Interchangeable labeling plates

Abstract

The present invention basically relates to a labeling system comprising a labeling plate, which is suitable for removably connecting to a sterile container, wherein the labeling plate comprises an interface for at least one (barcode) label and at least one (RFID) identification tag, wherein the interface is designed to removably hold the at least one tag and / or the at least one label at the separate labeling plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an interchangeable / removable labeling plate for marking / identifying a sterile container and / or an instrument tray, the interchangeable / removable labeling plate being removably stored or storable within a sterile container. Background Art

[0002] Nowadays, most sterile containers are marked by a combination of a barcode label containing, for example, production data and / or instrument data (such as the name of the kit / contents of the container, etc.) and a tag (RFID tag / tray) preferably made of aluminum material. Typically, at least the tag but in many cases also the tag (containing the barcode and / or alphanumeric information) is firmly fixed to the container, for example, in a window-like device at both ends or at the opposite side walls of the container. In addition, the tag is also fixedly connected to the instrument tray intended to be stored in the container with the same tag and suitable for being stored in the container with the same tag. The tag can be retained on / at the container during the cleaning process using a mild alkaline detergent, but wherein the cleaning process using a highly alkaline detergent will be more advantageous. However, in the event of a cleaning process using a highly alkaline detergent, the problem that the aluminum identification tags currently used to perform identification are generally not allowed to be cleaned in a washer-disinfector using an instrument cleaning program will occur due to the lack of compatibility with the highly alkaline detergent. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the sterile container can also be labeled only with at least one barcode label (also containing alphanumeric information) which can optionally be removed from the container.

[0003] Labels for marking / identifying such sterile containers are usually printed with relevant data on a clean section of the so-called "sterile processing department" (SPD) and then glued to the sterile container. The labels can then be optionally removed, for example in the operating room, and are preferably glued to the patient's documentation. They can also remain on the container, or be discarded later.

[0004] In the event of using sterile containers with securely attached identification tags, the user on the clean area of ​​the above-mentioned SPO must wait for the appropriate container to be treated with a mild alkaline detergent until the user can merge the corresponding instrument tray(s) being treated with a high alkaline detergent with the cleaned and sterilized container. This merging process is very complicated and prone to error.

[0005] In the event that sterile containers with removable identification tags are used, the specific sterile container (optionally with a barcode label fixed thereon) and the tag must be handled separately and connected to each other again in the correct manner. The removable barcode labels will allow for the individual identification of any container with the corresponding content, however, during the cleaning process, they are not linked to the corresponding instrument kit / tray. Therefore, assigning the correct label and information tag that has been removed to the correct instrument tray is also prone to errors.

[0006] Finally, the sterile container must be prepared to hold the label and / or tag in a removable manner. This makes the production of such sterile containers complicated and expensive, especially when the sterile containers should be prepared to be individually labeled with different labels and / or tags. Summary of the invention

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a labeling system and a labeling method for sterile containers which allow for greater flexibility, in particular before and after a cleaning process.

[0008] This object is solved by an interchangeable labeling plate having the features of the attached patent claim 1. Further advantages of the invention are made the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] Thus, one main point of the invention may be to provide a separate (individual) labeling plate, which is suitable for removably connecting to a sterile container (and optionally to an instrument tray), wherein the separate labeling plate comprises an interface (docking / connection system) for at least one (barcode) label and at least one (RFID) identification tag. The interface is preferably designed to removably hold at least one tag and / or at least one label at the separate labeling plate.

[0010] In other words, the present invention basically relates to a labeling system comprising a labeling plate, which is suitable for removably connecting to a sterile container (using a unified labeling plate connecting / capturing mechanism), wherein the labeling plate comprises (multiple individual) interfaces for at least one (barcode) label and at least one (RFID) identification tag, wherein the interface on the labeling plate is designed for removably / detachably holding at least one tag and / or at least one label at a separate labeling plate.

[0011] By providing such a labeling plate, sterile containers can be specifically manufactured to have a single / unified / standard interface for (one) labeling plate, which helps to keep manufacturing costs low, wherein a separate labeling plate is provided with multiple individual interfaces for (multiple) tags and (multiple) labels, which helps to maintain high flexibility in handling sterile containers.

[0012] According to an optional aspect of the invention, at least one interface of the labeling plate is / comprises a (holding) clip or a bracket. The clip is advantageously designed like a paper clip, wherein one of the clamping legs is fixedly connected to the labeling plate, while the other clamping leg is elastically movable relative to the front side of the labeling plate in order to clamp, for example, a plate-shaped or card-shaped label between the movable clamping leg and the front side of the labeling plate.

[0013] According to another optional aspect of the invention, at least one other interface of the labelling plate comprises at least one retaining hole or recess adapted to (removably) receive an elastically deformable label connection / capture mechanism, e.g. in the form of a hooked cone, an engaging detent or a notch, formed / provided at the label. Thus, the label can be pressed or clicked onto the front side of the labelling plate (parallel to the label), wherein one or more cones are inserted into the hole(s) on the front side of the labelling plate, thereby preferably generating a form fit.

[0014] According to another optional aspect of the invention, the labeling plate has a unified plate connection / capturing mechanism, for example in the form of an elastically movable / deformable hook, cone or border, which is suitable for removably engaging with a single / unified / standard plate interface of a recess or groove (uniformly) formed / provided, in particular, at the sterile container to be labeled. Alternatively, an adapter element can be provided, which is (individually) suitable for fixing at a sterile container of known design, wherein the adapter element comprises a (unified) plate interface (recess / groove) for the labeling plate.

[0015] Another main point of the present invention is to provide a sterile container comprising a base or groove (lower shell) and a lid or cover (upper shell), which can be connected to each other to form a closed container compartment for accommodating (multiple) instrument trays therein. According to the present invention, the sterile container, especially its base / groove, has a unified plate interface, which is especially suitable for removably receiving at least one or more recesses or grooves of a plate connection / capture mechanism, which is especially a hook or boundary of a labeling plate as described above (so that the labeling plate can be temporarily connected to the tray by form fit).

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention can be seen in providing a sterile container kit comprising a labeling plate as described above and a sterile container.

[0017] According to an optional aspect of the invention, the sterile container kit further comprises at least one instrument tray adapted to be accommodated within the container compartment, wherein the tray has a uniform plate interface, in particular at least one or more recesses or grooves, wherein the plate interface of the tray is adapted to removably receive a plate connection / capture mechanism, in particular a hook or border of a labeling plate as described above, such that the labeling plate can be temporarily connected to the tray (e.g. during a sterilization process).

[0018] Another main point of the present invention is to provide a labeling method for sterile containers, especially in the event of a sterilization cycle, which labeling method comprises the following method steps:

[0019] - (temporarily) fixing the transparent or colored labeling sheet (according to the above explanation) on / at the sterile container (by using a click mechanism as described above), preferably in the clean area of ​​the SPD as described above,

[0020] - (temporary) adding at least one label and at least one (batch control) label on the front side of the labelling plate, where a corresponding interface is provided thereon,

[0021] - processing of the thus labeled and sterilized sterile container and the instrument set contained therein for delivery to the operating room / operating theatre, wherein the label (carrying the barcode) can be at least partially removed and fixed, for example, to the patient's documentation and / or parts of the label can be discarded),

[0022] - After use in the operating room, sterile containers are returned to the SPD for disposal,

[0023] - Open the sterile container in the SPD and remove the used instrument tray,

[0024] - removing the labeling plate from the sterile container, removing the label from the labeling plate and connecting the labeling plate (optionally including the label) to the used instrument tray contained in the sterile container to process the tray and the labeling plate together in a washer / disinfector,

[0025] - Combine the clean instrument tray with any clean sterile containers (of the correct size),

[0026] - removing the labeling plate from the clean instrument tray and connecting it to the sterile container, and

[0027] - Attach labels (cleaned separately from sterile containers and instrument trays) to labeling plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1The lower housing of a sterile container which has been provided with a labeling plate according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in a perspective view, wherein the upper housing can have essentially the same shape and is therefore no longer shown separately, Figure 2 shows the length region of the labeling plate in a state connected to the sterile container,

[0030] Figure 3a and Figure 3b The tag connection / capture mechanism and the plate connection / capture mechanism are shown in enlarged view, respectively, and

[0031] Figures 4a to 4d A labeling plate equipped with (an) information plaque according to an embodiment is shown in different views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] according to Figure 1 , the lower shell (or chassis / groove) 1a of the sterile container 1 is shown in detail to form a container compartment 2, into which a tray 4 as shown in FIG. 3a can be inserted, wherein the lower shell 1a can be composed of an upper shell 1b (such as Figure 1 shown) is hermetically sealed.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the lower housing 1a includes a plate receiving interface 6, which is preferably in the form of two parallel groove-shaped recesses 6a pressed into the side wall of the lower housing 1a. Alternatively, instead of the groove, a hole-shaped recess can also be formed. In addition, instead of the lower housing 1a or in addition to the lower housing 1a, the upper housing 1b can also be formed with a plate receiving interface 6 of this type. In general, the plate receiving interface 6 is intended to have a standard or uniform shape at each sterile container 1 manufactured in the future. In the case of an existing sterile container, an adapter element (not shown) can be provided, which can be connected to the (existing) sterile container, for example, by gluing or welding, and has a (standard) receiving interface 6 on its free side.

