MOBILE DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING, TRACKING, AND PROCESSING MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS

• US 20090261549A1
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Sterilizer Company (Steris Corporation)
• Original Assignee: American Sterilizer Company (Steris Corporation)
• Inventors: Kral, Jude A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,287,816 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/47.350
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00144 Hygienic packaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/006 perpendicular to the lid plane, e.g. by a downward movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/007 Locking clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/10 Furniture specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/13 Trolleys, e.g. carts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/18 Cupboards; Drawers therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/20 Holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments drapes with means to hold surgical instruments A61B46/23; for catheters A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 15/14 Dental work stands; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0026 Propulsion aids
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0096 Identification of the cart or merchandise, e.g. by barcodes or radio frequency identification [RFID]

Abstract

A mobile device for transporting, tracking and processing medical instruments. The device comprises a cart including at least one receptacle for receiving an instrument container having instruments stored therein. The cart also includes plumbing for circulating processing fluids through the instrument container and a communications system for communicating tracking data associated with the instrument container and the cart.

Claims

1. A transport device for medical instruments, comprising:

a container including;

a cavity dimensioned to receive a medical instrument, and

a port for providing fluid access between said cavity and exterior of said container; and

a cart including;

a controller,

a drive system operable to propel and steer said cart in accordance with instructions provided by said controller,

a receptacle defined in said cart, said receptacle being dimensioned to receive said container,

at least one reservoir for supplying a fluid, and

a supply conduit disposed in said cart, said supply conduit having a first end fluidly connected with said reservoir and a second end fluidly connectable to said port of said container.

2. A transport device for medical instruments according to claim 1, further comprising:

an inlet port; and

an outlet port.

3. A transport device for medical instruments according to claim 2, wherein said medical instrument has a lumen defined therein, and said lumen of said medical instrument is fluidly connected to said inlet port.

4. A transport device for medical instruments according to claim 2, wherein said cart further comprises:

a drain reservoir;

a drain conduit fluidly connected to said drain reservoir and fluidly connected to said outlet port.

5. A transport device for medical instruments according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir stores a transporting gel.

6. A transport device for medical instruments according to claim 5, wherein said transporting gel is a hydrating gel that is active to prevent drying of biological matter.

7. A method for transporting a medical instrument, said method comprising the steps of:

placing a medical instrument in a cavity defined within a container;

placing said container within a receptacle defined within a cart;

operating a drive system to move said cart according to instructions provided by a controller disposed in said cart; and

treating said medical instrument by circulating a fluid through said cavity defined within the container.

8. A method for transporting a medical instrument according to claim 7, wherein said step of placing said medical instrument in said cavity within said container includes the steps of:

connecting a first end of a passage defined within a wall of said container to a first end of a flexible conduit, said passage having a second end connected to a first port formed on said wall of said container outside of said cavity; and

connecting a second end of said flexible conduit to a second port defined on said medical instrument, wherein said second port is fluidly connected to a lumen defined within said medical instrument.

9. A method for transporting a medical instrument according to claim 7, wherein said step of placing said container within said receptacle includes the steps of:

connecting a port formed on said container exterior to said cavity and fluidly connected to said cavity to a conduit disposed within said cart, wherein said conduit is fluidly connectable to a reservoir for storing a fluid.

10. A method for transporting a medical instrument according to claim 7, wherein said step of treating said medical instrument includes the step of:

introducing said fluid into said cavity such that said fluid contacts exterior surfaces and interior surfaces of said medical instrument disposed therein.

11. A method for transporting a medical instrument according to claim 10, wherein said fluid is a transporting gel.

12. A method for transporting a medical instrument according to claim 11, wherein said transporting gel is a hydrating gel.

13. A method for transporting a medical instrument according to claim 11, wherein said step of treating said medical instrument is followed by a step of draining said fluid from said cavity.

14. A method for transporting a medical instrument according to claim 13, wherein said step of draining said fluid from said cavity is followed by a step of drying said cavity and said medical instrument.