Method and system for medical instrument sterilization containers

• US 8,056,720 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symmetry Medical Inc
• Original Assignee: Symmetry Medical Inc
• Inventors: Hawkes, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Pickett; J. Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chu; King M
• Application Number:
  US12/473,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20100300910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 206/439, 206/363, 206/370, 206/754, 206/755, 422/300
• US Class Current: 206/439
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0056 about a lateral axis in the lid plane
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3013 having means for automatically ejecting the stored article
• 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 50/31 Carrying cases or bags, e.g. doctors' bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/182 Rigid packaging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps

Abstract

The system contains a base with a plurality of base ventilation holes and a plurality of side walls. The base includes a base instrument holder fixed to the base. At least one stage with a plurality of stage ventilation holes is positioned within the base. The stage includes at least two legs fixed to the stage, at least one stage instrument holder fixed to the stage, and a stage notched member fixed to the stage and positioned to engage a medical instrument beneath the stage. A fixed or removable cover having a plurality of cover ventilation holes is included to surround the base.

Claims

1. A system for storing medical instruments, comprising:

a base having a plurality of base ventilation holes, a plurality of side walls, and at least one base instrument holder fixed to the base;

at least one stage disposed within the base, having a plurality of stage ventilation holes, at least one stage instrument holder fixed to the stage, at least one leg fixed to the stage, and a stage notched member fixed to the stage and positioned to engage a medical instrument beneath the stage, wherein the stage is movably linked to the base with at least two pivotal connections, wherein a first of the at least two pivotal connections is positioned on a first side wall of the stage and a second of the at least two pivotal connections is positioned on a second side wall of the stage, wherein the first side wall of the stage is positioned opposite the second side wall of the stage, wherein the at least two pivotal connections further comprise elongated slots having a lowered position and a raised position, wherein a pair of pins coupled to the stage engage the base elongated slots to tilt the stage, thereby exposing the base instrument holder below the stage when the pins engage the raised position of the base elongated slot; and

a cover having a plurality of cover ventilation holes, the cover engaging the base.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a leg of the stage engages at least one of the side walls of the base.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a latch to secure the cover to the base.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover is pivotably connected to at least one of the side walls of the base.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a cover notched member positioned to engage a medical instrument in the stage instrument holder.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of linking rods secured between the cover on one end and to at least one stage on another end, thereby tilting the stage, exposing the base instrument holder, when the cover is opened.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the cover and the stage into place when the cover is opened.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one stage further comprises plurality of stages.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the multiple stages are coupled to tilt cooperatively.

4. A system for storing medical instruments, comprising:

a base having a plurality of base ventilation holes, a plurality of side walls, and at least one base instrument holder fixed to the base;

at least one stage disposed within the base, having a plurality of stage ventilation holes, at least one stage instrument holder fixed to the stage, at least one leg fixed to the stage, and a stage notched member fixed to the stage and positioned to engage a medical instrument beneath the stage; and

a cover having a plurality of cover ventilation holes, the cover engaging the base, wherein two of the side walls have base elongated slots having a lowered position and a raised position, wherein a pair of pins coupled to the stage engage the base elongated slots to tilt the stage, thereby exposing the base instrument holder below the stage when the pins engage the raised position of the base elongated slot.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprises a pair of linking rods secured between the cover on one end and to the pins on another end, to position the pins in the raised position on the base elongated slots and tilt the stage when the cover is opened.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the cover and the stage lock into place when the pins are positioned in the raised position on the base elongated slots.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein each stage leg has a stage elongated slot for the pins to travel along, whereby the stage slidably engages with the side walls when tilting the stage.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a pair of linking rods secured between the cover on one end and to the pins on another end, to position the pins in the raised position on the base elongated slots and tilt the stage when the cover is opened.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the cover and the stage lock into place when the pins are positioned in the raised position on the base elongated slots.

16. A method for storing medical instruments, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a base having a plurality of base ventilation holes, at least one base instrument holder and a plurality of side walls, wherein two of the side walls have base elongated slots having a lowered position and a raised position, and at least one stage disposed within the base, the stage having a plurality of stage ventilation holes, at least one stage instrument holder fixed to the stage, and a stage notched member fixed to the stage and positioned to engage a medical instrument beneath the stage;

engaging the based elongated slots with a pair of pins coupled to the stage to tilt the stage;

exposing the base instrument holder below the stage when the pins engage the raised position of the base elongated slot;

inserting at least one medical instrument into the base instrument holder; and

lowering the stage to secure the medical instrument in the base instrument holder with the stage notched member.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising covering the base with a cover having a plurality of cover ventilation holes and a cover notched member for securing the medical instruments in the stage instrument holder.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of exposing the base instrument holder further comprises the step of raising a cover having a plurality of cover ventilation holes, wherein the cover is coupled to the stage tilting the stage when the cover is raised.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of exposing the base instrument holder further comprises tilting multiple stages coupled to tilt together.