System and Method for Providing a Metal Sterilization Tray

• US 20110002811A1
• Filed: 07/01/2010
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symmetry Medical Inc
• Original Assignee: Symmetry Medical Inc
• Inventors: Shoemaker, Jon D., Dane, Gary T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,149,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/006 perpendicular to the lid plane, e.g. by a downward movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 having multiple compartments
• 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: A61L 2/00 Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for contact lenses A61L12/00; atomisers for disinfecting agents A61M; sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging B65B55/00; treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge C02F; disinfecting paper D21H21/36; disinfecting devices for water closets E03D; articles having provision for disinfection, see the relevant subclasses for these articles, e.g. H04R1/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment

Abstract

The system contains a metal tray formed from a sheet of metal. A plurality of pockets is formed in the metal tray, wherein the plurality of pockets is formed from manipulating the sheet of metal. A cover is formed over the metal tray. Optionally, a base may be engaged with the cover, wherein the metal tray is formed to fit snugly between the cover and the base.

Claims

1. A sterilization apparatus, comprising:

a metal tray formed from a sheet of metal;

a plurality of pockets formed in the metal tray, wherein the plurality of pockets is formed from manipulating the sheet of metal; and

a cover formed over the metal tray.

2. The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is removably secured to the metal tray.

3. The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base engaged with the cover, wherein the metal tray is formed to fit snugly between the cover and the base.

4. The sterilization apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of openings formed within the base, wherein the plurality of openings permit a quantity of sterilization material to pass through the base.

5. The sterilization apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base has a substantially planar interior portion, a plurality of walls rising in a substantially perpendicular direction from the interior portion and a plurality of corner portions located between at least two of interior portion and the plurality of walls, wherein the corner portions have arced surfaces thereby minimizing an amount of bacteria capable of being harbored proximate to the corner portions.

6. The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal tray further comprises an aluminum tray.

7. The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of openings formed within one of the metal tray and the cover, wherein the plurality of openings permit a quantity of sterilization material to pass through at least one of the metal tray and the cover.

8. The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pockets formed from manipulating the sheet of metal further comprises manipulating the sheet of metal with a thermoforming device, wherein the metal sheet is heated to a superplastic temperature window of the metal sheet.

9. The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pockets formed from manipulating the sheet of metal further comprises manipulating the sheet of metal with a hydroforming device.

10. The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pockets formed in the metal tray have arced surfaces, thereby minimizing an amount of bacterial that is harbored proximate to the plurality of pockets.

11. The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pockets formed in the metal tray are sized to provide a friction fit to a medical instrument.

12. The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of pockets formed in the metal tray have a first pocket portion having a first depth and a second pocket portion having a second depth.

13. The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is removably secured to the metal tray with at least one fastener.

14. A method of forming a sterilization apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a mold of a sterilization tray, the mold having a plurality of pocket-forming structures;

conforming a metal sheet to the mold, thereby forming a metal tray having a plurality of pockets formed from the plurality of pocket-forming structures;

removably securing a cover to the metal tray; and

forming a plurality of holes through at least one of the metal tray and the cover.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of hydroforming the metal sheet with the mold.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

heating the metal sheet to a superplastic temperature window of the metal sheet; and

thermoforming the metal sheet to the mold.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

engaging a base with the cover; and

forming the metal tray to fit snugly between the cover and the base.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of sizing the plurality of pockets to provide a friction fit to a medical instrument.

19. A method of sterilizing a medical instrument, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a metal tray formed from a sheet of metal, the metal tray having a plurality of pockets formed within the metal tray from manipulating the sheet of metal;

placing at least one medical instrument within at least one of the plurality of pockets;

removably securing a cover to the metal tray; and

placing the metal tray having the removably secured cover within a medical instrument sterilization environment.