Glass label fixing piece for medical instrument

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a protective housing (13) for accommodating a transponder (15) in a medical product (1), in particular in a medical instrument and / or a medical product in a sterilization circuit, the transponder being receivable in a transponder receptacle (17) in the protective housing, the protective housing (13) comprising a first housing half (19) and a second housing half (21), the first housing half and the second housing half enclose the transponder (15) and can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner, and the first housing half (19) and / or the second housing half (21) have / has at least one product latching geometry (31), the protective housing (13) can be integrated into the medical product (1) in a form-fitting manner by means of the product latching geometry. The disclosure also relates to a system and a method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a protective housing for a glass label, a system consisting of a protective housing and a medical product, and a method for positively connecting a transponder to a medical product. Background Art

[0002] As the lifecycle management of sterile items becomes increasingly important in the future, the requirements for monitoring and traceability of these sterile items, especially medical technology / surgical instruments, in the sterilization circuit will increase. For this reason, all types of medical instruments are equipped with transponders, in particular passive transponders using RFID (radio frequency identification) or NFC (near field communication) technology. This allows the location of the medical instrument to be identified at all times and indicates whether it has (correctly) passed through the entire post-processing process or all maintenance steps. In addition, it is possible to detect the number of sterilization cycles that the sterile items have undergone and determine when their maximum service life has been reached. Implementing the transponder in the form of a glass label is particularly advantageous in this regard. Existing technology

[0003] Devices for attaching transponders to medical instruments are already known from the prior art. For example, in publication EP 2 087 850, a transponder is fastened to a medical instrument, for example, to the handle of the instrument, by means of a housing, wherein the housing has a cavity for accommodating the transponder. The housing can consist of two separate parts, which enclose the transponder and the instrument handle in a recess during the fastening process and can then be connected to each other in a form-fitting manner. Another fastening option is to accommodate the transponder in a protective housing that can be folded over by a hinge and then fastened to the medical instrument by a flexible strap.

[0004] EP 3 146 477 discloses a metal fastening element for metal RFID tags. The fastening element is attached / adhesively bonded to a medical device via a flat base surface and accommodates a transponder via a recess enclosed by the sides. The transponder and the fastening element are electrically conductively connected to one another, thereby improving the signal strength or range of the transponder, particularly when fastened to smaller objects.

[0005] Due to the fastening of the transponder on the outer side of the medical object and the resulting protrusion, attaching the transponder according to the aforementioned possibilities affects the handling and ergonomics of the sterile items being equipped and can also complicate medical preparation or cleaning.

[0006] It is also generally known to attach the transponder to or in the medical device housing by gluing, casting, welding, or in a pre-installed hole. However, these solutions are complex and require appropriate preparation, such as ensuring a clean and grease-free surface of the medical device. Furthermore, due to the plastic's placement, press-fitting by force-fitting or gluing the transponder is not permanently stable. Furthermore, this type of connection between the transponder and the device significantly complicates its replacement.

[0007] In order to attach a transponder, such as a glass label protected by a housing, to or on a medical product, only a small wall thickness is usually available. Therefore, conventional snap-in elements, such as hooks, are rarely feasible due to their required dimensions. Furthermore, certain instruments, such as motor-driven saws, are subject to high vibrations during operation, making these snap-in elements too delicate given their small dimensions and prone to breakage over time. Summary of the Invention

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to eliminate or at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] Specifically, the task of the present disclosure is to provide a feasible solution for connecting a transponder, which may include an individual marking of a medical tool or instrument, to a medical tool or instrument while being protected from environmental influences and mechanical forces, without changing the geometry of the instrument or instrument so as to adversely affect the operating characteristics of the instrument or instrument.

[0010] This object is achieved by a protective housing according to claim 1 , a system according to claim 8 , and a method for positively locking the connection of a transponder to a medical product according to claim 13 .

[0011] Specifically, the object of the present disclosure is achieved by a protective housing for accommodating a transponder, which can be accommodated in a transponder receptacle, in a medical product, in particular a medical device and / or a medical product in a sterile circuit, wherein the transponder receptacle is formed / arranged in or by the protective housing. For this purpose, the protective housing comprises a first housing half and a second housing half, which together enclose the transponder and are connectable / connectable to one another in a form-fitting manner, wherein the first housing half and / or the second housing half have at least one product latching geometry, by means of which the protective housing can be integrated / integrated into the medical product in a form-fitting manner.

