WO2014188348A1

WO2014188348A1 - Supporting base for medical instruments

Info

Publication number: WO2014188348A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/061580
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrico XODO; Guido CAPPELLINA
Original assignee: Egmedical S.R.L.
Priority date: 2013-05-24
Filing date: 2014-05-21
Publication date: 2014-11-27
Also published as: ITVR20130124A1

Abstract

Described is a supporting base (1 ) for medical instruments (2), comprising a supporting layer (3) having a relative visible front surface (4) and a relative rear surface (5) opposite the visible surface (4). The supporting layer (3) also has a plurality of holes (6) extending from the front surface (4) towards the rear surface (5) for inserting, in use, respective medical instruments (2). In addition, the supporting layer (3) comprises, at each hole (6), an annular inner surface (8) positioned around the hole (6) and extending from the front surface (4) to the rear surface (5). According to this invention, the supporting base (1 ) comprises a covering layer (9) of the hole (6) positioned only at each hole (6). The covering layer (9) is made of a gripping material and is joined to the supporting layer (3) at the inner surface (8) in such a way as to form a single body with the supporting layer (3).

Description

DESCRIPTION

SUPPORTING BASE FOR MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS

Technical field

This invention relates to a supporting base for medical instruments and a method for making the supporting base. Background art

More specifically, the supporting base of this invention lies in the technical field of supports for medical instruments.

In effect, in the medical sector, it is often necessary to have supporting bases on which the medical instruments are positioned. More specifically, these supporting bases allow the instruments necessary to perform predetermined operations to be held and made available to the doctor (preferably "near to hand").

In detail, this invention is preferably used in the dental treatment sector, where it is necessary to provide the dentist with various types of instruments. In practice, the supporting base holds the instruments which the dentist believes it is worthwhile having available. In any case, this invention is part of what is commonly called: "surgical kit".

According to the prior art, a supporting base for medical instruments is formed by a rigid plate on which a plurality of through holes are made. In addition, the rigid plate has a surface on view and a rear surface opposite the surface on view.

More specifically, at each through hole a respective gripping ring is inserted which defines a narrowing of the hole in such a way as to form a passage cross-section which is able to retain a specific medical instrument. In other words, each gripping ring defines inside it a passage in which the medical instrument is held. The gripping ring is preferably made of silicone rubber in such a way as to grip the instrument which is inserted inside. More specifically, each gripping ring partly superposes the upper surface and the lower surface of the rigid plate, in such a way that they remain in position. In other words, the gripping ring has externally an intermediate cavity with an annular shape housing the edge defining the respective hole of the plate once the gripping ring has been inserted.

In addition, the gripping ring is positioned in the hole by an operation for deformation of the ring in such a way as to form a mechanical locking on the plate.

Further, each gripping ring may have protrusions inside, of various shapes and types, which favour the retaining of the medical instrument inside the passage.

It should be noted that it is advantageous that each gripping ring is independent (separate) from the others in such a way that can be made separately from the others. In effect, in that way, it is possible to give each gripping ring different features. For example, it is possible to easily make gripping rings with different colours to be positioned on the same rigid plate.

During use, the rigid plate (normally supported by suitable feet) is placed on a work table and the various medical instruments are inserted in the holes (extending at right angles to the surface area of the plate).

However, this prior art technique has several drawbacks.

More specifically, the main drawback is linked to the fact that dirt can accumulate between the gripping ring and the plate which favours the proliferation of microbes, harmful bacteria, etc. Still more specifically, the dirt enters the gaps present between each gripping ring and the underlying hole.

For example, in the dental treatment sector, it often happens that the instruments are soiled with blood, water and saliva and that they are inserted in and removed from the plate several times during a dental operation. For this reason, these substances accumulate on the plate creating, over time, a surface for proliferation of bacteria and the like. Consequently, it is necessary to clean the plate regularly in order to prevent the formation of microbes which can corrode the instruments. However, the procedure for cleaning the plate is particularly difficult because the surface on view is not smooth, but has a plurality of obstacles 5 due to the protrusions created by the various sealing rings. For this reason, for the cleaning it is necessary to remove the sealing rings, clean the surfaces of the plate and clean the sealing rings.

However, this operation is difficult and slow. In addition, each gripping ring, as it is made of rubber, tends to trap the dirt making its removal often i o impossible.

Disclosure of the invention

In this situation, the aim of this invention is to provide a supporting base for medical instruments which overcomes the above-mentioned 15 drawbacks.

More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a supporting base for medical instruments with gripping rings separate from each other which facilitates the operations for cleaning the supporting base.

Another aim of this invention is to provide a supporting base for medical

20 instruments with gripping rings separate from each other which reduces the gaps for the proliferation of microbes and other bacteria which are harmful for the health.

The aims indicated are substantially achieved by a supporting base for medical instruments as described in the appended claims.

25

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristic features and advantages of this invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description of several preferred, but not exclusive embodiments of a supporting base for medical instruments

3 0 illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a top view of a supporting base according to this invention; - Figure 2 is a side view of the supporting base of Figure 1 in a cross- section through the line ll-ll;

- Figure 3 is a top view of a variant embodiment of the supporting base of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 is a side view of the supporting base of Figure 3 in a cross- section through the line IV-IV; and

- Figure 5 is a side view of the supporting base of Figure 3 in a cross- section through the line V-V; Detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a supporting base according to this invention.

More specifically, the supporting base 1 comprises a supporting layer 3 extending along a relative surface area. In the preferred embodiment illustrated for example in Figure 1 , the supporting layer 3 has a substantially planar extension. In other words, the supporting layer 3 is plate-shaped and supports the medical instruments 2 positioned on it. The supporting layer 3 has a relative front surface 4 on view and a relative rear surface 5 opposite the surface on view. More in detail, the front surface 4 is, in use, is facing upwards, whilst the rear surface 5 is, in use, facing downwards. In effect, during the use of the supporting base 1 , the supporting layer 3 extends substantially parallel to a supporting surface 100 on which the supporting base 1 is positioned.

The supporting layer 3 has a plurality of through holes 6 extending from the front surface 4 to the rear surface 5 for inserting, in use, respective medical instruments 2 so as to make a support for them. In other words, each hole 6 extends at right angles to the surface area of the supporting layer 3 in such a way that a respective medical instrument 2 can be inserted inside the hole 6 following a direction of insertion 7 at a right angles to the surface area of the supporting layer 3. In other words, each hole 6 extends from the front surface 4 to the rear surface 5 along the direction of insertion 7.

Figure 2 illustrates, by way of example, a medical instrument 2 inserted in one of the above-mentioned holes 6. As may be seen in the drawing, a medical instrument 2, in turn inserted in the hole 6, remains hanging from the supporting base 1.

It should be noted that the term "supporting layer 3" means a layer comprising material capable of giving mechanical support to the medical instruments 2. In other words, the supporting layer 3 is a layer of rigid material. Preferably, the supporting layer 3 comprises plastic material. Even more preferably, the supporting layer 3 is made of plastic.

Moreover, the supporting layer 3 comprises, at each hole 6, an annular inner surface 8 positioned around the hole 6 and extending from the front surface 4 to the rear surface 5. In other words, the inner surface 8 is defined by the inner edge which surrounds the hole 6. More in detail, the inner surface 8 extends along the direction of insertion 7.

According to this invention, the supporting base 1 comprises a covering layer 9 of the hole 6 positioned only at each hole 6 of the supporting layer 3 and extending around the hole 6. Basically, the supporting base 1 comprises a plurality of covering layers 9 each located at a respective hole 6.

In other words, the covering layers 9 are separated from each other. In yet other words, the covering layers 9 are not connected to each other by a common connecting layer.

Moreover, the covering layer 9 is made of a gripping material to form an annular gripping area inside the hole 6. Preferably, the gripping material comprises rubber. Even more preferably, the gripping material comprises silicone rubber. More in detail, the gripping material contains silicone.

In addition, the covering layer 9 is joined to the supporting layer 3 at the inner surface 8 in such a way as to form a single body with the supporting layer 3. Preferably, the covering layer 9 is joined to the supporting layer 3 in a permanent fashion. In other words, the supporting base 1 is a single body comprising two layers joined to each other: the supporting layer 3 and the covering layer 9.

