DE102019128592A1 - Sterile container system with a sieve container secured in position in a sterile container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sterile container system (1) for the sterile transport and storage of medical, in particular surgical, instruments and / or implants, with a lockable sterile container (2) and at least one sieve basket (3) that can be inserted therein Sterile container (2) and form-locking elements (11, 12, 17, 18, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31) fixed on the sieve basket (3), which automatically when the sieve basket (3) is arranged in the sterile container (2) cause a positive fit between the screen basket (3) and the sterile container (2).

Description

The present invention relates to a sterile container system for the sterile transport and storage of medical, in particular surgical, instruments and / or implants, with a lockable sterile container or sterile container and at least one sieve basket that can be inserted therein.

Baskets are generally used for the disposal, cleaning, preparation or assembly, sterilization, storage and transport of medical, in particular surgical, instruments and / or implants, hereinafter also referred to as sterile objects, and are generally known. In known sterile container systems, for transport and / or storage, such sieve baskets are placed in a sterile container together with the sterile objects contained therein, without the sieve basket being fixed in the container. The sieve basket is thus movable relative to the sterile container, in the worst case even in all spatial directions.

The problem with such sterile container systems is that sliding movements can occur during handling or transport of a sterile container with a sieve basket contained therein due to the lack of fixation. A disadvantageous consequence of such relative movements is usually, among other things, the formation of abrasion, which can possibly come into contact with the sterile objects contained in the sterile container and contaminate them. In the worst case, such pollution can impair the health of a patient, for example unwanted immune reactions with the known disadvantageous consequences. Another disadvantage is that signs of wear and tear can occur over time, for example if the floor of the sterile container is chafed through. Such signs of wear disadvantageously reduce the service life of the sterile container. In addition, when handling the sterile container, weight shifts can occur due to a displacement of the sieve basket contained in the sterile container. This makes handling more difficult. Finally, in the case of heavy loads, dents can form in the walls of the sterile container if the sieve basket is unintentionally displaced in the sterile container.

The DE 10 2012 111 096 A1 discloses a sterile container system with transport lock. This sterile container system is designed for sterile transport and storage of medical, in particular surgical, instruments and / or implants during a sterilization process and has a closable sterile container, in particular formed by a lid and a tub, and at least one sieve basket that can be inserted therein. There is at least one fastening device which, on the one hand, acts on one of the medical instruments that can be inserted into the sieve basket, securing it to the sieve basket, and at the same time acts on the sieve basket, securing it to the sterile container. The fastening device can be implemented either in the form of components of the sterile container that are elastically deformable by negative pressure or from an elastic expansion element that is to be arranged separately between the sieve basket and the sterile container, or from an elastic element that acts between the sieve basket and the sterile container.

The known sterile container system described above has the disadvantage that, depending on the embodiment, it is expensive to implement, requires separate user-side actuation, does not provide a defined position securing of the strainer basket relative to the sterile container (since the fastening device is elastic and acts and thus does not reliably prevent relative movements ) or is designed separately from both the strainer basket and the sterile container. It is therefore not ensured, depending on the embodiment, that the screen basket is received in the sterile container reliably, independent of operator error and in a fixed position. Other known sterile container systems are not reusable, for example because they contain materials such as foams, wipes, etc.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to reduce the mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to provide a sterile container system which enables a safe and automatic, i.e. independent of operation, avoidance of relative movements between the sieve basket and the sterile container, in particular such that the sieve basket is fixed in the sterile container regardless of its loading state and movements of the sieve basket in the sterile container are prevented or at least reduced during transport of the sterile container system.

This object is achieved according to the present invention by a device according to claim 1, that is to say by a sterile container system for the sterile transport and storage of medical, in particular surgical, instruments and / or implants, with a lockable sterile container or sterile container and at least one sieve basket that can be inserted therein, wherein the sterile container system has form-locking elements fixed on the sterile container and on the strainer basket, which when the strainer basket is arranged in the sterile container automatically create a form fit between the sieve basket and the sterile container.

