DE8033719U1 - Cassette especially for holding objects to be sterilized - Google Patents

Description

Cassette, in particular for holding objects to be sterilized

The invention relates to a cassette according to the preamble of claim 1.

In medicine, or more precisely, in surgery, cassettes are used in which the items needed for an operation Items such as surgical instruments and implants are classified. The cassettes are made of metal, perforated bottom and cover parts provided so that the cassettes with the objects contained therein in before the operation can be sterilized in an autoclave.

In a known cassette, the bottom part and the top part are similar to a suitcase on one side through a Hinge connected to one another and lockable on the other side with snap locks. Otherwise are inside a cassette often superposed insert floors are present on which the instruments and / or implants are arranged are.

The sterilization of the cassette and the articles contained therein is often the fact that they water vapor having a temperature of, for example, I ¹ IO to 145 ° C and a vacuum are alternately exposed in an autoclave.

If a cassette of this known type is opened during the operation, the opened cover part is still hanging with it the bottom part and also takes up space. this is particularly disadvantageous because, during operations, cassettes often contain several instruments and implants are needed and because these instruments and implants are all in the smallest possible space and for the surgical training should be easy to grasp. Furthermore, the previously known cassettes can be in the closed state and especially in the open

State cannot be stacked in a stable manner, which makes their handling additionally difficult during operations.

Incidentally, it also offers what is required to open the cassettes Unlocking the snaps take some effort. Furthermore, it has now been shown that the snap locks the previously known cassettes in particular poorly meet the stresses occurring during sterilization. the Different parts of the closures can, for example, deform during sterilization, which then has the consequence It is possible that the locks can only be opened with difficulty or by themselves when carrying the cassettes around jump up.

The invention has now set itself the task of creating a cassette in which the cover part when opened the cassette can be completely removed from the bottom part quickly and easily. However, they should be used to connect of the cover part with the bottom part serving closure means unintentional opening of when the cassette is being carried around Prevent this with great security and virtually result in an automatic locking when carried around, so that every Kind of movements of the cover part with respect to the bottom part is prevented.

Furthermore, the cassette should be designed in this way, or at least be designed so that both the closed cassettes and the base parts are stably stacked on top of one another can be.

This object is achieved by a cassette of the type mentioned in the introduction, which according to the invention by the features of Claim 1 is characterized.

Particular expedient embodiments of the invention result

from the dependent claims as well as from the following Description of an embodiment.

The subject matter of the invention will now be explained using an exemplary embodiment described in the drawing. In the drawing show

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sterilization cassette for use in surgery,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the cassette, looking towards the left side of the cassette shown in Figure 1,

FIG. 3 shows a partial plan view of the cassette, the handle being in its release position,

FIG. 4 shows a partial plan view of the cassette, with the Handle is also in its release position and moved the cover part to the rear is,

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the cassette with the handle in its release position and

FIG. 6 is a partially broken open partial front view of two closed, stacked one on top of the other Cassettes.

The sterilization cassette shown in the various figures of the drawing is used for receiving during an operation required items, such as surgical instruments and / or implants. For example, the cassette for a bone

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operation as implants contain about bone plates and screws.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cassette 1 has six rectangular walls, opposite one another in pairs and parallel to one another, namely a top wall 2, a bottom wall 3, a front and rear wall 4 and 5 and a pair of side walls 6 and 7 . The top and / or bottom wall or 3 are preferably equipped with several openings 8 in order to facilitate the sterilization, only some of these openings being shown in FIG. 1 to improve clarity. At the ones shown, C exemplary embodiment illustrated, the front ^ - floor and rear wall 4, formed 3 and 5 from a single piece of sheet metal and together form a bottom portion B. Similarly, there are also the cover wall 2 and the two side walls 6 and 7 from a single piece of sheet metal and together form a cover part C.

