WO1998050083A1 - Sterilizable tray divider system - Google Patents

Sterilizable tray divider system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998050083A1
WO1998050083A1 PCT/US1997/007876 US9707876W WO9850083A1 WO 1998050083 A1 WO1998050083 A1 WO 1998050083A1 US 9707876 W US9707876 W US 9707876W WO 9850083 A1 WO9850083 A1 WO 9850083A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
frame
medical instruments
bracket means
slots
tray
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/007876
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Allan S. Frieze
Original Assignee
Case Medical, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Case Medical, Inc. filed Critical Case Medical, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US1997/007876 priority Critical patent/WO1998050083A1/en
Priority to AU31205/97A priority patent/AU3120597A/en
Publication of WO1998050083A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998050083A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A61B50/33—Trays
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A61B2050/3008—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments having multiple compartments
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A61B2050/3011—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments having carrying handles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a tray divider system for supporting medical instruments during sterilization and which includes selectively attachable brackets for modifying the configuration of the divider to accommodate instruments of varying sizes
  • Instrument supporting brackets can take several different forms. Perhaps the most common form is a custom tray that includes custom made brackets laid out according to the specific request of the customer. An outline of the instrument to be supported is frequently p ⁇ nted on the bottom surface of the tray so that accurate instrument positioning is achieved. It is also common practice to place an English language legend, such as "Russian Tissue Forceps" adjacent to the outline of the desired instrument.
  • the custom made brackets which generally have an irregular shape, are then permanently attached to the tray. While such trays have advantages, they have several disadvantages too. First of all, they are expensive and time consuming to produce because each tray has to be individualized for each specific customer's request. Second, the brackets are not removable and, therefore, there is no flexibility in the layout of the tray. Instrument holding trays, such as descnbed above, are sold under the trademark MEDITRAY by Case Medical, Inc , 65 Railroad Avenue, Ridgefield, New Jersey 07657.
  • the invention comprises a divider system for supporting medical instruments in a tray, case or basket during sterilization.
  • a rigid square frame consisting of four orthogonal brackets or sections held together by L-shaped corner brackets provides support to attachable brackets which further subdivide the frame.
  • the attachable brackets include slots that can selectively mate with corresponding slots in the rigid frame so that the instrument support area can be organized into a wide variety of configurations according to the needs of the user.
  • Scalloped instrument receiving indentations or apertures in some of the attachable brackets permit long or large instruments to be supported by several brackets at once and can be individually customized to the particular shape of the instrument.
  • Some of the attachable brackets may also have break off or frangible sections that can be selectively separated from the bracket to allow the user to create an instrument receiving aperture in the bracket or increase the size of the aperture as required.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a divider system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in relationship to its associated tray.
  • Fig.2 is an exploded view of the tray divider system shown in Fig. 1 also illustrating an optional mat.
  • Fig. 3A is a top plan view of the rigid frame of the divider system.
  • Fig. 3B is a side, elevation view of the rigid frame shown in Fig. 3 A.
  • Fig. 4A is a top view of one of two frame brackets.
  • Fig. 4B is a side elevation view of the frame bracket shown in Fig. 4A.
  • Fig. 4C illustrates one of two frame brackets that engage the frame bracket shown in Fig. 4B above.
  • Fig. 5 A is a top view of a short, solid attachable bracket.
  • Fig. 5B is a side elevation view of the short, solid attachable bracket shown in Fig. 5 A.
  • Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of a scalloped attachable bracket with indentations for receiving medical instruments.
  • Fig 7 is a perspective view of a medical tray showing alternative bracket with break off tabs to form customized indentations for receiving medical instruments.
  • Fig 8 is a side elevation view of the alternative bracket illustrated in Fig 7 showing the different ways the break off tabs can be selectively removed.
  • the divider system 10 according to the preferred embodiment thereof is shown in its assembled state m Fig 1 and m an exploded state in Fig. 2
  • the divider system 10 preferably sits in a tray 12, but could also be received m a standard ste ⁇ lizable case or basket.
  • Tray 12 has a bottom 16, which includes a plurality of evenly spaced steam penetration holes 14 therein
  • a pair of handles 20 is attached to the sides 18 of tray 12.
  • Trays 12 such as those illustrated in Figs 1 and 2 are intended to be used with steam autoclaves and other sterilizing machines and are not considered to be part of the present invention.
  • the divider system or apparatus 10 employs a square ngid frame 22 for supporting attachable brackets 32.
  • Brackets 32 can be either solid 44, scalloped 42 or include break-off tabs 50 and can be coated with Nylon to protect delicate medical instruments 38
  • Rigid frame 22 is formed from four equal length frame sections 24 which comprise two north/south brackets 24a and two east/west brackets 24b attached to each other m an orthogonal relationship to form an egg crate or tic-tac-toe pattern. Slots 26 and 76 in frame brackets 24a and 24b respectively engage each other so that the four brackets 24a, 24b have flush top 54 and bottom 58 surfaces when the ⁇ gid frame 22 is assembled.
  • L-shaped angle reinforcing brackets 28 are riveted to the intersection of the four brackets 24a and 24b to insure the rigidity of the frame 22 When the ⁇ gid frame 22 is assembled in this fashion it naturally forms nine pockets 30 - eight on the outside and one m the center.
  • the divider system 10 can optionally employ a mat 60 located between the divider frame 22 and the tray bottom 16.
  • Mat 60 preferably includes a plurality of steam penetration holes 62 and instrument support b ⁇ stles or fingers 64 and has a structure like that disclosed in my copendmg U.S. application Se ⁇ al No. filed and entitled STERILIZABLE SILICONE MAT APPARATUS
  • the frame 22 and associated attachable brackets 32 (42, 44, 50) nestles comfortably into mat 60 so that the frame 22 sits between the instrument supporting b ⁇ stles or fingers 64.
  • the divider system 10 can be customized by the addition of selectively attachable brackets 32 as previously mentioned. If it is desired to ste ⁇ hze small items 66, then the user may opt to use solid brackets 44 in order to form more small pockets 52. Solid attachable brackets 44 also include an L-shaped hip section 74 on each end that rests in slots 56 in frame 22. If it is desired, however, to sterilize medical instruments 38 that are larger or longer than pockets 30 or 52, then scalloped brackets 42 would be employed. Scalloped brackets 42 include medical instrument receiving indents or groove 36 which permit a medical instrument 38 to rest in a stable position partially below the top surface 54 of the divider system 10.
  • An instrument receiving groove 36 may also be located in one of the brackets 24a or 24b of the rigid frame 22 if the size of the instrument 38 is so large that it can not be accommodated inside of the rigid frame 22.
  • the attachable brackets 32 each include slots 34, 70 or 82 which selectively mate with slots 56 in frame 22.
  • the slots 34, 56, 70 and 82 are each preferably one half of the width of their respective bracket in length. Therefore, when the divider system 10 is fully assembled the top surface 54 and bottom surface 58 of the system are relatively flat and flush.
  • the brackets 32 can include frangible brackets 50 as shown in Fig. 8 with break out portions or tabs 40 that can be selectively removed to accommodate medical instruments 38 of different sizes.
  • the break out portions can be deep, such as shown in tab 40 in Fig. 8, or shallow, as shown by tabs 80.
  • Tabs 80 are in two sections so that breaking off the top tab 80 produces a shallow indent and breaking off the second tab 80 produces a larger indent.
  • tabs 78 can be side by side, so that breaking off one tab 78 produces an indent of narrow width and breaking off the other tab 78 produces an indent of maximum width.
  • Slot 82 in the bottom of bracket 50 engage with slots 56 in the top of the rigid frame 22.
  • brackets 32 of the divider system 10 just described can be mixed and matched to accommodate a wide variety of medical instruments 38 and needs. For example, it would be possible to combine a solid bracket 44, as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, with a scalloped bracket 42, as shown in Fig. 6, and/or a frangible bracket 50, as shown in Fig. 8.
