U.S. patent application number 10/554454 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-02 for packaging for the individual presentation of at least one screw, assembly for packing and displaying osteosynthesis equipment and protective assembly comprising one such packaging.
Invention is credited to Philippe Caron.
Application Number | 20060243616 10/554454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33104428 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060243616 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caron; Philippe |
November 2, 2006 |
Packaging for the individual presentation of at least one screw,
assembly for packing and displaying osteosynthesis equipment and
protective assembly comprising one such packaging
Abstract
The package (100) of the invention is for individually
presenting at least one screw (110) comprising a shank and a head.
In characteristic manner, the package (100) comprises a tube (102)
suitable for being held in the hand and presenting a first end and
a second end, said tube (102) being provided with at least one
housing (106) for receiving said screw (110) in unitary manner,
said housing (106) presenting an opening into said first end, and
closure means (116) closing said housing (106) in sealed manner and
suitable for being opened, said housing (106) extending in a
longitudinal direction, said second end serving as a stand suitable
for pressing against a substantially horizontal plane, in
particular in order to give access to the screw (110) situated in
said housing (106) via said opening when said closure means (116)
are open, with said stand extending perpendicularly to said
longitudinal direction.
Inventors: |
Caron; Philippe; (Papeete,
PF) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNIS G. LAPOINTE;LAPOINTE LAW GROUP, PL
PO BOX 1294
TARPON SPRINGS
FL
34688-1294
US
|
Family ID: |
33104428 |
Appl. No.: |
10/554454 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
April 28, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR04/01022 |
371 Date: |
October 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 50/33 20160201;
A61B 17/8071 20130101; A61B 2050/0056 20160201; A61B 17/8085
20130101; A61B 2050/3008 20160201; A61B 2050/0065 20160201; A61B
50/30 20160201; A61B 17/865 20130101; A61B 17/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/349 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/26 20060101
A45C011/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2003 |
FR |
03/05150 |
Claims
1.-29. (canceled)
30. A package for individually presenting at least one screw
comprising a shank and a head, in particular for an osteosynthesis
screw, wherein the package comprises a tube suitable for being held
in the hand and presenting a first end and a second end, said tube
being provided with at least one housing for receiving said screw
in unitary manner, said housing presenting an opening into said
first end, and closure means closing said housing in sealed manner
and suitable for being opened, said housing extending in a
longitudinal direction and presenting a first portion for receiving
said shank of the screw and a second portion, said second portion
being larger than the first portion and being suitable for
receiving said head of the screw pressed thereagainst, said second
end serving as a stand suitable for pressing against a
substantially horizontal plane, in particular in order to give
access to the screw situated in said housing via said opening when
said closure means are open, with said stand extending
perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction.
31. A package according to claim 30, wherein said tube is
cylindrical and of cross-section that is at least partially
circular.
32. A package according to claim 30, wherein said closure means
comprise a stopper, and wherein said housing presents a third
portion larger than the second portion that is adjacent thereto,
said third portion being suitable for receiving said stopper
tightly so as to close said housing in reversible manner.
33. A package according to claim 30, wherein said closure means
comprise a perforatable film covering said opening.
34. A package according claim 30, wherein said second portion
present at least one first fraction in the form of a truncated cone
flaring from the first portion towards said opening, said head of
the screw coming to press against said truncated cone shape.
35. A package according to claim 30, wherein between said second
portion and said first portion, there is formed a shoulder provided
with a bearing face facing towards said opening, said head of the
screw coming to press against said face that is substantially
plane.
36. A package according to claim 30, wherein the tube has a second
housing for receiving a second screw in unitary manner, said second
housing presenting an opening opening out into said second end, and
second closure means closing said second housing in sealed manner
and suitable for being opened, said second housing extending in a
longitudinal direction and presenting a first portion for receiving
said shank of the second screw and a second portion, said second
portion being larger than the first portion and being suitable for
receiving said head of the second screw pressed thereagainst, said
first end serving as a stand suitable for pressing against a
substantially horizontal plane, in particular in order to allow
access to the screw situated in said second housing via said
opening of said second housing when said closure means are open,
said stand being perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.
37. A package according to claim 30, wherein said tube is hollow
and in that said housing is formed in a tubular part disposed at
least in part inside said tube, a closed space being formed between
said tube and said tubular part.
38. A package according claim 30, wherein said tube carries at
least one identification medium carrying visible information
relating to said screw, said visible information comprising a bar
code.
39. An assembly for packaging and presenting individually a series
of screws each comprising a shank and a head, in particular for
osteosynthesis screws, wherein the assembly includes at least two
packages, each package comprising a tube suitable for being held in
the hand and presenting a first end and a second end, said tube
being provided with at least one housing for receiving a screw in
unitary manner, said housing presenting an opening into said first
end, and closure means closing said housing in sealed manner and
suitable for being opened, said housing extending in a longitudinal
direction and presenting a first portion for receiving said shank
of the screw and a second portion, said second portion being larger
than the first portion and being suitable for receiving said head
of the screw pressed thereagainst, said second end serving as a
stand suitable for pressing against a substantially horizontal
plane, in particular in order to give access to the screw situated
in said housing via said opening when said closure means are open,
with said stand extending perpendicularly to said longitudinal
direction, each package containing a said screw in its housing, and
the assembly further comprising an envelope enabling said packages
to be interconnected, by holding them one by one in sealed manner
in the form of a string.
40. An assembly for packaging and presenting individually a screw
comprising a shank and a head, in particular an osteosynthesis
screw, wherein the assembly comprises a protective and packaging
case surrounding a package, said package comprising a tube suitable
for being held in the hand and presenting a first end and a second
end, said tube being provided with at least one housing for
receiving said screw in unitary manner, said housing presenting an
opening into said first end, and closure means closing said housing
in sealed manner and suitable for being opened, said housing
extending in a longitudinal direction and presenting a first
portion for receiving said shank of the screw and a second portion,
said second portion being larger than the first portion and being
suitable for receiving said head of the screw pressed thereagainst,
said second end serving as a stand suitable for pressing against a
substantially horizontal plane, in particular in order to give
access to the screw situated in said housing via said opening when
said closure means are open, with said stand extending
perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction.
41. An assembly according to claim 40, wherein said protective and
packaging case is made of plastics material in the form a rigid
portion defining a space containing said package and a flexible
portion constituting a heat-sealable film closing said space in
sealed manner and suitable for being withdrawn by hand.
