Labeling system for aseptic containers and capsules

Abstract

The present invention relates to a marking system for sterile containers (1) and sieve shells (2) for medical technology, the sieve shells being used to contain medical technology instruments. The system includes a number (i.e., one or more) of sterile containers (1), a number (i.e., one or more) of sieve shells (2), and a number (i.e., one or more) of marking plates (13, 14), wherein each marking plate (13, 14) has an interface (19a, 19b), and at least one mating interface (24, 25, 26, 27) complementary to the interface (19a, 19b) is constructed or arranged on each sterile container (1) and each sieve shell (2), and the interface (19a, 19b) and the mating interface (24, 25, 26, 27) are configured to hold at least one marking plate (13, 14) disposed on one of the sterile containers (1) or one of the sieve shells (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a labeling system for sterile containers and sieve shells used in medical technology, the sieve shells being used to contain medical instruments, the system comprising multiple sterile containers, multiple sieve shells, and multiple label plates. Background Technology

[0002] Within the instrument loops of medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics, or ZSVAs (Central Sterile Supply Departments), there is a need for effective and flexible labeling of sterile containers and sterile sieve shells / shells at various locations. A range of labeling systems are known for this purpose; however, none of these provide a holistic solution. Instead, numerous different labeling systems exist that must be maintained and used in a disadvantageous manner within the medical facility.

[0003] Such known labeling systems, for example, have sterile containers with holders for the labels, which are typically fixed in place. To identify the contents of the sterile container, individual labels can be pushed into these holders.

[0004] In addition, special markings are known for specifically labeling sterile containers and sieve shells. For this purpose, signs or labels with corresponding markings such as "infectious," "care incomplete," etc., are typically used, and these signs or labels can be flexibly attached to and removed from the respective sterile containers or sieve shells.

[0005] To mark sterilized sieve shells and identify their contents, it is particularly known that such marking plates are flexibly fastened to the sieve shell in various ways. For example, such marking plates can be inserted into the edge of the sieve shell, threadedly connected to the sieve shell, or the mesh structure of the sieve shell can have through-and-back wire fasteners.

[0006] In addition, systems for marking instruments to be processed are known. Typically, instruments are categorized according to the procedure for preparation and assigned to multiple sieves. To identify which sieves belong to each other, these sieves are equipped with so-called treatment tags. These treatment tags are usually constructed as flexible clamps that can be simply inserted into the edge of the sieve. Another possibility is the use of simple chips or tags that are simply placed into the corresponding sieve.

[0007] A disadvantage of the aforementioned prior art is the lack of a unified labeling system for both sterile containers and sieve shells that could cover all applications. The only system that can be used on both sterile containers and sieve shells and can be flexibly installed and removed is signage. However, these signs are unsuitable for preparation and are more likely to be disruptive, as they are typically placed in the gripping area. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In this context, the objective of the present invention is to reduce the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular to provide an integrated system for flexibly labeling sterile containers and sterilization sieve shells in ZSVA environments and / or hospital environments.

[0009] This task is solved by a marking system according to the invention, namely a marking system for sterile containers and sieve shells for medical technology, the sieve shells being used to accommodate medical technology devices. The system includes a number (at least one or more) of sterile containers, a number (at least one or more) of sieve shells, and a number (at least one or more) of marking tags, wherein each marking tag has an interface, and at least one mating interface complementary to the interface is constructed or arranged on the sterile container and on the sieve shell. The tag interface and the mating interface are configured to hold at least one marking tag in place on the sterile container or on one of the sieve shells. In particular, the interface and the mating interface include complementary locking structures that can engage with each other. These locking structures are particularly capable of detachably engaging with each other. The interface is constructed according to the invention in the form of at least one locking protrusion. The mating interface is thus constructed in the form of at least one locking recess. This type of locking structure can be manufactured simply and inexpensively, and in particular offers a robust and convenient possibility of placing a tag on a sterile container, sieve shell, or adapter element and then releasing / removing it from it.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below.