  • the divider system 10 can be employed with a silicone mat 60 as seen in the exploded view of Fig. 2.
  • Silicone mat 60 includes a unique S shaped rib and positioning nub structure that optimized drainage, maximizes steam penetration and minimizes condensate residue. It is especially helpfiil with the divider system 10 of the present invention because it insures that the steam penetration holes or apertures 14 in tray 12 are properly aligned with the steam penetration holes 62 in the mat 60.
  • Mat 60 also includes optimally positioned bristles or fingers 64 which permit the divider system to sit on the mat body yet allow items in the pockets 30 and 52 to be supported by the bristles 64.
  • a silicone mat 60 according to above description can be found in my co-pending application Serial No. filed on April , 1997 and entitled STERILIZABLE SILICONE MAT
  • the divider system 10 just described has several advantages over prior art systems.
  • the rigid frame 22 allows for almost any pattern of brackets 42, 44 and/or 50 to be added thus resulting in a wide variety of possible sizes and shapes for pockets or compartments 30, 52.
  • the attachable brackets 32 can be solid 44 or scalloped 42 depending on the shape and size of the instrument 38 to be held.
  • the brackets 50 can include break off tabs 40,
  • the brackets 32 can be Nylon coated to further protect delicate instruments 38.
  • the divider system 10 fits inside of a conventional tray 12, case or basket and allows room for the handles 20 to rest in the down position.
  • the divider set or system 10 can optimally rest in between the fingers or bristles 64 of a silicone mat 60 if desired.

Abstract

A divider system (10) is employed to create small pockets (30, 52) or compartments in a tray (12), case or basket in order to store or support medical instruments (38) during steam sterilization. A square frame (22) consisting of four bracket sections (24a, 24b) in an orthogonal relationship supports attachable brackets (32) that can be selectively attached to the frame (22). The frame (22) is held together in a tic-tac-toe pattern by L-shaped corner brackets (28) riveted to the intersection of the four frame brackets (24a, 24b). This serves to keep the frame (22) rigid. The attachable brackets (32) each preferably include slots (34, 70, 82) that selectively engage mating slots (56) in the rigid frame (22) which makes it possible to divide the apparatus (10) into smaller pockets or compartments (30, 52). Scalloped attachable brackets (42) may be inserted into the rigid frame (22) to permit long instruments (38) to be supported on top of the attachable brackets (32). Alternatively, the attachable brackets (50) can include break off sections or tabs (40, 78, 80) that permit the user to create his or her own customized pattern to fit medical instruments (38) of different sizes. The divider system (10) is especially suitable for use with a silicone mat (60) which allows the divider system (10) to rest between the bristles (64) on top of said mat (60) in order to insure optimum drainage, maximum steam penetration and minimum retained condensate.

Description

TITLE: STERILIZABLE TRAY DIVIDER SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1 Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a tray divider system for supporting medical instruments during sterilization and which includes selectively attachable brackets for modifying the configuration of the divider to accommodate instruments of varying sizes
2 Descnption of Related Art
It is common practice to put medical instruments in trays or in cases or baskets and place them in high temperature environments for the purpose of sterilization. Steam heated autoclaves are probably the most common devise used for killing germs and other biohazardous mateπals The instruments to be sterilized are generally placed in the trays which, in turn, are placed into the cleansing environment. In order to keep the instruments from moving it is fairly common practice to separate and support them with brackets.
Instrument supporting brackets can take several different forms. Perhaps the most common form is a custom tray that includes custom made brackets laid out according to the specific request of the customer. An outline of the instrument to be supported is frequently pπnted on the bottom surface of the tray so that accurate instrument positioning is achieved. It is also common practice to place an English language legend, such as "Russian Tissue Forceps" adjacent to the outline of the desired instrument. The custom made brackets, which generally have an irregular shape, are then permanently attached to the tray. While such trays have advantages, they have several disadvantages too. First of all, they are expensive and time consuming to produce because each tray has to be individualized for each specific customer's request. Second, the brackets are not removable and, therefore, there is no flexibility in the layout of the tray. Instrument holding trays, such as descnbed above, are sold under the trademark MEDITRAY by Case Medical, Inc , 65 Railroad Avenue, Ridgefield, New Jersey 07657.