42. An assembly for packaging and presenting an osteosynthesis
equipment set, said osteosynthesis equipment set comprising at
least one osteosynthesis screw and at least one plate, wherein the
assembly comprises a dish, a heat-sealable film closing said dish
and co-operating therewith to define a storage space, said plate
being disposed in said storage space, and a package comprising a
tube suitable for being held in the hand and presenting a first end
and a second end, said tube being provided with at least one
housing for receiving said screw in unitary manner, said housing
presenting an opening into said first end, and closure means
closing said housing in sealed manner and suitable for being
opened, said housing extending in a longitudinal direction and
presenting a first portion for receiving said shank of the screw
and a second portion, said second portion being larger than the
first portion and being suitable for receiving said head of the
screw pressed thereagainst, said second end serving as a stand
suitable for pressing against a substantially horizontal plane, in
particular in order to give access to the screw situated in said
housing via said opening when said closure means are open, with
said stand extending perpendicularly to said longitudinal
direction, said package being disposed in said storage space.
43. An assembly according to claim 42, wherein it further comprises
at least one insert placed in said storage space and provided with
at least one cavity for receiving at least one osteosynthesis
plate.
44. An assembly according to claim 43, wherein said cavity includes
retaining means enabling said plate to be positioned.
45. An assembly according to claim 43, wherein said insert is also
fitted with at least one cell for receiving at least one
osteosynthesis screw.
46. An assembly for packaging and presenting an osteosynthesis
equipment set, said osteosynthesis equipment set comprising at
least one osteosynthesis screw and at least one plate, wherein the
assembly comprises a rigid support defining a plurality of storage
compartments including at least one storage compartment of a first
type, wherein the assembly comprises also a package comprising a
tube suitable for being held in the hand and presenting a first end
and a second end, said tube being provided with at least one
housing for receiving said screw in unitary manner, said housing
presenting an opening into said first end, and closure means
closing said housing in sealed manner and suitable for being
opened, said housing extending in a longitudinal direction and
presenting a first portion for receiving said shank of the screw
and a second portion, said second portion being larger than the
first portion and being suitable for receiving said head of the
screw pressed thereagainst, said second end serving as a stand
suitable for pressing against a substantially horizontal plane, in
particular in order to give access to the screw situated in said
housing via said opening when said closure means are open, with
said stand extending perpendicularly to said longitudinal
direction, said package containing a said screw being inserted in
said storage compartment of a first type, and the rigid support
defining also at least one storage compartment of a second type for
receiving at least one osteosynthesis plate.
47. An assembly according to claim 46, wherein said storage
compartments further comprise at least one storage compartment of a
third type in which there is housed an osteosynthesis tool.
48. An assembly according to claim 46, wherein said rigid support
includes at least two storage compartments of the first type each
receiving a package each package containing a screw.
49. An assembly according to claim 46, wherein said rigid support
further includes at least one storage compartment of a third type,
and at least one drill bit and/or screwdriver blade matching said
screw(s) and placed in said storage compartment of the third type
of the rigid support.
50. An assembly according to claim 46, wherein said rigid support
further includes at least one storage compartment of a fourth type,
and at least one screwdriver disposed in said storage compartment
of the fourth type of the rigid support.
51. An assembly according to claim 50, wherein said screwdriver
comprises a handle portion provided with a rear segment for being
placed in the hollow of the hand, and a front segment mounted to
turn relative to the rear segment and suitable for carrying the
screwdriver blade.
52. A packaging and presentation assembly according to claim 46,
wherein said rigid portion forms a bottom portion, and in that the
assembly further includes a lid portion, said lid portion being
suitable for co-operating in reversible manner with said bottom
portion between an open position and a closed position, and in that
in said closed position, said lid portion is suitable for holding
said package in said storage compartment of the first type and for
holding said osteosynthesis plate in said storage compartment of
the second type.
53. A packaging and presentation assembly according to claim 52,
wherein said lid portion presents a storage space in its face
facing away from said bottom housing, the storage space containing
a dummy plate and being closed in sealed manner by a heat-sealable
film suitable for being withdrawn by hand.
54. A packaging and presentation assembly according to claim 39,
wherein it further includes an identification medium presenting
visible information associated with said osteosynthesis screw, said
visible information comprising a bar code.
55. A protective assembly, wherein it comprises a packaging and
presentation assembly according to claim 39, a protective dish
forming a container for said packaging and presentation assembly,
and a heat-sealable film suitable for being withdrawn by hand and
closing said protective dish in sealed manner.
56. A protective assembly according to claim 55, wherein it further
comprises an outer protective and packaging case surrounding said
dish.
57. A protective assembly according to claim 56, wherein said outer
protective and packaging case carries visible recognition means for
identifying the type of osteosynthesis equipment contained in said
packaging and presentation assembly.
58. A protective assembly according to claim 56, wherein said outer
protective and packaging case comprises a bottom portion and a lid
portion movable relative to each other between an open position and
a closed position, and in that said outer protective and packaging
case further includes reversible closure means disposed on said
bottom portion and on said lid portion and suitable for
co-operating in said closed position.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a package for individually
presenting at least one screw comprising a shank and a head, in
particular an osteosynthesis screw.
[0002] The present invention also relates to providing a packaging
and presentation assembly for osteosynthesis equipment and
including a package of the above-mentioned type.
[0003] The present invention also relates to a protective assembly
including an assembly of the above-mentioned type for packaging and
presenting osteosynthesis equipment.
[0004] Screws and plates for osteosynthesis are used for reducing
bone fractures, i.e. for putting two bone fragments back into
position relative to each other and for holding them in
position.
[0005] Such osteosynthesis screws and plates are conventionally
used in maxillofacial surgery, whether for repair purposes in order
to reduce an accident or fracture, or for functional and/or
esthetic purposes as in the event of mandibular and maxillary
osteotomies.
[0006] When performing such surgery, the surgeon has a set of
plates and a set of fastener screws that have been made available
by being taken out of their respective packages (e.g. one
receptacle containing plates and another receptacle containing
fastener screws) prior to being sterilized and then placed on a
tray where they remain accessible throughout the surgery.