In the context of the invention, the form-fit elements are designed in such a way that a form-fit connection between the sterile container and the sieve basket is automatically formed when the sieve basket is arranged in the sterile container as intended. A form fit within the meaning of the invention is to be understood in particular as a form fit only in the lateral direction, that is, in directions parallel to a bottom of the sterile container or, in other words, in directions transverse to an insertion direction of the strainer basket. In addition, a form fit is to be understood as meaning that the form fit elements fit one another in the manner of a loose fit, i.e. inserting and removing / engaging and disengaging are easily possible when the system is operated by the user, relative movements in particular in transverse directions however, to the direction of insertion should be avoided. When the sterile container system is handled as intended, the insertion direction can in particular be the vertical direction or the direction of a sterile container vertical axis. In the context of the invention, the form-locking elements can in particular be designed in such a way that they effect a form-locking only in the aforementioned directions, but not in the insertion direction / across the bottom of the sterile container, which enables particularly user-friendly handling. In addition, a fixation of the sieve basket in the vertical direction or in the direction of the vertical axis of the container is not necessary in everyday life in a central sterile supply department (CSSD), since sterile containers are usually aligned as intended and, in particular, are not handled and / or transported upside down.

It is a particular advantage of the invention that it provides a sterile container system that offers permanently installed fixation options for a sieve basket in a sterile container tub, which are reusable and do not require any separate actuation / activation by a user in order to function / act. The invention also creates a particularly ergonomically manageable Steri lcontai nersystem.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are claimed in the subclaims and are explained in more detail below.

One embodiment is characterized in that the form-locking elements have at least one elevation or a projection and a recess or recess that brings about a matching form-locking. An elevation formed on the sterile container can interact with a matching depression formed on the strainer basket. Alternatively or additionally, an elevation formed on the strainer basket can interact with a depression formed on the sterile container. The depressions or elevations are preferably each formed or arranged on the bottom of the sterile container or on the bottom of the sieve basket. The elevations can either be molded into the sterile container or the sieve basket or in the form of shaped sheet metal parts, which are preferably firmly and non-detachably attached to the sterile container or the sieve basket, for example welded, glued or riveted. A particular advantage is that already existing sterile containers can be retrofitted with positive locking elements in this way and can be used for the purposes of the invention.

Another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the strainer basket has a form-locking element in the form of a particularly strip-shaped foot. The sterile container tub has a recess which is suitably designed for the foot to engage, into which the foot engages when the strainer basket is arranged as intended. The recess is preferably formed by two rails arranged parallel to one another, between which the recess is formed. The rails on the sterile container and / or the foot on the sieve basket can in particular extend over the entire width or length of the sterile container or the sieve basket, interrupted or uninterrupted. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, because it is stable, the sieve basket has at least two feet spaced apart from one another and the sterile container has a corresponding number of suitably shaped recesses and rails.

Preferably, the rails are each L-shaped, that is, they have an L-shaped cross section. In particular, they can have a fastening limb arranged parallel to the bottom of the sterile container tub and a limiting limb that extends essentially orthogonally to it and protrudes into the receiving space of the sterile container tub. The receiving space is then formed between the two opposing limiting legs. The form fit is created by the foot resting against one, preferably both, limiting limbs.

It is of particular advantage if the recess is closed at the end of the rails, that is, the recess formed between the rails has a defined length. In this way, the rails, together with a foot of the screen basket, create a positive fit both in a direction transverse to the rails and in the longitudinal direction of the rails, so that movements in all Directions parallel to the floor of the sterile container can be prevented easily and safely.

According to a further embodiment, shaped sheet metal elements with a substantially omega-shaped cross-section, that is with a cross-section of a large omega, are arranged as form-locking elements on the bottom of the sterile container tub in its receiving space. An omega-shaped cross-section in this sense is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a cross-sectional shape in which the sheet metal element has two spaced-apart arms, which are arranged parallel to the bottom of the sterile container tub and which by means of an essentially U-shaped arc with two mutually parallel and to the arms orthogonal legs and a connecting web arranged therebetween and aligned parallel to the bottom of the sterile container are connected to one another. A circular recess, preferably in the form of a through opening with a circular cross-section, is formed in each of the shaped sheet metal elements, in particular in the connecting web parallel to the sterile container floor. In this embodiment, the strainer basket has partially spherical or frustoconical feet, each of which is designed for a positive engagement in one of the recesses. By means of such form-locking elements, the screen basket can not only be held in a fixed position relative to the sterile container, but also centered. In addition, such a design of the form-fit elements enables a particularly simple and therefore user-friendly insertion of the screen basket.

The form-fit elements preferably consist of a perforated sheet material. This enables a good and largely complete drainage of liquid, especially condensate, and improves the drying properties.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the form-fit elements are designed in the form of a structuring of the bottom of the sterile container tub and the bottom of the strainer basket. It can also be said that the interlocking elements are formed by a structure that is formed or molded into the bottom of the sterile container as well as the bottom of the strainer basket. The structuring / structure can in particular be formed by a rounded or angular wave-like shape of the bottom of the sterile container tub and of the strainer basket. By structuring the bottom of the sieve basket and the sterile container tray in this way, a particularly good anti-slip effect can be achieved between the sieve basket and the sterile container. The structuring can bring about a form fit in only one single spatial direction; however, it is preferred if it produces a form fit in two spatial directions that are orthogonal to one another and aligned parallel to the floor of the sterile container.

In summary, it can be said that the invention provides a sterile container system in which fixing elements, which act between the sieve basket and the sterile container and which are arranged in particular in the sterile container, reduce the movements of the sieve basket in the sterile container during transport.

• - Reduzierung von Abrieb zwischen Sterilcontainer und Siebkorb
• - Längere Lebenszeit der Sterilcontainerwanne durch Reduzierung von Scheuerbewegungen / Relativbewegungen
• - Bessere ergonomische Handhabung des Sterilcontainers beim Transport, da Gewichtsverlagerungen durch die fehlende Fixierung verhindert oder zumindest vermindert werden.
• - Keine Bildung von Dellen in der Containerwanne durch schwere rutschende Ladungen

With the help of the invention, the following advantages in particular can be achieved over the prior art:

• - Reduction of abrasion between the sterile container and the sieve basket
• - Longer service life of the sterile container tray by reducing rubbing movements / relative movements
• - Better ergonomic handling of the sterile container during transport, since weight shifts due to the lack of fixation are prevented or at least reduced.
• - No dents are formed in the container body due to heavy sliding loads

• 1 eine Frontansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform eines Siebkorbs eines Sterilcontainersystems nach der Erfindung,
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht des Siebkorbs der 1,
• 3 eine Schnittansicht eines Sterilcontainers des Sterilcontainersystems der ersten Ausführungsform,
• 4 eine vergrößerte perspektivische Ansicht eines Details des Siebkorbs der 1,
• 5 ein Detail einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung in einer Aufsicht,
• 6 das Detail der 5 in einer Schnittdarstellung,
• 7 einen Sterilcontainer der zweiten Ausführungsform der 5 und 6 in einer Aufsicht,
• 8 einen Siebkorb der zweiten Ausführungsform in einer Schnittdarstellung,
• 9 den Siebkorb der 8 in einer Aufsicht,
• 10 eine dritte Ausführungsform der Erfindung in einer Schnittdarstellung und
• 11 eine vierte Ausführungsform der Erfindung in einer Schnittdarstellung.

Further features and advantages of the present invention emerge from the following exemplary and non-limiting description of the invention with reference to figures. These are only of a schematic nature and are only used for understanding the invention. Show:

• 1 a front view of a first embodiment of a sieve basket of a sterile container system according to the invention,
• 2 a perspective view of the screen basket of FIG 1 ,
• 3 a sectional view of a sterile container of the sterile container system of the first embodiment,
• 4th an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the screen basket of FIG 1 ,
• 5 a detail of a second embodiment of the invention in a plan view,
• 6th the detail of the 5 in a sectional view,
• 7th a sterile container of the second embodiment of 5 and 6th in a supervision,
• 8th a screen basket of the second embodiment in a sectional view,
• 9 the sieve basket of the 8th in a supervision,
• 10 a third embodiment of the invention in a sectional view and
• 11 a fourth embodiment of the invention in a sectional view.

