Medical Instrument Sterilization Pouch
The sterilization pouch includes a sealable inner space for receiving one or more medical instruments, a preferred instrument being a hinged plier. The pouch is generally comprised of first and second layers, the layers being sealed around a peripheral edge except a separation in the seal to form an opening for accessing the inner space and a flap for closing the opening. The pouch has an upper portion and a first and second lower portion extending therefrom, the upper portion being comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than the lower portions to allow for insertion and removal of the instrument through the opening, wherein the opening is along the peripheral edge of the upper portion. A recessed portion separates the first and second lower portions, such as to permit the inner space to connect the first and second lower portions only through the upper portion.
I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/622,942 filed Jan. 12, 2007. This application is a continuation of the 11/622,942 application. The 11/622,942 application is currently pending. The 11/622,942 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable to this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sterilization pouches and more specifically it relates to a medical instrument sterilization pouch for efficiently bagging hinged instruments.
2. Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Sterilization pouches have been in use for years. Typically, when in a medical, dental or other similar environment it is necessary to keep all the instruments in pouches prior to use. The pouches effectively serve to prevent germs or other harmful toxins from coming in contact with the instruments when the instruments are not being used. The instruments are also generally sterilized prior to being inserted into the pouch or sterilized while inserted within the pouch.
Sterilization pouches are manufactured from many different materials, sizes and with many different sealing mechanisms. Although, one universal feature that generally exists in all sterilization pouches is that the sterilization pouches are generally rectangular in shape. This poses a problem with respect to hinged instruments, such as but not limited to orthodontic pliers and surgical pliers in that the hinged instruments cannot adequately fit on their respective tool racks (i.e. pliers rack) once the hinged instruments are in the pouch. Because of the general lack of efficiency and practicality in the prior art there is the need for a new and improved medical instrument sterilization pouch for efficiently bagging hinged instruments.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe general purpose of the present invention is to provide a medical instrument sterilization pouch that has many of the advantages of the sterilization pouches mentioned heretofore. The invention generally relates to a sterilization pouch which includes a sealable inner space for receiving one or more medical instruments, a preferred instrument being hinged pliers. The pouch is generally comprised of first and second layers, the layers being sealed around a peripheral edge except a separation in the seal to form an opening for accessing the inner space and a flap for closing the opening. The pouch has an upper portion and a first and second lower portion extending therefrom, the upper portion being comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than the lower portions to allow for insertion and removal of the instrument through the opening, wherein the opening is along the peripheral edge of the upper portion. A recessed portion separates the first and second lower portions, such as to permit the inner space to connect the first and second lower portions only through the upper portion.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
An object is to provide a medical instrument sterilization pouch for efficiently bagging hinged instruments.
Another object is to provide a medical instrument sterilization pouch that accommodates a variety of different style hinged instruments.
An additional object is to provide a medical instrument sterilization pouch that may be utilized with non-hinged instruments.
A further object is to provide a medical instrument sterilization pouch that allows the hinged instruments to be placed on their respective holding racks (i.e. pliers rack) after the hinged instruments are bagged.
Another object is to provide a medical instrument sterilization pouch that includes a durable outer material to prevent puncture by the instrument.
Another object is to provide a medical instrument sterilization pouch that mimics the shape and size of the medical instruments utilized thus producing less environmental and biological waste.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,
The pouch 20 includes a first lower portion 21 and a second lower portion 23, wherein the first lower portion 21 is separated from the second lower portion 23 and wherein the first lower portion 21 and the second lower portion 23 form a recessed portion 27 between thereof. The upper portion 25 is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than the lower portions 21, 23 to allow for insertion and removal of the instrument 12 through the opening 29, wherein the opening 29 is along the peripheral edge of the upper portion 25. The pouch 20 preferably receives a medical instrument 12 (e.g. surgical pliers), wherein the medical instrument 12 is sterilized within the pouch 20 and is then positioned upon a respective tool rack 14 (i.e. pliers rack).
B. Pouch.The pouch 20 is preferably comprised of a configuration to hold hinged medical instruments 12, such as but not limited to orthodontic pliers, surgical pliers, tweezers and scissors. The pouch 20 also preferably adequately holds non-hinged medical instruments 12, such as but not limited to inspection mirrors, dental picks, dental scalers and spatulas, wherein the non-hinged medical instruments 12 are simply inserted into the pouch 20 in a crossed manner. It is also appreciated that the pouch 20 may hold various other tools or equipment not associated with medical use. The pouch 20 preferably mimics the shape of the medical instrument 12, thus requiring the minimal amount of packaging for each medical instrument 12.
The pouch 20 includes a first layer 30 and a second layer 40 as shown in
The first layer 30 and the second layer 40 may be comprised of a plurality of different shapes and sizes, wherein each of the configurations of the first layer 30 and the second layer 40 forms a recessed portion 27 to receive the legs of a medical instrument 12 as illustrated in
The first layer 30 and the second layer 40 are preferably attached substantially near an outer perimeter of the first layer 30 and the second layer 40 via an outer seal 42 as shown in
The pouch 20 includes the first lower portion 21, the second lower portion 23 and the upper portion 25 opposite the first lower portion 21 and the second lower portion 23. The first lower portion 21 and the second lower portion 23 are preferably separably formed, wherein each lower portion preferably receives a respective leg of a medical instrument 12. In the case of the medical instrument 12 being comprised of a medical, hinged pliers, the head of the pliers 12 is received by the upper portion 25, the first leg of the pliers 12 is received by the first lower portion 21, and the second leg of the pliers 12 is received by the second lower portion 23 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-5.
The recessed portion 27 is formed between the first lower portion 21 and the second lower portion 23 as shown in
The recessed portion 27 is preferably comprised of a triangular shaped configuration. An apex of the recessed portion 27 preferably extends upwardly toward the upper portion 25 as shown in
The first lower portion 21 and the second lower portion 23 preferably substantially mirror each other as shown in
The upper portion 25 extends upwardly from lower portions 21, 23 and preferably receives the head of the medical instruments 12 as illustrated in
The opening 29 is preferably formed along at least one edge of the upper portion 25 of the pouch 20 as shown in
The vertical length of the upper portion 25 is also preferably just as long or longer than the first lower portion 21 and also just as long or longer than the second lower portion 23 thus being able to adequately permit insertion of the medical instrument 12 within the pouch 20 through the opening 29 of the upper portion 25. Further, in some embodiments, the upper portion 25 is longer than the first lower portion 21 and is longer than the second lower portion 23. For example, the embodiment of the pouch 20 in
The flap 50 covers the opening 29 after the medical instrument 12 has been inserted within the pouch 20 to prevent contaminants and toxins from coming into contact with the medical instrument 12. The flap 50 preferably extends along an entire length of the opening 29 as shown in
The flap 50 includes a first flange portion 52 and a second flange portion 54. The first flange portion 52 is preferably attached to the upper portion 25 and is substantially parallel with the opening 29. The second flange portion 54 preferably extends outwardly from the first flange portion 52 as shown in
The second flange portion 54 preferably includes a sealing member 56 extending across a longitudinal axis of the second flange portion 54 as shown in
The sealing member 56 and the outer layer 58 function in a similar manner to a sticker, wherein the backing of the sticker must be removed to attach the sticky surface to an object. It is appreciated that the opening 29 of the pouch 20 may be sealed utilizing a plurality of various manners rather than the preferred method, such as but not limited to a self-sealing extremity or a thermo-sealing blade.
D. Manufacture of Invention.The present invention may be manufactured in various manners as illustrated in
A second example of a way to manufacture the present invention is illustrated in
In use, the medical instrument 12 (i.e. surgical pliers) is first inserted within the pouch 20 by inserting the handles or legs of the medical instrument 12. Each respective leg is inserted within the respective lower portion 21, 23 of the pouch 20 and the head of the medical instrument 12 is inserted within the upper portion 25 of the pouch 20. When the medical instrument 12 is adequately positioned within the sealed pouch 20 the medical instrument 12 may be sterilized via various techniques, such as but not limited to steam sterilization. It is appreciated that the medical instrument 12 may be sterilized in a plurality of manners and also before insertion into the pouch 20.
The outer layer 58 of the flap 50 is then removed thus revealing the sealing member 56. The second flange portion 54 is then folded over the opening 29 of the pouch 20 and the sealing member 56 is attached to the upper surface of the first layer 30 thus sealing the medical instrument 12 within the pouch 20. The medical instrument 12 may now be positioned upon the respective tool rack 14 (i.e. pliers rack). When the user is ready to utilize the medical instrument 12 the above process is simply reversed. The sealed pouch 20 can also be opened by utilizing a scissors to cut open the pouch 20. In addition, a slit 44 anywhere along the non-sealed periphery of the pouch 20, as shown in
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
Claims
1. A sterilization pouch having a sealed inner space therein for receiving one or more medical instruments, said sterilization pouch comprising:
- an upper portion;
- a first lower portion extending from said upper portion;
- a second lower portion extending from said upper portion; and
- a recessed portion separating said first lower portion from said second lower portion, said recessed portion being below said upper portion, said recessed portion adapted to permit said inner space to connect said first lower portion and said second lower portion through said upper portion and to restrict said inner space from connecting said first lower portion directly to said second lower portion;
- wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said second lower portion.
2. The sterilization pouch of claim 1, wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said second lower portion.
3. The sterilization pouch of claim 1, wherein said upper portion is comprised of a triangular shaped structure.
4. The sterilization pouch of claim 1, wherein said upper portion is comprised of a rectangular shaped structure.
5. The sterilization pouch of claim 1, wherein said upper portion includes an opening along a peripheral edge, wherein said opening connects to said inner space.
6. The sterilization pouch of claim 5, including a flap extending from said upper portion, wherein said flap seals said opening.
7. The sterilization pouch of claim 6, wherein said opening and said flap extend along an angular edge of said upper portion.
8. The sterilization pouch of claim 6, wherein said opening and said flap extend along a top edge of said upper portion.
9. The sterilization pouch of claim 8, wherein said opening and said flap are horizontally oriented.
10. The sterilization pouch of claim 6, wherein said opening and said flap are positioned entirely above said recessed portion.
11. A sterilization pouch comprising:
- a first layer and a second layer wherein said first layer is attached to said second layer via an outer seal substantially surrounding an outer perimeter;
- wherein said first layer and said second layer form an inner space between thereof for receiving one or more medical instruments;
- an upper portion;
- a first lower portion extending from said upper portion;
- a second lower portion extending from said upper portion; and
- a recessed portion separating said first lower portion from said second lower portion, said recessed portion being below said upper portion, said recessed portion adapted to permit said inner space to connect said first lower portion and said second lower portion through said upper portion and to restrict said inner space from connecting said first lower portion directly to said second lower portion;
- wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said second lower portion.
12. The sterilization pouch of claim 11, wherein said first layer and/or said second layer are comprised of a gas permeable material.
13. The sterilization pouch of claim 11, wherein said first layer and said second layer are separably formed substantially along at least one outer edge thus forming an opening.
14. The sterilization pouch of claim 13, including a flap extending from said pouch, wherein said flap seals said opening.
15. The sterilization pouch of claim 11, wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said second lower portion.
16. A pliers and sterilization pouch, comprising:
- a hinged pliers, said pliers having a working head, a first leg, and a second leg, each of said legs extending from said working head in a hinged manner; and
- a pouch having an inner space to extend within an upper portion, a first lower portion, and a second lower portion of said pouch, said upper portion receives said working head, said first lower portion receives said first leg, and said second lower portion receives said second leg;
- wherein said pouch includes a recessed portion separating said first lower portion from said second lower portion, said recessed portion being below said upper portion, said recessed portion adapted to permit said inner space to connect said first lower portion and said second lower portion through said upper portion and to restrict said inner space from connecting said first lower portion directly to said second lower portion;
- wherein said upper portion is above said recessed portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said second lower portion.
17. The pliers and sterilization pouch of claim 16, wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said second lower portion.
18. The pliers and sterilization pouch of claim 16, wherein said upper portion is comprised of a triangular shaped structure.
19. The pliers and sterilization pouch of claim 16, wherein said upper portion is comprised of a rectangular shaped structure.
20. The pliers and sterilization pouch of claim 16, wherein said upper portion includes an opening along a peripheral edge, wherein said opening connects to said inner space, and including a flap extending from said upper portion, wherein said flap seals said opening, wherein said opening and said flap are positioned entirely above said recessed portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 17, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 17, 2011
Inventor: George Kyritsis
Application Number: 12/947,937
International Classification: B65D 30/08 (20060101); B25B 7/00 (20060101);