At the two side edges of the front wall. 4 and the rear wall 5 is each a column 20 attached to these walls 4 and 5, namely screwed with screws S on the front and rear wall . The columns 20 form holding means in order to hold the cover part C consisting of the top wall 2 and the side walls 6 and 7 in the intended position in relation to the bottom part B consisting of the bottom wall 3 and the front and rear walls 4 and 5, respectively. Each column 20 has a body 22 in the form of an upright prism which is rectangular in plan. Each column 20 is provided at the lower end of the body 22 with a foot 24 connected to it, extending to below the bottom wall 3, and with a head 26 which is connected to the upper end of the body 22 via a thinner, circular-cylindrical neck 28. When the cassette is closed, the body 22 of each column 20 is located in the interior thereof and forms a corner support of the cassette 1

Back wall 4 and 5 the cover part C from lateral shifts preserved. Each neck 28 is, as already mentioned, thinner than the body 22 and the head 26, in a way that the smallest Cross-sectional dimension of the head 26 is greater than that largest cross-sectional dimension of the neck 28. Each of the four heads 26 therefore protrudes beyond the neck 28 on all sides.

As can be seen particularly clearly from FIGS. 3 and 4 can, the top wall 2 is at its front edge with a pair of incisions 10 and at its rear edge with a pair of openings 12 provided. As will be explained in more detail, the incisions 10 and openings 12 can interact with the columns 20 in such a way that that the bottom part B and the cover part C locked against each other when the cassette is closed, but to open the Cassette can be separated from each other. Each incision 10 is open on its front side, opens there into the front edge of the top wall 2 and has each other and the side walls 6, 7 parallel side edges 10a, which are particularly clear from the front edge of the top wall 2 to the rear to the rear Extend the incision edge visible in FIG. 4, which is a concave or preferably semicircular bulge or a cutout 10b forms. Each opening 12 is generally square in plan except for its rear edge 12a, the one in the middle a concavely tapering, preferably semicircular bulge or a cutout 12b.

If the bottom part B and the top part C together form a closed Form cassette, the necks 28 penetrate the cutouts 10b and 12b, so that these the necks 29 partially encompass. When the cassette is closed, the heads 26 of all four columns 20 protrude at least partially over the boundaries of the incisions 10 and openings 12 and prevent upward movement of the top wall 2. The head 26 is in plan (Figures 3 and 4) quadrangular and its surface is convexly curved in side elevation (Figures 2, 5 and 6). The head

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is equipped in the center with a recess 27 with a halljkugelförraigen bottom (Figures 3 and 4). Each puss 24 itself is complementary to the recess 27 and is therefore generally cylindrical and provided with a hemispherical end. It can therefore be a plurality of cassettes in place in the Figure 6 for the cassette 1 and the manner illustrated 1 · another such that the feet of the upper cassette l ^r in the recesses 27 of the lower cassette 1 protrude and the cassette 1, I ¹ against horizontal Shifts are secured.

Each opening 12 is arranged and dimensioned so that the Head 26 of a column 20 can be pushed through it in the direction of the column axis. The depth of the incision 10 is we-

Less large than the corresponding dimension of the opening 12, that is, the distance from the deepest point of the cutout 10b to the front edge of the top wall 2 is smaller than that from the deepest point of the cutout 12b to the front boundary edge of the opening 12. The distance between the more closely adjacent side edges 10a of the two incisions is approximately the same size as the distance between them facing points of the necks 28 of the two pillars attached to the front wall. The distance between those facing each other Side edges of the two openings 12 is at most approximately the same size as the distance between the side edges facing one another of the heads 26 of the columns attached to the rear wall 5

j ι On the other hand, the distance between the two is the furthest apart Side edges of the two openings 12 are at least approximately the same size as the distance between the side edges facing away from one another of the two associated heads 26. While the incisions 10 are everywhere narrower than those in the corresponding direction measured width of the heads 26, the distances between the edges of each opening 12 facing away from each other are at least equal to those in FIG dimensions of the head measured in the corresponding direction, if the top wall 2 is in the position shown in FIG Position is in which by lifting its rear edge with each of the openings 12 upwards over the head 26 of the associated, rear column 20 can slide, the incision 10 and the front edge of the top wall 2 are not free from Head 26 of the associated front pillar 20.