[0011] This invention advantageously achieves a unified / integrated labeling system, in which labels can be easily and interchangeably installed on sterile containers and sieve shells, making it possible to label medical devices being prepared / sterilized and those awaiting preparation / sterilization within the system without any problems. This invention provides a holistic solution so that medical institutions such as clinics, hospitals, and / or ZSVAs only need to maintain and apply the labeling system according to the invention to persistently and reliably label devices throughout their entire lifecycle. Within the scope of this invention, the labeling is implemented in such a way that it does not hinder handling, cleaning, and / or sterilization processes and operations. Another advantage is that not only the respective devices can be labeled, but also the hierarchical relationship between sterile containers and sieve shells.

[0012] The tags, within the scope of this invention, can be constructed as common codes. In particular, the system according to the invention can have tags of different colors. The tags may alternatively or additionally be provided with inscriptions and / or machine-readable codes. Because the tags can be arranged and removed particularly easily, they can also be constructed as special marks with corresponding identification or writable inscriptions. Preferably, the tags are made of plastic or metal.

[0013] One embodiment of the marking system according to the invention is constructed as a code system in which a certain number (preferably multiple) of markers have markers of different colors. In this way, the invention can be easily used within the scope of existing medical device structures.

[0014] A particular advantage is that a number (preferably multiple) of mating interfaces are arranged or constructed on at least one sterile container and / or at least one sieve shell. In this way, multiple tags can be arranged on the sterile container and / or sieve shell, thereby enabling the transmission of large amounts of information and / or coding in a simple manner. The mating interfaces can be particularly constructed and / or oriented such that it is possible to retain the tags in different positions.

[0015] One embodiment of the marking system is characterized by an adapter element disposed on at least one of a plurality of sterile containers. Preferably, the adapter element is detachably disposed on the sterile container. Within the scope of this embodiment, the adapter element constitutes a mating interface. Alternatively or additionally, the mating interface may be constructed through / on / within the adapter element. With the aid of such an adapter element, the invention can be used advantageously with common sterile containers. For example, the adapter can be disposed on existing container closures or identification carriers of known sterile containers.

[0016] On at least one tag, two spaced-apart hook-shaped locking lugs may be configured as an interface. These locking lugs preferably each have a locking lug base disposed on the tag and a locking hook extending from the locking lug base on its side opposite to the tag. The locking hooks preferably face each other or back to back. A resiliently deformable section is preferably constructed between the locking lugs. This tag can be placed on a sterile container or sieve shell with particular simplicity and user convenience and can be detached from the sterile container or sieve shell in such a way that at least one of the locking lugs can be disengaged by deformation of the resiliently deformable section relative to the corresponding locking notch.

[0017] For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous that the sign has at least one handle section, on which the sign can be gripped by the user and elastically deformed by a corresponding force. The edge of the handle section can be arranged, in particular, on the side opposite the deformable section of a corresponding locking lug. This allows the sign to be gripped and deformed particularly easily.

[0018] Another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one mating interface of the screen shell is constructed in the form of at least one locking recess introduced into the wall of the screen shell.

[0019] The marking system according to the invention may further include at least one transport device and / or at least one support device and / or at least one cleaning and sterilization rack. These are each provided with mating interfaces complementary to the interface. In this way, the handling of medical devices being sterilized / prepared or to be sterilized / prepared, as well as clinical processing systems incorporating the present invention, can be simplified.

[0020] This invention provides a unified marking system for sterile containers and for sterilization sieve shells / shells, which is particularly flexible in installation and removal. The system according to the invention can feature different colored marking plates with coupling interfaces, for example, in the form of locking lugs, and corresponding mating interfaces, which can be easily applied to different products, such as the front panel of sterile containers, sterilization sieve shells, etc. The coupling and mating interfaces can be configured into a snap-fit ​​system, through which the marking plates can be installed and removed particularly easily and user-friendly. The unified marking system can cover all named marking scenarios (see the "Problem Description" section).

[0021] This invention relates to a unified marking system for sterile containers and sterilization sieve shells. The system comprises color-coded marking plates and corresponding interfaces. The marking plates are equipped with locking lugs, and the interfaces are designed for different products (e.g., the front panel of a sterile container, a sterilization sieve shell, etc.). It should be noted that the marking system may also have a sterile container lid, and the marking plate and / or the adapter element may be disposed on the lid.