Another approach is to use a flexible, resilient mat with raised projections, such as bristles or fingers, thereon to keep the instruments from sliding. Disclosures of such devices can be found in the following US patents: 5,098,676; 5,279,800; 5340,551; 5,211,915; and, 5,407,648 While such inventions may represent improvements over pπor art structures, nevertheless, they frequently have drawbacks too. In particular, the medical instruments tend to slide inside the tray and the distribution of steπhzable steam inside they tray can be uneven thereby preventing optimum drainage, inhibiting maximum steam penetration and increasing undesirable condensate residue.
It appears from the forgoing that prior art devices taken as a whole lack the ability to economically and flexibly accommodate medical instruments of varying sizes during sterilization. It was in this context that the present invention arose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described the invention comprises a divider system for supporting medical instruments in a tray, case or basket during sterilization. A rigid square frame consisting of four orthogonal brackets or sections held together by L-shaped corner brackets provides support to attachable brackets which further subdivide the frame. The attachable brackets include slots that can selectively mate with corresponding slots in the rigid frame so that the instrument support area can be organized into a wide variety of configurations according to the needs of the user.
Scalloped instrument receiving indentations or apertures in some of the attachable brackets permit long or large instruments to be supported by several brackets at once and can be individually customized to the particular shape of the instrument. Some of the attachable brackets may also have break off or frangible sections that can be selectively separated from the bracket to allow the user to create an instrument receiving aperture in the bracket or increase the size of the aperture as required.
The invention may be more fully understood by referring to the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a divider system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in relationship to its associated tray.
Fig.2 is an exploded view of the tray divider system shown in Fig. 1 also illustrating an optional mat. Fig. 3A is a top plan view of the rigid frame of the divider system.
Fig. 3B is a side, elevation view of the rigid frame shown in Fig. 3 A. Fig. 4A is a top view of one of two frame brackets. Fig. 4B is a side elevation view of the frame bracket shown in Fig. 4A. Fig. 4C illustrates one of two frame brackets that engage the frame bracket shown in Fig. 4B above.
Fig. 5 A is a top view of a short, solid attachable bracket.
Fig. 5B is a side elevation view of the short, solid attachable bracket shown in Fig. 5 A. Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of a scalloped attachable bracket with indentations for receiving medical instruments. Fig 7 is a perspective view of a medical tray showing alternative bracket with break off tabs to form customized indentations for receiving medical instruments.
Fig 8 is a side elevation view of the alternative bracket illustrated in Fig 7 showing the different ways the break off tabs can be selectively removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Duπng the course of this description like numbers will be used to identify like elements according to the different views that illustrate the invention.
The divider system 10 according to the preferred embodiment thereof is shown in its assembled state m Fig 1 and m an exploded state in Fig. 2 The divider system 10 preferably sits in a tray 12, but could also be received m a standard steπlizable case or basket. Tray 12 has a bottom 16, which includes a plurality of evenly spaced steam penetration holes 14 therein A pair of handles 20 is attached to the sides 18 of tray 12. Trays 12 such as those illustrated in Figs 1 and 2 are intended to be used with steam autoclaves and other sterilizing machines and are not considered to be part of the present invention. The divider system or apparatus 10 according to the preferred embodiment employs a square ngid frame 22 for supporting attachable brackets 32. Brackets 32 can be either solid 44, scalloped 42 or include break-off tabs 50 and can be coated with Nylon to protect delicate medical instruments 38 Rigid frame 22 is formed from four equal length frame sections 24 which comprise two north/south brackets 24a and two east/west brackets 24b attached to each other m an orthogonal relationship to form an egg crate or tic-tac-toe pattern. Slots 26 and 76 in frame brackets 24a and 24b respectively engage each other so that the four brackets 24a, 24b have flush top 54 and bottom 58 surfaces when the πgid frame 22 is assembled. L-shaped angle reinforcing brackets 28 are riveted to the intersection of the four brackets 24a and 24b to insure the rigidity of the frame 22 When the πgid frame 22 is assembled in this fashion it naturally forms nine pockets 30 - eight on the outside and one m the center.
As shown in Fig. 2 the divider system 10 can optionally employ a mat 60 located between the divider frame 22 and the tray bottom 16. Mat 60 preferably includes a plurality of steam penetration holes 62 and instrument support bπstles or fingers 64 and has a structure like that disclosed in my copendmg U.S. application Seπal No. filed and entitled STERILIZABLE SILICONE MAT APPARATUS The frame 22 and associated attachable brackets 32 (42, 44, 50) nestles comfortably into mat 60 so that the frame 22 sits between the instrument supporting bπstles or fingers 64.
The divider system 10 can be customized by the addition of selectively attachable brackets 32 as previously mentioned. If it is desired to steπhze small items 66, then the user may opt to use solid brackets 44 in order to form more small pockets 52. Solid attachable brackets 44 also include an L-shaped hip section 74 on each end that rests in slots 56 in frame 22. If it is desired, however, to sterilize medical instruments 38 that are larger or longer than pockets 30 or 52, then scalloped brackets 42 would be employed. Scalloped brackets 42 include medical instrument receiving indents or groove 36 which permit a medical instrument 38 to rest in a stable position partially below the top surface 54 of the divider system 10. An instrument receiving groove 36 may also be located in one of the brackets 24a or 24b of the rigid frame 22 if the size of the instrument 38 is so large that it can not be accommodated inside of the rigid frame 22. The attachable brackets 32 (42, 44, 50) each include slots 34, 70 or 82 which selectively mate with slots 56 in frame 22. The slots 34, 56, 70 and 82 are each preferably one half of the width of their respective bracket in length. Therefore, when the divider system 10 is fully assembled the top surface 54 and bottom surface 58 of the system are relatively flat and flush.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the brackets 32 can include frangible brackets 50 as shown in Fig. 8 with break out portions or tabs 40 that can be selectively removed to accommodate medical instruments 38 of different sizes. This permits the user to customize his or her divider system 10 according to his or her preferences. The break out portions can be deep, such as shown in tab 40 in Fig. 8, or shallow, as shown by tabs 80. Tabs 80 are in two sections so that breaking off the top tab 80 produces a shallow indent and breaking off the second tab 80 produces a larger indent. Alternatively, tabs 78 can be side by side, so that breaking off one tab 78 produces an indent of narrow width and breaking off the other tab 78 produces an indent of maximum width. Slot 82 in the bottom of bracket 50 engage with slots 56 in the top of the rigid frame 22.
The brackets 32 of the divider system 10 just described can be mixed and matched to accommodate a wide variety of medical instruments 38 and needs. For example, it would be possible to combine a solid bracket 44, as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, with a scalloped bracket 42, as shown in Fig. 6, and/or a frangible bracket 50, as shown in Fig. 8.
According to another embodiment of the same invention, the divider system 10 can be employed with a silicone mat 60 as seen in the exploded view of Fig. 2. Silicone mat 60 includes a unique S shaped rib and positioning nub structure that optimized drainage, maximizes steam penetration and minimizes condensate residue. It is especially helpfiil with the divider system 10 of the present invention because it insures that the steam penetration holes or apertures 14 in tray 12 are properly aligned with the steam penetration holes 62 in the mat 60. Mat 60 also includes optimally positioned bristles or fingers 64 which permit the divider system to sit on the mat body yet allow items in the pockets 30 and 52 to be supported by the bristles 64. A silicone mat 60 according to above description can be found in my co-pending application Serial No. filed on April , 1997 and entitled STERILIZABLE SILICONE MAT
APPARATUS assigned to Case Medical, Inc.
The divider system 10 just described has several advantages over prior art systems. First, the rigid frame 22 allows for almost any pattern of brackets 42, 44 and/or 50 to be added thus resulting in a wide variety of possible sizes and shapes for pockets or compartments 30, 52.