[0007] Depending on the type of surgery to be performed, the set of
plates may comprise one or more plates that may be identical or
different, and the set of screws may comprise one or more screws
that are identical or different. These sets are generally
constituted by more than a single piece since even when only one
piece is required for the surgery, it is necessary to have at least
one other piece available as a spare in the event that the first
piece to be handled should be accidentally damaged or should be
found to be in an aseptic state that is no longer satisfactory.
[0008] In addition, even when the type of plate and the type of
screw for use is determined beforehand, uncertainty can remain as
to the dimensions that are best adapted to the patient's
morphology, particularly in terms of the length of screw to be
used.
[0009] Consequently, a large amount of manipulation is necessary
before, during, and after surgery concerning these elements (plates
and screws) constituting a set of equipment for osteosynthesis:
[0010] before surgery: theater personnel must prepare the items
constituting the set of osteosynthesis equipment, i.e. they must
know which type(s) of screws and plates are to be provided, and the
numbers thereof, take them from stock, and then sterilize them and
put them into sealed envelopes; thereafter these items wait until
shortly before surgery, at which time the sealed envelopes are
opened and the items are placed on the above-mentioned tray;
[0011] during surgery: some or all of the items constituting the
set of osteosynthesis equipment are taken using forceps or some
other appropriate instrument prior to being put into place and
secured to the patient using instruments provided for this purpose;
the go-and-return trips of the forceps (or other instrument)
between the tray and the patient (or the above-mentioned
instrument) leads to risks of dirtying and contamination of items
that have not yet been used and that remain on the tray; and
[0012] after surgery: from the above, it can be seen that, prior to
being put back into stock ready to be taken for some future
operation, any remaining items that have not been damaged
mechanically will need to be subjected to a new cleaning and
sterilization procedure regardless of whether or not they have been
touched by an instrument; the important point is that remaining
items are no longer sterile.
[0013] An object of the present invention is to solve the
above-mentioned problems so as to reduce the amount of handling
that needs to be performed in theater, including in association
with sterilization, so as to provide a surgeon with a set of
osteosynthesis equipment that can be used directly in theater,
while guaranteeing the osteosynthesis equipment in terms of quality
and sterility.
[0014] To this end, in a first aspect, the present invention
provides a package that comprises a tube suitable for being held in
the hand and presenting a first end and a second end, said tube
being provided with at least one housing for receiving said screw
in unitary manner, said housing presenting an opening into said
first end, and closure means closing said housing in sealed manner
and suitable for being opened, said housing extending in a
longitudinal direction and presenting a first portion for receiving
said shank of the screw and a second portion, said second portion
being larger than the first portion and being suitable for
receiving said head of the screw pressed thereagainst, said second
end serving as a stand suitable for pressing against a
substantially horizontal plane, in particular in order to give
access to the screw situated in said housing via said opening when
said closure means are open, with said stand extending
perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction.
[0015] It will thus be understood that because of the presence of
the housing in the tube, the screw is placed in a location that is
sterilizable, and that also provides direct access for the tip of
the screwdriver blade once the closure means have been opened.
[0016] More precisely, such a package enables the surgeon to take
hold of the screw easily and directly, with the surgeon holding the
tube firmly in one hand while the tube is standing on its base, and
using the other hand to bring the tip of the screwdriver blade into
the socket situated in the head of the screw, the tip staying in
place because the head of the screw is pressed against the second
portion of the housing, with the reaction against the pressure
force exerted by the tip coming from the second portion of the
housing.
[0017] Overall, because of the arrangement of the present
invention, it is possible simultaneously to package and to protect
sterile osteosynthesis equipment, and also to present it so that it
can be engaged directly by the tool, i.e. the screwdriver, without
requiring any prior handling other than opening the closure means
closing the opening to the housing in the tube. In particular, it
is not necessary to extract the screw from the tube before taking
hold of it, thereby reducing the amount of manipulation that needs
to be performed, and thus reducing the risks of contamination prior
to the screw being put into place by the surgeon.
[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention also provides a
packaging and presentation assembly for a set of osteosynthesis
equipment comprising one or more items that are identical or
different, that are of the same or different natures, and that
include at least one osteosynthesis screw housed in a package of
the above-specified type in accordance with the first aspect of the
invention.
[0019] In particular, in this second aspect, it is sought to obtain
an assembly in which it can be guaranteed visually that use is
first use since a set of osteosynthesis equipment was
sterilized.
[0020] In a first embodiment of the second aspect, there is
provided an assembly for individually packaging and presenting a
series of screws each comprising a shank and a head, in particular
osteosynthesis screws, the assembly being characterized in that it
comprises at least two packages of the above-specified type in
accordance with the first aspect of the invention, each containing
a said screw in its housing, and in that it further comprises an
envelope enabling said packages to be interconnected by holding
them one by one in sealed manner to form a string.
[0021] Such an arrangement enables a set of osteosynthesis screws
to be kept together while taking only the screw(s) needed during
surgery, with the screws being taken one by one from each
compartment of the envelope.
[0022] In a second embodiment of the second aspect, there is
provided an assembly for individually packaging and presenting a
screw comprising a shank and a head, in particular an
osteosynthesis screw, the assembly being characterized in that it
comprises a protective and packaging case surrounding a package of
the above-specified type in accordance with the first aspect of the
invention and containing said screw in the housing.
[0023] In a third embodiment of the second aspect, the invention
provides an assembly for packaging and presenting a set of
osteosynthesis equipment, said set of osteosynthesis equipment
comprising at least one osteosynthesis screw and at least one
plate, the assembly being characterized in that it comprises at
least one dish, and a heat-sealable film closing said dish and
co-operating therewith to define a storage space, said plate being
placed in said storage space, the assembly further comprising a
package of the above-specified type in accordance with the first
aspect of the invention containing said screw in the housing, said
package being disposed in said storage space.
[0024] In a fourth embodiment of the second aspect, the invention
provides an assembly for packaging and presenting a set of
osteosynthesis equipment, said set of osteosynthesis equipment
comprising at least one osteosynthesis screw and at least one
plate, the assembly being characterized in that it comprises a
rigid support defining a plurality of storage compartments
including at least one storage compartment of a first type having a
package of the above-specified type in accordance with the first
aspect of the invention inserted therein and containing said screw,
and at least one storage compartment of a second type for receiving
at least one osteosynthesis plate.
[0025] In a variant of the fourth embodiment of the second aspect,
said rigid portion forms a bottom portion, and the assembly further
includes a lid portion, said lid portion being suitable for
co-operating in reversible manner with said bottom portion between
an open position and a closed position, and in said closed
position, said lid portion is suitable for holding said package in
said storage compartment of the first type and said osteosynthesis
plate in said storage compartment of the second type.
[0026] Each of these various embodiments serves to provide a
packaging and presentation assembly containing a sterile set of
osteosynthesis equipment of a variety of kinds, and/or providing
different modes of presentation.
[0027] Furthermore, in a variant of the first and fourth
embodiments of the second aspect, provision is made for the
packaging and presentation assembly further to include an
identification medium carrying visual information associated with
said set of osteosynthesis equipment, said visual information
comprising a bar code.
[0028] This advantageous disposition provides traceability of the
set of osteosynthesis equipment contained in the packaging and
presentation assembly, i.e. enables its history to be followed up.
In the information that appears on the identification medium,
either in the form of a bar code or in the form of a written
description or in the form of drawings, or in several forms
simultaneously, there can appear the nature of the material from
which the equipment is made, the dimensions of the equipment, a
serial or batch number in order to identify its origin, its date of
sterilization, together with the type of decontamination and
sterilization means used (oven, gamma rays, . . . ), and also a
recommended use-by date, for example.
[0029] By way of example, such an identification medium can be
constituted by one or more labels each carrying all or some of this
information, these labels possibly being suitable for peeling off
and sticking onto something else, e.g. the file relating to the
patient who is going to receive the osteosynthesis equipment
contained in said packaging and presentation assembly, or on whom
said equipment is going to be used.
[0030] This identification medium is advantageously positioned
directly on each package of the type constituting the first aspect
of the present invention, i.e. on the tube.
[0031] The identification medium may be placed both on the tube
packaging the screw and on another element forming part of the
packaging and presentation assembly constituting the second aspect
of the invention.
[0032] Furthermore, in a third aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a protection assembly characterized in that it
comprises a packaging and presentation assembly of the
above-specified type in accordance with the second aspect of the
invention, a protective dish forming a container for said packaging
and presentation assembly, and a heat-sealable film suitable for
being removed by hand and closing said dish in sealed manner. This
provides reinforced protection for the set of osteosynthesis
equipment against the various stresses to which it can be subjected
prior to being used.
[0033] Other advantages and characteristics of the present
invention appear on reading the following description of a
plurality of embodiments of the invention given by way of example
and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first variant of
a package constituting a first aspect of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second variant
of a package in accordance with the first aspect of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 2A is a longitudinal section of the package shown in
FIG. 2;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a third variant
of the FIG. 1 package in accordance with the first aspect of the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 3A is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the package
portion shown in FIG. 3;
[0039] FIGS. 4A and 4B are longitudinal section views of two
alternatives of a fourth variant package in accordance with the
first aspect of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 5 shows a first step of the FIG. 4 package in use;
[0041] FIG. 6 shows a second step of the FIG. 4 package in use;
[0042] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a first embodiment of the packaging
and presentation assembly constituting the second aspect of the
present invention;
[0043] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a
packaging and presentation assembly constituting the second aspect
of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of a packaging and
presentation assembly constituting the second aspect of the present
invention;
[0045] FIGS. 10 to 13 are perspective views showing several
variants of a fourth embodiment of the packaging and presentation
assembly constituting the second aspect of the present
invention;
[0046] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a protective
assembly constituting the third aspect of the present invention and
comprising a protective dish and a packaging and presentation
assembly constituting the second aspect of the present invention;
and
[0047] FIG. 15 is a perspective view from above and from one of its
corners showing a variant protective assembly constituting the
third aspect of the present invention and presenting a protective
case shown in its open position and containing the dish of FIG.
14.
[0048] FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a first variant of the
first aspect of the present invention in the form of a package 100
comprising a tube 102, a stopper 104, and a screw 110.
[0049] The tube 102 is shown as being a circular-section cylinder,
but naturally the tube need not necessarily be cylindrical, and
could have a section of any other suitable shape providing the tube
can easily be held between the thumb and the index finger of the
same hand. The tube 102 extends between a first end 102a (at the
top of FIG. 1) and a second end 102b (at the bottom of FIG. 1). The
second end 102b is defined by a plane face extending orthogonally
to the main direction of the tube 102, and this plane face can act
as a stand when the tube is stood upright on a surface that is
substantially plane. A housing 106 (see top of FIG. 2A) opens out
into the first end 102a in an opening 106a. This housing 106
presents circular symmetry. The housing comprises a first portion
106b tapering down to a bottom of the housing and serving to
received the threaded shank of the screw 110, it being possible for
this first portion to have some other shape, for example it could
be cylindrical.
[0050] This first portion 106b is extended towards the opening 106a
by a second portion 106c of larger section for receiving the head
of the screw 110, and this second portion is shown as being in the
form of a circular-section cylinder. This second portion 106c could
equally well be in the form of a truncated cone, tapering towards
the first portion at a relatively small angle (5.degree. to
45.degree.) relative to the vertical (the main direction of the
tube 102). Having a second portion 106b in the form of a truncated
cone provides a sloping wall that makes it easier to center the
blade of a screwdriver towards the center of the head of the screw,
i.e. towards the axis of the tube 102.
[0051] This second portion 106c is extended towards the opening
106a by a third portion 106d that is larger and that serves to
receive sealed closure means constituted by a stopper 104. In FIG.
1, the third portion 106d is in the form of a circular-section
cylinder.
[0052] In particular, between said second portion 106c and said
first portion 106b, there is provided a shoulder 106e having a
substantially plane bearing face 106f facing towards said opening
106a, said head of the screw coming to bear against said
substantially plane bearing face 106f. In FIGS. 1, 2, and 2A, the
bearing face 106f is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of
the housing 106, i.e. it is horizontal when the tube 102 is
standing on end. Other shapes are possible for this bearing shape
106f providing it is suitable for receiving the face of the screw
head that faces towards the screw shank. In particular, this
bearing face 106f is selected to have a shape that is complementary
to the shape of the face of the screw head that faces towards the
screw shank, in particular a shape that is frustoconical.
[0053] The concept of sealing, as applied to the portion of the
stopper 104 that co-operates tightly with the inside face of the
third portion 106d of the housing 106, is defined as constituting a
barrier against penetration by a fluid, whether a gas or a liquid.
Such sealing is broken on the first occasion that the stopper 104
constituting the closure means is opened, which means that it can
no longer be guaranteed that sterility is maintained inside the
housing 106.
[0054] It will thus be understood that said closure means comprise
a stopper 104 and that said housing 106 presents a third portion
106d that is larger than the adjacent second portion 106c, said
third portion 106d being suitable for receiving said stopper 104
tightly so as to enable said housing 106 to be reclosed in
reversible manner.
[0055] The tube 102 is preferably a cylinder of cross-section that
is at least partially circular, so as to make it easier to grasp
between its first and second ends 102a and 102b by means of the
thumb and index finger. In the variant of FIG. 2, the cross-section
of the tube 102 is circular. The first portion 106b and the second
portion 106c of the housing 106 also present a shape that is
circularly cylindrical, but other shapes could be used, providing
they allow the head of the screw 110 to pass, and providing the
third portion 106d is complementary in shape to the outside face of
the bottom portion of the stopper 104.
[0056] In the first variant embodiment of the package shown in FIG.
1, said tube 102 has a single housing 106 opening out into its
first end 102a.
[0057] The second variant embodiment of the package constituting
the first aspect of the present invention and shown in FIGS. 2 and
2A is similar to the package described above with reference to FIG.
1, except for the following points. The tube 102 of FIG. 2 has two
housings, i.e. a first housing 106 of the kind shown in FIG. 1
opening out into the first end 102a of the tube 102, and also a
second housing 108 for receiving a second screw 112 on its own.
[0058] Said second housing 108 presents an opening 108a opening out
into said second end 102b. Second closure means constituted by
another stopper 104 close said second housing in sealed manner and
are suitable for being opened. Said second housing 108 extends in a
longitudinal direction and presents a first portion 108b for
receiving the shank of the second screw 112, and a second portion
108c, said second portion 108c being larger than the first portion
108b and being suitable for receiving said head of the second screw
112 pressed thereagainst.
[0059] In addition, in order to remove the second screw 112
situated in the second housing 108, the package 100 of FIG. 2 is
turned upsidedown through 180.degree., so that the second end 102a
then acts as a stand suitable for standing on a substantially
horizontal plane (possibly via the intervening stopper 104), in
particular in order to give access to the screw 112 situated in the
second housing 108 via said opening 108a of said second housing 108
when said second closure means are open, said stand extending
perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. The first portion
108b for receiving the shank of the second screw 112 flares towards
said opening 108a. In addition, the second portion 108c presents at
least a first fraction in the shape of a truncated cone, said head
of the second screw coming to bear against said truncated cone
shape. In particular, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the entire
second portion 108c of the second housing 108 is in the shape of a
truncated cone. Provision can be made for the second portion 108b
of the second housing 108 to be shorter than the first portion 106b
of the first housing 106 in the event that the second housing 108
is for receiving a screw 112 that is shorter than the screw 110
housed in the first housing 106.
[0060] When the screws 110 and 112 are being packaged in the tube
102, the previously-decontaminated screws 110 and 112 are placed in
their respective housings 106 and 108, with the corresponding
stoppers 104 being placed in the third portions 106d and 108d of
the housings 106 and 108, after which the entire assembly is
sterilized, preferably at low temperature under gamma rays. This
ensures that the screws 110 and 112 remain sterile until the
corresponding stopper 104 is removed.
[0061] The third variant embodiment of the package as shown in FIG.
3 is similar to that described above with reference to the package
of FIG. 1, except for the following points. The tube 102 presents a
circular section in its top portion that contains the first end
102a. However, in its bottom and middle portions, the section of
the tube 102 is a circle that has been truncated by a straight line
so as to define a plane side face or flat 102c that can make it
easier to identify the position of the tube and that can make it
easier to hold in the hand. The second portion 106c of the housing
in this variant has a first fraction adjacent to the first portion
106b that is frustoconical in shape and a second fraction that is
also frustoconical in shape and that is adjacent to the third
portion 106d. It will be understood that the head of the screw can
come to bear against the frustoconical first fraction of the second
portion 106c that forms an angle relative to the main axis of
longitudinal direction of the tube 102 (vertical in FIG. 3) that is
greater than the angle formed by the second fraction of the second
portion 106c.
[0062] The fourth variant embodiment of the package as shown in
FIGS. 4a and 4b is similar to that described with reference to the
package of FIG. 1, except for the following points. In particular,
unlike the tube 102 in the variants described above with reference
to FIGS. 1 to 3, where the tube is solid except for the locations
of the housing(s) 106 (and 108), the tube 102 in FIGS. 4A and 4B is
hollow and the housing 106 is formed in a tubular part 114 that is
contained at least in part inside said tube 102, with a closed
space being formed between the tube 102 and the tubular part
114.
[0063] In particular, in the alternative shown in FIG. 4A, the
tubular part 114 is received almost entirely in the tube 102, with
the opening 106a of the housing 106 defined by said tubular part
114 being situated at almost the same height and very little above
the first end 102a of the tube 102.
[0064] In the alternative shown in FIG. 4B, the tubular part 114 is
fully received in the tube 102, the opening 106a of the housing 106
defined by said tubular part 114 being situated at exactly the same
height as the first end 102a of the tube 102 since the first end
102a of the tube 102 is in alignment with the top face of the
second portion 106c of the housing defined in the opening 106a.
[0065] In both alternatives (FIGS. 4A and 4B), the tubular part 114
and the tube 102 are assembled together along their contact
surfaces, e.g. by ultrasonic welding.
[0066] In an alternative that is not shown, the tubular part 114
and the tube 102 are obtained in a single injection-molding step,
with the second end 102b (constituting an end wall) then being a
separate fitting: under such circumstances, the side wall and the
first end 102a of the tube 102 and the tubular part 114 are made as
a single part.
[0067] It should also be observed that the housing 106 defined by
the tubular part 104 does not have a third portion, but only a
first portion 106b for receiving the shank of a screw (which first
portion is cylindrical or slightly tapering in shape towards the
bottom), and a second portion 106c for receiving the head of the
screw. This second portion is of the same shape as the second
portion 106c of the housing 106 in the third variant embodiment
shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, i.e. it has a first frustoconical fraction
with the bearing face 106f that flares widely, and a second
frustoconical fraction that flares little, adjacent to the opening
106a.
[0068] Finally, it should be observed that the closure means are
constituted by a film 116, e.g. a heat-sealable plastics film
having the feature of being easy to remove, or possibly of being
easily perforated by the tip 120a of the screwdriver 120 (see FIGS.
5 and 6) to give access to the head of the screw 110 whose bottom
face is pressed against the wall portion in the form of a truncated
cone forming the first fraction of the second portion of the
housing 106. This step of perforating the film and engaging the tip
120a of the screwdriver in the socket in the head of the screw 110
is shown in FIG. 6.
[0069] Under such circumstances, it will be understood that said
closure means comprise a preferably perforatable film 116 covering
the opening 106a of the housing 106. It should be observed that the
film 116 is thus preferably connected to the top end of the tubular
part 114 so as to close the housing 106 in sealed manner. This
connection may advantageously be implemented by ultrasonic welding,
and in particular for the alternative shown in FIG. 4b, the tubular
part 114, the tube 102, and the film 116 can all be welded together
simultaneously.
[0070] In a first step of using the package 100 shown in FIG. 4A or
4B, and as illustrated by FIG. 5, the surgeon takes hold of the
tube 102 firmly in one hand between the thumb and forefinger
holding it so that its stand constituted by the second end 102s (at
the bottom of FIG. 5) is pressed against a support such as a table.
Thereafter, in a second step of using the package of FIG. 4, the
surgeon takes a screwdriver 120 in the other hand and brings the
tip 120a of the screwdriver blade so as to perforate the film 116
going downwards (given the slightly flaring shape of the second
fraction of the second portion 106c), so as to penetrate into the
socket situated in the head of the screw which remains firmly in
place in its housing because the head of the screw is pressed
against the first fraction of the second portion 106c of the
housing (the bearing face 106f), with the resistance to the bearing
force exerted by the tip coming from the first fraction of the
second portion of the housing 106. Thereafter, in a third step (not
shown), the surgeon takes the screw 110 out of the housing 106
merely moving the screwdriver 12 away from the package 100. Thus,
there is no contact between the screw and an outside element other
than the tip of the screwdriver blade, thereby reducing the amount
of handling (saving in time and improving accuracy) and reducing
risks of contaminating the screw, which thus remains sterile on
being taken out from the package 100.
[0071] In order to make it easier to take hold of the screw and
avoid any interference with the film 116 during the second
above-described step, it is possible to subdivide the action
performed in this step by initially perforating and/or tearing the
film 116, and then turning the tip 120a of the screwdriver blade so
as to enlarge the hole through the film 116 prior to pushing the
tip 120a further into the housing 106 in order to reach the head of
the screw 110.
[0072] Also preferably, provision is made for said tube 102 to
carry at least one identification medium 122 bearing visible
information about said screw 110 contained in the housing 106,
which visible information may be constituted by a bar code. In FIG.
6, it can be seen that such an identification medium 122
constituted by a label can advantageously be peeled off and then
stuck into the file of the patient who is going to receive the
screw 110 in question.
[0073] The second aspect of the invention is described below with
reference to FIGS. 7 to 13 which show various embodiments
thereof.
[0074] In the first embodiment of the second aspect shown in FIG.
7, provision is made to place a plurality of packages 100 in
accordance with the first aspect as described above in a plastics
envelope 202 defining a closed compartment for each package, the
whole constituting an assembly 200 for individually packaging and
presenting each of the screws 110 in a series. The assembly 200 can
be sterilized using gamma rays and can be made available in theater
so as to enable the screws 110 to be taken one by one until all of
the individual compartments have been opened.
[0075] In a second embodiment of the second aspect, as shown in
FIG. 8, there is shown an assembly 300 for packaging and
individually presenting an osteosynthesis screw 110. The assembly
300 comprises a protective and packaging case 302.
[0076] This protective and packaging case 302 is made of a plastics
material in the form of a rigid portion 304 defining a space 306
containing a package 100, and a flexible portion 308 formed by a
heat-sealable film closing said space 306 in sealed manner and
suitable for being peeled off by hand.
[0077] Instead of or in addition to the label 122 placed on the
outside face of the tube 102 of the package 100 (see FIG. 6),
another identification medium 322 is provided carrying information
relating to the package 100 and the screw 110 it contains, in
particular in the form of a bar code. In FIG. 8, this other
identification medium 322 is stuck on a location placed on the
outside face of the rigid portion 304 of the protective and
packaging case 302.
[0078] This assembly 300 can be packaged in a cardboard box
together with other identical assemblies 300 placed one after
another.
[0079] Reference is now made to FIG. 9 showing a third embodiment
of the second aspect of the present invention constituted by an
assembly 400 for packaging and presenting an osteosynthesis
equipment set comprising at least one osteosynthesis screw and at
least one plate. The assembly 400 comprises a dish 402 (e.g. made
of plastics, aluminum, or any other material), a heat-sealed film
408 closing the dish 402 in sealed manner, and co-operating
therewith to define a storage space 406 in which one or more
osteosynthesis plates (not shown) can be disposed. This storage
space 406 also contains at least one individual package 100 for a
screw corresponding to the first aspect of the present
invention.
[0080] Advantageously, this assembly 400 further comprises at least
one insert placed in the storage space 406. In the variants shown
in FIG. 9, a single insert 410 is placed in the storage space 406
covering the entire bottom of the dish 402, with this insert that
is made of plastics material being provided with at least one
cavity 412 for receiving at least one osteosynthesis plate. The
insert 410 shown in FIG. 9 has a large L-shaped cavity 412 suitable
for receiving side by side a plurality of osteosynthesis plates,
together with one or more packages 100. The cavity 412 is provided
with retaining means for positioning the osteosynthesis plate(s).
More precisely, the retaining means are constituted by pegs 414
that can be received in the holes in the osteosynthesis plates.
[0081] Likewise, and advantageously, the insert 410 is also
provided with at least one cell 416 receiving at least one
osteosynthesis screw. In FIG. 9, the insert 410 has six cells 416
each forming a hollow recess of shape corresponding substantially
to the outside shape of an osteosynthesis screw. These cells 416
are particularly suitable for short screws unsuitable for placing
in a package 100 suitable for a longer screw. These arrangements
can thus be adapted as a function of the number of plates and the
number of screws and of their dimensions so as to provide an
assembly 400 in which the osteosynthesis equipment set constitutes
a complete kit for a given surgical intervention.
[0082] Reference is now made to FIGS. 10 to 13 showing several
alternatives for a fourth embodiment of the second aspect of the
present invention constituted by an assembly 500 for packaging and
presenting an osteosynthesis equipment set comprising at least one
osteosynthesis screw and at least one plate. All of these
assemblies 500 comprise a rigid support 502 e.g. made of molded or
injection-molded plastics material, defining a plurality of storage
compartments, including at least one storage compartment of a first
type 504 in which there is inserted a package 100 of the type
constituting the first aspect of the present invention.
[0083] Also, amongst the storage compartments in the rigid support
502, there can be found at least one storage compartment of the
second type 506 for receiving at least one osteosynthesis plate 130
(see FIGS. 10 and 13). The rigid support 502 advantageously also
contains at least one storage compartment of a third type 508 for
receiving an osteosynthesis tool.
[0084] The rigid support 502 preferably has at least two
compartments of the first type 504, each receiving a respective
package 100 so that the assembly 500 makes available at least two
osteosynthesis screws each housed in a package 100.
[0085] In the FIG. 10 alternative of the fourth embodiment of the
second aspect, the rigid support 502 has two storage compartments
of the first type 504, each serving to receive one corresponding
package 100, so that the rigid support 502 can receive six screws.
In addition, the rigid support 502 of FIG. 10 has a storage
compartment of a second type 506 suitable for receiving a plurality
of osteosynthesis plates 130, and a storage compartment of the
third type 508 of elongate shape suitable in particular for
receiving a drill bit used by the surgeon in an initial stage prior
to positioning and inserting the screw contained in the package
100. In FIG. 10, the storage compartment of the third type 508
receives at least one screwdriver blade 120 together with a
mandrel, the blade having its tip adapted to the shape of the
socket in the head of each screw 110 in the packages 100.
[0086] In FIG. 11, there can be seen another variant of an assembly
500 constituting the fourth embodiment of the second aspect of the
present invention, the assembly comprising a rigid support 502 that
is relatively flat and elongate, being provided with twelve storage
compartments of the first type 504, one storage compartment of the
second type 506 suitable for receiving a plurality of
osteosynthesis plates, and a storage compartment of the third type
508 likewise suitable for receiving a drill bit and/or a
screwdriver blade. The rigid support 502 of the assembly 500 shown
in FIG. 11 also includes at least one storage compartment of a
fourth type 510 and at least one screwdriver portion disposed in
the storage compartment of the fourth type 510 in the rigid support
502. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the rigid support 502 of the
assembly 500 has a single storage compartment of the fourth type
510 suitable for receiving all or part of a screwdriver (not
shown).
[0087] Consequently, provision can be made for the rigid support
502 to comprise in addition to storage compartments of the first
type 504 and of the second type 506, at least one storage
compartment of a third type 508 and at least one drill bit and/or
screwdriver blade matching the screw contained in any one of the
packages 100, and located in the storage compartment of the third
type 508 of the rigid support 502.
[0088] Advantageously, and as can be seen in FIG. 11, the storage
compartment of the fourth type 510 is constituted by a cavity
formed by two lobes corresponding to the outside shape of a
screwdriver comprising a handle portion with a rear segment for
placing in the palm of the hand and a front segment mounted to turn
relative to the rear segment and suitable for carrying the
screwdriver blade, with the front segment being manipulated by the
tips of the fingers of the hand that is holding the rear segment in
its palm. Since screwdrivers of this type are known, they are not
described or shown in greater detail.
[0089] FIG. 12 shows another alternative of the fourth embodiment
of the second aspect constituted by an assembly 500 with a rigid
support 502 provided with six storage compartments of the first
type 504, each housing a respective package 100, one storage
compartment of the second type 506, suitable for housing a
plurality of osteosynthesis plates 130, and two storage
compartments of the third type 508, each suitable for housing one
or more drill bits and/or screwdriver blades. In this alternative
of the fourth embodiment of the second aspect of the present
invention as shown in FIG. 12 there is thus no storage compartment
of the fourth type 510.
[0090] In FIG. 13, there can be seen another alternative in the
form of an assembly 500 similar to that of FIG. 12 except that
there is only one storage compartment of the third type 508.
[0091] In a disposition that is advantageous and preferred, but not
essential, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the rigid support 502
constitutes a bottom portion as the assembly 500 also comprises a
lid portion suitable for co-operating reversibly with the bottom
portion 502 between an open position and a closed position. In this
way, in the closed position, the lid portion 520 is suitable for
retaining each of the packages 100 in the corresponding storage
compartment of the first type 504 and for retaining the
osteosynthesis plate(s) in its(their) storage compartment of the
second type 506. In the variants of FIGS. 11 and 12, the lid
portion 520 is a part that is separate from the rigid support 502,
whereas in the variant of FIG. 13, the lid portion 520 is secured
to the rigid support 502, forming therewith a pivoting hinge
situated laterally along one of the edges of the rigid support 502
and of the lid portion 520.
[0092] With the lid portion 520 of the variant shown in FIG. 11,
there are two regions of a first type 524 each constituted by a
hollow zone positioned in register with a series of storage
compartments of the first type 504 in order to house that portion
of each package 100 that projects from the storage compartment of
the first type 504. Also in the lid portion 520 of FIG. 11, there
is a region of a second type 526 that projects towards the storage
compartment of the second type 506 in order to hold down the plates
in the storage compartment of the second type 506. Similarly, the
lid portion 520 of FIG. 11 has a region of a fourth type 530
similarly shaped to the storage compartment of the fourth type 510
in FIG. 11, i.e. having the outside shape of a screwdriver that is
to be received and held in this location. Preferably, the rigid
support 502 and the lid portion 520 are made of a plastics material
and their edges have complementary shapes enabling these two
portions to be snapped together.
[0093] In the variant shown in FIG. 12 where the lid portion 520 is
likewise separate from the rigid support 502 forming the bottom
portion, the lid portion 520 likewise has two regions of the first
type 524 suitable for receiving the projecting portions of a row of
packages 100 received individually in respective storage
compartments of the first type 504 formed in the bottom portion of
the rigid support 502. The lid portion in the variant of FIG. 12
also has a region of the second type 526 formed by a projecting
portion for inserting into the storage compartment of the second
type 506 in order to hold down the plates 130. In this example, the
edge of the bottom portion 502 and the edge of the lid portion 520
do not present any special arrangements for holding these two
portions together, and they remain in position relative to each
other because of the tight fit of the region of the first type 524
around the packages 100.
[0094] In the variant of FIG. 13, the lid portion 520 presents a
margin of a shape that is complementary to the shape of the margin
of the bottom portion constituted by the rigid support 502. The lid
portion 520 in FIG. 13 also presents, on a face facing towards the
bottom portion 502, a groove 524 (forming a region of the first
type) that is substantially peripheral and in register with the
storage compartments of the first type 504, in order to be able to
receive the projecting portions of the packages 100 individually
received in the storage compartments of the first type 504. Thus,
in the variant of FIG. 13, the lid portion 520 likewise includes a
region of the second type 526 projecting into the storage
compartment of the second type 526 in order to hold down the plates
130 in the storage compartments of the second type 506.
[0095] In an advantageous disposition, the face of the lid portion
520 facing away from the bottom portion 502 presents a storage
space 532 containing a dummy plate enclosed in sealed manner by a
heat-sealable film 534 suitable for being removed manually.
[0096] More precisely, as can be seen in FIGS. 11 to 13, the region
of the second type 526 in the lid portion that projects towards the
bottom portion 502 presents a rear face in the form of a hollow
defining the storage space 532. This makes it possible to store a
dummy plate, i.e. an osteosynthesis plate that is not made of the
biocompatible material of the osteosynthesis plate that is actually
put into place, but that is made for example out of an aluminum
alloy giving it a high degree of flexibility, enabling the surgeon
to deform the dummy plate by hand while making initial positioning
tests on the site of the surgical intervention in order to verify
that a plate of this shape and dimensions is indeed suitable for
the surgery that is to be performed.
[0097] In another aspect of the present invention, as shown in
FIGS. 14, the face of the lid portion 520 that faces away from said
storage compartment 504, 506, 508 is provided with a label 522.
[0098] This label 522 forms an identification medium carrying
information relating to the osteosynthesis equipment set (screw 110
and plate 130), in particular information in the form of a bar
code. This label 522 may naturally be placed somewhere other than
on the outside face of the packaging and presentation assembly
500.
[0099] More precisely, the label 522 has three portions 522a, 522b,
and 522c, each of which carries the reference of the supplier that
prepared and sterilized the osteosynthesis equipment set situated
in the packaging and presentation assembly 500.
[0100] These portions 522a, 522b, and 522c carry various kinds of
information including the serial number of the packaging and
presentation assembly, the batch number, and the reference of each
of the elements in the osteosynthesis equipment set (screw 110 and
plate 130), information about the positions of each of the items in
the osteosynthesis equipment set amongst the various housings
(storage compartments of the first type 504, of the second type
506, or of the third type 508).
[0101] Thus, after some of the elements making up the
osteosynthesis equipment set received in the packaging and
presentation assembly 500 have been used, it is possible to
determine which elements are missing and to reconstitute the
packaging and presentation assembly 500.
[0102] In addition, since the portions 522a, 522b, and 522c of the
label 522 carry the same information, the portion 522a is kept for
archive purposes, the portion 522b is stuck into the patient's
file, and the portion 522c can be used for the surgical report.
[0103] In order to protect the packaging and presentation assembly
500 during transport and prior to using the osteosynthesis
equipment it contains, the present invention also provides, in a
third aspect, a protection assembly 600 which comprises not only
the packaging and presentation assembly 500 as described above, but
also:
[0104] A dish 610 (see FIG. 14) preferably made of transparent or
translucent plastics material, the dish 610 defining a housing
suitable for receiving the assembly 500, as can be seen in FIG. 14.
The dish 610 is generally rectangular in shape and likewise
comprises a bottom wall with a continuous side wall extending the
margins of the bottom wall upwards, and a heat-sealable film 620
that closes the space defined by the dish 610 in sealed manner. The
assembly 500 is preferably placed in the space defined by the dish
610, with the label 522 facing towards the heat-sealable film 620
so that the label 522 can be seen through the heat-sealable film.
It will thus be understood that this protective assembly 600 is
characterized in that it comprises a packaging and presentation
assembly 500, a protective dish 610 forming a container for said
packaging and presentation assembly 500, and a heat-sealable film
620 suitable for being removed by hand and closing said dish 610 in
sealed manner.
[0105] An outer protective and packaging case 630 optionally
contains the dish (see FIG. 15), this case likewise being made of
plastics material that is preferably transparent or translucent,
the case 630 also being formed by a bottom portion and a lid
portion that are movable relative to each other between an open
position and a closed position, an outer label 640 preferably
placed on the side wall of the case 630 providing means for
visually observing the type of the osteosynthesis equipment set
contained in the packaging and presentation assembly 500 housed in
the dish 610, itself placed in the bottom portion of the case 630.
For this purpose, a color code carried by said external label 640
may designate a particular type of osteosynthesis equipment
set.
[0106] It will thus be understood that the outer protective and
packaging case 630 carries visual recognition means 640 pertaining
to the type of osteosynthesis equipment set contained in said
packaging and presentation assembly 500.
[0107] Similarly, it will be understood that the protective
assembly 600 is characterized in that said outer protective and
packaging case 630 comprises a bottom portion and a lid portion
that are movable relative to each other between an open position
and a closed position, and in that said outer protective and
packaging case 630 further comprises reversible closure means
disposed on said bottom portion and on said lid portion that are
suitable for co-operating in said closed position.
[0108] It should be observed that by having the label 640 situated
on each of the protective and packaging cases 630 forming the outer
envelope of the protective assembly 600, it is possible quickly and
simply to determine the particular type of the osteosynthesis
equipment set contained in each protective assembly 600 so as to
select the case containing the packaging and presentation assembly
500 that contains the looked-for osteosynthesis equipment set.
[0109] It should be observed that the items forming the
osteosynthesis set shown in association with the above-described
embodiment should not be restricted to equipment for performing
osteotomy, in particular of the mandible, but could constitute
equipment for other kinds of maxillofacial surgery, or more
generally other kinds of osteosynthesis surgery.
[0110] Thus, more generally, the osteosynthesis equipment set may
comprise one or more plates and/or one or more screws and/or one or
more pins and/or one or more metal wires, . . . .
* * * * *