Device carrier for holding at least one medical device with an identification element

Abstract

Device carrier for holding at least one medical device, with - a supporting structure (1) comprising at least one first connecting device, - at least one device holder (2) with a second connecting device configured to cooperate with the first connecting device to connect the device holder (2) to the support structure (1), and a holding structure (12) for receiving the medical device, and - a marking element (14) forming a marking area (19) which is designed to be provided with a marking that can be associated with the medical device, characterized in that the marking element (14) is connectable to or connected with the device holder (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device carrier for receiving at least one medical device.

[0002] Such a device carrier is used in the medical and especially the surgical field and enables a clear and secure arrangement of medical devices, especially implants and instruments, as well as the assignment of information in the form of markings to these, in order to enable quick, convenient and, in particular, also non-interchangeable access to these devices during use, especially during a surgical operation.

[0003] It is known to provide the support structure of such a device carrier with a multitude of openings in which the device holders can each be fixed by means of a snap-fit ​​connection. Identification elements can be designed as labeling fields integrated into the support structure and assigned to individual openings, with the labeling fields often being permanently or immutably inscribed. However, this results in limited variability with regard to the assignment of the device holders, and thus also of the medical devices they are to hold, to the various openings, and consequently a limitation with regard to the variability in the positioning of the medical devices.

[0004] An improved device carrier in this respect is described in DE 20 2009 004 103 U1. In this device carrier, the marking elements are designed separately from the supporting structure and are connected to it by means of snap-fit ​​connections.

[0005] US Patent 2004139642 A1 describes a device holder for dental instruments, wherein a plug-in body made of a foam material is held in a supporting structure. The instruments, particularly in the form of files, and additionally a shield-like identification element can be inserted into this foam material.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved device carrier which in particular enables an advantageous assignment of a marking element to a supporting structure and thus to a medical device which is intended to be received in the supporting structure.

[0007] This problem is solved by a device carrier according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the device carrier are the subject of the further dependent claims and will become apparent from the following description and from the figures.

[0008] A device carrier according to the invention serves to hold and thus position at least one medical device, preferably several medical devices, and comprises a support structure having at least one first connecting device, preferably a plurality of first connecting devices. The first connecting device(s) can / can preferably be configured as a fixing opening, wherein the fixing opening can preferably be configured as a through-opening. Preferably, the support structure can form a base, in particular a flat one, which includes the first connecting device or optionally all of the first connecting devices. Optionally, this base can be provided at least partially, preferably completely, at its edges with a wall extending transversely and perpendicularly to the base, which forms an edge of such a support structure.This wall can also include one or more first connecting devices. Furthermore, the supporting structure can include at least one, preferably exactly two, handles to ensure convenient handling.

[0009] A device carrier according to the invention further comprises at least one device holder, preferably a plurality of such device holders. The at least one device holder has a second connecting device configured to interact with the first connecting device to connect the device holder to the support structure. Preferably, the second connecting device(s) is / are configured in the form of a plug-in device configured to be inserted into the first connecting device of the support structure, which is configured as a fixing opening.

[0010] If the supporting structure of a device carrier according to the invention has a plurality of first connecting devices, it can preferably be provided that these are designed in such a similar way that the second connecting device of the at least one device holder can selectively interact with several and preferably with all first connecting devices.

[0011] The device holder further comprises a retaining structure for receiving the medical device. The retaining structure is preferably designed such that it defines the position of the medical device, i.e., it is releasably fixed in at least one specifically provided manner. Such a fixation can be designed as a clamping fixation.

[0012] A device carrier according to the invention further comprises at least one marking element, which is preferably formed in one piece. The marking element forms a marking surface which is configured to be provided with a marking that can be assigned to the medical device. It is provided that the at least one marking element can be connected to or is connected to the at least one device holder in at least one specifically provided manner.

[0013] According to the invention, the identifying element is assigned and connected directly to / with the device holder and not, as is provided for in the device carrier according to DE 20 2009 004 103 U1, with the supporting structure, resulting in significant advantages. In particular, this can lead to simplified manufacturing of the device carrier components and greater flexibility with regard to the arrangement of several device holders with medical devices held or to be held therein on the supporting structure. Furthermore, an advantageous handling of a device carrier according to the invention can result from the fact that an identifying element and, if applicable, the associated medical device can be assigned to and connected with the at least one device holder before it is connected to the supporting structure.This allows a corresponding unit consisting of a device holder and marking element, as well as a medical device if necessary, to be pre-assembled and connected to the supporting structure as required.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of a device carrier according to the invention, the marking element may be detachably connected to the device holder to allow for advantageous multiple uses of the marking element and / or the device holder. It is particularly preferred that the marking element be detachably connected to the device holder without damage, thus advantageously allowing both the marking element and the device holder to be reused.

