Surgical Tray

Abstract

A surgical tray for operations on a patient's limb or extremity generally comprises a surgical site board adapted to support a portion of the patient's body. The site board includes a plurality of apertures. A retention device or retraction device is removably securable in at least one of the apertures and configured to retain a portion of the extremity being operated upon or retract tissue from the intended surgical site.

Description

[0001] The present application claims the filing benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 688,036, filed Jun. 7, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to medical equipment, and more particularly, to a surgical tray for operations on a patient's limb or extremity. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Many emergency room and other surgical operations require a doctor to operate on a patient's limb or extremity. Hands are some of the most commonly operated upon extremities because they are required to complete many tasks and activities and are thus highly at risk to injury. For example, approximately 10 percent or more of typical emergency room operations involve some form of acute hand surgery. Operating on a hand requires a great deal of care because tendons, nerves, and blood vessels must all be meticulously rejoined to assure proper alignment of any lace...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] In another aspect of the invention, the surgical tray further includes a housing configured to support the surgical site board. The housing defines a basin positioned below the site board for collecting any fluids that may drain through the plurality of apertures during a surgical operation. For example, irrigation fluid applied to the surgical site, or bodily fluids, may drain through the apertures into the basin. Gutters and run-off guides may be provided around the site board to direct drainage fluids into the basin as well. The basin may be drained manually after an operation, using an integrated pour spout or aperture, or continuously during the operation by attaching a vacuum hose or drain to a port communicating with the basin. Thus, in addition to helping prevent the spillage of blood, disinfectants, and washes, the integrated fluid man

Problems solved by technology

Hands are some of the most commonly operated upon extremities because they are required to complete many tasks and activities and are thus highly at risk to injury.

Additionally, microsurgical techniques are generally required because the tissues that make the functions of the hand possible are small by nature.

Current techniques for performing hand surgery in the emergency room and elsewhere are inefficient and frustrating.

Maintaining the hand in a desired position can be a difficult task when qualified assistants are not readily available, which is often the case during late-night, weekend, or very busy emergency room situations.

Additionally, gathering the necessary supplies from various areas in the emergency room prior to operation can be a burdensome task.

Due to a lack of centralized storage, the surgeon may find himself or herself walking back and forth between the patient and various areas of the room to gather surgical tools, sutures, needles, gauze, and other items required to complete the surgery.

The surgeon may experience additional frustration if supply amounts have not been maintained or if items have changed locations.

As a result of the manner by which items are gathered for surgery, the surgical operation itself becomes more difficult.

The clutter typically increases throughout the operation as surgeon uses different tools and instruments and places them back on the table.

Any increased operating time resulting from the lack of instrument management increases the overall cost of the surgery and can compromise the quality of the operation.

Additionally, the lack of instrument management increases the potential of accidental injury from exposed scalpel blades and the like.

Use of the tools themselves can also be a challenging task.

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