Instrument tray
First Claim
1. A tray for use in sterilizing, storing and handling sets of surgical instruments, the tray being stackable on top of a similar tray when the similar tray is uncovered and when the similar tray is covered by a cover having a plurality of apertures, the tray comprising:
- a tray body having a tray floor with an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of tray walls including a pair of opposed tray sides and a pair of opposed tray ends, each of the tray walls is connected to the tray floor and each of the tray sides is connected to each of the adjacent tray ends so as to define a corner therebetween;
at least one surgical instrument support member removably attached to the inner surface of the tray floor; and
a plurality of foot members where each foot member is attached to the outer surface of the tray floor, each foot member having a first segment connected to the outer surface of the tray floor, a second segment connected to the first segment and of smaller size than the first segment, and a third segment connected to the second segment and of smaller size than the first segment;
wherein the first and second segments as the tray define a first shoulder which selectively engages an edge of the tray walls at one of the corners of a similar uncovered tray with the second segment of the tray positioned within the tray walls of the similar uncovered tray and the first segment of the tray resting on the edge of the tray walls of the similar uncovered tray, and the second and third segments of the tray define a second shoulder which selectively engages an area on a of a cover similar covered tray adjacent to an aperture in the cover on the similar covered tray with the third segment of the tray positioned within the aperture of the cover on the similar covered tray and the second segment of the tray resting on the adjacent area around the aperture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An instrument tray assembly including a tray and an optional cover for the storage, transport and sterilization of medical instruments is disclosed. Each tray and cover is perforated to permit the flow of sterilizing medium therethrough, and each is comprised of materials which will withstand soaking and steam or gas autoclaving. Interchangeably disposed along the surfaces of the tray and cover are a plurality of support members, each including variously dimensioned notched receptacles for receiving medical instruments. Each tray may also include a set of handles which may be extended at a variety of angles, thereby avoiding contact and possible contamination between gloved hands and instruments, depending upon the orientation of each handle. Alternative embodiments for resilient instrument support members are disclosed. One embodiment includes resilient projections which are insertable directly into the perforations on the trays and covers. An alternative embodiment further includes a rigid extrusion. The extrusion is screwed to the surface of the tray or cover and the instruments are inserted into variously dimensioned receptacles on the support mounts. The trays may be used independently, interlockingly stacked one upon another, used in association with a locking cover, or covered then stacked together. The unique structure of the feet permits the trays to interlock in any of these combinations, to prohibit damage to the instruments contained therein. Optional locks which engage the cover further secure the instruments.
193 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A tray for use in sterilizing, storing and handling sets of surgical instruments, the tray being stackable on top of a similar tray when the similar tray is uncovered and when the similar tray is covered by a cover having a plurality of apertures, the tray comprising:
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a tray body having a tray floor with an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of tray walls including a pair of opposed tray sides and a pair of opposed tray ends, each of the tray walls is connected to the tray floor and each of the tray sides is connected to each of the adjacent tray ends so as to define a corner therebetween; at least one surgical instrument support member removably attached to the inner surface of the tray floor; and a plurality of foot members where each foot member is attached to the outer surface of the tray floor, each foot member having a first segment connected to the outer surface of the tray floor, a second segment connected to the first segment and of smaller size than the first segment, and a third segment connected to the second segment and of smaller size than the first segment; wherein the first and second segments as the tray define a first shoulder which selectively engages an edge of the tray walls at one of the corners of a similar uncovered tray with the second segment of the tray positioned within the tray walls of the similar uncovered tray and the first segment of the tray resting on the edge of the tray walls of the similar uncovered tray, and the second and third segments of the tray define a second shoulder which selectively engages an area on a of a cover similar covered tray adjacent to an aperture in the cover on the similar covered tray with the third segment of the tray positioned within the aperture of the cover on the similar covered tray and the second segment of the tray resting on the adjacent area around the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification