AU2017100495A4 - Medical Tray - Google Patents

Abstract

A MEDICAL TRAY A medical tray disclosed relates to the field of the trays. The medical tray minimizes risk of injuries during handling, and removably holds medical instruments therein. The medical tray comprises at least one compartment, and a skirt extending downwardly from an operative top lip of the compartment. The compartment is configured to removably hold medical instruments therein. The skirt has at least one hole configured on at least one wall surface of the skirt. The hole is configured to facilitate grasping of the medical tray. In one embodiment, the medical tray comprises a plurality of compartments separated by partition walls. The partition walls include at least one slot and/or a recess configured thereon to facilitate holding of an instruments. Figure 1 Figure 2 120

Description

2017100495 05 May 2017

TITLE

A medical tray FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of trays primarily used in medical field.

5 DEFINITIONS

As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.

Medical instruments - The term “medical instruments” hereinafter refers to 10 instruments having a cutting or puncturing portion including instruments that can cut, puncture or otherwise be invasive. The medical instruments include, but are not limited to, scalpels, injections, Veress needles, suture needles, scalpel blade holders, forceps, syringes, suture needles, fast fix instruments, medicines, cotton plugs, and other sharp or pointed surgical instruments. 15 Top lip - The term “top lip” hereinafter refers to an operative top edge of a compartment from where a skirt extends operatively downwardly.

BACKGROUND

Conventional medical trays are configured to hold sharp medical instruments therein. These medical instruments have a sharp or a pointed edge which can 20 injure a person if not handled with care. During medical procedures, the medical instruments are required to be transferred from a nurse to a surgeon or vice versa. Typically, the tray is an open topped kidney shaped or rectangular dish which provides users with no protection against accidental injury from the scalpel blade. Such trays also do not afford any protection against injuries caused by sharp edges 25 of the medical instruments. Further, many conventional trays are not 2017100495 05 May 2017 ergonomically suitable for holding large instruments such as long scalpels, large syringes, and long forceps. The conventional trays are required to be aligned with respect to a surgeon so that the surgeon can pick up the instrument easily, which is a cumbersome task and ergonomically unsuitable for a nurse. 5 Therefore, there is felt a need for a medical tray that alleviates the abovementioned drawbacks of conventional medical trays.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows: 10 An object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical tray that minimizes risk of injuries during handling.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical tray that removably holds medical instruments.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical tray that is 15 easy to transfer from one person to another.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical tray that eliminates the requirement of separate kidney dishes, gallipots, and used needle storage.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from 20 the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a medical tray. The medical tray comprises at least one compartment, and a skirt. The at least one compartment is defined by 25 surrounding walls and an operative lip, and is configured to removably hold 2 2017100495 05 May 2017 medical instruments therein. The skirt extends downwardly from an operative top lip of the compartment. The skirt has at least one hole configured on at least one wall surface thereof. The hole is configured to facilitate grasping of the medical tray during transfer from one person to another. 5 In an embodiment, the at least one compartment comprises engaging formations configured to facilitate holding of medical instruments within the compartment.

In another embodiment, the medical tray comprises a plurality of compartments separated by partition walls. Each of the partition walls includes a slot and/or a recess configured thereon to facilitate holding of medical instruments.

10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING A medical tray of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a medical tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 15 Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the medical tray of figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates an isometric the medical tray, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the medical tray of figure 3; 20 Figure 5 illustrates an isometric the medical tray, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 6 illustrates a top view of the medical tray of figure 5.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 100, 200 - Medical tray 3 2017100495 05 May 2017 110 - Compartment 112 - Surrounding walls 113, 213 - Top lip 114 - Base 5 115 - First recess 116 - Tabs 120, 220-Skirt 125 - Second recess 131, 132, 133, 134, 231,232, 233, 234-Hole 10 135 - Plurality of receptacles 210 - Plurality of compartments 240 - Plurality of partition walls 245 - Slot 248 - Tab 15 250 - Cutout

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to transfer trays for the safe and reliable handover of medical devices during medical procedures. The tray is primarily configured to improve existing methods of transferring surgical instruments between theatre 20 nurses and surgeons and reduce the chances of sharps injuries, and integrating safe holding mechanism while providing a safe and stable platform for holding short and long instruments and disposables. The medical tray has a hole on the sides of 4 2017100495 05 May 2017 the tray allowing the tray to be grasped and oriented in the most convenient way toward the surgeon for pick up and returns of sharps instruments. It also allows the user to grasp the tray in a stable position without undue stress to the hand.

The present disclosure envisages a medical tray that minimizes the risk of injury 5 during handling in hospitals specifically in operation theaters. The medical tray is configured to removably hold medical instruments therein and to safely lift, grasp, handle, and transfer the medical tray. The medical tray is further configured to handle and store special and long sharp instruments.

The medical tray (hereinafter also referred to as tray) comprises at least one 10 compartment, and a skirt extending operatively downwardly therefrom. The at least one compartment is defined by surrounding walls and an operative top lip, and is configured to removably hold medical instruments.

In one embodiment of the invention, engaging formations are configured within and on the walls of the compartment to facilitate holding of the medical 15 instruments within the compartment. The engaging formations include at least one of slots, recesses, tabs, holes, cavities, and the like. The skirt extends downwardly from an operative top lip of the compartment. At least one hole is configured on the wall surface of the skirt. The hole is configured to facilitate grasping and transferring of the medical tray from one person to another. The medical tray can 20 be handled easily by inserting a finger, typically the thumb, within the hole and lifting the medical tray with the help of other fingers. Thus, any contact with sharp medical instruments is avoided.

In accordance with one non-limiting embodiment, the medical tray of the present disclosure is now described with reference to figure 1 through figure 6. 25 Figure 1 to figure 4 illustrate a medical tray 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The medical tray 100 comprises a compartment 110 and a skirt 120. The compartment 110 is defined by a plurality of surrounding walls 112, a base 114, and an operative top lip 113. The base 114 5 2017100495 05 May 2017 is configured to hold medical instruments such as scalpels, medicines, cotton plugs, syringes, forceps, and the like. The surrounding walls 112 prevent the medical instruments from escaping out of the medical tray 100. In an embodiment, the surrounding walls 112 have a tapered shape converging 5 downwardly.

The skirt 120 extends downwardly from the operative top lip 113 of the compartment 110. The skirt 120 is defined by a plurality of wall surfaces (not exclusively labelled in figures). At least one hole 131 is configured on at least one wall surface of the skirt 120. The hole 131 is configured to accommodate a finger 10 therein. To lift the medical tray 100, a finger, typically the thumb, is inserted within the hole 131 and using other fingers, the medical tray 100 can be firmly lifted and transferred to another person.

In an embodiment, the skirt 120 has a plurality of holes 131, 132, 133, 134 configured on wall surfaces of the skirt 120 to facilitate firm holding of the 15 medical tray 100 without changing the orientation thereof. More specifically, the holes 131 and 132 are configured on front and rare wall surfaces of the skirt 120, and the holes 133 and 134 are configured on the operative side wall surfaces of the skirt 120. A person can grasp the tray 100 by inserting his/her thumb in a hole directed towards him/her, thereby avoiding changing orientation of the tray 100. 20 In an embodiment, the base 114 of the compartment 110 is a flat base. In another embodiment, the base 114 of the compartment 110 has engaging formations formed therewithin. The engaging formations are configured to hold the medical instruments. Typically, the engaging formations are in the form of slots, tabs, recesses, and the like. An engaging formation in the form of a recess 115 is 25 configured longitudinally with respect to the compartment 110 on the base 114. The medical instruments having long length and narrow width can be securely disposed within the recess 115. The recess 115 is configured to stabilize the medical instruments disposed, and avoid movement of the medical instruments 6 2017100495 05 May 2017 within the compartment 110. In an embodiment, the recess 115 has two levels to stabilize the medical instruments such as scalpels.

In yet another embodiment, tabs 116 are provided proximal to the recess 115 to further stabilize the medical instruments. 5 In another embodiment, another engaging formation in a form of a recess 125 is configured on the base 114 and the surrounding walls 112. The recess 125 is configured transversally with respect to the compartment 110. The recess 125 facilitates gripping of medical instruments disposed within the compartment 110 and avoids any contact with sharp edges of the medical instruments. The recess 10 125 is orthogonal to the recess 115. This arrangement forms a pit below the medical instrument to facilitate gripping the instrument.

In yet another embodiment, a plurality of receptacles 135 is configured on an operative top surface of tray 100 to hold syringe needles therein. Before using a syringe needle, the syringe needle with cover is pressed into the receptacle 135. 15 The syringe needle is then withdrawn leaving the cover in the receptacle 135. After use, the syringe is reinserted in the cover. The cover is thus captured on the tray 100. By twisting, the needle can be separated from the syringe, and can be safely stowed in the cover. The plurality of receptacles 135 facilitates safe and easy removal of the cover before use, and safe and easy disposal of the syringe 20 back in the cover after use.

In an operative configuration, required medical instruments are disposed within the compartment 110. The medical instruments, such as scalpels, are disposed in the recess 115. The tray 100 is then lifted by inserting the thumb within the hole 131. By using other fingers and the thumb, the tray 100 is lifted and transferred to 25 another person. The another person receives the tray 100 by inserting his thumb in the hole 132 suitable for that person. The persons using the tray 100, can also use the holes 133 and 134 to grasp and transfer the tray 100. In the process described above, no part of the hand of a person handling the tray 100 comes in contact with the sharp edges of the medical instruments, thereby avoiding injuries. 7 2017100495 05 May 2017

Figure 5 and figure 6 illustrate a medical tray 200, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The medical tray 200 comprises a plurality of compartments 210, and a skirt 220.

The plurality of compartments 210 is separated from each other by a plurality of 5 partition walls 240. Each of the plurality of compartments 210 has similar configuration as that of the compartment 110. Thus, for the sake of brevity of the disclosure, the similar features of the plurality of compartments 210 are not repeated here.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of compartments 210 has engaging 10 formations as that of the compartment 110. In another embodiment, the plurality of compartments 210 has a flat base (not exclusively labelled in figures), and does not have any engaging formations as that of the compartment 110.

Each of the plurality of partition walls 240 includes at least one slot 245 and/or a recess configured thereon. In an embodiment, the slot 245 and/or the recess is 15 configured on an operative top surface of the partition walls 240. The slot 245 and/or the recess facilitates removable holding of medical instruments such as forceps, suture needles and the like. The shape of the slot 245 and/or the recess is complementary to the medical instrument to be held within the slot 245 and/or the recess. Further, a tab 248 is configured within a slot 245 and/or the recess of a 20 partition wall 240 which facilitates holding of handle of the forceps.

The configuration of the skirt 220 is similar to that of the skirt 120 of the tray 100. The skirt 220 extends downwardly from an operative top lip 213 of the plurality of compartments 210. More specifically, the plurality of compartments 210 is connected to each other to form a set of compartments. The skirt 220 extends 25 downwardly from the operative top periphery of the set of compartments as shown in figure 5 and figure 6. The skirt 220 is defined by a plurality of wall surfaces (not exclusively labelled in figures). At least one hole 231 is configured on at least one wall surface of the skirt 220. The hole 231 is configured to accommodate a finger therein. To lift the medical tray 200, a finger, typically the 8 2017100495 05 May 2017 thumb, is inserted within the hole 231 and using other fingers, the medical tray 200 can be grasped and transferred to another person.

In another embodiment, the skirt 220 has a plurality of holes 231, 232, 233, 234 configured thereon to facilitate grasping of the tray 200 without changing the 5 orientation thereof. More specifically, the holes 231 and 232 are configured on front and rare wall surfaces of the skirt 220, and the holes 233 and 234 are configured on the operative side wall surfaces of the skirt 220

In another embodiment, a cutout 250 is configured on the operative top lip 213 of the tray 200 to facilitate gripping of the forceps. Due to the cutout 250, a person 10 can easily grip the forceps by inserting his fingers in the handle of the forceps. The cutout 250 has no base which provides a level of comfort to the nurse and to the surgeon that there is nothing under the instrument being picked up which can potentially injure the fingers.

The operative configuration of the tray 200 is similar to that of the tray 100. 15 Hence, for the sake of the brevity, the same is not repeated here.

In an embodiment, the skirt 120 of the tray 100 and the skirt 220 of the tray 200 have no holes configured thereon.

The tray 100, 200 can be made of any suitable moulded plastic such as polypropylene. However, the tray 100, 200 can be of any other plastic materials. 20 In an alternative configuration, the tray 100, 200 can also be made from a variety of materials in whole, part or composite.

The tray 100 and the tray 200 are used to store the medical instruments. The medical instruments includes medical instruments such as syringes, scalpel blade, scalpel blade holders, fast fix instrument, skin wash forceps, suture needles, suture 25 needle forceps, and the like. More specifically, the tray 100 is configured to hold syringes, skin wash forceps, and medicines therewithin. The configuration of the tray 100 is such that the syringe upto 60 ml can be disposed within the tray 100. 9 2017100495 05 May 2017

The tray 200 has the plurality of compartments 210 that can store medicines, cotton plugs, and smaller medical instruments. The partition walls 240 can hold forceps thereon.

The tray of the present disclosure, is configured to hold large forceps as well the 5 full range of suture needle holders in a safe and stable position. The tray can store scalpel blades of size 10, 11, 12, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23 and scalpel blade holders of size 3, 4, 7, 9, and upto 4L.

As the holes 131, 132, 133, 134, 231, 232, 233, 234 are configured below the top lip of the compartments, the chances of accidental needle stick and/or cut injuries 10 are minimized. The holes 131, 132, 133, 134, 231, 232, 233, 234 are located on the sides and ends of the trays providing maximum flexibility for instrument handover.

These distinct holes on the side of the trays provide a common theme across the trays and through this consistency the pickup, the hold and return of the trays 15 promotes safe working practices.

The tray, of the present disclosure is ergonomically comfortable to hold which is easy for a nurse to position, rotate/align the tray/ instrument to suit the surgeon’s hand. A surgeon, in a single move, can pick up the instrument and have the right grip to use it. The tray facilitates correct alignment for the surgeon to return the 20 instrument to the tray safely with the minimum risk of instruments misaligning, with sharps in a position least likely to cause injury. The tray has a common grip, i.e., in the form of holes so that predictability of hold and orientation of the tray allows for better coordination between a nurse and a surgeon even at the end of a long and tiring procedure. In the process, this common and distinct grip would act 25 as “aid memoir” for the nurses on the prescribed holding mechanism and in so doing increase compliance to the safe holding of trays practice and reduce sharps injuries. 10 2017100495 05 May 2017

The tray, of the present disclosure provides a stable platform for holding and transferring short and long instruments during surgery, while reducing the number of containers required by integrating the kidney dish, multiple gallipots, rectangular trays and the like with safe and convenient hand holds that keep hands 5 shielded against sharp edges of instruments.

The tray, of the present disclosure, has low center of gravity, thereby making the tray very stable and less prone to accidental tipping.

The tray, of the present disclosure, is safe to use as it minimizes the risk of injury. The tray is comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver. Further, the tray prevents 10 sliding of the medical instruments within the tray, thereby shielding fingers against the sharp edges of the medical instruments. The tray can hold long syringes and scalpel blades. The tray is stackable over other tray of the same configuration. The tray can be easily gripped from a table or a flat surface using a single hand, and can be easily transferred to another person. Further, as the holes 15 are provided on multiple sides of the medical tray, the tray can be easily handled by both right handed and left handed person with same level of comfort and maneuverability. The tray can hold long scalpels upto 4L, and long syringes upto 60 ml.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS 20 The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a medical tray that: • minimizes risk of injuries during handling; • removably holds medical instruments; • is easy to transfer from one person to another; and 25 · eliminates requirement of separate kidney dishes, gallipots, and used needle storage. 11 2017100495 05 May 2017

The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof 5 are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of 10 skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific 15 embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments 20 herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated 25 element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. 12 2017100495 05 May 2017

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has 5 been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application. 10 The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary. 15 While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the 20 disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. 13

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A medical tray comprising: at least one compartment defined by surrounding walls and an operative top lip, and configured to removably hold a medical instrument therein; and a skirt extending downwardly from said operative top lip of said at least one compartment, said skirt having at least one hole configured on at least one wall surface of said skirt, said at least one hole configured to facilitate grasping of said medical tray during transfer from one person to another.
2. 2. The medical tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one compartment comprises engaging formations configured to facilitate holding of a medical instrument within said compartment.
3. 3. The medical tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein said skirt includes a hole configured on each surface of said skirt to facilitate firm holding of said medical tray to transfer said medical tray from one person to another person.
4. 4. The medical tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein said medical tray comprises a plurality of compartments separated by partition walls.
5. 5. The medical tray as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said partition walls includes a slot and/or a recess configured thereon to facilitate holding of an instrument.