Method and system for collecting used medical devices

Abstract

The subject invention is a method and apparatus for collecting medical devices. The apparatus according to one embodiment is a collection tray having a flexible base having at least one aperture and at least one flexible wall. The method according to one embodiment includes removing a collection container from a sterilized package at a point of use and placing a used medical device in the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 462,403 entitled “Collection Tube for Single Use Medical Devices,” filed on Apr. 11, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 520,710 entitled “Medical Instrument Collection Tray,” filed on Nov. 17, 2003, the contents of both of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to medical devices and in particular the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for collection of single-use medical devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In a sterile environment such as an operating room in a medical facility or hospital, all instruments and personnel must be sterile to avoid the potential for infection in patients. This is especially true in the case of instruments. [0004] Medical instruments range in price and complexity from items costing only a few cents and consisting of no moving...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Medical instruments range in price and complexity from items costing only a few cents and consisting of no moving parts, to extremely expensive and / or complicated items that may cost upwards of several thousand dollars.

Some of these single-use medical devices area are quite expensive, with some reaching prices in excess of several thousand dollars.

This creates a need for extra personnel in the hospital, or for extra work for existing personnel, and creates an inconvenience that typically leads to a lower collection rate for used devices.

Still further, the used devices may have biological material thereon, and the refuse containers in which the devices are placed may also contain other undesirable or contaminating objects.

This also negatively affects the collection rate for discarded single-use medical devices.

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