A sterile container system 1 according to the invention has a sterile container 2 and a sieve basket that can be arranged therein 3 on. The sterile container 2 is by means of a sterile container lid 4th lockable. It has an essentially rectangular bottom 5 and four side walls arranged thereon 6a, b, c, d . The floor 5 surrounds along with the side walls 6a, b, c, d a recording room 7th for the strainer basket 3 . On the floor 5 opposite side of the sterile container 2 there is an opening 8th , which by means of the sterile container lid 4th is lockable.

The strainer basket 3 has a sieve basket base 9 and sieve basket walls arranged thereon 10a, b, c, d and are each provided with through openings. For example, the sieve basket bottom 9 and / or the screen basket walls 10a, b, c, d formed from a lattice structure. The strainer basket 3 serves to accommodate medical, in particular surgical, instruments and / or implants, which are not shown in the figures.

In the embodiment of 1 to 5 is the strainer basket 3 with two strip-shaped feet 11 , 12th provided, which are arranged parallel to one another on the underside of the sieve basket base 10 and protrude downward from the sieve basket base 10. The feet 11 , 12th are made of a metal material or a plastic material such as PEEK or PPSU.

On the the recording room 7th facing inside of the sterile container bottom 5 are a total of four strips or rails 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 arranged parallel to each other. Two of the bars form each 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 together a pair, between which a recess 17th or. 18th is trained. As in 4th shown are each at both ends of the recess 17th , 18th between the bars 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 walls 19th arranged with which the recess 17th , 18th is closed at the end. The rails 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 run across the tub of the sterile container 2 , from one long tub side 6a to the other long tub side 6c . The bars 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 are each designed with an L-shaped cross section and each have a fastening leg 32 that is parallel to the ground 5 is aligned, and a limiting leg 33 that is orthogonal to the ground 5 is aligned. The bars 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 are each by means of rivets not shown in the figures on the ground 5 of the sterile container 2 attached. This can very easily and effectively prevent the sterile barrier formed by the sterile container from being violated and thus creating a potential penetration point for microorganisms.

To also in the area of by the feet 11 , 12th and the moldings 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 The strips exist to ensure that condensate formed during a steam sterilization process runs off 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 as are the walls 19th and / or the feet 11 , 12th of the strainer basket 3 ideally from a perforated sheet.

The feet 11 , 12th and the moldings 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 with the walls 19th , i.e. the recesses formed thereby 17th , 18th , form interacting positive locking elements within the meaning of the invention. The feet 11 , 12th and the moldings 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 are designed and positioned in such a way that when the screen basket is introduced 3 in the recording room 7th of the sterile container 2 inevitably and automatically the feet 11 , 12th into the recesses 17th , 18th intervene and there is a form fit, the strainer basket 3 thus relative to the sterile container 2 is kept in a defined position. The existing form fit prevents relative movements of the strainer basket 3 in directions parallel to the ground 5 of the sterile container.

By fixing the feet 11 , 12th in which by the ledges 13th , 14th , 15th , 16 and the walls 19th formed recesses 17th , 18th it is ensured that relative movements of the screen basket 3 and sterile containers 2 can be prevented or at least reduced in the transverse direction and / or longitudinal direction during transport or other handling.

In the case of the 5 to 9 embodiment shown are on the receiving space 7th facing side of the floor 5 four form-fit or fixing elements 20a, b, c, d in the form of sheet metal elements 20a, b, c, d appropriate. These are back to the ground 5 riveted. Each of the fixation elements 20a, b, c, d has a substantially omega-shaped cross-section, with a first mounting arm 21 and a second mounting arm 22nd each parallel to the ground 5 are arranged. Between the mounting arms is a substantially U-shaped arch with two parallel to each other and to the arms 21 , 22nd orthogonal legs 23 , 24 and one in between, parallel to the ground 5 aligned connecting web 25th . In the one to the sterile container floor 5 parallel connecting web 25th is a circular depression 26th in the form of a through opening 26th formed with a circular cross-section. The strainer basket 3 has partially spherical feet in this embodiment 27a , b, c, d from, each for a positive engagement in the recess 26th of sheet metal features 20a, b, c, d are trained. This is how the strainer basket is 3 not just fixed in position to the sterile container 2 held, but also centered.

The 10 shows a further embodiment of the invention in a sectional view, in which the bottom 5 of the sterile container 2 as well as the floor 9 of the strainer basket 3 each with a wave-like structure 28 or. 29 are provided. The 11 shows a further embodiment of the invention in a sectional view, in which the bottom 5 of the sterile container 2 as well as the floor 9 of the strainer basket 3 each with a rectangular cross-section structure 30th or. 31 are provided.

List of reference symbols

1

Sterile container system

2

Sterile container

3

Strainer basket

4th

Sterile container lid

5

Bottom of the sterile container

6a, b, c, d

Side walls of the sterile container

7th

Recording room

8th

opening

9

Sieve basket bottom

10a, b, c, d

Screen basket walls

11

foot

12th

foot

13th

Bar, rail

14th

Bar, rail

15th

Bar, rail

16

Bar, rail

17th

Recess

18th

Recess

19th

wall

20a, b, c, d

Fixing element, sheet metal element

21

Mounting arm

22nd

Mounting arm

23

leg

24

leg

25th

Connecting bridge

26th

Recess, passage opening

27a, b, c, d

Stand

28

structuring

29

structuring

30th

structuring

31

structuring

32

Mounting leg

33

Limiting leg

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102012111096 A1 [0004]

Claims (9)

Sterile container system (1) for the sterile transport and storage of medical, in particular surgical, instruments and / or implants, with a lockable sterile container (2) and at least one sieve basket (3) that can be inserted therein, characterized in that the sterile container system (1) is attached to the sterile container ( 2) and form-locking elements (11, 12, 17, 18, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31) fixed on the sieve basket (3), which automatically form a form-fit when the sieve basket (3) is arranged in the sterile container (2) between the sieve basket (3) and the sterile container (2). Sterile container system (1) Claim 1 , characterized in that the sterile container (2) has a receiving space (7) forming a sterile container tub (5, 6) with an opening (8) formed on its upper side and a sterile container lid (4) for closing the opening (8), the Sieve basket (3) can be introduced in one insertion direction through the opening (8) into the receiving space (7) of the sterile container tub (5, 6) and the form-fit elements (11, 12, 17, 18, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31) cause a form fit in a direction transverse to the direction of insertion, in particular only in a direction transverse to the direction of insertion. Sterile container system (1) Claim 2 , characterized in that the form-locking elements (11, 12, 17, 18, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31) have at least one elevation or a projection and a corresponding recess or recess causing a matching form-fit. Sterile container system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen basket (3) has an in particular strip-shaped foot (11, 12) which engages in a recess (17, 18) formed on the sterile container tray (5, 6), which is formed in particular by two rails (13, 14, 15, 16) arranged parallel to one another, between which the recess (17, 18) for the foot (11, 12) is formed. Sterile container system (1) Claim 4 , characterized in that the rails (13, 14, 15, 16) are each L-shaped, in particular with an L-shaped cross-section, with a fastening leg (32) arranged parallel to the floor (5) of the sterile container tray (5, 6) ) and a limiting limb (33) extending essentially orthogonally to this and projecting into the receiving space (7) of the sterile container tub (5, 6). Sterile container system (1) Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the recess (17, 18) at the end of the rails (13, 14, 15, 16) is closed, in particular by means of a wall (19) arranged between them. Sterile container system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that sheet metal elements (20a, b, c, d) with a substantially omega-shaped cross-section as form-fitting elements protrude into the receiving space (7) on the bottom (5) of the sterile container tub (5, 6) are arranged, in which a circular recess (26), preferably in the form of a through opening (26) with a circular cross-section, is formed, and the screen basket (3) has partially spherical or frustoconical feet (27a, b, c, d), each of which are designed for a positive engagement in each of the recesses (26). Sterile container system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the form-fitting elements consist of a perforated sheet material. Sterile container system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the form-fitting elements (11, 12, 17, 18, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31) in the form of a structure (28, 29, 30, 31) the bottom (5) of the sterile container tub (5, 6) and the bottom (9) of the strainer basket (3) are formed, in particular by a rounded or angular wave-like shape / structure of the bottom (5) of the sterile container tub (5, 6) and the Bottom (9) of the strainer basket (3).

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