[0012] In other words, the protective housing according to the present disclosure includes a first housing half and a second housing half, which together form a transponder receptacle or cooperate with each other to form a transponder receptacle. The transponder receptacle is arranged and constructed to accommodate a transponder, in particular in a form-fitting manner. Here, the transponder is in particular a passive RFID tag in the form of a glass label. However, other wirelessly readable transponder types, such as NFC tags, are also conceivable, which enable clear identification. The first housing half can be the upper housing half. The second housing half can be the lower housing half. Of course, the first housing half can also be the lower housing half and the second housing half can be the upper housing half. "Upper" and "lower" are preferably understood to mean those sides that are obtained on the sides with correspondingly large areas, for example in the case of a rectangular body. The first housing half and the second housing half can be connected / are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner and form a sandwich structure together with the transponder. The first housing half can at least partially enclose the second housing half. Furthermore, the first housing half and / or the second housing half form or contain a product snap-in geometry that enables the protective housing to be received / integrated in a form-fitting manner in the medical product. In this context, "received" or "integrated" may be understood to mean that at least a substantial portion of the protective housing is configured / arranged in the medical product in the installed state and does not protrude, or only slightly, beyond the outer contour of the medical product.

[0013] The core of the present disclosure is therefore a two-part protective housing that is closed in a form-fitting manner and contains the transponder. The two-part protective housing can be integrated into the medical product in a form-fitting manner.

[0014] This design of the protective housing allows for simple installation. In other words, a transponder in the form of a glass label can be easily inserted into the protective housing. The protective housing additionally surrounds the transponder, thereby protecting it from environmental influences and mechanical damage. The product locking geometry enables tamper-resistant fastening of the protective housing, and therefore of the transponder in the medical product, without significantly altering the external geometry of the medical product, which could adversely affect its operational properties.

[0015] In a first aspect, the first housing half can be formed with a first latching lug which can engage in a recess formed in the second housing half.

[0016] In other words, a certain number of latching lugs, in particular six latching lugs, can be formed on the first housing half. These latching lugs can be spring-elastic or can be spring-elastically fastened to the first housing half. The latching lugs can be arranged evenly and / or symmetrically (axially), in particular about the longitudinal axis of the first housing half, on the first housing half. These latching lugs can at least partially surround the second housing half and latch into the recesses of the second housing half. The second housing half can be formed with, in particular, two recesses.

[0017] It is expressly pointed out that the first housing half and / or the second housing half can be designed such that only a portion of the latching lugs of the first housing half latches in a positively locking manner in the recess of the second housing half.

[0018] By having a latching lug and a recessed structure, the form-locking connection between the first housing half and the second housing half can be cost-effective and fail-safe. In addition, by this structure, it is possible to install or assemble the protective housing without tools.

[0019] On the other hand, the latching lugs of the first housing half can be actuated independently of one another.

[0020] In other words, the resilient latching lugs of the first housing half can be tensioned, relaxed or generally actuated individually without this having a (mechanical) effect on adjacent latching lugs.

[0021] This design of the latching lugs makes it possible to implement different functions with the individual latching lugs. Furthermore, if an individual latching lug fails, it can be ensured that the general function of the protective housing (e.g., the positive connection between the first housing half and the second housing half and thus the protective function of the transponder) is maintained.

[0022] On the other hand, at least one product latching geometry and the first latching lug can be formed on one spring element.

[0023] In other words, the spring-elastic latching lug can also contain or form the product latching geometry.

[0024] This design of the spring-elastic latching lugs allows for synergistic effects. For example, during the insertion of the protective housing, the latching lugs engage (and thereby clamp) in the recess of the second housing half, thereby achieving an even more secure connection between the first and second housing halves. Once the protective housing is inserted, the spring-elastic latching lugs spring back and the product latching geometry engages.

[0025] On the other hand, the recesses of the second housing half can each be designed as a groove, wherein the groove can be formed with at least one projection along the longitudinal direction of the groove.

[0026] In other words, the recess can be designed to be variable / stepped in depth.

[0027] By configuring the recess as a groove, a planar or at least linear force introduction for the form-fitting connection between the first housing half and the second housing half can be achieved. By providing at least one projection or by configuring the groove in a stepped manner, different contact forces / contact types / contact times can be achieved between the individual latching lugs and the recess.

[0028] In another aspect, the first housing half may substantially correspond to the second housing half.

[0029] In other words, the first housing half and the second housing half can each be configured with a latching lug and a recess. Preferably, the first housing half and the second housing half can be configured in a first section with a latching lug and a second section with a recess, so that when the first and second housing halves are engaged with each other, the latching lugs of the first housing half each engage in a positive lock with the recess of the second half, and the latching lugs of the second housing half engage in a positive lock with the recess of the first housing half. With this design of the first and second housing halves, it is conceivable that the first and second housing halves differ in secondary features, such as the curvature of the upper shell of the first or second housing half.

[0030] Due to this identical or almost identical design of the first housing shell and the second housing shell, production costs, storage costs and tool costs can be reduced.

[0031] In another aspect, the protective shell may taper / contract towards a connection plane between the first shell half and the second shell half.

[0032] In other words, the protective housing can have an hourglass (cross-sectional) shape, wherein the retracted position can be configured in the connecting plane between the first housing half and the second housing half.

[0033] By means of this design of the protective housing, a positive fit between the medical product and the protective housing can be easily achieved when the protective housing is appropriately installed in the medical product.

[0034] In another aspect, the protective housing can be constructed of plastic.

[0035] In another aspect, the protective housing may be manufactured by injection molding.

[0036] In another aspect, the protective housing can have a substantially mushroom-shaped geometry.

[0037] On the other hand, the latching lug can include a partially circular geometry and the recess can be configured as at least two arms which are designed and constructed to encompass the partially circular geometry.

[0038] On the other hand, the latching lug can be rigid and the recess can be designed to be spring-elastic.

[0039] On the other hand, the protective housing may be at most twice as large as the transponder housed therein.

[0040] The object of the present disclosure is also achieved by a system consisting of a medical product, in particular a medical device and / or a medical product in a sterile circuit, and a protective housing. The medical product includes a protective housing receptacle that is provided and configured to accommodate the protective housing and a transponder accommodated therein. The protective housing, in particular a protective housing according to any of the above aspects, is directly secured / securable in a form-fitting manner in the protective housing receptacle of the medical product.

[0041] In other words, the system comprises a medical product having a protective housing receptacle and a protective housing having a transponder. The protective housing receptacle preferably has a geometry adapted to the geometry of the protective housing. In other words, the internal volume of the protective housing receptacle substantially corresponds to the volume of the protective housing. The protective housing and the protective housing receptacle are coordinated so that the protective housing is fixed to the medical product in a form-fitting manner.

[0042] In one aspect, the protective housing receiving portion may include at least one receiving groove for receiving the product locking geometry of the protective housing.

[0043] In other words, the protective housing receiving portion may include a receiving groove that is configured and constructed to positively receive the product latching geometry of the protective housing. The receiving groove may be configured as a substantially rectangular groove. Alternatively, the receiving groove may be configured as a groove that tapers conically in height.

[0044] On the other hand, the receiving groove can be interrupted at least once in the longitudinal direction of the receiving groove in a section parallel to the protective housing receptacle.

[0045] In other words, the protective housing receiving portion may include two parallel wall sections connected by a radial section. The receiving groove may be interrupted in the parallel wall sections. The interruption of the receiving groove may be arranged in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the receiving groove.

[0046] By interrupting the receiving groove, at least one latching lug of the protective housing can be fixed / tensioned in a targeted manner in the installed state so that the relevant latching lug can permanently engage with the groove of the second housing half of the protective housing, thereby ensuring a positive-locking fixation between the first housing half and the second housing half in the installed state.

[0047] On the other hand, the protective housing receptacle can be configured as a through-opening in the medical product and can connect the upper side of the medical product to the lower side of the medical product. Of course, the upper side can also be the outer side of the medical product and the lower side can also be the inner side of the medical product, especially when the medical product is configured as a sterile container.

[0048] By configuring the protective housing receptacle as a through-opening, the two-part protective housing can be fastened to the medical product such that a positive fit between the first housing half and the second housing half is only achieved when the protective housing is installed in the medical product.

[0049] In another aspect, the protective housing receptacle may include a constriction between the upper side and the lower side of the medical product.

[0050] In other words, the cross-sectional area of the protective housing receptacle can vary in the height direction, such that the cross-sectional area initially tapers / decreases starting from the top side until the cross-sectional area reaches a minimum value and then expands again toward the bottom side. This taper can be configured symmetrically with respect to the height direction. In other words, the constriction can be arranged parallel to the top and bottom sides of the medical product. In particular, the distance of the constriction from the top side can correspond to the distance of the constriction from the bottom side.

[0051] By means of such a configuration of the protective housing receptacle, a positive connection between the protective housing and the protective housing receptacle can be easily formed.

[0052] On the other hand, when the protective housing is conventionally installed in the protective housing receptacle, the center axis of the transponder receptacle of the protective housing can be formed in one plane with the constriction of the protective housing receptacle.

[0053] In another aspect, the medical product may be constructed of metal.

[0054] Furthermore, the object according to the present disclosure is achieved by a method for at least positively connecting a transponder to a medical product, the method comprising the steps of:

[0055] - positioning the transponder in the first housing half of the protective housing;

[0056] - inserting the first housing half of the protective housing into the protective housing receptacle of the medical product from the upper side;

[0057] - inserting the second housing half of the protective housing into the protective housing receptacle of the medical product from the bottom side;

[0058] - Connecting the first housing half and the second housing half in a form-fitting manner.

[0059] Of course, the first housing half can also be inserted into the protective housing receptacle from the bottom side of the medical product, and the second housing half can also be inserted into the protective housing receptacle from the top side of the medical product.

[0060] Furthermore, in a first step, the transponder can be positioned in the second housing half of the protective housing.

[0061] In other words, in this method, the form-fitting connection between the first housing half and the second housing half of the protective housing is produced / established only when the protective housing is positioned in the protective housing receptacle.

[0062] In other words, the positive locking between the first housing half and the second housing half and the positive locking between the protective housing receptacles are simultaneously effected.

[0063] In one aspect, the method may include a further step in which the first housing half and the second housing half are connected to each other in a materially bonded manner. This step may replace or supplement the step of form-locking. The materially bonded connection may be performed by ultrasonic welding, thermal deformation, adhesive bonding, or similar methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] Figure 1 The tool and protective housing receptacle of a first embodiment are shown.

[0065] Figure 2 The protective housing receiving portion of the first embodiment is shown in cross-section;

[0066] Figure 3 The protective housing in the first embodiment is shown;

[0067] Figure 4 The protective housing of the first embodiment is shown in the protective housing receiving portion of the first embodiment;

[0068] Figure 5 The protective housing of the first embodiment is shown in a first cross-sectional view in the protective housing receiving portion of the first embodiment;

[0069] Figure 6 The protective housing of the first embodiment is shown in a second cross-sectional view in the protective housing receiving portion of the first embodiment;

[0070] Figure 7 Shows the tool and protective housing accommodation portion in a second embodiment;

[0071] Figure 8 A protective housing receiving portion of a second embodiment is shown in cross-section;

[0072] Figure 9 The protective housing in the second embodiment is shown;

[0073] Figure 10 A perspective view shows the protective housing of the second embodiment in the protective housing receiving portion of the second embodiment;

[0074] Figure 11 The protective housing of the second embodiment is shown in a first cross-sectional view in the protective housing receiving portion of the second embodiment;

[0075] Figure 12 A second cross-sectional view shows the protective housing of the second embodiment in the protective housing receiving portion of the second embodiment;

[0076] Figure 13 Show Figure 10 A sectional view of a stereoscopic view;

[0077] Figure 14 Shows the tool and protective housing accommodation portion in a third embodiment;

[0078] Figure 15 A protective housing receiving portion of a third embodiment is shown in cross-section;

[0079] Figure 16 A protective housing according to a third embodiment is shown in a first view;

[0080] Figure 17 A second view shows a protective housing according to a third embodiment;

[0081] Figure 18 The protective housing of the third embodiment is shown in the protective housing receiving portion of the third embodiment;

[0082] Figure 19 The protective housing of the third embodiment is shown in a cross-sectional view in the protective housing receiving portion of the third embodiment;

[0083] Figure 20 A protective housing according to a fourth embodiment is shown in a first view;

[0084] Figure 21 A second view shows a protective housing according to a fourth embodiment;

[0085] Figure 22 A third view shows a protective housing according to a fourth embodiment;

[0086] Figure 23A protective housing according to a fourth embodiment is shown in cross-section; and

[0087] Figure 24 The protective case of the fifth embodiment and the protective case receiving portion of the fourth embodiment are shown in a perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

