Holder for syringes and other medical devices

Abstract

A medical device holder is provided that includes a base block configured to be removably mounted to a placement surface, and has a tines extending therefrom. A receiving block formed from a soft and resilient flexible material, such as resilient foam, may be pierced over the tines. A medical instrument, such as a syringe or scalpel, may be inserted into the receiving block to effectively removably retain the medical instrument relative to the placement surface. The receive block may be discarded after use and replaced with another receive block for subsequent use. The holder is particularly useful for receiving a cap of a hypodermic syringe within the receiving block, allowing the syringe to be held in a ready-to-use position, and allowing the syringe to be removed from the cap grasped by the receiving block with a single hand.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This document relates to an invention that relates generally to a holder for a medical instrument, particularly a hypodermic syringe, and more particularly to an instrument holder that enables a device such as a hypodermic syringe to be grasped and held using a single hand. Background Art

[0002] In the medical field, it is often necessary to keep instruments at hand for use while preventing such instruments from causing potential harm or contaminating such instruments. For example, syringe holders have been developed that hold syringes in a ready-to-use position by grasping the syringe cap of the syringe, which covers the syringe needle when the syringe is not in use to maintain sterility and prevent accidental needle sticks. These holders allow the user to remove the syringe from the cap to expose the needle for use, and then place the needle back into the grasped cap to install the syringe for subsequent use when needed. Examples are found in prior patents such as: US4846803 to Emerson; US4938354 to Hernandez; US4986817 to Code; US5078695 to Farrar, Jr. et al.; US5797885 to Rubin; US7975846 to Clegg et al.; WO199302871 to Collett; EP0510626 to Herotec Kunststoffverarbeitung; and FR2664816 to Cabinet Ores. Other examples are the flexible foam syringe / scalpel holders provided by Aspen Surgical (Caledonia, Michigan, USA) and Quosina Corporation (Ronkonkoma, New York, USA). The Aspen holder is a rectangular prism (e.g., a cube-shaped block) formed of flexible foam with double-sided tape on the bottom, whereby the backing sheet can be removed from the tape and the prism can then be adhered to the surgical sheet. The cap of the syringe can then be inserted into a small diameter hole formed in the top of the prism, or the cap of the syringe can simply be pushed into the foam to penetrate the prism, and the elasticity of the foam then tends to keep the inserted cap. The syringe can then be pulled out of the cap retained in the mounted prism for use, and when use is completed, the needle of the syringe can be reinserted into the cap. Quosina provides a similar holder and provides a holder in the form of a small plastic open-top box with double-sided tape on the base. Similar to the aforementioned Aspen holder, the holder can be adhered to a surface and the foam prism can be inserted into the open top of the holder for use.

[0003] The Aspen and Quosina holders are relatively low-cost items that can be discarded after use, avoiding the need for sterilization, and can be inexpensively replaced with a new holder for subsequent use. However, the foam prisms are not always stable once adhered to the surgical drape, the double-sided tape sometimes does not adhere well to the fabric of the surgical drape, and / or the surgical drape bends / folds causing the prism (and any syringe therein) to tilt. While the prisms can alternatively be adhered to a surgical tray or other surface, this often leaves adhesive residue on the surface, requiring additional post-operative cleaning. In addition, the prisms hold instruments so that the instruments protrude vertically from the top of the prism, making slender instruments (such as syringes) susceptible to accidental knocks (and displacement from the prism) during operation. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention is directed to an instrument holder that is intended to at least partially address the aforementioned problems. In order to provide the reader with a basic understanding of some of the advantageous features of the present invention, the following is a brief overview of the preferred forms of the instrument holder, with reference to the accompanying drawings (which are briefly reviewed in the "Brief Description of the Drawings" section below in this document) to aid the reader's understanding. The following discussion is merely an overview, and it should be understood that more details about the preferred forms can be found in the specific embodiments set forth elsewhere in this document. The claims set forth at the end of this document then define the various forms of the invention in which exclusive rights are protected.