[0022] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary and non-limiting description with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are merely illustrative and are intended only to understand the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0023] This is shown here:

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view illustrates a sterilization container-sieve shell-unit having a marking system according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2An embodiment of the marking system according to the present invention is illustrated in a schematic perspective view.

[0026] Figure 3 An embodiment of an adapter element arranged on a sterile container within the scope of the present invention is illustrated in perspective view, and

[0027] Figure 4 The cut-off portion of the sieve shell of the marking system according to the present invention is shown.

[0028] Wherein: 1-Sterile container; 2-Sieve shell; 3-Sterile container lid; 4-Container bottom; 5-Container wall; 6-Container wall; 7-Container wall; 8-Container wall; 9-Container edge; 10-Sealing component; 11-Sealing component; 12-Adapter element; 13-Marking plate; 14-Marking plate; 15-Corner; 16-Corner; 17-Corner; 18-Corner; 19a, b-Locking structure, locking lug; 20a, b-Locking lug base; 21a, b-Locking hook; 22-Elastically deformable section; 23a, b-Handle element; 24-Through hole, locking opening; 25-Through hole, locking opening; 26-Through hole, locking opening; 27-Through hole, locking opening. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1 A sterilization container-sieve shell-unit is shown, which has a sterile container 1, a sieve shell 2, and a sterile container lid 3. This sterilization container-sieve shell-unit is part of a marking system according to the present invention.

[0030] The sterile container 1 has a container bottom 4 and container walls 5, 6, 7, and 8 arranged on the container bottom, forming a receiving volume for the sieve shell 2. The container walls 5, 6, 7, and 8 together form a container edge 9, on which a container lid 3 can be sealingly disposed. The container lid 3 can be locked to the sterile container 1 in a manner known per se by means of closures 10 and 11. An adapter element 12 (see [reference]) is arranged on the container wall 5. Figure 3 In addition, the marking system has multiple marking plates 13 and 14, each in the form of a colored injection molded part.

[0031] One of the signboards 13 is in Figure 2 It is shown separately in three dimensions. The sign is basically rectangular with rounded corners of 15, 16, 17, and 18. (The last sentence appears to be incomplete and unrelated to the preceding text.) Figure 2On the lower side shown (i.e., the side pointing towards the sterile container or sieve shell in a conventional arrangement), a first locking structure 19a and a second locking structure 19b are spray-formed as hook-shaped locking lugs 19a, 19b spaced apart from each other. Each locking structure 19a, 19b has a locking lug base 20a, 20b arranged on the tag 13 and a locking hook 21a, 21b extending from the locking lug base on its side opposite to the tag 13. The locking hooks 21a, 21b are arranged facing each other. The tag 13 has an elastically deformable section 22 between the locking lugs 19a, 19b. The short side of the tag 13 between angles 15 and 16 or 17 and 18 is configured as handle elements 23a, 23b by bending the material of the tag 13 out from the plane of said section 22. Two locking structures 19a and 19b constitute the interface of the marker 13 in the sense of this invention.

[0032] exist Figure 3 The diagram shows a cut-off portion of adapter element 12. This adapter element has a plurality of locking openings 24, 25 constructed in the form of through holes 24, 25. These locking openings constitute a mating interface in the sense of the invention. The locking openings 24 are complementary to the locking lugs 13, while the locking openings 25 are complementary to the locking lugs 14.

[0033] Figure 4 The cut portion of the sieve shell 2 is shown. This sieve shell also has multiple locking openings 26, 27 constructed in the form of through holes 26, 27. These locking openings constitute mating interfaces in the sense of this invention. The locking openings 26 are complementary to the locking lugs 13, while the locking openings 27 are complementary to the locking lugs 14.