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An elongated handle 20 is pivotable by a hinge 36 attached to the upper edge of each side wall 6 and 7, with its pivot axis and its longitudinal direction running parallel to the longitudinal direction of the associated side wall. Everyone is there Hinge with fastening elements 38 on the associated side wall and attached to the associated handle. The handle 30 is in its side view shown in FIG generally L-shaped. The L-leg of the handle 30, which is longer in cross section, is denoted by 32 and has a parallel one to the side wall 6 or 7 measured length, which is approximately the same size as the distance between the facing Edges of the two heads 26 of the arranged at the relevant handle, front and rear column 20. The L-leg of the handle 20, which is shorter in cross section, is denoted by 34.

When the cover part C, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, closed and is locked, the cassette has the shape of a cuboid and the necks 28 of the two front pillars 20 are located inside the cutouts 10b of the two front sides. Incisions 10. The necks 28 of the two are also located rear pillars 20 inside the cutouts 12b of the openings 12 so that the head 26 of each pillar 20 moves upward of the cover part C, which consists of the top wall 2 and the side walls 6 and 7 connected thereto. In this closed one and locked, the leg 32 of each handle 30 is in a position generally toward the top wall 2 parallel position, and engages between a front and rear column 20, so that each leg 32 together with the associated columns, a backward shifting of the dock part C prevented. In the state shown in Figures 1 and 2, the handles 30 are in a locking or Locking position.

The hinges 36 are preferably designed to be slightly self-locking and connected to the handles 30 in such a way that the

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the latter do not change their pivot position themselves. So when the handles are swiveled manually into the locked position have been, they remain in this position until they are manually pivoted into another position. When a Person picks up and carries the cassette at the sections of the handles 30 protruding over the hinges, grasp as a result the force of gravity on the handles to torques which press the legs 32 against the top wall 2.

If you want to open the cassette 1, the two handles 30 must be manually pivoted into their release position by their legs 34 are moved down and their legs 32 are moved up. This cannot easily happen when the cassette is held or carried by the handles 30. This will when carrying the cassette 1 a high level of security against undesired open the cassette 1 created.

When the handles 30 have been pivoted into the release position in which the legs 32 protrude upwards, they give the Cover part C free. This can then be moved backwards until the rear edge 12a of each rear opening 12 in the Releases the rear edge of the head 26 of each rear column 20, as shown in FIG. In this position is the The front edge of the top wall 2 has not yet been released by the rear edge of the head 26 of each front pillar 20. Next will the rear edge of the top wall 2 is pivoted upwards, with the support points of the front edge of the top wall 2 on the upper one Boundary surfaces of the body 22 form the pivot axis. While this process can. Handgrips 30 in their free- Gabe position remain or at first partially and then completely be pivoted back to allow a secure gripping of the cover C in the following operations. Once the Front edge of each rear opening 12 over the top surface of the her associated rear pillar 20 is raised, the

Top wall 2 moved further backwards until its front edge has passed the rear edge of each front pillar 20 and releases it. But there is also the possibility of combining the pivoting and shifting into a single process by performs both movements at the same time. If the deck part C has been brought into this position in one way or another, either the backward movement is continued or the cover part C is lifted further up until it is completely off Bottom part B is separated and the cassette 1 is open.

In order to close and lock the cassette 1, the procedure described above is reversed.

The cassette shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawing is intended for use in medicine and is used to hold surgical instruments and / or implants and is designed in such a way that the parts contained therein can be placed in an autoclave and sterilized therein . The sterilization takes place, for example, in that the cassette is alternately exposed to hot steam and a vacuum. The water vapor and air or f, possibly existing protective gas can thereby through the openings | Connections 8 flow in and out.

If the cassette is used in an operation after the sterilization, the cover part C can be opened after the cassette has been opened be completely removed from the bottom part B and placed anywhere. As mentioned earlier and is shown in Figure 6, the cassettes can be stably stacked in the closed state. However, the bottom parts of open cassettes can also be stacked stably on top of one another in an analogous manner.