[0005] refer to Figure 1a to Figure 1b In the exemplary preferred form of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1 , the instrument holder 100 comprises a rigid and durable base block 10 having elongated tines 10p, and a receiving block 20 formed of a soft pierceable material that allows the instrument holder to be pierced on the tines 10p (e.g., Figure 3b to Figure 3c ). The instrument holder 100 further includes mounting means for removably and inviolably mounting the base block 10 to a placement surface 200, such as a tray or table in an operating room. (The term "inviolable mounting" refers to an attachment that does not damage the placement surface 200 or leave any noticeable adhesive or other residue on the placement surface 200, i.e., after removal of the base block 10, the placement surface 200 is in substantially the same state as it was prior to installation of the base block 10.) Here, the mounting means is provided by a mounting block 30 that is magnetically attracted to the base block 10 (or the base block 10 is magnetically attracted to the mounting block). The mounting block 30 allows for the base block 10 to be removably and inviolably mounted to a placement surface 200, such as a tray or table in an operating room. Figure 3a to Figure 3bThe base block 10 is mounted to the placement surface 200 in the manner shown, wherein the mounting block 30 is positioned on the side of the placement surface 200 opposite to the base block 10, so that the base block 10 and the mounting block 30 are magnetically coupled to each other around the placement surface 200. When the base block 10 is thus fixed to the placement surface 200, an instrument can be pierced through the receiving block 20 and held ready for use. Figures 3d to 3f , where the cap 300c of the hypodermic syringe 300 penetrates the receiving block 20 ( Figure 3e Then, the syringe 300 is removed from the cap 300c ( Figure 3f ), so that the user can pull out the needle 300n of the syringe 300 with one hand, and after the use of the syringe 300 is completed, the cap 300c can easily put the needle 300n back on (and hold the syringe 300, such as Figure 3e ). The receiving block 20 may be removed from the base block 10 and discarded after a single use, or alternatively, may undergo multiple uses before being removed and discarded, with a new receiving block 20 being installed on the base block 10 for subsequent use.

[0006] The tines 10p preferably extend from the upper base block surface 10u and preferably have at least substantially parallel longitudinal axes. The tines 10p are preferably positioned adjacent to the side base block surface 10s, with each tine 10p positioned closer to an edge of the upper base block surface 10u than to any other tine 10p, so that when the receiving block 20 is centrally penetrated by an instrument (see, e.g. Figure 3d to Figure 3f ), the tines 10p are less likely to impede penetration (ie, the instrument will not experience interference from the tines 10p within the receiving block 20). Then, the opposing lower base block surface 10 L Can carry the aforementioned mounting device, the mounting device (such as Figure 2 As shown) can be used on the lower base block surface 10 L Alternatively, the mounting means may take the form of a magnet or ferromagnetic material 10m on or within the lower base block surface 10 (where the mounting block 30 then carries the cooperating magnetic or ferromagnetic material 30m). L One or more suction cups on Figure 4a exemplified) or an adhesive surface (e.g., a silicone or other adhesive gel pad, such as Figure 4b exemplified), thereby allowing the base block 10 to be removably and non-contaminatingly mounted to the placement surface 200 without using the mounting block 30.

[0007] The receiving block 20 is preferably formed of a resiliently expandable material, that is, a material that can deform to accommodate tines 10p and instruments 300 that penetrate the receiving block 20, but tends to attempt to return to its original, unpenetrated form, thereby gripping any penetrating tines 10p / instrument 300 (such grip can be overcome with minimal effort by the user when extracting the receiving block 20 from the tines 10p or the instrument from the receiving block 20). As discussed in more detail below, a resiliently flexible polymer foam is a preferred material for the receiving block 20. Figure 1b As best shown, the lower surface 20 of the receiving block L There may be tine holes 20p preformed therein to be easily penetrated by the tine 10p of the base block 10, wherein such tine holes 20p are formed to have a smaller diameter than the tine 10p so that the tine holes 20p can expand around the tine 10p during insertion. One or more of the receiving block side surfaces 20s and / or the receiving block upper surface 20u of the receiving block may similarly have one or more instrument holes 20i preformed therein. Such tine and / or instrument holes 20p and 20i are preferably defined by, or otherwise positioned at, the intersection of valleys 20v formed within the receiving block 20 (these valleys 20v are preferably simple cuts / slits formed in the receiving block 20, wherein Figure 1a to Figure 1b Such a valley 20v better accommodates larger instruments (e.g., larger diameter veterinary hypodermic syringes 300), and better accommodates inaccurate (off-center) insertion of the tine 10p / instrument 300.

[0008] The mounting block 30 (if provided) includes: a mounting block 30 that is magnetically attracted to the lower base block surface 10 L The upper mounting block surface 30u; the lower mounting block surface 30 L and a side mounting block surface 30s between the upper mounting block surface and the lower mounting block surface. A grip 30h may be provided on the lower mounting block surface 30 L On the upper (as in the exemplary instrument holder 100 shown in the drawings) or side mounting block surface 30s, allowing the mounting block 30 to be more easily extracted from the placement surface 200 toward which the mounting block 30 is magnetically attracted (via the base block 10 on the opposite side of the placement surface 200).