[0089] First embodiment

[0090] Figure 1 The tool 1 and the protective housing accommodating portion 3 in the first embodiment are shown. Figure 1 Shown enlarged in FIG. Figure 2 The protective housing receptacle 3 is shown in section along line AA. The protective housing receptacle 3 forms a substantially cylindrical recess in the tool 1. The (negatively extruded) base surface of the protective housing receptacle 3 is designed in a mushroom-shaped manner with two parallel sections and two radius sections that delimit the parallel sections. However, other geometries are also conceivable, in which the geometry of the protective housing receptacle 3 is coordinated with the geometry of the protective housing (see, for example, Figure 4 ). The inner wall 5 of the protective housing receptacle 3 includes a groove 7. The groove 7 is constructed in the parallel section and the radial section of the protective housing receptacle 3. In the first embodiment, the groove is constructed as a substantially rectangular puncture in the inner wall 5, which extends away from the protective housing receptacle 3 or the receptacle space of the protective housing receptacle 3. In the middle section of the longitudinal extension in the longitudinal direction X of the protective housing receptacle 3, the groove 7 is interrupted by the protrusion 9. In other words, no groove 7 is constructed in the middle section. The groove 7 is constructed / oriented parallel to the tool top side 11. The groove 7 is arranged / constructed substantially centrally in the protective housing receptacle 3 along the height direction Z.

[0091] In the embodiment shown here, the protective housing receptacle 3 is designed as a continuous recess (as a through-hole / through-opening) in the tool 1. In other words, the protective housing receptacle 3 connects the tool top 11 to the tool bottom 12. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the protective housing receptacle 3 is designed in the form of a blind hole.

[0092] Figure 3In a first embodiment, a protective housing 13 according to the present disclosure is shown for a transponder in the form of a glass label 15, which is accommodated in a transponder receptacle 17. The protective housing 13 has a substantially round shape. The protective housing 13 comprises a first housing half, which in the embodiment shown here is an upper housing half 19, and a second housing half, which in the embodiment shown here is a lower housing half 21. The transponder receptacle 17 is substantially formed in the lower housing half 21 and has a cylindrical shape, particularly for accommodating glass labels. The upper housing half 19 includes six mutually independent latching lugs 23, which extend substantially at right angles from a cover section 25 of the upper housing half 19. Three of the six independent latching lugs 23 are respectively formed on one side of the central axis in the longitudinal direction X of the upper housing half 19. The lower housing half 21 includes, on its side sections opposite the center axis in the longitudinal direction X, a protective housing recess 27 that is designed and configured to receive the latching lugs 23 in a form-fitting manner. A recess projection 29 is formed in the center section of the protective housing recess 27. The longitudinal extension of the recess projection 29 in the longitudinal direction X substantially corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the center latching lug of the three latching lugs 23 on the corresponding side of the protective housing 13 in the longitudinal direction X. The outer latching lugs 23 of the upper housing half 19 in the longitudinal direction X include tool latching hooks 31 on their outer sides. These are configured and configured to engage in the recess 7 of the tool 1 and to connect the protective housing 13 to the tool 1 in a form-fitting manner. The side facing away from the glass label 15 or the transponder receptacle 17 in the installed state is considered the outer side.

[0093] Figure 4 The protective case 13 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in an installed state in the protective case receiving portion 3 of the first embodiment. Figure 5 A cross section along line BB is shown and Figure 6 The cross section along line CC is shown. Due to the design of the recess 7 of the protective housing 13 and the latching lugs 23, the six latching lugs 23 can be actuated independently of one another and fulfill different tasks / functions. In the installed state, the middle latching lug 23 is pressed together by the projection 9 of the recess 7 and thus engages in the recess projection 29 (see CC or Figure 6 ). The middle of the latching lugs 23 thus connects the upper housing half 19 to the lower housing half 21 in a form-fitting manner. The outer latching lugs 23, which are configured with tool latching hooks 31, are not pressed together in the installed state and produce a form-fitting connection with the recess 7 of the protective housing receptacle 3 (see Figure 5BB in). The upper housing half 19 is thus connected in a form-fitting manner to the protective housing receptacle 3 via the outer of the latching lugs 23 and in a form-fitting manner to the lower housing half 21 via the inner of the latching lugs 23.

[0094] The rectangular design of the recess 7 in the first embodiment creates a substantially non-detachable connection between the protective housing 13 and the tool 1. This provides a high level of security against accidental removal or even tampering of the glass label 15. In other words, the protective housing 13 can only be removed from the tool 1 destructively, for example using a toggle press and a special punch / die. Due to the high removal forces generated, the glass label 15 breaks and the protective housing 13 is severely deformed. A suitably designed punch / die pair ensures that the tool itself is not damaged and that the manufacturer can re-equip the tool 1 with a new glass label 15.

