Surgical screw carrier and method compatible with sterilization
Inventors
Pratt, William Ralph • Pratt, Clyde Ronald • Bruce, Robert A. • Kendall, Richard L.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8662299-B2
Publication Date
2014-03-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A modular system facilitates packaging, marking, handling, sterilizing, tracking, tagging and storing small components such as surgical screws. A small, suitably cylindrical or similar cell receives a screw or other component and seats the component in a predetermined orientation. A complementary cap is adapted to engage the cell from above, closing the top and retaining the component in the cell. The cap is also adapted for use as a tool for handling the cell and the component contained therein. A coupling between the cell and the cap allows the cap to be snapped securely on the cell under manual pressure; the coupling is further adapted to release on application of sufficient bending moment across the co-axis of the cell and cap.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a modular, sterilizable packaging and tagging system for small surgical components. It uses a plurality of autoclaving-tolerant cells, each including only one internal channel sized to receive a small surgical component and open at both ends so that infiltration of steam during a sterilization procedure contacts a substantial portion of the component. The internal channel surrounds the component such that steam contacts the component located within the channel.
Each detachable cap mechanically mates with a respective cell in response to a manual force such that, when mated, the cap retains the small surgical component within the cell and can be used as a handle to manipulate the cell/cap assembly. The cap disengages from the cell when a bending moment is applied between the cap and the cell, and the plurality of caps can be repeatedly mated to and disengaged from the cells.
The cap further includes a cross-sectional partition between the engagement end and the open end through which the internal channel runs, with the portion of the internal channel in the cross-sectional partition having a first diameter. The engagement end includes an orifice having a lip that engages a rim on the cell when mated, and the orifice has a second diameter arranged such that the first diameter is less than the second diameter to confine a top of the component between the cross-sectional partition and the lip.
Claims Coverage
The document portion includes three independent claims: clm-00001, clm-00016, and clm-00019. The inventive coverage centers on three features: autoclave-tolerant single-channel cells that surround the component for steam infiltration, detachable caps that retain the component and can be used as a handle with bending-moment disengagement, and cap geometry with a partitioned internal channel and orifice lip/rim interface; clm-00019 additionally includes a tray structure.
Modular sterilizable packaging and tagging system using single-channel steam-infiltration cells
A plurality of cells fabricated from a material able to withstand multiple sterilizations by autoclaving, each cell including only one internal channel sized to receive a small surgical component, the internal channel open at both ends such that it completely surrounds the component to receive infiltration of steam during a sterilization procedure and to cause the steam to contact a substantial portion of any surgical component located within the channel.
Detachable caps retain components and disengage in response to a bending moment
A plurality of detachable caps that mechanically mate with respective cells in response to a manual force such that, when mated, the cap retains the component within the cell and can be used as a handle to manipulate the cell/cap assembly, and disengages from the cell when a bending moment is applied between the cap and the cell, wherein the caps can be repeatedly mated to and disengaged from the cells.
Cap geometry with partitioned channel and lip/orifice confinement for steam passage and retention
Each cap includes an engagement end, an open end opposite the engagement end, and an internal channel running between them through which steam can pass, with a cross-sectional partition between the engagement end and the open end through which the internal channel runs, the portion of the internal channel through the cross-sectional partition having a first diameter; the engagement end includes an orifice with a lip engaging a rim on the cell when mated, the orifice having a second diameter, arranged such that the first diameter is less than the second diameter to confine the top of the component between the cross-sectional partition and the lip.
Method of packaging small surgical screws using snap closure cap/cell mating and bending-moment disengagement
Inserting a screw into a modular receptacle having an internal channel for receiving the screw; mechanically mating the modular receptacle endwise in abutting relation with a cap having a length suitable for gripping manually, the receptacle and cap in mating engagement comprising a package for carrying the screw; wherein the cap and modular receptacle are adapted to mate with a snap closure and to disengage in response to a bending moment applied between the cap and the modular receptacle, and the cap comprises the engagement end, open end opposite the engagement end, internal channel through which steam can pass, cross-sectional partition with a first diameter, and an orifice with a lip and a second diameter such that the first diameter is less than the second diameter to confine the top of the screw between the cross-sectional partition and the lip.
Modular sterilizable system including a tray
A modular, sterilizable packaging and tagging system in which cells with single internal channels surround the full length of respective small surgical components and are fabricated from a material able to withstand multiple sterilizations by autoclaving, detachable caps retain each component and can be used as a handle with manual-force mating and bending-moment disengagement, and a tray fabricated from a material able to withstand multiple sterilizations by autoclaving comprising a tray body and a tray lid securable to the top of the tray body with the cells located within the tray body, such that the cells, caps, and tray form the modular, sterilizable packaging and tagging system for small surgical components.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive coverage centers on a modular system combining autoclave-tolerant single-channel cells that surround small surgical components for steam infiltration, detachable caps that retain the component and function as a handle while disengaging under a bending moment, and cap structural geometry that confines the component top while allowing steam passage. The claim clm-00019 further requires a sterilizable tray with a tray body and a tray lid to complete the modular system.
Stated Advantages
Allows steam infiltration during an autoclaving sterilization procedure to contact a substantial portion of the surgical component.
Retains a small surgical component within a cell when the cap is mated.
Enables manipulation of the cell/cap assembly using the cap as a handle.
Caps can be repeatedly mated to and disengaged from cells.
Provides disengagement from the cell in response to a bending moment applied between the cap and the cell.
Supports use of a sterilizable tray, with cells located within the tray, as part of the modular sterilizable packaging and tagging system.
Documented Applications
Packaging and tagging small surgical components in a modular, sterilizable packaging and tagging system, including small surgical screws.
Packaging small surgical screws as a method of packaging using a modular receptacle and a cap adapted to mate with a snap closure and disengage in response to a bending moment [procedural detail omitted for safety].
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