Second, the attachable brackets 32 can be solid 44 or scalloped 42 depending on the shape and size of the instrument 38 to be held. Third, alternatively the brackets 50 can include break off tabs 40,
78 and 80 to allow the user to customize the size and location of the instrument-receiving indent. Forth, the brackets 32 can be Nylon coated to further protect delicate instruments 38. Fifth, the divider system 10 fits inside of a conventional tray 12, case or basket and allows room for the handles 20 to rest in the down position. Sixth, the divider set or system 10 can optimally rest in between the fingers or bristles 64 of a silicone mat 60 if desired.
While the invention 10 has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made to the structure and form of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

I CLAIM;
1 A divider system (10) for a tray (12) employed to steπhze medical instruments (38), said system compπsing: a frame (22) that fits withm said tray (12); and, attachable bracket means (32) for selectively interlocking with said frame (22) and for supporting at least one of said medical instruments (38).
2 The system of claim 1 wherein said frame (22) is relatively rigid
3 The system of claim 2 wherein said frame (22) includes at least two sections (24a, 24b) attached to each other m an orthogonal relationship
4 The system of claim 3 wherein said frame (22) compπsed four sections (24a, 24b) attached to each other in an orthogonal relationship in a tic-tac-toe pattern.
5 The system of claim 4 wherein said attachable bracket means (32) comprises at least one bracket (42, 50) having an indentation (36) therein for receiving and supporting at least one of said medical instruments (38).
6. The system of claim 5 wherein said attachable bracket means (32) includes slots
(34, 70, 82) therein.
7 The system of claim 6 wherein said πgid frame (22) also includes slots (56) therein and at least some of said slots (56) in said frame (22) engage and interlock with at least some of said slots (34, 70, 82) in said attachable bracket means (32)
8 The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least some of said bracket means (50) include a frangible tab (40, 78, 80) that can be broken out to selectively form an indentation (36) for supporting at least one of said medical instruments (38)
9 The system of claim 8 further compπsing- mat means (60) locatable between said tray (12) and said frame (22) for improving the steam penetration from said tray to said medical instruments (38) which are supported by said frame (22) and brackets (32).
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 01 October 1997 (01.10.97); original claims 1-9 replaced by new claims 1-8 (2 pages)]
1 A divider system (10) for a tray (12) employed to sterilize medical instruments
(38), said system compπsing: a relatively rigid frame (22) that fits withm said tray (12), said frame (22) including four sections (24a, 24b) attached to each other in an orthogonal relationship in a tic- tac-toe pattern; and, attachable bracket means (32) for selectively interlocking with said frame (22) and for supporting at least one of said medical instruments (38).
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said attachable bracket means (32) comprises at least one bracket (42, 50) having an indentation (36) therein for receiving and supporting at least one of said medical instruments (38).
3 The system of claim 2 wherein said attachable bracket means (32) includes slots (34, 70, 82) therein.
4 The system of claim 3 wherein said relatively πgid frame (22) also includes slots (56) therein and at least some of said slots (56) in said frame (22) engage and interlock with at least some of said slots (70, 82) in said attachable bracket means (32).
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein at least some of said bracket means (50) include a frangible tab (40, 78, 80) that can be broken out to selectively form an indentation (36) for supporting at least one of said medical instruments (38).
6. The system of claim 5 further compπsing: mat means (60) locatable between said tray (12) and said frame (22) for improving the steam penetration from said tray to said medical instruments (38) which are supported by said frame (22) and attachable bracket means (32).
7. A divider system (10) for a tray (12) employed to sterilize medical instruments (38), said system compπsing: a frame (22) that fits withm said tray (12), said frame (22) including slots (56) therein; and, attachable bracket means (32) for selectively interlocking with said frame (22) and for supporting at least one of said medical instruments (38), said attachable bracket means (32) including slots (70, 82) therein which engage and interlock with at least some of said slots (56) of said frame (22), said attachable bracket means (32) including at least one bracket (42, 50) having an indentation (36) therein for receiving and supporting at least one of said medical instruments (38).