[0095] With the help of Figures 3 to 6 The installation and use process of the protective housing 13 according to the first embodiment will be explained as an example.

[0096] In a first step, the glass label 15 is inserted into the transponder receptacle 17 of the lower housing half 21 of the protective housing 13. The upper housing half 19 is then placed onto the lower housing half 21, with the latching lugs 23 or the upper housing half 19 engaging with the protective housing recess 27 of the lower housing half 21. The latching lugs 23, which are elastically mounted on the upper housing half 19, are essentially relaxed at this point. When the protective housing 13 is inserted into the protective housing receptacle 3, the latching lugs 23 are pressed into the protective housing recess 27 by the inner wall 5. This tensions the elastically supported latching lugs 23. When the protective housing 13 is positioned in the protective housing receptacle 3 in the predetermined position, the outer tool latching hooks 31 of the latching lugs 23 are aligned with the recess 7, and the outer latching lugs of the latching lugs 23 can relax. This relaxation of the outer latching lugs 23 establishes a positive fit between the upper housing half 19 and the protective housing receptacle 3. The projection 9 of the protective housing receptacle 3 prevents the inner one of the latching lugs 23 from loosening, and the inner latching lug remains engaged with the protective housing recess 27 .

[0097] Second embodiment

[0098] The second embodiment corresponds to the first embodiment for the most part, so that a repeated description of the same components and features is omitted. Only the differences from the first embodiment are explained in more detail below.

[0099] Figure 7 The tool 1 and the protective housing accommodating portion 3 in the second embodiment are shown. Figure 7 Shown enlarged in FIG. Figure 8The protective housing receptacle 3 is shown in section along line DD. Unlike the first embodiment, the groove 7 in the second embodiment is not designed as a rectangular puncture point, but rather as a puncture point that tapers conically in the tool height direction Z toward the tool top side 11. In other words, in the second embodiment, the groove 7 is designed essentially without undercuts.

[0100] Figure 9 The protective housing 13 according to the present disclosure is shown in a disassembled state in a second embodiment for a transponder in the form of a glass label 15 accommodated in a transponder receptacle 17 of the protective housing 13. In contrast to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, no tool-detent hook 31 is formed on the outer latching lugs 23.

[0101] Figure 10 The protective case 13 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in an installed state in the protective case receiving portion 3 of the second embodiment. Figure 11 shows a cross section along line EE and Figure 12 The cross section along line FF is shown. The cross section along line EE essentially corresponds to the cross section along line CC of the first embodiment. In other words, in the second embodiment, the center of the latching lugs 23 engages in the recess projection 29 of the lower housing half 21 and thus connects the upper housing half 19 to the lower housing half 21 in a form-fitting manner. Since the outer latching lugs 23 are designed without tool-engaging hooks 31, they rest in the conically shaped recess 7. Furthermore, the protective housing receptacle 3 of the second embodiment is configured with a disassembly opening 33.

[0102] With the help of Figure 10 and Figure 13 The functioning of the disassembly opening 33 is explained in more detail.

[0103] The removal opening 33 is a hole that is formed in the same plane as the groove 7 and connects the groove 7 to the surrounding environment surrounding the tool 1. The removal opening 33 allows the protective housing 13 to be removed from the protective housing receptacle 3, in particular, to be removed non-destructively. To this end, a special tool (not shown) contacts the latching lug 23 through the removal opening 33. Applying force to the special tool can clamp the latching lug 23, thereby disengaging the latching lug 23 from the groove 7. The protective housing 13 can then be removed from the protective housing receptacle.

[0104] This embodiment with a disassembly opening 33 is particularly advantageous in combination with the conical recess 7 of the second embodiment. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the disassembly opening 33 is formed in combination with the recess 7 formed as a rectangular recess of the first embodiment.

[0105] Third embodiment

[0106] The third embodiment corresponds largely to the first and second embodiments, so that repeated descriptions of identical components and features are omitted. Only the differences from the first and second embodiments are explained in more detail below.

[0107] Figure 14 The tool 1 and the protective housing accommodating portion 3 in the third embodiment are shown. Figure 14 Shown enlarged in FIG. Figure 15 The protective housing receptacle 3 is shown in section along the line GG.

