Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10405938-B2
Publication Date
2019-09-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a kit and an assembly for the storage and transportation of medical equipment including endoscopes, as well as a method for storing and transporting endoscopes. In particular, the present invention relates to a support tray (1) for endoscopes, a barrier sheet (264, 764, 864, 967 and 978) and a kit for the transportation of endoscopes comprising a support tray and barrier sheet. A kit for the transportation and storage of an endoscope comprises a rigid support tray and barrier means. The rigid support tray comprises a base plate (2, 102, 902) having opposing first and second sides; a plurality of guide walls (4, 104, 904) projecting from the first side of the base plate, the guide walls arranged to define areas for placement of parts of said endoscope on the first side of the base plate; a plurality of support members (10, 110, 910) extending from the second side of the base plate, the support members being arranged such that when two trays are stacked on top of each other, the arrangement of the support members is such that, in a first orientation the two base plates are separated by a first distance and in a second orientation the two base plates are separated by a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and retaining members (931) extending from an edge region of the support tray. The barrier means comprises a flexible sheet including a liner portion (276, 767, 967) for providing, in use, a barrier layer between the support tray and said endoscope, the flexible sheet including retaining means for engagement with the retaining members (941, 945) of the support tray to retain the sheet in contact with the tray.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes an assembly that includes an endoscope and a rigid endoscope support tray. The rigid support tray has a base plate with opposing first and second sides, a perimeter wall projecting from the first side, and a plurality of guide walls projecting from the first side to define areas for placement of parts of the endoscope. The guide walls define regions of the base plate for receiving a control body, an insertion tube, and a light guide connector so parts of the endoscope are disposed in the regions defined by the guide walls.
The support tray further includes retaining members extending outwardly from an edge region and a plurality of support posts extending from the second side of the base plate. The support posts are arranged so that when two trays are stacked, in a first orientation the base plates are separated by a first distance and in a second orientation the base plates are separated by a second distance, where the second distance is greater than the first distance. This supports storing and transporting the endoscope while also providing an arrangement change between stacked configurations.
To reduce contamination while enabling tray reusability, the disclosure includes a flexible barrier sheet retained on the tray by engagement with tray retaining members. The barrier sheet is described with a liner portion and a cover portion, with variants such as an integrally formed sheet, a separate bag cover, a rigid shell cover, a rigid or formed liner, an absorbent/cinch-pad cover, or an elongate sleeve. Distinguishing means indicate whether the endoscope is clean or dirty using a first indicium and a second indicium, including colored regions/labels or different surfaces, with optional traceability elements such as labeled single-use closure devices and receptacle(s) for liquid (e.g., detergent solution).
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set includes two independent claims, one apparatus or assembly claim and one method claim. Across these claims, the coverage centers on a rigid endoscope support tray with guide-wall-defined placement regions for endoscope components, retaining members and support posts that enable different tray-to-tray separation distances in stacked orientations, and a flexible liner plus cover that are retained by the tray to support storage and transport.
Guide-wall-defined placement regions on a rigid support tray
A rigid endoscope support tray with a base plate having opposing first and second sides; a perimeter wall projecting from the first side; and plurality of guide walls projecting from the first side arranged to define areas for placement of parts of the endoscope, where the guide walls define regions for receiving a control body, an insertion tube, and a light guide connector so parts of the endoscope are disposed in the regions.
Stacked trays with orientation-dependent separation distances
A plurality of support posts extending from the second side of the base plate such that when two trays are stacked, in a first orientation the two base plates are separated by a first distance and in a second orientation the two base plates are separated by a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance.
Endoscope retention via tray retaining members
A plurality of retaining members extending outwardly from an edge region of the support tray such that the endoscope is supported by the tray and additional elements can be engaged with the retaining members to retain them in contact with the tray.
Flexible liner engaged with tray retaining members
A method comprising laying a liner sheet over the first side of the base plate and engaging the liner sheet with the retaining members of the support tray.
Cover extending over and engaging the retaining members
A method comprising extending a cover over the endoscope to cover the endoscope and engaging the cover with the retaining members of the tray to retain the cover in contact with the tray.
The independent claims collectively require a rigid endoscope support tray having guide walls that define placement regions for control body, insertion tube, and light guide connector; retaining members and stacked support posts configured for different tray separation distances across two orientations; and, in the method claim, a liner sheet and cover that are engaged with the tray retaining members to retain the liner and cover in contact with the tray and the endoscope.
Stated Advantages
Reduce contamination while enabling tray reusability.
Documented Applications
Storing or transporting an endoscope using a rigid support tray, a flexible liner, and a cover.
Providing a clean/dirty indication for a stored endoscope using first indicium and second indicium on the cover.
Interested in licensing this patent?