In other words, the covering layer 9 coats the inner surface 8 of the supporting layer 3 at each hole 6 in such a way as to form the annular gripping area. In yet other words, the covering layer 9 extends from the inner surface 8 towards the hole 6 along a direction transversal (preferably orthogonal) to the direction of insertion 7.

In the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the covering layer 9 covers the entire annular inner surface 8 of each hole 6.

In other words, each coated hole 6 defines internally at least one opening 17 for insertion of a medical instrument 2. In practice, the opening 17 defines a narrowing of the hole 6.

It should also be noted that, as shown in the accompanying drawings, one or more covering layers 9 comprise(s) one or more colours which are different to at least one other covering layer 9 to distinguish at least one opening 17 from another (the various colours are represented in the drawings by different shades of grey). More in detail, the colour of the covering layer 9 is used to distinguish a respective opening 17 or group of openings 17 from another opening 17 or from another group of openings 17. In that way, it is possible to reduce the positioning error of an instrument 2 in the respective opening 17 or group of openings 17 since each opening 17 or group of openings 17 may have features which are specific and different from the others as defined below. For this reason, since these specific features are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye, the various colours of the covering layers 9 facilitate the correct positioning of the instruments 2 in the respective opening 17 by the operator.

Alternatively, the covering layers 9 may have the same colour.

Further, each opening 17 has a width L (measured along a plane in which the hole 6 lies) predetermined according to the dimensions of the medical instrument 2 to be inserted. More specifically, the width L of the opening

17 may be constant or variable along the direction of insertion 7 according to the dimensions of the medical instrument 2 to be inserted.

Moreover, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the openings 17 have respective containment shapes which are predetermined and different from each other depending on the shape of the medical instrument 2. It should be noted that the containment shape of each opening 17 refers to the shape defined by the edges of the opening 17 on a lying plane (at right angles to the direction of insertion 7 previously defined) of the opening 17. For example, Figure 2 shows openings 17 of circular, rectangular, triangular, star and pentagonal shapes, etc.

Moreover, each opening 17 may have an internal shape along the direction of insertion 7 as a function of the needs linked to the shape and size of a medical instrument 2 to be inserted. The internal shape is defined by the contour lines of the opening 17 sectioned with a plane at right angles to the lying plane of the opening 17 (parallel to the direction of insertion 7 previously defined) and passing through the respective hole 6. By way of example, the internal shape of some openings 17 shown in Figure 2 is of the cone type and forms a narrowing from the front surface 4 to the rear surface 5 in such a way as to favour the retaining of a medical instrument 2 inside the respective hole 6.

According to another embodiment shown in Figure 2 (second hole 6 from right) the internal shape of the opening 17 is defined by a double cone, of which one inverted and spaced from the other, and forms, along the direction of insertion 7, a narrowing of the cross-section from the front surface 4 towards the rear surface 5 and a subsequent re-widening of the cross-section close to the rear surface 5 following the direction of insertion

7. Advantageously, the internal shape of the opening 17 facilitates the insertion of a medical instrument 2 in the hole 6 through the front surface 4 and, at the same time, the removal of the same medical instrument 2 from the opening 17.

It should be noted that each hole 17 extends, from the front surface 4 to the rear surface 5, along the direction of insertion 7 of the respective hole 6 substantially parallel to it or along a direction inclined to it. In other words, the opening 17 may to extend along a respective direction of extension irrespective of the direction of insertion 7 along which the respective hole 6 extends. In yet other words, the opening 17 can extend along a relative direction of extension inclined, at an angle different from the right angle, with respect to the surface area of the supporting layer 3 positioned at the opening 17.

For example, the fourth opening 17 from the right in Figures 3 and 4 (second line from the top in Figure 3) extends from the front surface 4 to the rear surface 5 along a direction inclined relative to the direction of insertion 7.

In addition, in some embodiments of openings 17, the covering layer 9 defines a plurality of openings 17 passing inside the same hole 6 for insertion of a medical instrument 2 for each opening 17. In that case, the covering layer 9 extends inside the hole 6 along the entire inner surface 8 in such a way as to completely coat the inside of the hole 6 with the gripping material.