8. A divider system (10) for a tray (12) employed to sterilize medical instruments (38), said system compπsing: a first bracket means (42, 50) that fits within said tray (12), said first bracket means including slots (72) therein; a second bracket means (44) also including slots (34) therein which are selectively engageable with at least some of said slots (72) in said first bracket means (42, 50), wherein at least one of said bracket means (42, 50) includes an indentation (36) therein for receiving and supporting at least one of said medical instruments (38), and further wherein said first and second bracket means (42, 44, 50) are substantially orthogonally related to each other when said slots (34, 72) of said first or second bracket means (42, 44, 50) engage each other.
AMENDED SHEET {ARTICLE 19) STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19
The applicant has reviewed the International Search Report and amended the claims in response thereto. Insofar as understood, none of the prior art references when taken individuaUy or in combination suggest a sterilizable tray that includes a relatively rigid frame having four sections connected together in an orthogonal relationship that engage with attachable brackets which selectively interlock with the frame as defined in new independent claim 1. New dependent claims 2 - 6 are believed to be allowable for similar reasons. Claim 7 defines a structure similar to independent claim 1 but further indicates that at least one of the brackets includes an indentation for receiving and supporting at least one of the medical instruments. This provides a very flexible yet sturdy stru╬▒ure that can be customized easily to accommodate a variety of different medical instruments dependent upon the needs of the user. The cited prior art, again, does not appear, even when taken in combination, to hint, teach or suggest the structure set forth in new independent claim 7. Lastly, new independent claim 8 emphasizes the interlocking, orthogonal relationship of attachable bracket means (42, 44, 50) in which slots (34, 72) engage each other selectively and further wherein at least one of the brackets includes an indentation (36) that allows the brackets to be reorganized in such a fashion as to support a wide variety of different medical instruments (38).
PCT/US1997/007876 1997-05-08 1997-05-08 Sterilizable tray divider system WO1998050083A1 (en)

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PCT/US1997/007876 WO1998050083A1 (en) 1997-05-08 1997-05-08 Sterilizable tray divider system
AU31205/97A AU3120597A (en) 1997-05-08 1997-05-08 Sterilizable tray divider system

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Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2401048A (en) * 2003-03-28 2004-11-03 Benjamin Gideon Berlyne Presentation tray for Surgical Instruments.
EP1563853A1 (en) * 2004-02-13 2005-08-17 Metallverarbeitung Kögel GmbH Basket, in particular sterilisation basket
EP1844712A1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-10-17 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Compression assembly for MRI biopsy device
US7481775B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2009-01-27 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Biopsy device incorporating an adjustable probe sleeve
US7517322B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2009-04-14 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Biopsy device with variable side aperture
WO2009061888A2 (en) * 2007-11-08 2009-05-14 Medline Industries, Inc. System and method for providing disposable drawer inserts for medical and surgical carts
US7766843B2 (en) 2006-03-03 2010-08-03 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Biopsy method
FR2964555A1 (en) * 2010-09-15 2012-03-16 Hugues Thomas ENDODONTIC INSTRUMENT STORAGE BOX AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING THE SAME
WO2014004500A3 (en) * 2012-06-26 2014-03-27 Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Llc Configurable instrument retention members for sterilization cassettes
GB2520714A (en) * 2013-11-28 2015-06-03 Keymed Medicals & Ind Equip An endoscope valve container
CN105476719A (en) * 2016-01-19 2016-04-13 马俊 Nursing tray for anesthesia department
CN108451648A (en) * 2017-12-29 2018-08-28 郑州源冉生物技术有限公司 A kind of plate partition-type medical instrument storage device
CN108836697A (en) * 2018-07-17 2018-11-20 王小莉 A kind of medical tray of anti-cross infection
CN109703831A (en) * 2019-01-21 2019-05-03 张家港市环宇制药设备有限公司 Sterilization tray
CN110584934A (en) * 2019-10-14 2019-12-20 西安交通大学医学院第二附属医院 Multifunctional instrument disk for ear, nose and throat
CN111012518A (en) * 2020-02-05 2020-04-17 嵊州风浦医疗设备科技有限公司 Double-layer surgical instrument tray capable of being automatically switched

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Cited By (29)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2401048B (en) * 2003-03-28 2006-01-11 Benjamin Gideon Berlyne Presentation tray for surgical instruments
GB2401048A (en) * 2003-03-28 2004-11-03 Benjamin Gideon Berlyne Presentation tray for Surgical Instruments.
