization tray is formed from polypropylene and a glass material; and   subjecting the medical instrument and sterilization tray to at least one chemical sterilant.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the subjecting of the medical instrument and sterilization tray to a chemical sterilant includes subjecting the medical instrument and sterilization tray to an ethylene oxide-based sterilant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sterilization tray is formed from polypropylene and the glass material by:
 injection molding the polypropylene and the glass material into a sheet form; and   thermoforming the sheet form of the polypropylene and the glass material into a tray form.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 premixing the polypropylene and the glass material into a resin without the addition of copolymers prior to the injection molding.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sterilization tray is formed from polypropylene and the glass material by injection molding the polypropylene and the glass material into a tray form. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the glass material includes one of glass fibers and glass spheres, and wherein the sterilization tray includes up to 30% glass material. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 subjecting the medical instrument and sterilization tray to a steam sterilization.