[0108] The protective housing receptacle 3 of the third embodiment is designed without a recess 7. Unlike the first and second embodiments, the protective housing receptacle 3 has a constriction / taper 35. In other words, the cross-section of the protective housing receptacle 3 decreases along the height direction Z starting from the tool top 11 to a minimum value, wherein the minimum value of the cross-sectional area is reached at the constriction 35 so as to then expand toward the tool bottom 12. The constriction 35 is equidistant from the tool top 11 and the tool bottom 12. The constriction 35 is arranged / oriented parallel to the tool top 11 and the tool bottom 12. In the embodiment shown here, the cross-sectional area of the protective housing receptacle 3 varies only by a few percentage points, at most by 10%, along the height direction Z.

[0109] Figure 16 The protective housing 13 in the third embodiment is shown in a disassembled state.

[0110] In the third embodiment, the latching lugs 23 are designed as latching circle geometries, which can be fixed in a form-fitting manner by the recesses 7 designed as arms surrounding the latching lugs 23 .

[0111] In the third embodiment shown here, the latching lugs 23 are formed on the lower housing half 21 and the recesses 7 are formed in the upper housing half 19. Of course, this is also possible in another way.

[0112] In the third embodiment, the latching lug 23 is rigid and the groove 7 is elastic.

[0113] In an alternative variant of the third embodiment, the lower housing half 21 and the upper housing half 19 can be constructed identically. In other words, both the lower housing half 21 and the upper housing half 19 can contain latching lugs 23 on one side of the transponder receptacle 17 and recesses 7 on the other side of the transponder receptacle 17, so that each latching lug 23 meets / engages with a recess 7. This assembled state is, for example, Figure 17Each latching lug 23 is fixed in a form-fitting manner by two arms, which each form a recess 7 .

[0114] Figure 18 The protective housing 13 according to the present disclosure in the third embodiment is shown in the mounted state in the protective housing receptacle 3 of the third embodiment, and Figure 19 Show Figure 18 A cross-section of the installed state.

[0115] Both the upper shell half 19 and the lower shell half 21 have a conically tapering geometry. Specifically, the conically tapering geometry of the protective shell 13 corresponds to the tapering 35 of the protective shell receptacle 3. In other words, the upper shell half 19 and the lower shell half 21 are in planar contact with one another in plane VE. In the installed state, plane VE and the tapering 35 lie in one plane. By virtue of the conically tapering / conically tapering geometry of the protective shell 13 and the protective shell receptacle 3, a form-fitting connection is achieved between the protective shell receptacle 3 and the protective shell 13. To this end, the upper shell half 19 is inserted into the protective shell receptacle 3 from the tool top side 11 and the lower shell half 21 is inserted into the protective shell receptacle 3 from the tool bottom side 12. During the insertion process, a form-fitting connection is achieved between the upper shell half 19 and the lower shell half 21.

[0116] Fourth embodiment

[0117] With the help of Figures 20 to 23 The fourth embodiment is explained in more detail.

[0118] The fourth embodiment corresponds substantially to the third embodiment, so that a repeated description of the same components and features is omitted. Only the differences between the fourth and third embodiments will be explained in more detail below.

[0119] In the fourth embodiment, the upper housing half 19 corresponds to the lower housing half 21. Both the upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 are formed with latching lugs 23 and recesses 7, with the recesses 7 being formed by material cutouts in the upper housing half 19 or lower housing half 21, respectively. The housing halves 19 and 21 themselves are formed from an elastic material, allowing them to latch together when assembled. The upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 are designed so that at each location where a latching lug 23 is formed on one side of the housing half 19 and 21, a recess 7 is formed on the other side of the housing half 19 and 21, with the latching lugs 23 and recesses 7 alternating on the respective sides of the housing halves 19 and 21. Figure 20 The protective housing receptacle 3 of a fourth embodiment is shown in a disassembled state in a built-in arrangement. Figure 21The protective housing receptacle 3 of the fourth embodiment is shown in a state in which the upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 are placed adjacent to each other. Figure 22 The protective housing receptacle 3 of the fourth embodiment is shown in the installed state, and Figure 23 Shown in Figure 22 The protective housing receptacle 3 of the fourth embodiment is shown in the cutaway state or in the section HH.

[0120] This embodiment, in which the upper housing half 19 corresponds to the lower housing half 21 , can be produced particularly advantageously and can be assembled simply (foolproof method).

[0121] Fifth embodiment

[0122] The fifth embodiment corresponds substantially to the third embodiment, so that repeated description of the same components and features is omitted. Figure 24 Only the differences of the fifth embodiment from the third embodiment are explained in more detail.