Preferably, in this case, the hole 6 is elongate in shape (that is, the surface area of the hole 6) in which the covering layer 9 extends. Obviously, the containment shape and the internal shape of each opening 7 made in the same hole 6 is independent of the shape and dimensions of the hole 6. Moreover, the covering layer 9 extends along the direction of insertion 7 from its own rear face 11 , positioned at the rear surface 5, to its own front face 10, positioned at the front surface 4. Preferably, the front face 10 is aligned with the front surface 4 in such a way as to form, in its entirety, a continuous surface. In other words, the covering layer 9 is aligned at the top with the front surface 4 in such a way as to define a surface free from obstacles and substantially smooth.

In that way, the surface cleaning operations for the supporting base 1 are favoured.

Moreover, the front surface 4 of the supporting layer 3 is preferably smooth in such a way as to favour even more the surface cleaning operations.

In addition, as shown in Figure 2, the rear face 1 1 of the covering layer 9 is aligned with the rear surface 5 in such a way as to form, in its entirety, a continuous surface.

In a variant embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the covering layer 9, rises from the front surface 4 in such a way as to form a protruding gripping portion 14. The protruding gripping portion 14 rises from the front surface 4 and is shaped to define at least one cavity 15 for containing a medical instrument 2. More in detail, Figure 5 shows that the gripping portion 14 forms two containment cavities 15 alongside each other.

In that way, it is possible to define at least one cavity 15 for containing a medical instrument 2 in a raised position relative to the front surface 4. More specifically, the protruding gripping portion 14 has a top wherein each containment cavity 15 is made. Preferably, the containment cavity 15 has an extension substantially parallel to the front surface 4 in such a way as to contain a medical instrument 2 positioned along the extension.

It should be noted that the gripping portion 14 has, at the top, a guide profile 18 placed in communication with the containment cavity 15. More specifically, the guide profile 18 is shaped like an inverted truncated cone to favour the insertion of a medical instrument 2 in the containment cavity 15. The guide profile 18 extends between an upper opening (for the entrance of the medical instrument 2) and a lower opening having a diameter less than the upper opening. More in detail, the lower opening is interposed between the rest of the guide profile 18 and the containment cavity 15 and forms a narrowing of the cross section relative to the containment cavity 15 in such a way as to hold the medical instrument 2 in position once it has passed the lower opening.

In addition, according to this invention, the supporting layer 3 and the covering layer 9 are co-pressed together in such a way as to form a single body. It should be noted that the plastic of the supporting layer 3 and the silicone of the covering layer 9 lend themselves to the co-pressing technique.

Alternatively, the supporting layer 3 and the covering layer 9 are joined together by means of known techniques which allow the irreversible joining of two materials (for example: casting, etc.)

Lastly, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the supporting base 1 comprises supporting means 16 connected to the supporting layer 3 and extending away from it in such a way as to support the rest of the supporting base 1. Preferably, the supporting means 16 comprise a plurality of supporting feet extending away from the supporting layer 3 for a predetermined length in such a way as to support the supporting layer 3.

This invention also relates to a method for making a supporting base 1 for medical instruments 2. More specifically, for the description of the method reference should be made to the previous description for the supporting base 1.

Moreover, the method comprises a first operating step of preparing a supporting layer 3 of the type described previously. As mentioned, the supporting layer 3 is preferably made from plastic.

Then, the method comprises a second operating step which comprises making a plurality of holes 6 passing through the supporting layer 3 from the front surface 4 to the rear surface 5. In practice, following the step of making the holes 6, the supporting layer 3 has, at each hole 6, an annular inner surface 8 positioned around the hole 6 and extending from the front surface 4 to the rear surface 5 as described above.

Moreover, the method comprises the steps of covering each hole 6 with the covering layer 9 located at the annular inner surface 8. In other words, the covering step comprises the sub-step of joining the covering layer 9 to the annular inner surface 8 of the supporting layer 3 in such a way as to obtain a single body.

More specifically, the step of joining the covering layer 9 to the supporting layer 3 occurs by co-pressing the covering layer 9 (preferably made of silicone) with the supporting layer 3 (preferably made of plastic). In general, the covering layer 9 and the supporting layer 3 are made of materials suitable for mutual co-pressing.