EP1563853A1 (en) * 2004-02-13 2005-08-17 Metallverarbeitung Kögel GmbH Basket, in particular sterilisation basket
DE102004008455B3 (en) * 2004-02-13 2005-08-18 Metallverarbeitung Kögel GmbH Sieve basket system, in particular sterilization sieve system
US8287466B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2012-10-16 Devicor Medical Products, Inc. Biopsy device with variable side aperture
US7481775B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2009-01-27 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Biopsy device incorporating an adjustable probe sleeve
US7517322B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2009-04-14 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Biopsy device with variable side aperture
US9668717B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2017-06-06 Devicor Medical Products, Inc. Biopsy device with variable side aperture
US9095327B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2015-08-04 Devicor Medical Products, Inc. Biopsy device with variable side aperture
US7717861B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2010-05-18 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Biopsy device with variable side aperture
US7766843B2 (en) 2006-03-03 2010-08-03 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Biopsy method
EP1844712A1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-10-17 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Compression assembly for MRI biopsy device
WO2009061888A3 (en) * 2007-11-08 2009-07-30 Medline Ind Inc System and method for providing disposable drawer inserts for medical and surgical carts
WO2009061888A2 (en) * 2007-11-08 2009-05-14 Medline Industries, Inc. System and method for providing disposable drawer inserts for medical and surgical carts
WO2012035234A1 (en) 2010-09-15 2012-03-22 Hugues Thomas Box for storing endodontic instruments, and method for implementing same
FR2964555A1 (en) * 2010-09-15 2012-03-16 Hugues Thomas ENDODONTIC INSTRUMENT STORAGE BOX AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING THE SAME
WO2014004500A3 (en) * 2012-06-26 2014-03-27 Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Llc Configurable instrument retention members for sterilization cassettes
US9833529B2 (en) 2012-06-26 2017-12-05 Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Llc Sterilization cassette systems, instrument retention systems for a use with a sterilization cassette, and configurable instrument retention members for use therewith
GB2520714B (en) * 2013-11-28 2016-03-16 Keymed Medicals & Ind Equip An endoscope valve container
GB2520714A (en) * 2013-11-28 2015-06-03 Keymed Medicals & Ind Equip An endoscope valve container
US10058389B2 (en) 2013-11-28 2018-08-28 Keymed (Medical & Industrial Equipment) Ltd Endoscope valve container
CN105476719A (en) * 2016-01-19 2016-04-13 马俊 Nursing tray for anesthesia department
CN108451648A (en) * 2017-12-29 2018-08-28 郑州源冉生物技术有限公司 A kind of plate partition-type medical instrument storage device
CN108451648B (en) * 2017-12-29 2021-05-25 吴德娣 Plug board partition type medical instrument storage device
CN108836697A (en) * 2018-07-17 2018-11-20 王小莉 A kind of medical tray of anti-cross infection
CN109703831A (en) * 2019-01-21 2019-05-03 张家港市环宇制药设备有限公司 Sterilization tray
CN110584934A (en) * 2019-10-14 2019-12-20 西安交通大学医学院第二附属医院 Multifunctional instrument disk for ear, nose and throat
CN110584934B (en) * 2019-10-14 2021-07-06 西安交通大学医学院第二附属医院 Multifunctional instrument disk for ear, nose and throat
CN111012518A (en) * 2020-02-05 2020-04-17 嵊州风浦医疗设备科技有限公司 Double-layer surgical instrument tray capable of being automatically switched

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