The bottom part B, the top part C, the handles 30 and the Hinges 36 consist of a corrosion-resistant

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digen metal. Thereby the bottom and the top part exist for example made of aluminum and the handles and hinges for example made of stainless steel. The pillars 20 can be made of plastic, such as polyamide.

It should also be pointed out that cassettes of the type described are not only used as sterilization cassettes for surgery can be used, but can also be adapted for other applications in which objects are housed in a cassette and should be carried around in this.

Claims (10)

Synthes AG, Chur (Switzerland) protection claims 1. Cassette, in particular for receiving objects to be sterilized for use in medicine, with a base part, a cover part used to close and reopen the cassette and locking means to lock the cover part in a locked position with respect to the base part when the cassette is closed and release position released again in one, characterized in that the bottom part (B), having a bottom wall (3) opposite on to sides by a front wall ⁽¹ O and a rear wall (5) is connected, that the cover part (C ) has a top wall (2) which is connected to two side walls (6, 7) on opposite sides, so that the bottom part (B) is provided with holding means (20) which at least at each side edge of the front and rear wall (M , 5) have a neck (28) protruding over their upper edges and a head (26) arranged at the upper end of the latter, which at least on one side laterally over the neck (28) protrudes so that the top wall (2) is provided with two notches (10) penetrating into it from its front edge, and with two openings (12) located near its rear edge, so that the notches ( 10) and openings (12) are designed in such a way that the rear heads (26) can each be moved through an opening (12) in one position of the cover part (C) and the necks (28) have an incision (10) when the cassette is closed or penetrate an opening (12) and the heads (26) secure the top wall (2) against upward movements that on each side wall (6, 7) a handle (30) about a pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side wall (6, 7) is pivotally attached and that each handle (30) is designed such that it can be pivoted into a locked position when the cassette is closed, in which a part (32) of it between two at the side wall in question 15875
Zb / sr / Pall 16 for * rr φ «α · 4 · I | )) It »· (6, 7) arranged heads (26) engages and the cover part (C) thereby against displacements directed towards the rear wall (5) secures. 2. Cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that? the Holding means have four columns (20), each of which is arranged at a corner of the bottom wall (3) and rigidly on the inside the front wall (4) or the rear wall (5) is attached. 3. Cassette according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that each head (28) projects beyond the neck (28) connected to it on all sides. 4. Cassette according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the incisions (10) and the openings (12) their sides facing away from the front edge of the top wall (2) have a cutout (10b, 12b) narrowing towards its end have through which the neck (28) penetrates when the cassette is closed. 5.. Cassette according to Claim 4, characterized in that the heads (26) have a square outline and that the openings (12) by a square section through which the heads (26) can be moved, and the one at the rear Edge (12a) existing, tapered cutout (12b) are formed. 6. Cassette according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the parallel to the side walls (6, 7) measured, maximum The depth of the incisions (10) is smaller than the maximum dimension of the openings measured in the same direction (20), so that the front edge of the top wall (2), when it is moved with its openings (12) over the heads (26) support on surfaces of the holding means (20) arranged under the necks (28) and pivot about the support points can enable. -3- 7. Cassette according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the distance between the side edges (10a) of the two incisions (10), which are closer together, is approximately is equal to the distance between the points of the two necks (28) which are closest to one another and which the incisions (10) at penetrate closed cassette and that the distance between the edge sections of the closest to each other the two openings (12) is smaller than the distance between the closest points of the two associated Heads (28). 8. Cassette according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the length of that handle part (32) which is arranged between the two at the relevant side wall (6, 7) Heads (26) engages, is approximately the same size as the distance between the mutually facing edges of the two heads (26). 9. Cassette according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each head (26) is provided with a recess (27) and that the holding parts (20) are provided with feet (24) protruding from under the bottom wall (3), which are designed in such a way that each puss of a cassette (I ¹ ) can be inserted into a recess (27) of a cassette (1) below it. 10. Cassette according to one of claims 1 to 9 _t characterized in that the bottom wall (3) and / or the cover wall (2) are provided with openings (8) is located Direction during sterilization in the cassette for use in the Medicine of certain objects to improve the inflow and outflow of gas or steam.