Delicate Instrument Holder and Protector

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to packaging for delicate instruments. More particularly, this invention relates to packaging for surgical instruments that is designed to hold and protect the instruments in a manner such that delicate features of the instruments are not damaged during shipping, storage, or other handling.

2. Discussion of Related Art

A number of sterile, single use surgical instruments have recently been developed. Since such instruments are intended for a single use prior to disposal, it is generally necessary to package the instruments individually in order to maintain the sterility of each instrument prior to use. Thus, the development of disposable surgical instruments has created a need for adjunctive packaging which is specially adapted to meet the requirements of these instruments. In addition, the development of sterile, disposable surgical instruments has created a need for adjunctive packaging which not only maintains the individual sterility of these instruments, but also protects delicate features of the instruments, such as, the cutting blades of microsurgical knives and the tips of microsurgical cannulas.

The present invention is directed toward meeting the above-described specific needs in connection with the packaging of surgical instruments, as well as meeting a more generalized need for the packaging of other types of delicate instruments.

A principal object of this invention is the provision of packaging for delicate instruments that is designed to hold and protect the instruments in a manner such that fragile features of the instruments are not damaged during shipping, storage, or other handling.

A further object of this invention is the provision of packaging that is specially adapted to hold and protect surgical and microsurgical instruments.

The foregoing objects and other general objectives of the present invention are met by the provision of a device for holding and protecting delicate instruments, comprising a base having a first end portion and a second end portion; first securing means disposed at the first end portion; second securing means disposed between the first securing means and the second end portion; and spacing means disposed between the second securing means and the second end portion.

The above and still further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of an instrument holder and protector according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the first securing means;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first securing means; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the instrument holder and protector shown in FIG. 1 with a needle and needle holder secured thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings in greater detail, an instrument holder and protector according to the present invention 10 includes: a base 12 having a first end portion 14 and a second end portion 16; first securing means 18 disposed at the first end portion 14; second securing means 20 disposed between the first end portion 14 and second end portion 16; and spacing means 22 disposed between the second securing means 20 and the second end portion 16. The base is designed to provide support for the other components of the instrument holder and protector, and to protect the instrument from forces directed through the base toward the instrument. The base 12 may have various configurations other than the substantially I-shaped, plate-like configuration shown in FIG. 1. The configuration of the base plate is primarily dependent on the shape of the instrument to be mounted on the holder and protector 10.

The first securing means is designed to hold and support one end of an instrument. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first securing means 18 is a hollow post 24 having a semi-circular cross section. The post 24 has a flat surface 26 facing away from the second securing means 20, and a slot 28 extending through the upper half of the shaft on the semi-circular surface 30 opposite the flat surface 26. The inner wall 32 of the hollow post 24 is provided with two ridges 34 and 36 disposed opposite each other on the wall. These ridges form a groove 38 located between flat surface 26 and ridges 34 and 36. The groove 38 is adapted to receive and hold an annular ridge 40 on the outer circumference of a needle holder 41 of a microsurgical cannula, as shown in FIG. 4. The first securing means may be designed in a number of other ways to achieve the above-described function. For example, the first securing means may be in the form of a female member designed to hold and support one end of an instrument by mating with a complementary male member present on the instrument or, conversely, the first securing means may be a male member designed for mating with a portion of the instrument which functions as a complementary female member.

The second securing means is designed to hold and support a portion of an instrument opposite from the end held and supported by the first securing means. As shown in FIG. 1, the second securing means 20 includes a support 42 which extends upwardly from base 12. The upper portion of support 42 is provided with a slot 44 to form a generally U-shaped cradle 46 having two prongs 48 and 50. The second securing means 20 further includes a strap 52 which is an integral part of base 12, and is located on a side of the base 12 opposite the support 42. The strap 52 is provided with two holes (not shown) which are adapted to fit over prongs 48 and 50 on support 42, thereby attaching strap 52 to support 42. The second securing means 20 serves to hold and support the needle portion of a needle and needle holder, as shown in FIG. 4, and may hold and support other types of instruments in a similar manner.

The spacing means is designed to protect the instrument from being damaged by the application of pressure in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of base 12. That is, the spacing means provides a zone extending upwardly from base 12 which protects the instrument from being crushed or otherwise damaged by forces applied in a direction generally perpendicular to base 10. In the drawings, the spacing means comprises two cylindrical columns disposed at the second end portion 16 of base 12. The columns are substantially the same height as post 24. Although two columns are utilized in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, more than two columns can be utilized if desired, and in some cases a single column may be sufficient. The number of columns utilized and the location of the columns between the second securing means 20 and the second end portion 16 are primarily dependent on the nature of the instrument to be protected.

The delicate instrument holder and protector of the present invention may be formed from various types of materials, including wood, metal and plastic. If the holder and protector is intended for use in the packaging of sterile instruments, then it must be formed from a material that is resistant to the effects of sterilization treatments which utilize steam, ethylene oxide, irradiation, microwave energy and/or dry heat.

The holder and protector is preferably formed from polymeric materials using methods known to those skilled in the art. Various types of polymeric materials may be utilized. The polymeric material is preferably one which resists yellowing and is readily moldable. Radiation-resistant homopolymers (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene thioglycolate and polystyrene) represent the preferred polymeric material. A preferred homopolymer of this type is a commercially available polypropylene polymer manufactured by Himont U.S.A., Inc., Wilmington, Del. and sold under the name PRO-FAX PD 626. Some of the properties of this polymeric material are set forth in the tables below to illustrate typical polymer properties which are desirable in the present invention.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the holder and protector 10 is formed by the injection-molding of polypropylene (PRO-FAX PD 626) and as a result has a single piece construction. Injection molding represents the preferred method of preparing the instrument holder and protector. This preference is based on various factors, such as, uniformity, cost, and physical properties. However, it is possible that other manufacturing methods known to those skilled in the art may be utilized.

While a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, it will be clear that variations of the details of construction which have been specifically illustrated and described may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.