[0034] As from Figure 4a to Figure 4b As can be seen in the figure, a (separate) labeling plate 8 is provided, the outer shape of which is substantially adapted to the side wall of the sterile container 1, so that the labeling plate 8 can be connected to the side wall (lower shell 1a) of the sterile container 1 in a tight manner. In order to achieve a fixed but detachable connection between the sterile container 1 and the labeling plate 8, at least two (preferably four) parallel extending borders or hooks 10 are formed thereon, representing a plate connection or capture mechanism designed to elastically engage with the recess 6a of the sterile container 1. In particular, as Figure 3bIt can be seen that each recess 6a of the sterile container 1 forms a border or an undercut into which the hook 10 is elastically pressed, so as to retain the labeling plate 8 at the side wall of the container 1 essentially by form fit. The labeling plate 8 comprises at least two interfaces 12, 14 on its (free) front side, which are suitable for removably retaining at least one information label 16 and at least one card-like label 18. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3a, one interface 12 for the information label 16 preferably comprises two holes or recesses 12a, respectively forming undercuts. Thus, the information label 16 comprises a label connection / capturing means, preferably in the form of, for example, two conical (notch-shaped) protrusions 16a, which are elastically deformable and designed to engage with the holes or recesses 12a at the labeling plate 8, so that a removable form fit is generated between them.

[0035] according to Figure 4a to Figure 4b Another interface 14 for the label 18 comprises a clamp or holder (preferably in the form of a paper clip) 20 having two clamping legs 20a, 20b, wherein one clamping leg 20a is fixedly connected to the labeling plate 8 and the other clamping leg 20b is freely retained above / along the front side of the labeling plate 8, so that a label 18 in the form of a credit card, for example, can be clamped between the freely retaining clamping leg 20b (elastic) and the front side of the labeling plate 8.

[0036] It should be pointed out here that the labeling plate 8 can have further interfaces for additional information labels and / or labels, which are only provided on the front side of the labeling plate 8 by, in particular, Figure 4c and Figure 4d Through hole indication shown.

[0037] With the labeling system comprising a labeling plate 8, information labels 16 and labels 18 as described above, the interchangeable (front) labeling plate 8 for labels and (barcode) labels is made of a material compatible with the reprocessing methods of the aseptic processing, such as stainless steel, plastic such as PEEK or PPSU, etc. (irrespective of the material of the labels and / or labels). Thus, the use of such a labeling system in a sterilization processing cycle is as follows (starting from the clean area of ​​the SPD):

[0038] A transparent or colored labeling plate 8 is (detachably) fastened to / on the sterile container 1 (preferably its lower housing 1 a ) in which the click mechanism as described above is used.

[0039] Using at least two (separate) interfaces 12 , 14 provided on the labelling sheet 8 , additional smaller identification tag(s) 16 and (batch control) labels 18 are added on the front side of the labelling sheet 8 .

[0040] The container 1 thus labeled and sterilized, into which the instrument tray 4 was previously inserted, is then processed for delivery to the operating room for use.

[0041] In the operating room, the (barcode) label 18 can be removed, for example, glued to the patient's document. At least a portion of the label 18 can also be discarded. Alternatively, at least a portion of the label 18 can be maintained in the sterile container 1 after use.

[0042] After use in the operating room, the sterile container 1 is typically processed and returned to the SPD.

[0043] In SPD, the container 1 is opened and the used instrument tray 4 is removed from the sterile container 1 .

[0044] The instrument tray can then be processed together with the removed labeling plate 8, for example in a washer / disinfector. Here, the labeling plate 8 can optionally be connected to the instrument tray 4 at a corresponding (unified) interface 4a provided at the tray 4 and has the same shape and size as the plate interface 6 at the sterile container 1.

[0045] After the cleaning process is complete, the instrument tray(s) 4 are merged with any containers (of suitable size), as the containers are not labeled at this stage.

[0046] Finally, the labeling sheet 8 which has been processed together with the tray(s) 4 is connected to the selected (available) sterile container 1 into which the tray(s) 4 are inserted.

[0047] The above procedure allows identification of the contents of the instrument kit within and outside of the container at any time during the sterile processing cycle.In the clean area of ​​the sterile processing department (SPD), any container of suitable size may be used to merge with the instrument tray regardless of its previous contents.

[0048] Unlike the use of disposable barcode labels, identification of the instrument tray is possible during cleaning and sterilization because the labeling plate holding the label can be attached to the instrument tray during the cleaning process.

[0049] The use of different additional labels on the labeling plate also allows the contents of the sterile containers to be divided into different instrument trays for cleaning and sterilization.

Claims

1. A labeling plate (8) adapted to be removably connected to a sterile container (1), wherein the labeling plate (8) comprises separate interfaces (12, 14) for at least one label (18) and at least one identification tag (16), wherein the interfaces (12, 14) are designed to removably retain the at least one tag (16) and / or the at least one label (18) at the labeling plate (8), The at least one interface (14) is or includes a holding clip or a bracket (20), wherein the holding clip (20) has a shape of a paper clip, and the holding clip or the bracket (20) has one clamping leg (20a) and another clamping leg, wherein the one clamping leg (20a) is fixedly connected to the labeling plate (8), and the other clamping leg is a movable clamping leg (20b), and the movable clamping leg (20b) can be elastically moved relative to the front side of the labeling plate (8) so as to be able to clamp the at least one label (18) between the movable clamping leg (20b) and the front side of the labeling plate (8), wherein the one clamping leg (20a) is fixedly connected to the opposite side of the front side of the labeling plate (8).

2. A labeling plate according to claim 1, wherein the at least one other interface (12) includes at least one retaining hole or recess (12a), which is suitable for removably receiving a resilient label connection or capture mechanism in the form of an engagement pawl, notch or cone (16a), which is formed or provided at the label (16).

3. A labelling sheet according to claim 1, comprising a uniform or standard sheet connection or capture mechanism adapted to removably engage with a uniform or standard sheet interface (6).

4. A sterile container comprising a base or groove (1a) and a lid (1b), wherein the base or groove and the lid can be connected to each other to form a closable container compartment (2) for accommodating at least one instrument tray (4) therein, wherein the sterile container (1) has a uniform or standard plate interface (6), and the plate interface (6) is suitable for removably receiving a connection or capture mechanism of a labeling plate (8) as described in claim 3, so that the labeling plate (8) can be temporarily connected to the sterile container (1).

5. A sterile container kit comprising a labeling sheet (8) according to claim 1 and a sterile container (1) according to claim 4.

6. The sterile container kit according to claim 5 comprises at least one instrument tray (4), wherein the at least one instrument tray (4) is suitable for being accommodated in the container compartment (2) of the sterile container (1), wherein the instrument tray (4) has a unified or standard plate interface (4a), and the plate interface (4a) is suitable for removably receiving the unified or standard connection or capture mechanism so that the labeling plate (8) can be temporarily connected to the tray (4).

7. A method for labeling sterile containers in the event of a sterilization process cycle, the labeling method comprising the following method steps: - fixing the labeling plate (8) according to claim 1 on or at the sterile container (1) by using a click mechanism as a labeling plate catching mechanism, wherein the labeling plate (8) is transparent or colored, - adding at least one label (16) and at least one label (18) on the front side of the labeling plate (8) at corresponding interfaces (12, 14) provided on the labeling plate (8), - processing the thus labeled and sterilized sterile container (1) and the instrument tray (4) contained therein for delivery to an operating room or operating theatre, - after using the sterile container (1) in the operating room, returning the sterile container (1) to the sterile processing department, opening the sterile container (1) and removing the used instrument tray (4), - removing the labeling plate (8) from the sterile container (1), removing the label (16) from the labeling plate (8) and attaching the labeling plate (8) to or at the used instrument tray (4) removed from the sterile container (8) in order to clean the tray (4) and the corresponding labeling plate (8) together, - combine the clean instrument tray (4) with any clean sterile container (1), - removing the labeling plate (8) from the clean instrument tray (4) and attaching it at or to the sterile container (1), and - Attaching the separately cleaned labels (16) to the sterile containers (1) and the instrument trays (4) at or on the labeling plate.

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