[0015] An advantageously manageable connection between the marking element and the device holder can be achieved by providing the device holder with a first plug-in connection structure and the marking element with a second plug-in connection structure, which can be plugged together. To form the connection, the plug-in connection structures are moved relative to each other at least along a connection axis, thereby engaging with one another. It is particularly preferred that the marking element and the device holder can be connected to each other exclusively by means of such a plug-in connection.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, one of the connector structures, preferably the first connector structure, can be configured as an opening, in particular as an elongated slot. The other connector structure, preferably the second connector structure, is then configured as a plug.

[0017] It is further preferred that the plug-in connection structures form a positive-locking connection when plugged together. For this purpose, one of the plug-in connection structures, preferably the first, has a Plug-in connection structure, at least one projection which forms an undercut of the other of the plug-in connection structures, preferably the second The connector structure engages behind or into a recess of this other connector structure. This allows for a secure connection between the device holder and the marking element.

[0018] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, one connector structure, in particular the first connector structure, can be configured as a through-opening. The other connector structure, in particular the second connector structure, then has at least a first projection and a second projection, which are spaced apart such that they engage behind the through-opening at their two ends when the connector structures are plugged together.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of a device carrier according to the invention, the device holder on the one hand and the marking element on the other hand can be made of materials with different moduli of elasticity, at least in the area of ​​the plug-in connection structures, and preferably entirely. This allows for advantageous connection of these components. During the formation of the connection, one of the components, which consists of the more elastic material (i.e., the material with the lower modulus of elasticity), is temporarily elastically deformed to create a positive-locking connection similar to a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0020] Preferably, the device holder may be made of the material with the smaller modulus of elasticity, whereby this more elastic material can also be advantageously used to form an elastically deformable holding structure in order to effect a fixing reception of the medical device by forming a snap connection.

[0021] Preferably, a first material, in particular the one with the lower modulus of elasticity, is or comprises silicone and / or polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), and the second material is or comprises a metal and / or a plastic, in particular a thermoplastic. This can result in advantageous manufacturability and / or advantageous functionality of a corresponding device carrier according to the invention.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the marking element may be at least partially plate-shaped. A component is considered plate-shaped if its length and width are each at least twice, preferably at least five, ten, or twenty times, its height or thickness. It is particularly advantageous if at least the large surfaces of the plate-shaped component, spanned by its length and width, are flat and parallel. Such a marking element can be produced, in particular, simply and cost-effectively from a blank available as a flat product by a cutting process, for example, laser cutting.

[0023] Preferably, the marking element comprises a connecting section and a marking section. The marking section includes the marking area. The connecting section can be inserted into a through-opening of the device holder, so that the marking element is held in the device holder by means of a plug connection between the connecting section and the through-opening. The through-opening is preferably designed as an elongated hole or as a rectangular opening. An elongated hole is defined as an opening characterized by two parallel, straight opening walls and two semicircular opening walls connecting these opening walls.One advantage of such a first plug-in connection structure in the form of an elongated hole can be its relatively good load-bearing capacity due to the absence of angular wall transitions with a corresponding notch effect, so that multiple insertion and removal of the plug connection is advantageously possible.

[0024] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting section and the marking section of the marking element can be connected to each other via a hinge. The hinge enables a defined, movable connection between the connecting section and the marking section. Such a marking element can advantageously be adapted with respect to the orientation of the marking surface to ensure the best possible legibility of the marking. This applies particularly if, as is preferably provided, the hinge is designed to be self-locking, so that it cannot simply adjust itself due to the action of the masses of the connecting section and the marking section, but rather requires the application of an external force.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of such a marking element or device carrier, the joint can be designed as a plastically and / or elastically deformable web, which, among other things, enables cost-effective manufacturing of the marking element. The web is defined as a material bridge connecting the connecting section and the marking section, the cross-sectional area of ​​which is smaller than that of both the connecting section and the marking section, at least at the respective transition to / from the web.

[0026] Preferably, the marking surface is not aligned parallel to the base of the support structure. In particular, the marking surface and the base of the support structure enclose an angle between 0 and 90 degrees, most preferably an angle between 10 and 35 degrees. This improves the legibility of the information indicated on the marking surface for a user of the device carrier. If the device carrier has several device holders, each with at least one marking element, the marking surfaces of all marking elements are preferably aligned non-parallel to the base of the support structure in the same way, particularly within the specified angle range between 0 and 90 degrees, and most preferably within the specified angle range between 10 and 35 degrees.The term "similar" here means that the marking surfaces are arranged at an angle in the same direction to the base of the supporting structure, whereby the specific angles of individual marking surfaces to the base of the supporting structure may differ from one another.