[0009] Further potential advantages, features and objects of the present invention will become apparent from the remainder of this document taken in conjunction with the associated drawings.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1a to Figure 1b(collectively referred to as FIG. 1 ) depicts an exemplary instrument holder 100, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1a The instrument holder 100 is depicted in its typical orientation for use, but is presented in an exploded (disassembled) form, with the mounting block 30 ready to secure the base block 10 (magnetically) to a placement surface (not shown) positioned between the base block 10 and the mounting block 30, and with the receiving block 20 shown ready to be mounted on the tine 10p of the base block 10.

[0013] Figure 1b Describes from Figure 1a The instrument holder 100 is oriented inverted so that Figure 1a The receiving block 20, the base block 10 and the opposite side of the mounting block 30.

[0014] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1a to Figure 1b A side view of a base block 10 and a mounting block 30, wherein dashed (dotted) lines depict possible positions of magnets 10m and 30m in blocks 10 and 30, or possible positions of magnets in one block and ferromagnetic material in the other block, to provide a magnetic attraction between the base block 10 and the mounting block 30.

[0015] Figure 3a to Figure 3f (collectively referred to as FIG. 3 ) shows FIG. 1 to FIG. Figure 2 An exemplary use of the instrument holder 100, wherein:

[0016] Figure 3a The base block 10 is depicted atop a placement surface 200 (eg, a tray in an operating room) with the mounting block 30 ready to be mounted on an opposite side of the base block 10 via magnetic attraction thereto.

[0017] Figure 3b The receiving block 20 is depicted ready to be mounted on the base block 10 by having it penetrate on the tines 10 p of the base block 10 .

[0018] Figure 3c A receiving block 20 is depicted mounted on the base block 10 .

[0019] Figure 3d The capped hypodermic syringe 300 is depicted ready to be installed in the receiving block 20 by inserting the cap 300 c into the instrument aperture 20 i of the receiving block 20 .

[0020] Figure 3e The hypodermic syringe 300 is depicted removed from the cap 300c, thereby preparing the syringe 300 for use.

[0021] Figure 3fThe hypodermic syringe 300 is depicted after being removed from its cap 300c within the receiving block 20 and ready for reinstallation within the cap 300c.

[0022] Figure 4a to Figure 4b (collectively referred to as FIG. 4 ) shows a base block modified from the base block of FIGS. 1 to 3 , wherein:

[0023] Figure 4a The base block 10 of the previous figures is depicted modified to carry a suction cup 10c for mounting the base block 10 to a placement surface.

[0024] Figure 4b The base block 10 of the previous figures is depicted modified to carry an adhesive gel pad 10g for mounting the base block 10 to a placement surface.

[0025] Specific embodiments of exemplary forms of the present invention

[0026] Expanding on the above discussion, the receiving block 20 can have any shape suitable for receiving the instrument it is intended to receive. (More generally, throughout this document, the term "block" refers to a body of any shape. Thus, for example, the receiving block 20 need not be in the shape of a rectangular prism, and may be dome-shaped or other shapes.) The material of the receiving block 20 is preferably elastically expandable, that is, it can be deformed to accommodate instruments that penetrate the receiving block 20, but tends to try to return to its original, unpenetrated form, thereby grasping any penetrating instruments. In the case where no holes are formed in the receiving block 20, the receiving block 20 is also preferably made of a material that is soft enough to allow the receiving block to be pierced by an instrument pushed therein. Exemplary materials for the receiving block 20 include closed-cell foams or open-cell foams made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene, polyurethane, polyester, polyether or vinyl nitrile. Alternatively, natural or synthetic sponges, or soft solid materials, such as silicone rubber, paraffin or other soft polymeric materials can be used.

[0027] As depicted in the drawings, the instrument holes 20i extend completely through the depth of the receiving block 20 from one of the side receiving block surfaces 20s to the opposing side receiving block surface 20s, and have valleys 20v extending radially outward from the periphery of the instrument holes 20i, wherein these valleys 20v also extend completely through the entire depth of the receiving block 20. The tine holes 20p are arranged in the receiving block 20 at positions that allow them to receive the tine 10p of the base block 10, similarly from the upper receiving block surface 20u to the lower receiving block surface 20 LThe receiving block 20 has a plurality of tine holes 20a and 20b extending completely through the thickness of the receiving block 20, and each tine hole has a radially extending valley 20v extending completely through the thickness of the receiving block 20. The valley 20v depicted in the drawings is formed by a cutout / slit in the receiving block 20 having a negligible width between the two sides of the valley 20v, but may be formed with a greater width (but preferably less than the diameter of any instrument / tine 10p to be inserted into the corresponding hole). The valley 20v advantageously allows for easier insertion and removal of instruments / tine 10p having a diameter greater than the diameter of the hole, and additionally, better accommodates the insertion of instruments / tine 10p that are not precisely aligned with the hole, wherein the valley 20v tends to push the inserted instrument / tine 10p toward their holes 20i and 20p.

[0028] In alternative forms of the receiving block 20, the holes 20i and / or 20p and / or valleys 20v need not extend completely through the receiving block 20. Additionally, the holes 20i and / or 20p can be provided in different numbers and / or different placements (e.g., one or more instrument holes 20i can be provided on all side receiving block surfaces 20s and / or on the upper receiving block surface 20u). The holes 20i and / or 20p need not be provided with valleys 20v, or the holes 20i and / or 20p can simply be defined by the intersection of valleys 20v. In the case where the tine 10p and / or instrument 300 only need to be pushed into the surface of the receiving block 20 (in which case the tine 10p and / or instrument 300 will form the holes 20i and / or 20p as they penetrate the receiving block 20), the holes 20i and / or 20p need not be defined as round holes and need not be provided at all.

[0029] Unlike the resiliently compressible (and expandable) receiving block 20, the base block 10 and its tine 10p are preferably rigid and formed of a durable material that is easily sterilizable, such as metal (e.g., stainless steel) or hard plastic, or a combination thereof (e.g., a plastic base block 10 with protruding metal tine 10p). Each tine 10p preferably has a width-to-depth ratio of approximately unity (width and depth are measured along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tine 10p) and / or a roundness (isoperimeter quotient) of approximately unity, with blunt ends to prevent injury from accidental contact of the end by the user's hand / arm. Each tine 10p preferably has a length / height of at least one-third of the height of the receiving block 20, such that the tine 10p extends through at least one-third of the receiving block 20 pierced thereon, however, smaller lengths may also be used as long as the tine 10p securely holds the receiving block 20 during use. Although the tine-like member 10p may have a length / height greater than the receiving block 20 to be pierced thereon so that after the receiving block 20 is mounted on the tine-like member 20p, the tine-like member 10p protrudes from the upper surface 20u of the receiving block, it is preferred that the tine-like member 10p has a length / height not greater than the height of the receiving block 20.

[0030] More or fewer tines 10p may be provided on the base block 10. Only a single tine 10p may be provided on the base block 10, but in this case the single tine 10p preferably has a width-to-depth ratio greater than one or a roundness (isoperimeter quotient) less than one, because a single tine 10p with a more rounded cross section more easily allows the receiving block 20 to rotate about the tine 10p during use. Thus, for example, a single tine 10p may be formed as a flange / plate, or with a trilobal or cruciform cross section. Multiple groups of tine 10p may be provided on the base block 10, wherein each group is provided to receive its own receiving block 20, whereby the base block 10 may accommodate multiple receiving blocks 20.

[0031] The tines 10p preferably extend from the upper base block surface 10u, although they may alternatively or additionally be provided on one or more of the side base block surfaces 10. Regardless of the surface of the base block 10 on which the tines 10p are provided, any receiving block 20 to be received on the tines 10p preferably has its instrument aperture 20i oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the tines 10p through which the receiving block 20 is to be pierced, thereby better avoiding subsequent displacement of the receiving block 20 from the tines 10p during removal and / or insertion of an instrument. The arrangement shown in the drawings, in which the instrument aperture 20i is oriented parallel to the lower base block surface 10 L(and therefore parallel to the placement surface 200 upon which the base block 10 is to be mounted), advantageously also orienting any inserted instrument parallel to the placement surface 200, thereby making the instrument less susceptible to accidental collision from the user's arm during operation (as might occur if the instrument extended more vertically from the receiving block 20).