Preferably, the step of covering each hole 6 with the covering layer 9 comprises the following sub-steps:

- preparing the gripping material in a semi-solid state;

- filling the holes 6 with the gripping material;

- leaving the gripping material to solidify in the holes 6;

- cutting the covering layer 9 solidified in the holes 6 to form the openings 17.

Alternatively, before the sub-step of filling the holes 6 with gripping material, it is possible to implement a step of positioning the supporting layer 3 in a mould having the protrusions positioned at the openings 17 to be created. In that way, the layer of covering material enters into the holes 6 and adapts to the shape defined by the protrusions of the mould in such a way as to directly make the openings 17.

Then, the method comprises leaving the gripping material to solidify. In that way, the openings 7 are created simultaneously with the solidification step.

Moreover, the method may comprise a final step of finishing the openings

17 which comprises shaping each opening 17 according to the design requirements.

In addition, the method may comprise a step of smoothing the front surface 4 of the supporting layer 3 in such a way as to make it smoother. The smoothing operation can be actuated during the manufacture of the supporting layer 3 or after the manufacture of the supporting layer 3.

This invention achieves the preset aims.

More specifically, the joining of the supporting layer with the covering layer eliminates the gaps which are usually created between the sealing rings and the supporting layer. This prevents the introduction and accumulation of dirt in the gaps so as to keep the supporting base even cleaner. Moreover, the presence of the covering layer joined to the supporting layer only at the annular inner surface allows the creation of a gripping ring inside each hole and the elimination, at the same time, of obstacles on the front and rear surface. Advantageously, this solution simplifies the operations for cleaning the front and rear surfaces of the supporting base. In addition, it is important to note that the presence of the covering layer joined to the supporting layer only at the annular inner surface, facilitates the gripping of the medical instruments by an operator (with the fingers of one hand) as the latter operates on the front surface where the gripping material is located only around the holes. On the other hand, the presence of gripping material on the front surface would make it difficult (due precisely to the intrinsic nature of the gripping material) for the fingers of the operator to slide on the front surface for gripping the medical instruments. This problem would be even more evident in the frequent case in which the operator works with latex gloves and the gripping material is made of silicone.

Moreover, the presence of the covering layer positioned only at the openings makes the front surface more shiny.

Lastly, the presence of the covering layer joined to the supporting layer only at the annular inner surface facilitates operations for design (for example by silk screen process and/or pad printing and/or laser marking) of the front surface to distinguish, using colours and/or symbols, the various holes or groups of holes on the supporting base. In addition, the fact that the covering is created at each hole makes the covering layers independant from each other and they can be made separately. In that way, it is possible to gives the covering layers different features (colour) to each other in such a way as to distinguish one hole from another. For example, it is possible to colour each covering layer with different colours in such a way as to reduce the errors in positioning of an instrument in the respective opening during use of the supporting base. It should also be noticed that this invention is relatively easy to produce and that even the cost connected with implementing the invention is not very high.

Claims

1. A method for making a supporting base (1 ) for medical instruments (2), comprising the following operating steps:

- preparing a supporting layer (3) comprising its own visible front surface (4) and its own rear surface (5) opposite to the visible surface (4);

making a plurality of through holes (6) through the supporting layer (3) from the front surface (4) to the rear surface (5), in such a way that the supporting layer (3) comprises, at each hole (6) an annular inner surface (8) positioned around the hole (6) and extending from the front surface (4) to the rear surface (5); characterised in that it also comprises the following operating steps:

- covering each hole (6) with a covering layer (9) positioned at the annular inner surface (8); the covering layer (9) being made of a gripping material for forming an annular gripping area inside the hole (6); the covering step being performed by joining the covering layer (9) to the supporting layer (3) to form a single body;

- the step of covering each hole (6) with the covering layer (9) comprising the following sub-steps:

- preparing the gripping material in a semi-solid state;

- filling the holes (6) with the gripping material;

- leaving the gripping material to solidify in the holes (6).

2. The method according to claim 1 , characterised in that the covering layer (9) is joined in a permanent fashion to the supporting layer (3) at the inner surface (8) in such a way as to form a single body with the supporting layer (3).

