BIOMATTER CAPTURE MECHANISM AND METHOD

• US 20180008366A1
• Filed: 09/27/2016
• Published: 01/11/2018
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,639,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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; and

a tray, the extension tube being 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.

2. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a slot at a proximal end of the tray, the slot being configured to receive the extension tube therein.

3. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 2 wherein the extension tube is a cylindrical tube.

4. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 3 wherein the slot is curved.

5. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 4 wherein the slot tapers from the proximal end of the tray.

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

7. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 1 wherein the extension tube has a closed profile.

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

9. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 8 wherein the extension tube comprises a fold therein.

10. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 9 wherein the extension tube is snapped to the tray.

11. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 9 wherein the fold seals the extension tube.

12. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a tabbed end cap coupled to the extension tube, the tabbed end cap comprising a protruding tab; and

an end cap slot within the tray configured to receive the protruding tab therein.

13. A biomatter capture mechanism comprising:

a tray;

an extension tube comprising a proximal end coupled to the tray; and

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

14. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 13 wherein the end cap comprises end cap rails comprising clasps, the clasps being configured to engage end cap rails of the tray.

15. The biomatter capture mechanism of claim 13 wherein the extension tube comprises a fold therein, the fold sealing the extension tube, and

wherein the end cap is secured to the tray.

16. A method comprising:

placing a device comprising biomatter within a cavity defined by an extension tube, the extension tube being coupled to a tray;

creating a fold in the extension tube comprising sealing the extension tube and the biomatter therein; and

coupling the extension tube to the tray to maintain the fold.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the coupling the extension tube to the tray comprises placing the extension tube within a tube slot at a proximal end of the tray.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the coupling the extension tube to the tray comprises placing an end cap coupled to the extension tube within an end cap slot at a bottom of the tray.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the coupling the extension tube to the tray comprises securing an end cap coupled to the extension tube to end cap rails protruding from the tray.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising removing the device from the cavity in a sterile condition prior to the placing.