[0032] As previously mentioned, the base block 10 includes mounting means for removable and non-defaceable mounting to a placement surface 200, such as on the lower base block surface 10. L Magnets on or in Figure 2 10m in), suction cup (such as Figure 4a 10c in the figure) or an adhesive surface (e.g., a silicone or other adhesive gel pad such as Figure 4b While these structures are preferred mounting means, alternative forms are possible, such as clamps, fixtures or other mechanical means around the edge of the placement surface 200, or by providing sufficient mass for the base block 10 and / or at the lower base block surface 10. L The base block 10 may be provided with sufficient area at the bottom so that the base block is substantially immovable after being placed on the placement surface 200 during normal use. As an example, the base block 10 may have a mass of at least 2 kg and / or may have a base block surface 10 below it. L The supporting plate extends outwardly from the side base block surface 10s by 10 cm or more (the lower base block surface 10s). L Where a magnetic mounting arrangement is to be used with the base block 10, magnets (preferably strong magnets such as rare earth magnets) may be provided on or within the base block 10 (e.g. as a magnetic device inserted into the lower base block surface 10). L Inserts in Figure 2 10m in the figure) is used to generate an attractive force against a mounting block 30 containing a magnet 30m of opposite polarity or otherwise containing a ferromagnetic material (i.e., a material that is attracted to a magnet). Conversely, the mounting block 30 may carry a magnet thereon or therein, wherein the base block 10 contains a ferromagnetic material. If the placement surface 200 is ferromagnetic, the magnetic base block 10 may simply be fixed directly to the placement surface 200 without the use of a mounting block 30. Alternatively, if the placement surface 200 is not ferromagnetic, a ferromagnetic plate may be adhered to the placement surface 200 to allow the magnetic base block 10 to be attracted to the placement surface 200.

[0033] If provided, the mounting block 30 (similar to the base block 10) is preferably formed of a rigid, durable and sterilizable material. The mounting block 30 preferably includes a grip 30h thereon, allowing it to be more easily grasped by a user's hand and removed from the placement surface 200. Although the grip 30h is depicted as being provided from the lower mounting block surface 30 L The handle 30h may be in the form of a protruding knob, but the handle 30h may alternatively or additionally be positioned on the side mounting block surface 30s, and may take alternative forms, such as one or more protruding rings or slender members, or protrusions (e.g., ridges) or recesses (e.g., grooves) defined on one or more side mounting block surfaces 30s.

[0034] The present invention covers the arrangements of mounting blocks and receiving blocks described herein, as well as a separate receiving block (e.g., when sold as a consumable / disposable item for use with a separately provided base block), and additionally, a separate base block (e.g., when sold as a durable item for use with a separately provided consumable / disposable receiving block).

[0035] In this document, various terms referring to orientation and position, for example, "upper" (such as "upper receiving block surface") and "lower" (such as "lower receiving block surface"), should be considered relative terms, rather than absolute terms. In other words, it should be understood that (for example), a reference to an upper receiving block surface may actually be located at the side or bottom of the holder, depending on the overall orientation of the holder. Therefore, such terms should be considered as terms of convenience, rather than limiting terms.

[0036] In this document, when a measurement or other value is qualified by the terms "approximately," "about," "nearly," "roughly," etc., this may be considered to mean a 10% variation relative to the stated value. Thus, as an example, "approximately perpendicular" and "approximately parallel" may be understood to mean within 9 degrees (i.e., 10% of 90 degrees) relative to perpendicular and parallel, respectively.

[0037] The present invention is not intended to be limited to the preferred forms of the invention described above, but is intended to be limited only by the claims set forth below. Therefore, the present invention encompasses all different forms that fall within the scope of these claims literally or equivalently. Any term expressed in any claim should not be interpreted according to 35 U.S.C. 112 (f) unless the term in question explicitly uses "means for" or "step for".

Claims

1. An instrument holder, comprising: a. a base block having one or more elongated tines extending therefrom, the base block being configured to be removably and non-defaceably mounted to a placement surface, b. Receiving block, the material forming the receiving block: (1) elastic expansion, and (2) The receiving block is configured to be easily penetrated by the serrations when the receiving block is pushed onto the serrations, thereby allowing the receiving block to be removably fixed to the base block.

2. The instrument holder of claim 1 , wherein the base block includes a lower base block surface having one or more of: a. a magnet in or on it, b. ferromagnetic material therein or thereon, b. a suction cup thereon, and c. a sticky surface thereon, The base block is configured to be removably and non-defaceably mounted to the placement surface.

3. The instrument holder of claim 2, wherein the tines extend from an upper base block surface on the base block.

4. The instrument holder according to claim 1: a. The instrument holder further comprises a mounting block, b. Among them: (1) One of the base block and the mounting block contains a magnetic material, and (2) The other of the base block and the mounting block contains a ferromagnetic material.

5. The instrument holder of claim 4, wherein the mounting block includes a grip thereon.

6. The instrument holder of claim 1, wherein: a. said base block having at least two of said tines extending from a first surface thereon, b. said tines having at least substantially parallel longitudinal axes, c. Each tine is located closer to an edge of the first surface than to any other tine.

7. The instrument holder of claim 1, wherein: a. The base block comprises: (1) an upper base block surface having the tines extending therefrom, (2) an opposing lower base block surface configured to be removably and non-foulingly mounted to a surface, (3) a height extending between the upper base block surface and the lower base block surface, (4) a width, the width extending orthogonally to the height, (5) a depth, the depth extending orthogonally to the height and the width, b. the ratio of the width to the depth is approximately one, and c. The ratio of: (1) the height and the width, and (2) the height and the depth, Less than one.

8. The instrument holder of claim 1, wherein the receiving block comprises: a. a first receiving block surface comprising at least one tine hole formed therein, each tine hole corresponding to a respective one of the tine members, and b. A second receiving block surface including an instrument aperture formed therein.

9. The instrument holder of claim 8, wherein the instrument aperture descends into the second receiving block aperture along an axis oriented at least generally parallel to the first receiving block surface.

10. The instrument holder of claim 1, wherein one or more of the receiving block surfaces includes intersecting valleys formed therein.

11. The instrument holder of claim 8, wherein the placement of: a. the intersecting valleys in the receiving block, and b. the tines of the base block, are identical, whereby when the receiving block is pushed onto the tine, the intersecting valleys can receive the tine therein.

12. The instrument holder of claim 1, wherein the receiving block is penetrated by: a. the pointed teeth, and b. One or more of the following: (1) Hypodermic syringe cap, (2) Hypodermic syringes, and (3) Scalpel.

13. An instrument holder, comprising: a. A base block, the base block having: (1) an upper base block surface having at least two elongated tines extending therefrom, the tines having at least substantially parallel longitudinal axes, (2) an opposing lower base block surface having mounting means thereon or therein for removably and non-defacingly mounting the lower surface to a placement surface, b. A receiving block, wherein: (1) formed of an elastically expandable material, (2) Having: (a) a first receiving block surface including at least two tine holes formed therein, each tine hole positioned to receive a respective one of the tine members when the first receiving block surface is pushed onto the tine members, and (b) A second receiving block surface including an instrument aperture formed therein.

14. The instrument holder of claim 13, wherein the mounting means comprises one or more of: a. a magnet on or within the upper base block surface, b. a ferromagnetic material on or within the surface of the upper base block, b. a suction cup on the upper base block surface, and c. A sticky surface on the upper base block surface.

15. The instrument holder according to claim 13: a. The instrument holder further comprises a mounting block having a handle defined thereon, b. Among them: (1) one of the base block and the mounting block has a magnetic material thereon or therein, and (2) The other of the base block and the mounting block has a ferromagnetic material thereon or therein.

16. The instrument holder of claim 13, wherein the second receiving block surface is oriented at least generally perpendicular to the upper base block surface.

17. An instrument holder, comprising: a. Base block: (1) the base block comprises an upper base block surface and an opposite lower base block surface, (2) wherein the upper base block surface has at least two elongated serrations extending therefrom, b. Installation block: (1) The mounting block includes an upper mounting block surface and an opposite lower mounting block surface, (2) wherein the upper mounting block surface and the lower base block surface are magnetically attracted together, c. Receiving block, the material forming the receiving block: (1) elastic expansion, and (2) The receiving block is configured to be easily penetrated by the serrations when the receiving block is pushed onto the serrations, thereby allowing the receiving block to be removably fixed to the base block.

18. The instrument holder of claim 17, wherein the lower mounting block surface includes a grip thereon.

19. The instrument holder of claim 17, wherein: a. The receiving block comprises an upper receiving block surface, an opposite lower receiving block surface, and a side receiving block surface between the upper receiving block surface and the opposite lower receiving block surface, b. the side receiving block surface includes an instrument hole defined therein, the instrument hole being centrally located on the side receiving block surface, c. said lower receiving block surface including at least two tine holes defined therein, d. Placement of the following: (1) the tine holes in the lower receiving block surface, and (2) the pointed teeth of the base block, are identical, whereby the tine holes can receive the tine therein when the receiving block is pushed onto the tine.

20. The instrument holder of claim 19, having one or more of the following features: a. The instrument hole is defined at the intersection of two valley-shaped portions, the two valley-shaped portions being defined within the side receiving block surface, b. At least one of the tine holes is defined at the intersection of two valleys defined in the lower receiving block surface.

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