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering layer (9) is joined irreversibly to the supporting layer (3) at the inner surface (8) in such a way as to form a single body with the supporting layer (3).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises, after the step for leaving the gripping material to solidify, a step of cutting the covering layer (9) solidified in the holes (6) for forming at least one opening (17) in each hole (6) for inserting a medical instrument (2).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that 5 before the step of filling the holes (6) with gripping material there is a step of positioning the supporting layer (3) in a mould having protrusions positioned at least at one opening (17) which is created inside each hole (6) in such a way that, during the step of filling the holes (6), the gripping material enters in each hole (6) and adapts to the shape defined by the0 protrusions of the mould to make the opening (17) directly after the solidification step.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises, after the solidification step, a step for finishing the openings (17) for making a predetermined inner profile.

5 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a step of smoothing the front surface (4) of the supporting layer (3) in such a way as to make it smoother so as to favour cleaning operations.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, 0 characterised in that the step of joining the covering layer (9) to the supporting layer (3) is achieved by co-pressing.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the step of preparing the gripping material in a semisolid state comprises preparing rubber, preferably silicone rubber.

5 10. A supporting base (1 ) for medical instruments (2), comprising:

-a supporting layer (3) extending along its own surface extension area; the supporting layer (3) comprising its own visible front surface (4) and its own rear surface (5) opposite to the visible surface (4);

- the supporting layer (3) comprising a plurality of holes (6) extending from o the front surface (4) towards the rear surface (5) for the insertion, in use, of respective medical instruments (2) in such a way as to form a support for them; the supporting layer (3) comprising at each hole (6) an annular inner surface (8) positioned around the hole (6) and extending from the front surface (4) to the rear surface (5);

characterised in that it comprises a layer (6) for covering the hole (9) positioned at each hole (6) of the supporting layer (3) and extending around the hole (6) in such a way as to define inside the hole (6) an opening (17) for inserting the medical instrument (2); the covering layer (9) being made of a gripping material for forming an annular gripping area inside the hole (6); the covering layer (9) being joined in a permanent fashion to the supporting layer (3) at the inner surface (8) in such a way as to form a single body with the supporting layer (3).

1 1 . The supporting base (1 ) according to claim 10, characterised in that the covering layer (9) is irreversibly joined to the supporting layer (3).

12. The supporting base (1 ) according to claim 10 or 11 , characterised in that the supporting layer (3) and the covering layer (9) are co-pressed together.

13. The supporting base (1 ) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the covering layer (9) covers the entire annular inner surface (8) of each hole (6).

14. The supporting base (1 ) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the covering layer (9) extends along the hole (6) from its own rear face (11 ), positioned at the rear surface (5), to its own front face (10) positioned at the front surface (4); the front face (10) being flush with the front surface (4) so as to form, overall, a continuous surface.

15. The supporting base (1 ) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the covering layer (9) extends along the hole (6) from its own rear face (11 ), positioned at the rear surface (5), to its own front face (10) positioned at the front surface (4); the rear face (11 ) being flush with the rear surface (5) so as to form, overall, a continuous surface.

16. The supporting base (1 ) according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterised in that the supporting layer (3) comprises plastic material.

17. The supporting base (1 ) according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterised in that the supporting layer (3) extends substantially in a planar fashion.

18. The supporting base (1 ) according to any one of claims 10 to 17, characterised in that the covering layer (9) comprises rubber, preferably silicone rubber.

19. The supporting base (1 ) according to any one of claims 10 to 18, characterised in that the covering layer (9) forms a plurality of through openings (17) in the same hole (6) for the insertion of a medical instrument (2) for each opening (17).

20. The supporting base (1 ) according to any one of claims 10 to 19, characterised in that the covering layer (9) forms internally a predetermined containment shape for inserting a respective medical instrument (2).

21. The supporting base (1 ) according to any one of claims 10 to 20, characterised in that one or more covering layers (9) comprise(s) one or more colours which are different to at least one other covering layer (9) for distinguishing between one opening (17) made in a respective hole (6) and another opening (17) made in a different hole (6) to the first hole.

22. The supporting base (1 ) according to any one of claims 10 to 21 , characterised in that the covering layer (9) is raised above the front surface (4) in such a way as to form a gripping portion (14) projecting above the front surface; the projecting gripping portion (14) being shaped to form at least one cavity (15) for containing a medical instrument (2) in a position raised relative to the front surface (4).