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Hospital sterilization pouch

Autopak® is a three-ply structure from Alcan Packaging-Medical Flexibles Americas for in-hospital sterlization of products such as medical trays used for surgery.

Pw 11161 Cardinal

Initially market tested in 2003 at Edward Hospital in Naperville, IL, the structure is converted and hermetically sealed into a three-sided pouch by Cardinal Health that it sells to hospitals and dental markets. A portion of the pouch’s fourth side is open for filling a device that then requires steam sterilization.

The outer bottom ply includes a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond nonwoven sheet from BBA Fiberweb. This layer allows permeation of sterlization gases such as steam, while also serving as a barrier to bacteria. The middle ply uses Alcan Packaging’s polypropylene-based coextrusion film. It’s perforated for permeability and contains an autoclavable peelable seal feature that withstands sterilization, and activates after sterilization. The outer top ply is an adhesive-lamination of DuPont’s Dartek® nylon and Alcan Packaging’s PP.

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