Combination Sterilization Tray and Mat

This invention relates to a combination tray and mat for use in sterilizing, transporting, presenting and storing medical instruments.

Conventional sterilization equipment and autoclaves use steam and other sterilants to sterilize medical instruments and other contamination sensitive objects. Generally, the instruments are placed in sterilization trays and the entire tray is placed into the steam bath. The steam and sterilants are introduced through holes in the trays. After the sterilization process, residual steam may collect and condense in the sterilization trays. Unless the condensation is properly drained off, the residue can become a medium for bacteria.

Many sterilization trays use sterilization mats made of silicone or other synthetic materials suitable for sterilization. Often, these mats include raised fingers to support the instruments. Supporting the instruments on the raised fingers reduces the amount of surface contact between the instrument and mat. Reducing surface contact between the instruments and the tray or mat increases the contact of the steam/sterilants with the instruments and minimizes the areas where condensation can collect. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,676 to John A. Brooks, Jr. discloses the use of sterilization mats including a plurality of raised fingers which extend from the top of the mat and a plurality of feet extending from the bottom of the mat. The fingers support the instruments above the mat and the feet space the mat above the tray floor to promote circulation and drainage of sterilants and to increase the contact of the sterilant with the instruments. During the sterilization process, however, the sterilants heat the sterilization mat, which expands and sags. Consequently, great numbers of feet are required to keep the-mat from sagging into contact with the tray floor. Increasing the number of feet impedes the circulation and drainage of the sterilants and increases the area of surface contacts where condensation can adhere and cultivate bacteria, thereby defeating the purpose of the elevated mat. In addition, the raised fingers present other practical problems. Small diameter instruments can fall between the raised fingers to rest against the mat bottom. The raised finger makes retrieving the fallen instrument difficult, especially for users wearing sterile gloves.

The improved combination sterilization tray and mat of this invention provides several advantages over conventional sterilization trays and mats. The sterilization tray includes raised ribs protruding from the tray floor to support a flat bottomed sterilization mat. The tray ribs formed in the floor space the mat above the tray floor to promote the circulation and drainage of the sterilants between the mat and tray. Consequently, thinner sterilization mats without feet can be used while producing the desired spacing with minimal surface contact between the tray floor and the mat. The tray ribs also eliminate the need for the drainage holes in the tray and mat to be aligned.

The sterilization mat of this invention includes a plurality of raised ribs extending from its top surface. A plurality of vertically protruding fingers extends from the mat's top surface which are aligned in parallel rows. A row of fingers is located between each rib while a row of shorter fingers also extends along the tops of each rib. The tips of the fingers provide an even surface upon which the instruments are placed. The raised mat ribs are positioned perpendicularly to the tray ribs to provide additional support. The mat ribs also prevent small diameter instruments which may fall between the fingers from resting against the mat floor. The mat ribs allow the fallen instruments to be retrieved easily as well as improve the sterilant circulation and drainage about the fallen instruments.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide for a novel and unique combination of a sterilization tray and mat.

Another object is to provide for a sterilization tray with a plurality of raised ribs for supporting a sterilization mat above the floor of the tray to promote the drainage of condensation and the circulation of sterilants during the sterilization process.

Another object is to provide for a sterilization mat which includes a plurality of raised parallel ribs and a plurality of vertically extending fingers for supporting instruments to be sterilized.

Other objects will become apparent upon a reading of the following description.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been depicted for illustrative purposes only wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the sterilization tray of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the sterilization tray;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sterilization tray and mat;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the sterilization tray and mat taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the sterilization mat; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to utilize its teachings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the sterilization tray 10 of this invention. Tray 10 is used for sterilization, transport and storage of surgical instruments and other contaminant sensitive objects. Sterilization tray 10 is generally constructed of a non-corrosive metal such as aluminum or a suitable composite material such as a thermoplastic resin. Tray 10 can also be constructed in a variety of dimensions and sizes depending on the application. As shown, tray 10 includes a floor 12 with four raised integral side walls 14. Each side wall 14 terminates in an outturned flange 16 and a downturned lip 18. Tray floor 12 has a plurality of holes 13 spaced in a predetermined pattern. Holes 13 allow the ingress and egress of steam and other gaseous sterilants and also provide for the drainage of any condensation. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, tray floor 12 also has a pair of raised parallel ribs 20. Tray ribs 20 are formed by indentations formed in the under surface of tray floor 12. Tray ribs 20 provide a support for a sterilization mat 30. Although two tray ribs are shown in the figures, any number of parallel ribs may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, sterilization mat 30 includes a mat body or floor 32 formed of flexible heat and moisture resistent material such as silicone rubber, plastic or other synthetic or natural material. Mat body 32 has a top surface 34 and bottom surface 36. Top surface 34 includes a plurality of parallel spaced raised ribs 38. Mat body 32 also has a plurality of holes 33 located between mat ribs 38 in a predetermined pattern. A plurality of upwardly protruding fingers 40 extend from the top surface 34 of mat body 32. Each mat rib 38 includes a row 42 of fingers 40. As shown, a row 44 of fingers 40 also extends from side-to-side across mat surface 34 between adjacent mat ribs 38. Each finger 40 is defined by a generally conical side wall 46, which terminates in a substantially flat upper tip 48. The fingers extending from rows 44 are slightly longer than the fingers in rows 42 to produce a flat and even elevated platform for supporting surgical instruments (not shown).

FIGS. 3 and 4 show tray 10 in combination with mat 30. Mat 30 is sized to fit tray 10 and rests atop raised tray ribs 20. Tray ribs 20 space mat 30 away from tray floor 12. Preferably, mat 30 is positioned in tray 10 with mat ribs 38 running perpendicularly to tray ribs 20. Mat ribs 38 provide additional support to mat 30. Elevating the sterilization mat 30 above the tray floor 12 on tray ribs 20 promotes the circulation and drainage of sterilants between tray floor 12 and bottom surface 36 of mat 30. Mat ribs 38 and fingers 40 also promote the circulation and drainage of sterilants by increasing the contact of the steam/sterilants with the instruments and minimizing the areas where condensation can collect and incubate bacteria. In addition, mat ribs 38 prevent small diameter instruments which may fall between fingers 40 from resting against mat top surface 34. With the fallen instruments supported on mat ribs 38, the fallen instruments to be retrieved easily.

It is understood that the above description does not limit the invention to the details given, but may be modified within the scope of the following claims.