Apparatus and method for securing medical instruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument securing device is provided for holding medical instruments. The surgical instrument securing device may be formed from a silicone, rubber, or other polymer based base and may be elastomeric. Slots in the base may define one or more substantially arcuate, circular, elliptical, or other geometrically shaped spaces within the base which open towards at least one side of the base, wherein one or more surgical instruments may be secured by inserting a portion of the instrument into one of the slots. A method for securing surgical instruments is also provided wherein surgical instruments are secured by inserting a portion of the instruments into the slots within the silicone or other polymer based base.

Description

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for securing medical instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for securing medical instruments using a silicone, rubber, or other polymer based base or base.BACKGROUND[0002]Surgical instruments are generally organized, cleaned, stored, and moved within a hospital or other medical facility on securing devices known as surgical instrument stringers (or simply as “instrument stringers” or “stringers”). Instrument stringers come in various sizes and shapes. Two common types of instrument stringers include a U-shaped instrument stringer and a single armed instrument stringer as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively. U-shaped and single armed stringers are commonly available with a clasp at the distal ends to keep the surgical instruments secured to the stringers. U-shaped and single armed stringers may be used to hold instruments during sterilization and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a surgical instrument securing device that is made of a base made of silicone, rubber, or other polymer material. This material is non-porous to improve sterilizability and can undergo a sterilization process without substantial or rapid degradation of the material. The device is suitable for displaying, accessing, and securing instruments rapidly. It can also be easily cleaned, sorted, sterilized, and display individual instruments without disturbing neighboring instruments. The method also includes improved tracking of surgical instruments to ensure they are properly placed in the surgery.

Problems solved by technology

While common, the use of instrument stringers raises potential difficulties.

However, they usually do not provide a method for both securing the surgical instruments in place and for rapid removal of the instruments from the same stringer.

Stringers used to sterilize surgical instruments may not be suitable for the display and access of the same surgical instruments.

Similarly, stringers used for display and access of instruments may not be suitable for securing the same instruments in place.

If a stringer suitable for display and access is used for sterilization of surgical instruments, the instruments may become jumbled during the normal sterilization handling process.

There are other potential difficulties to using instrument stringers as well.

For example, assembling sets of instruments on stringers is very time consuming and one of the most labor-intensive steps in the sterilization process.

However, while in the surgical field or during medical procedures, the used and unused instruments may mingle, become mixed, or touch one another.

Thus, unused instruments are also considered contaminated.

Furthermore, instrument stringers can be very expensive to purchase because they are made of costly materials, such as stainless steel.

Moreover, because some medical facilities may need to keep hundreds of instrument stringers in stock to organize and store all of their surgical instruments, the cost to purchase and maintain an adequate supply of stringers can be substantial.

Images