Biomatter capture mechanism and method

• US 10,639,123 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2016
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Barnell, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Reynolds, Steven A.
• Application Number:
  US15/277,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20180008366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 206364, 206438, 206370, 206363
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00362 Packages or dispensers for MIS instruments A61B2017/0479 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/314 Flexible bags or pouches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/206 Ethylene oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/002 Packages specially adapted therefor combined with means for introducing catheters, e.g. dispensers, A61M25/0113; catheter kit packages for surgical articles A61B50/30
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/34 Trays or like shallow containers B65D81/3813 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/10 Devices to locate articles in containers for protecting articles from mechanical damage B65D81/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/105 and retaining it by snap-action, e.g. clips
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0202 without integral tamper element

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment, a method of capturing biomatter includes placing a device comprising the biomatter within an extension tube, the extension tube being coupled to a tray. A fold is created in the extension tube sealing the extension tube and the biomatter contained therein. The extension tube is secured to the tray to maintain the fold. The assembly is discarded, e.g., into a bio-waste disposal bag in a bio-waste container. The fold is a smooth fold, in contrast to a sharp tip, thus minimizing the possibility of puncture of the bio-waste disposal bag.

Claims

1. A biomatter capture mechanism comprising:

an extension tube, the extension tube having a closed profile and a hermetically sealed distal end;

a tray, a proximal end of the extension tube being permanently coupled to a distal end of the tray, the extension tube being foldable, wherein the extension tube is configured to be attached to the tray when folded; and

a curved slot at a proximal end of the tray, the curved slot being configured to receive and secure the extension tube therein;

wherein when the extension tube is folded it is secured in the curved slot such that the hermetically sealed distal end extends proximally past the proximal end of the tray.

2. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 1 wherein the extension tube consists of a cylindrical tube.

3. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 1 wherein the extension tube comprises a resin.

4. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 1 further comprising biomatter within the extension tube.

5. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 4 wherein the extension tube comprises a fold therein.

6. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 5 wherein the extension tube is snapped to the tray.

7. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 5 wherein the fold seals the extension tube.

8. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 5 wherein the fold pinches shut the extension tube.

9. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 1 wherein the extension tube is hermetically welded to the tray.

10. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 1 wherein the tray comprises a lid sealing flange.

11. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 10 further comprising a lid sealed to the lid sealing flange.

12. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the extension tube is directly coupled to the distal end of the tray.

13. A biomatter capture mechanism comprising:

an extension tube, the extension tube having a closed profile and a hermetically sealed distal end;

a tray, a proximal end of the extension tube being permanently coupled to a distal end of the tray, the extension tube being foldable, wherein the extension tube is configured to be attached to the tray when folded; and

a slot at a proximal end of the tray, the slot being configured to receive the extension tube therein, wherein the slot tapers from the proximal end of the tray.

14. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 13 further comprising:

an end cap coupled to the distal end of the extension tube, the end cap being configured to engage the tray.

15. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 14 wherein the end cap comprises end cap rails comprising clasps, the clasps being configured to engage end cap rails of the tray.

16. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 14 wherein the extension tube comprises a fold therein, the fold sealing the extension tube, and wherein the end cap is secured to the tray.

17. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 13 wherein the tray further comprises a bottom surface, the distal end and the proximal end of the tray extending upward and away from the bottom surface, the bottom surface comprising the slot.