Basket for a medical instrument basket and medical instruments
Inventors
Vanliefde, Charlotte • Van der Vennet, Peter
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11638621-B2
Publication Date
2023-05-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
Described herein is a holding basket (100) for containing an inner basket (200) for holding at least one medical item for processing having a top end (102) and a base end (104) comprising: an essentially rectangular base (110) and side walls (120, 122, 124) extending from the base (110), two rims (130, 132) each disposed on a first pair (120, 122) of opposing side walls, two windows 140) each disposed on a second pair opposing side walls (124) configured for manual access for slidable removal of the inner basket (200), wherein the holding basket (100) is configured for stackability or nestability with an adjacent holding basket (100′, 100″).
Core Innovation
Disclosed is a holding basket for containing an inner basket for holding at least one medical item for processing having a top end and a base end. The holding basket includes an essentially rectangular base and side walls extending from the base, with only two rims configured for sliding into a slide rack, each rim disposed on a first pair of opposing side walls.
The basket further includes two windows, each disposed on a second pair of opposing side walls and configured for manual access for slidable removal of the inner basket. The holding basket is configured for both stackability and nestability with an adjacent holding basket, and has a 180 deg rotational asymmetry about an axis perpendicular to the base.
In response to 180 deg rotation, the rims appear in the same position before and after rotation, while the basket transitions between stackable and nestable configurations depending on the 180 deg rotational orientation relative to the adjacent holding basket. When the rims of the respective holding baskets are aligned, the basket and the adjacent basket become stackable or nestable dependent on their rotational orientation.
Claims Coverage
The document includes multiple dependent claims linked to an independent holding-basket claim. The inventive features covered by the independent claim are the structural arrangement, the specific limited rim arrangement for slide-rack engagement, the windowed manual access for slidable removal of the inner basket, and a 180-degree rotational asymmetry that causes alignment-dependent stackability versus nestability with an adjacent holding basket.
Holding basket with rectangular base and side walls
A holding basket for containing an inner basket for holding at least one medical item for processing, comprising an essentially rectangular base and side walls extending from the base, with a top end and a base end.
Only two rims for slide rack engagement
Only two rims configured for sliding into a slide rack, each rim disposed on a first pair of opposing side walls.
Two windows for manual access and slidable removal
Two windows, each disposed on a second pair of opposing side walls, configured for manual access for slidable removal of the inner basket.
180 degree rotational asymmetry for alignment-dependent stackability and nestability
The holding basket is configured for both stackability and nestability with an adjacent holding basket, and has a 180 deg rotational asymmetry about an axis perpendicular to the base, such that 180 deg rotation of the holding basket causes the rims to appear in the same position before and after rotation and causes the holding basket to be stackable or nestable dependent on its 180 deg rotational orientation relative to the adjacent holding basket when the rims of the respective holding baskets are aligned.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on a holding basket structure with only two slide-rack rims and two window openings enabling manual, slidable inner-basket removal, combined with a 180 deg rotational asymmetry that produces stackability in one rotational orientation and nestability in another when rims are aligned.
Stated Advantages
Increased holding space from having only two rims.
Ease/safety of withdrawal due to manual access for slidable removal of the inner basket.
Reduced fabric tearing risk.
Improved stability during stacking.
Documented Applications
Sterilization of medical equipment by placing items into an inner basket, loading it into the holding basket, stacking holding baskets, sliding into a slide-rack storage system, autoclaving, and removing from the autoclave.
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