U.S. patent application number 11/005088 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for surgical or medical instrument holder.
Invention is credited to Reaux, Brian K..
Application Number | 20050082188 11/005088 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29219686 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050082188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reaux, Brian K. |
April 21, 2005 |
Surgical or medical instrument holder
Abstract
A device for holding scalpels or other instruments is provided.
The device includes a non-fixed sterile body having at least one
instrument mounting station that includes a holding portion for
releasably holding the proximal end of a surgical or medical
instrument while allowing access to the proximal end for grasping
and removal of the instrument from the device by a user. The device
has a recessed area or compartment for receiving the distal end of
the instrument to facilitate preventing of inadvertent contact of
the distal end by the user while the instrument is held by the
device
Inventors: |
Reaux, Brian K.; (Red Oak,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GRADY K. BERGEN
3333 LEE PARKWAY
SUITE 600
DALLAS
TX
75219
US
|
Family ID: |
29219686 |
Appl. No.: |
11/005088 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11005088 |
Dec 6, 2004 |
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10349271 |
Jan 22, 2003 |
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6827212 |
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60374525 |
Apr 22, 2002 |
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60383507 |
May 26, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/372 ;
206/523 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/3217 20130101;
A61B 17/06161 20130101; A61B 50/22 20160201; A61B 2050/3008
20160201; A61B 50/20 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/372 ;
206/523 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/28 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A device for holding surgical or medical instruments having a
proximal end and a distal end, the device comprising a non-fixed
sterile body having at least one instrument mounting station that
includes a holding portion for releasably holding a surgical or
medical instrument while allowing access to the proximal end for
manually grasping and removal of the instrument from the device
with the fingers of one hand and having a compartment area for
receiving the distal end of the instrument to facilitate preventing
of inadvertent contact of the distal end by the user while the
instrument is held by the device.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein: there are at least two
instrument mounting stations.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein: the device is a disposable
unit.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein: the holding portion includes at
least one of a rest, a frictional holder, a hook and loop fastener
holder, a magnetic holder and an adhesive holder.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a suture needle
holder having at least one suture station having an enclosing
material wherein a suture needle of a suture may penetrate and be
held by the enclosing material.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein: there is a plurality of visually
distinguishable suture stations to facilitate accounting of
sutures.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein: the suture station has an
enclosing material wherein a suture needle of a suture may
penetrate and be held by the enclosing material.
8. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a support structure
mounting portion for mounting the device to the support
structure.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an instrument
disposal portion having a receiving area for receiving and storing
used surgical or medical instruments.
10. The device of claim 9, further comprising: the instrument
disposal portion is provided with a closure to make the receiving
area inaccessible.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein: one of the mounting stations is
longer than the other to accommodate instruments of different
lengths.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein: the device is prefilled with at
least one sterile surgical or medical instrument.
13. A method of holding surgical or medical instruments having a
proximal end and a distal end, the method comprising; providing a
non-fixed sterile body having at least one instrument mounting
station that includes a holding portion for releasably holding a
surgical or medical instrument while allowing access to the
proximal end for manually grasping and removal of the instrument
from the device with the fingers of one hand and having a
compartment area for receiving the distal end of the instrument to
facilitate preventing of inadvertent contact of the distal end by
the user while the instrument is held by the device.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein: the distal end of the
instruments are suspended within the compartment area when held by
the device.
15. A device for holding surgical or medical instruments having a
proximal end and a distal end, the device comprising a non-fixed
sterile body having at least one instrument mounting station that
includes a holding portion for releasably holding a surgical or
medical instrument while allowing access to the proximal end for
manually grasping and removal of the instrument from the device
with the fingers of one hand and having a compartment area for
receiving the distal end of the instrument to facilitate preventing
of inadvertent contact of the distal end by the user while the
instrument is held by the device, and further including an
instrument disposal portion having a receiving area for receiving
and storing used surgical or medical instruments, and wherein the
instrument disposal portion is provided with a closure to make the
receiving area inaccessible when closed.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein: the compartment area of the
mounting stations forms the receiving area of the instrument
disposal portion and wherein the closure covers the compartment
areas.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein: the receiving area of
instrument disposal portion does not include the compartment area
of the mounting stations.
18. The device of claim 15, wherein: the closure locks into place
upon closing.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/349,271, filed Jan. 22, 2003, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,827,212, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Nos. 60/374,525, filed Apr. 22, 2002, and 60/383,507,
filed May 26, 2002, which are each hereby incorporated by reference
in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates to surgical or medical equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in
which:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a device for holding
scalpels or other instruments;
[0005] FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the lower portion of
the device of FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the device of FIG.
1;
[0007] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
a device for holding scalpels or other instruments;
[0008] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 3;
[0009] FIG. 6 is an elevational side view of the device of FIG.
3;
[0010] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of still another
embodiment of a device for holding scalpels or other instruments;
and
[0011] FIG. 8 is an elevational side view of the device of FIG.
7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, a surgical or medical instrument
non-fixed holding device 10 is shown. As used herein, the
expression "non-fixed" is to be construed to mean that the device
is not permanently attached, fixed or mounted to any furniture,
equipment or other support structures that may be provided in
surgical or medical environments or is not attached, fixed or
mounted for such extended periods such that the sterile integrity
the device would become compromised. The device 10 can be used for
holding surgical scalpels, but may be used for other devices. As
used herein, the expression "surgical" or "medical instruments,"
may also be construed to include those used in similar non-surgical
or non-medical applications, such as dental or therapeutic
instruments, that may be used in a sterile environment or where the
sterility of the instrument and its environment are important. For
purposes of description, reference may be made to a surgical
scalpel or scalpels, however, it should be apparent to those
skilled in the art at other surgical or medical instruments could
be substituted.
[0013] The device 10 may include a base 12 having a plurality of
recessed areas 14 that form compartments for receiving a distal end
of a scalpel or other instrument. The recessed areas 14 are defined
by an upright front wall 16 and a rear wall 18 of the device 10,
which extends upward from the base 12, as shown. As used herein,
"upright" and other expressions that may be used to describe
relative orientation may be used solely for convenience. It should
be apparent to those skilled in the art, that different
orientations may be used or achieved. Therefore such terms should
not be construed in a limiting sense. Opposite upright sidewalls
20, 22 extend between the front and rear walls 16, 18. A bottom
wall or floor 24 may be provided to close off the lower end of the
compartments 14. A layer of foam or other material (not shown) may
be provided in the bottom of each recessed area 14, overlaying the
wall 24.
[0014] Partition walls 26 interposed between the sidewalls 20, 22
at various distances, and extending between the front and rear
walls 16, 18, define and separate the individual compartments or
recessed areas 14. All or a portion of the material that defines
the recessed areas 14 may be transparent or substantially
transparent to allow visual perception into the interior of these
areas.
[0015] The upright rear wall 18 extends upward a distance beyond
the upper extent of the compartments 14. Provided on the rear wall
18 is a scalpel or instrument holding portion 28 positioned above
the compartments 14. As shown, the holding portion 28 includes a
forward projecting member 30 that extends across the width of the
wall 18.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the compartments 14 may be of different
lengths. As shown, the compartments 14A are greater in length than
the compartments 14B. The compartments 14A allow instruments of
greater length to be accommodated.
[0017] A plurality of retainer arms 32, 34 project forward from the
member 30. The retainer arms 32, 34 correspond to one another in
pairs and may be indented, grooved, slotted, such as at the area
36, or otherwise configured, contoured, textured, etc., on their
inner surface, for receiving and to facilitate the holding of the
handle or proximal end of a scalpel or other instrument. The arm
pairs 32, 34 are each positioned above one of the compartments 14.
The combination of the arm pairs 32, 34 and corresponding
compartment 14 forms a mounting station for a scalpel or other
instrument. In the embodiment shown, four mounting stations are
provided for holding four scalpels or instruments. It should be
apparent, however, that any number of mounting stations could be
provided with the device. The arms 32, 34 may be formed from a
material that has sufficient elasticity or resiliency so that
corresponding arms 32, 34 can be spread apart or deformed during
insertion and removal of the instrument laterally through the
forward opening or gap 38, between the arms 32, 34. Optionally, the
arms 32, 34 may be spaced apart a distance so that insertion of the
instrument through the gap 38 causes the arms 32, 34 to be spread
apart or otherwise deformed such that the elasticity of the arms
32, 34 causes an inward biasing force that frictionally holds the
scalpel in place between the arms, with the distal end of the
scalpel being suspended above the surface of the bottom wall
24.
[0018] In an alternate embodiment or method of use, the projecting
arms 32, 34 may be used as a longitudinal rest to hold the
instrument in place by providing an opening of limited width or
dimension, such as the gap 38, wherein the proximal end of the
scalpel has at least one transverse dimension that is great enough
to prevent further downward longitudinal passage of the instrument
through the opening, thus holding or suspending the scalpel or
instrument held within. It should be apparent to those skilled in
the art, that other structures, such an enclosed aperture, may also
be used for such purposes.
[0019] In still another alternative embodiment or method of use,
the arms 32, 34 or other structure may serve as a transverse rest
wherein the surgical or medical instrument is supported by resting
on the bottom wall 24, with lateral or transverse movement of the
scalpel between the arms 32, 34, or other structure, being limited
so that the scalpel is held or retained in a generally upright
manner. It may be preferable, however, in many cases to prevent the
distal end or blade end of the scalpel or other instrument from
resting on the bottom, to prevent dulling or other damage to the
scalpel blade. A layer of padding, foam or other protective
material (not shown) may be provided in the bottom of each
compartment 14 to prevent damage to the instrument or scalpel,
should it touch or rest thereon.
[0020] In another embodiment, the compartments 14 may be of
sufficient depth and configuration such that they achieve the
holding function, holding the scalpels or instruments in an upright
manner, with the proximal ends or handles of the instruments being
presented for grasping. In such an embodiment, the compartments
serve as a holding portion so that the arms 32, 34 may be
eliminated.
[0021] The device 10 may also include a mounting portion 40 for
mounting to a support structure, such as a table, stand, or other
structure or piece of furniture. As shown in the embodiment of FIG.
2, the mounting portion 40 may be a lip or arm having a rearward
projecting member 42 and a downward projecting member 44. These may
be configured to engage the rim of a Mayo tray, as shown in FIG. 1,
which is commonly employed in surgical or medical environments.
Alternate configurations or other means for securing the device to
support structures of different configurations and materials may be
used as well. These may include, but are not limited to, straps,
hooks, brackets, clips, magnets, adhesive, suction devices, or
other fasteners that allow the device to be at least temporarily
mounted or secured to a support structure. The mounting portion 40
may be configured to provide a secure fit to the support structure
to which it is mounted so that the device 10 remains substantially
immobile during insertion or removal of scalpels or instruments.
The device 10 may be free standing, as well. When free standing,
the mounting portion of the device includes the portion of the
device that engages the support structure, such as the bottom
surface of the wall 24 as it rests on a table or other structure. A
magnet, releasable adhesive or other releasable securing device may
be further provided with the device 10 so that it engages the
support structure to facilitate maintaining of the device 10 in the
free standing position.
[0022] The device 10 may be provided with indicia 45 (FIG. 1) to
indicate that it may constitute or contain a biohazardous material.
All or a portion of the device 10 may be colored (such as the color
red to indicate a biohazard) or otherwise provided with indicia or
symbols to indicate its nature or use.
[0023] A lid or cover 47 may also be provided with the device 10.
The cover 47 is sized and configured to fit over the lower portion
of the device 10, including any scalpels or instruments 48 held
therein so that the instruments 48 are enclosed within the device
10. This is used in situations where the entire device 10,
including any instruments held within, are disposed of as a unit.
The cover 47 is provided with locking tabs 49 that are received
within corresponding slots or receptacles 51 formed on the
sidewalls 20, 22. A cutout portion 53 may be provided in the rear
wall of the cover 47 (FIG. 3) to accommodate the mounting portion
40. The lid or cover 47 locks into place upon closing the lid over
the lower portion of the device 10 without further
manipulation.
[0024] The device 10 may be sterile or sterilizable. Sterilization
may be done through sterilization techniques that are well known in
the art, such as chemical, radiation or heat sterilization methods.
The device may be manufactured in whole or in part from plastic or
polymer materials, glass, fiberglass, paper, cardboard, metal,
composite or various other materials that may be subjected to one
or more known sterilization methods without significant degradation
to the device or that may manufactured in a sterile manner.
[0025] In certain embodiments, the device may be disposable or
provided as a single-use item. In other embodiments, it may be
reusable, with the device being resterilized prior to reuse. The
device 10 may be packaged in an openable sealed container or
packaging (not shown) to prevent contamination and to maintain
sterile integrity of the device during handling and storage prior
to use.
[0026] In use, the device 10 is removed from any supplied
packaging. It may be desirable to use sterile handling procedures
so that the sterile integrity of the device 10 is maintained after
its removal from any sterile packaging. The device 10 may be filled
with selected scalpels or other instruments by inserting each item
within one of the mounting stations 46, formed by the retaining
arms 32, 34 and compartments 14. The mounting stations 46 also
allow accounting of the scalpels or instruments. Numeral,
alphabetical or other indicia (not shown) may be provided for each
mounting station to facilitate accounting of the instruments held
within the device 10.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, scalpels 48 are inserted with the handle
50 of each scalpel 48 being received between arms 32, 34. The
distal end of the scalpel 48 is received within the corresponding
compartment 14 beneath so that blade 52 is not exposed, but is
located at a position below the upper extent or edge of the
compartment 14. Additionally, the scalpel 48 is inserted between
the arms 32, 34 in a transverse or crosswise manner so that the
profile of the blade 52 faces forward and is readily observable and
identifiable to facilitate selection and use. The walls 16, 20, 22
each act as a shield that helps prevent inadvertent contact of the
distal end or blade 52 by the user while the instrument is held by
the device 10. In the embodiment shown, the scalpel 48 is held
within the arms 32, 34 so that the blade 52 is at an elevated
position above the compartment floor 24 and a distance apart from
the compartment sidewalls to prevent contact and damage to the
blade 52. In certain embodiments, the device 10 may be prefilled or
pre-supplied with scalpels or desired instruments already in place
within the device.
[0028] The device 10 may be positioned on or mounted to a support
structure, such as the Mayo tray 56 or IV stand. In the embodiment
shown, the mounting portion 40 is positioned over the rim 58 of the
tray 56 so that the device 10 is secured thereto. The transparent
material forming the walls of the compartment 14 allows one to
observe the distal end of the instrument while it is held in the
device to facilitate instrument selection. Once the scalpel or
instrument is selected, the user may grasp the instrument 48 by the
proximal end or handle so that it is released from the arms 32, 34.
The instrument 48 is then withdrawn from the compartment 14 for
use. After use of the scalpel or instrument 48, it may be returned
to and retrieved from the mounting station 46 of the device in a
manner similar to that described above.
[0029] After use of the device 10, non-disposable scalpels 48, such
as used in surgical operating environments, or other non-disposable
instruments may be removed from the device 10. The device 10 may
then be disposed of. If the scalpels or instruments are disposable,
they may be left in the lower portion of the device 10. The cover
47 may then be positioned over the instruments, with the locking
tabs 49 being received in the receptacles 51. With the cover 47 in
place, the entire device with the instruments contained therein may
be disposed of in a suitable manner, such as may be used for
disposing of biohazardous waste materials, if necessary. The
locking tabs 49 and receptacles 51 can be configured so that the
cover 47 is non-releasable and remains permanently locked to the
lower portion of the device 10.
[0030] Alternatively, if constructed for reuse, the device 10 may
be resterilized using known sterilization techniques.
[0031] Non-limiting examples of other instruments, in addition to
scalpels, that may be held by the device include dental picks or
other dental instruments, scalpel blade counters, needle counters,
skin markers, cautery pencils, electrosurgical pencils, syringes,
suture needle counters, and scalpel blade removers.
[0032] In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4-6, a
holding device 60 is provided that is similar to the device 10. The
device 60 may be provided as a sterile device that is disposable
after use. The device 60 differs from the device 10 in some
respects, however, as is described below. A single compartment or
recessed area 62 without internal partitions is provided for
receiving the blades or distal ends of the scalpels or instruments
63 instead of individual compartments. Endwalls 64, 66 are provided
at the ends of compartment 62.
[0033] The holding portion 68 may utilize an attracting or holding
member, which may be in the form of a strip, layer or other portion
located along the upper portion of the rear wall 70 for holding
scalpels or instruments in place. At least one of the member 68 or
scalpel or instruments 63 may be of a ferromagnetic material or
have components formed from such materials. The other of the member
68 or instrument 63 may be formed from or have components formed
from a material that is magnetically attracted to such
ferromagnetic material so that the scalpel or instrument is held or
retained in a generally upright position. An adhesive or other
material having attracting or adhering properties may also be
substituted for the magnetic material in certain embodiments.
Additionally, a complementary hook and loop fastener material, such
as Velcro.RTM. fastener material, may be provided as the member 68
and as a component of the instrument 63.
[0034] An instrument disposal portion 72 is provided with the
device 60. The disposal portion 72 includes a scalpel blade
disposal compartment 74 and a suture needle holding compartment 76.
The disposal portion 72 is joined along one edge or side wall 78 to
the rearward side of the rear wall 70, generally at its upper
extent. The disposal portion 72 is defined by the forward sidewall
78, an opposite rear wall 80, end walls 82, 84, which extend
between the walls 78, 80, and a bottom wall or floor 86. A lid or
cover 88 may also be provided with the disposal portion 72 to cover
one or both of the compartments 74, 76. In the embodiment shown,
the lid 88 is joined to the rear wall 70 by a hinge 90, so that the
lid 88 may be selectively opened or closed. A closure or fastening
mechanism 91 is also provided to fasten the lid 88 in place to
close and cover the compartments 74, 76. The closure 91 may be
non-releasable, so that once the lid 88 is closed it can no longer
be opened.
[0035] An internal partition 92 divides the compartments 74, 76.
The suture needle holding compartment 76 is provided with a layer
of foam, cardboard, fabric or other enclosing material 94 into
which a suture needle may be inserted and held there by the
material 94. The surface of the foam or layer 94 may be provided
with visible indicia, such as numerals, letters, borders, etc., to
assist in identification of individual suture stations, such as the
suture station 96. The numeral or letter indicia may be sequential.
The indicia on the separate suture stations facilitate accounting
of sutures.
[0036] The scalpel blade compartment 74 is separate from the suture
compartment 76. Although not shown, a scalpel blade removal device
or mechanism may be incorporated with the compartment 76 or
disposal portion 72. Such devices or mechanisms are known in the
art, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,318,473 and
4,903,390.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 6, the outer surface of the bottom wall 86
may include a mounting portion 98, which in the embodiment shown
may be an adhesive material, hook and loop fastener material,
magnetic material, suction fastener or other fastening material or
mechanism for temporarily mounting the device 60 to a support
structure, such as the surface of a Mayo tray. The support
structure may be provided with a complimentary fastening material
or mechanism, if necessary. In the embodiment shown, a recessed
area 100 is provided to accommodate the lip or rim of a Mayo tray.
The device 60 may be configured differently to accommodate other
support structures of differing configurations.
[0038] In use, the device 60 is used for holding scalpels or
instruments 63 in a manner similar to that described with reference
to the device 10, with the distal ends of the instruments 63 being
received in the compartment 62 and the handles or proximal ends of
the instruments being held by the holding portion 68.
[0039] After use of scalpels, the used scalpel blades may be placed
in the compartment 74. The compartment 74 may also be sized to
receive the entire scalpel, where disposable scalpels are employed.
Other contaminated or hazardous instruments or instrument
components may be placed in the compartment 74, such as used
syringes or syringe needles.
[0040] Used suture needles may be discarded and accounted for by
inserting each one into a suture station 96.
[0041] After use of the device 60, any instruments 63 temporarily
held by the device may be removed from their mounting stations.
Used scalpel blades, suture needles or other instruments or
components that are to be discarded are placed in the appropriate
compartment 74, 76 and the lid 88 is shut to enclose the objects
contained within the compartments 74, 76. The device 60 and its
contents may then be discarded in a suitable manner.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment is shown. The
device 102 is similar to the devices 10 and 60. The device includes
a recessed area or compartment 104 defined by forward and rear
walls 106, 108, respectively, for receiving the distal ends of
scalpels or other instruments. The ends 110, 112 of the compartment
are open, however. An instrument holding portion 114 is provided
from a compressible or deformable foam material joined generally
along the upper portion of the rear wall 108. The foam material 114
is provided with spaced apart slots 116 for receiving scalpels or
other instruments.
[0043] A suture holding portion 118 is provided and is joined to
and coextends along one edge to a side edge of rear wall 108. The
suture holding portion 118 is provided with indicia 120 to provide
visibly distinguishable suture stations.
[0044] A mounting portion is provided and is formed by upper arms
122 and lower arms 124 (FIG. 8) for mounting to the perimeter 126
of a Mayo tray.
[0045] In use, scalpels or other instruments are held by the device
102, which may be sterile, within the slots by the compressed foam
material of the holding portion 114. Used suture needles may be
inserted into the various stations 120 of the suture portion 118.
The device 102 may be disposable as well.
[0046] The invention provides a device for conveniently holding
scalpels or other instruments in a position where they are readily
available for use. The device is hands-free and self-serving so
that there is no need for handling of the device or passing of
instruments, which can lead to inadvertent or accidental sticks or
cuts. The scalpels or instruments are provided in a way that only
the surgeon or doctor need handle the scalpels or instruments, thus
eliminating passing that can increase the risk of sticks or cuts.
The device is non-fixed so that it can be positioned or mounted
only when needed, so that it never comes into patient contact. The
instruments are held so that they can be readily observed for
selection and can be easily removed and replaced with the fingers
of one hand without the use of tools or other devices. Further, the
device may be a disposable unit and can be provided with means for
disposing of instruments held within the device or in a separate
disposal compartment of the device without danger of instruments
held within causing danger to those handling such disposed
waste.
[0047] The holding device may also be partially or fully prefilled
with sterile surgical or medical instruments within the mounting
stations. The instruments may be disposable or reuseable. The
prefilled surgical or medical instrument holder may be supplied in
a sterile package or packaging that protects the holder and
instruments therein and can be removed upon use. After use, the
holder, along with any surgical or medical instruments, may be
disposed of with the holding device being used as an instrument
disposal unit.
[0048] While the invention has been shown in only some of its
forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is
not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes and
modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be
construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *