Implant rehydration packages and methods of use

Abstract

Packages for the rehydration of implants are described, wherein the package may contain a first chamber containing a rehydration fluid, a second chamber containing an implant, and a barrier configured to be affected without compromising the sterility of the package. The rehydration fluid may engage and rehydrate the implant after the barrier is ruptured. Methods of use are also described.

1 . A package for storing and rehydrating an implant, comprising: 
 a first chamber containing a rehydration fluid;    a second chamber containing an implant;    a barrier separating at least a portion of the first and second chambers, the barrier configured to be affected;    a seal in communication with at least a portion of the first and second chambers; and    wherein after the barrier is affected, at least a portion of the rehydration fluid is able to engage the implant without detaching the seal.    
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber has a first pressure and the second chamber has a second pressure, and wherein before the barrier is affected, the first pressure is greater than the second pressure.  
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is an allograft.  
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is an autograft.  
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is a xenograft.  
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is at least partially comprised of a synthetic material.  
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is configured to be affected by external load or pressure.  
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is configured to be affected by at least one protrusion.  
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is configured to be affected by axial strain.  
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a third chamber.  
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber further contains a pouch, and wherein the rehydration fluid is enclosed in the pouch.  
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the barrier is a portion of the pouch.  
     
     
         13 . A method of rehydrating an implant, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a package for storing and rehydrating an implant, comprising: 
 a first chamber containing a rehydration fluid;  
 a second chamber containing an implant;  
 a barrier separating at least a portion of the first and second chambers; and  
 a seal in communication with at least a portion of both the first and second chambers;  
   (b) affecting the barrier, thereby permitting at least a portion of the rehydration fluid to enter the second chamber;    (c) permitting the rehydration fluid to contact the implant;    (d) detaching the seal from at least a portion to expose the implant for retrieval by a user; and    (e) removing the implant from the package.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (d) involves detaching the entire seal.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the implant in step (a) is freeze-dried.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein in step (a) the first chamber is supplied under a higher pressure than the second chamber.  
     
     
         17 . The method of claims  13 , wherein the barrier in step (b) is ruptured.