[0034] For example, especially from Figure 1 As can be seen, marking plates 13 and 14 can be positioned and arranged not only in the locking openings / fitting interfaces 26 or 27 of the sieve shell 2, but also in the locking openings / fitting interfaces 24 and 25 of the sterile container 1. Here, locking lugs 19a and 19b engage with the corresponding locking openings / fitting interfaces 24, 25, 26, and 27, wherein locking hooks 21a and 21b pass through the locking openings / fitting interfaces 24, 25, 26, and 27 and act on the locking openings / fitting interfaces from the rear. When the locking hooks 21a and 21b pass through, elastic deformation occurs in the corresponding segment 22 of marking plates 13 and 14. If the locking hooks 21a and 21b pass through the corresponding locking openings / fitting interfaces 24, 25, 26, and 27, section 22 springs back to its initial shape due to its elastic properties, thereby engaging the locking hooks 21a and 21b from behind the locking openings / fitting interfaces 24, 25, 26, and 27 and retaining the tags 13 and 14 on the sterile container 1 or the sieve shell 2. The loosening / removal of the tags 13 and 14 is performed in the opposite manner.

[0035] In general, the present invention relates to a marking system for sterile containers 1 and sieve shells 2 for medical technology, the sieve shells being used to contain medical technology instruments. The system includes a number (i.e., one or more) of sterile containers 1, a number (i.e., one or more) of sieve shells 2, and a number (i.e., one or more) of marking plates 13, 14, wherein each marking plate 13, 14 has an interface 19a, 19b, and at least one mating interface 24, 25, 26, 27 complementary to the interface 19a, 19b is constructed or arranged on each sterile container 1 and each sieve shell 2, and the interface 19a, 19b and the mating interface 24, 25, 26, 27 are configured to hold at least one marking plate 13, 14 disposed on one of the sterile containers 1 or one of the sieve shells 2.

Claims

1. A marking system for sterile containers (1) and sieve shells (2) for medical technology, the sieve shells being used to contain medical technology instruments, the marking system comprising a number of sterile containers (1), a number of sieve shells (2), and a number of marking plates (13, 14). in, Each of the aforementioned markers (13, 14) has an interface (19a, 19b). At least one mating interface (24, 25, 26, 27) complementary to the interfaces (19a, 19b) is constructed or arranged on each sterile container (1) and each sieve shell (2), and The interfaces (19a, 19b) and the mating interfaces (24, 25, 26, 27) are configured to hold at least one tag (13, 14) disposed on one of the sterile containers (1) or on one of the sieve shells (2). in The interfaces (19a, 19b) are constructed in the form of at least one locking protrusion (19a, 19b), and the mating interfaces (24, 25, 26, 27) are constructed in the form of at least one locking recess (24, 25, 26, 27), wherein... An adapter element (12) is arranged on at least one of a plurality of sterile containers (1), wherein the adapter element (12) constructs the mating interface (24, 25) or the mating interface (24, 25) is constructed by the adapter element. Furthermore, a number of mating interfaces (24, 25, 26, 27) are arranged or constructed on the adapter element (12) and / or on at least one sieve shell (2), wherein the mating interfaces enable the marking plates (13, 14) to be held in different positions.

2. The marking system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signs (13, 14) are made of plastic.

3. The marking system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The specified number of markers (13, 14) are groups of markers (13, 14) of different colors.

4. The marking system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The interfaces (19a, 19b) and the mating interfaces (24, 25, 26, 27) include complementary locking structures that can engage with each other.

5. The marking system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Two spaced-apart hook-shaped locking lugs (19a, 19b) are constructed on at least one marker (13, 14) as interfaces (19a, 19b). Each locking lug has a locking lug base (20a, 20b) arranged on the marker (13, 14) and a locking hook (21a, 21b) extending from the locking lug base on the side of the locking lug base opposite to the marker (13, 14). The locking hooks (21a, 21b) face each other or are opposite to each other and an elastically deformable section (22) is constructed between the locking lugs (19a, 19b).

6. The marking system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sign (13, 14) has handle sections (23a, 23b) with the edge of the handle section arranged on the side opposite to the deformable section (22) of the corresponding locking lug (19a, 19b).

7. The marking system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The mating interface (24, 25, 26, 27) of at least one sieve shell (2) is constructed in the form of at least one locking recess (24, 25, 26, 27) introduced into the wall of the sieve shell.

8. The marking system according to claim 1 or 2 further includes at least one transport device and / or at least one support device and / or at least one cleaning and disinfection rack, each having a mating interface (24, 25, 26, 27) complementary to the interface (19a, 19b).

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