[0123] The upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 of the protective housing 13 of the fifth embodiment are designed without the recess 7 and the latching lugs 23. In the installed state, the upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 are connected to each other, for example, by permanent deformation (thermal deformation) or welding (ultrasonic welding). In the embodiment shown here, the upper housing half 19 is configured with two domes 37 that fit into corresponding recesses 39 in the lower housing half 21. In the installed state, the domes 37 and the recesses 39 are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner by thermal deformation or ultrasonic welding.

[0124] Alternatively, the dome 37 can be glued to or into the cutout 39. Alternatively, the dome 37 can be pressed into the cutout 39. Alternatively, for example, a screw can be screwed into each dome 37, whereby the dome 37 is expanded and fixed in the cutout 39.

[0125] Reference Signs List

[0126] 1 Tools

[0127] 3 Protective housing accommodating part

[0128] 5Inner wall

[0129] 7 grooves

[0130] 9 bulges

[0131] 11 Tool upper side

[0132] 12 Tool bottom side

[0133] 13 Protective shell

[0134] 15 Glass Tags / Transponders

[0135] 17 Transponder storage unit

[0136] 19 Upper shell half

[0137] 21 Lower shell half

[0138] 23 locking lugs

[0139] 25 Cover Section

[0140] 27 Protective housing groove

[0141] 29 groove protrusion

[0142] 31 tool lock hook

[0143] 33 Disassembly opening

[0144] 35 contraction

[0145] 37 dome

[0146] 39 blank space

[0147] X longitudinal direction

[0148] Z height direction

[0149] VE plane

Claims

1. A protective housing (13) for accommodating a transponder (15) in a medical product (1), in particular a medical device and / or a medical product in a sterile circuit, wherein the transponder can be accommodated in a transponder receptacle (17) in the protective housing, characterized in that: The protective housing (13) comprises a first housing half (19) and a second housing half (21), wherein the first housing half and the second housing half enclose the transponder (15) and can be connected to each other in a form-locking manner, and the first housing half (19) and / or the second housing half (21) have at least one product locking geometry (31), via which the protective housing (13) can be integrated into the medical product (1) in a form-locking manner.

2. The protective housing (13) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first housing half (19) is designed with a latching lug (23) which can latch into a recess (27) formed in the second housing half (21).

3. The protective housing (13) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The latching lugs (23) of the first housing half (19) can be actuated independently of one another.

4. The protective housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The at least one product latching geometry (31) and the latching lug (23) are formed on a spring element.

5. The protective housing (13) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The recesses (27) of the second housing half (21) are each configured as at least one groove (7), wherein the groove (7) is configured with at least one projection (29) along the groove longitudinal direction.

6. The protective housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first housing half (19) essentially corresponds to the second housing half (21).

7. The protective housing (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 6, characterized in that The first housing half (19) and the second housing half (21) are identical.

8. The protective housing (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 and 7, characterized in that The protective housing (13) tapers / contracts towards a connection plane (VE) between the first housing half (19) and the second housing half (21).

9. A system consisting of a medical product (1) and a protective housing (13), the medical product being in particular a medical device and / or a medical product in a sterile circuit, the medical product having a protective housing receptacle (3), the protective housing receptacle being arranged and configured to accommodate a protective housing (13) and a transponder (15) accommodated in the protective housing (13), the protective housing being in particular a protective housing (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The protective housing (13) is fixed / can be fixed directly in the protective housing receptacle (3) of the medical product (1) in a form-fitting manner.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that The protective housing accommodating portion (3) comprises an accommodating groove (7) for accommodating a product locking geometry (31) of the protective housing (13).

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The receiving groove (7) is interrupted at least once in a parallel section of the protective housing receptacle (3) in the receiving groove longitudinal direction (X).

12. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that The protective housing receptacle (3) is designed as a through-opening in the medical product (1) and connects the top side (11) to the bottom side (12).

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The protective housing receptacle (3) has a constriction (35) between the upper side (11) and the lower side (12).

14. A method for positively connecting a transponder (15) to a medical product (1), It is characterized by the steps: - positioning the transponder (15) in the first housing half (19) of the protective housing (13); - inserting the first housing half (19) of the protective housing (13) from the upper side (11) into the protective housing receptacle (3) of the medical product (1); - inserting the second housing half (21) of the protective housing (13) from the bottom side (12) into the protective housing receptacle (3) of the medical product (1); - Connecting the first housing half (19) and the second housing half (21) in a form-fitting manner.

Images