[0027] The invention also relates, in isolation, to a distinguishing element of a device carrier according to the invention, having the described characteristics. The invention also relates, in isolation, to a device holder of a device carrier according to the invention, having the described characteristics. Furthermore, the invention relates to a combination of such a distinguishing element and such a device holder.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show, in some cases in simplified form: Fig. 1: a supporting structure with a plurality of device holders attached to it according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2: the one in the Fig. 1. Section marked II in enlarged view; Fig. 3: the one in the Fig. 1. Section marked III in enlarged view; Fig. 4: a device holder according to the Fig. 1 in isolated representation; Fig. 5: a device holder according to a second embodiment in a side view; Fig. 6: a marker element in a perspective view; Fig. 7: a combination of the device holder according to the Fig. 5 and the marking element according to the Fig. 6 in a first perspective drawing; Fig. 8: the combination according to the Fig. 7 in a second perspective view; Fig. 9: a combination of a device holder according to a third embodiment and a marking element in a first perspective view; Fig. 10: the combination according to the Fig. 9 in a second perspective view

[0029] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a basket-shaped support structure 1 and a plurality of device holders 2. Fig. 2 shows one in Fig. 1. Section of the supporting structure marked as II. Fig. 3 shows one in Fig. 1. Section of the supporting structure marked as III.

[0030] The supporting structure 1 comprises a base 3 with approximately square surfaces and walls extending perpendicularly from the base 3 at its edges, forming a continuous perimeter 4 of the supporting structure 1. A handle 5 is attached to each of two opposing walls of the perimeter 4.

[0031] Both the base 3 and the edge 4 of the supporting structure 1 have a truss-like structure and form a multitude of fixing openings in the form of through-openings 6 with triangular opening shapes. The through-openings 6 of the base 3 serve as a first connection device, which is designed to interact with a second connection device of the fixture holders 2 in order to attach the fixture holders 2 to the base 3 in a multitude of possible positions.

[0032] According to the Fig. 4. Such a device holder 2 can be designed in two parts and comprise a main part 7, which is intended for arrangement on the top of the base 3 and thus within the basket-shaped support structure 1. Furthermore, the device holder 2 comprises a fastening part 8, which can, for example, be made of PEEK, and which includes a base plate 9 and two connecting bolts 10 extending vertically from the base plate 9. The connecting bolts 10 can be inserted from the underside of the base 3 through one of the triangular through-openings 6 and then engage in corresponding fastening openings (not visible) of the main part 7. In this way, the device holders 2 can be attached to the base 3 of the support structure 1 simply and securely.

[0033] The main parts 7 of the device holders 2, which may preferably be made in one piece from a soft elastic material, for example silicone or polyphenylsulfone, each form a retaining structure 12 that serves to fix a medical device (not shown). The retaining structure 12 is each designed in the form of a receiving recess that may be adapted to an external shape of the specific medical device to be received, wherein fixing projections 13 of the retaining structure 12 in the area of ​​the receiving recess may serve to positively secure the received medical device against detachment from the receiving recess and thus fix it.

[0034] Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of a main part 7 of a device holder 2, which is intended to be used in combination with a support structure 1 according to the Fig. 1 and a marking element 14 according to the Fig. 6 to Fig. 8. To form a fixture carrier. The main part 7 of the fixture holder 2 according to Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 differs from in Fig. The device holder shown in Figure 1 is essentially adapted to the shape of a specific medical device to be accommodated in the respective device holder 2, particularly with regard to its dimensions and the shape of the holding structure 12. The main part 7 of a device holder 2 is also adapted to the shape of the device holder shown in Figure 1. Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 can be used in combination with the fastening part 8 according to the Fig. 4 on the ground 3 of the supporting structure 1 according to the Fig. 1. To be attached.

[0035] The identification element 14 according to the Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 is a single piece, largely plate-shaped, and manufactured by cutting it from a blank supplied as a flat product. The marking element 14 comprises a connecting section 15 and a marking section 16, which are connected to each other via a hinge. The hinge is designed as a deformable web 17, wherein according to the Fig. 6 to Fig. 8. A relative rotation of the connecting section 15 and the marking section 16 relative to each other about their common longitudinal axis 18 has already been implemented to ensure advantageous readability of a marking associated with the medical device to be mounted on a marking surface 19 of the marking section 16. This relative rotation is maintained by a plastic deformation of the web 17. Other relative rotations, in particular with larger rotation angles about the longitudinal axis 18, are also possible.

[0036] The connecting section 15 of the identifying element 14 represents a plug-in connection structure designed to interact with a plug-in connection structure of the device holder 2. This plug-in connection structure of the device holder 2 is designed as a through-hole 20 in the form of an elongated slot, the orientation of which is parallel to the underside of the main part 7 of the device holder 2. The through-hole 20 can preferably be created in the main part 7 by material removal, for example by waterjet cutting.

[0037] To connect the marking element 14 to the main part 7 of the device holder 2, the connecting section 15 of the marking element 14 is inserted into the through-opening 20 of the main part 7 until two connecting projections 21, arranged in the area of ​​the transition of the connecting section 15 to the web 17, abut the insertion side of the main part 7 and thus limit the intended insertion depth. To ensure a sufficiently secure limitation of the insertion depth despite the relatively elastic material of the main part 7, the contact surfaces 22 of the connecting projections 21 abutting the insertion side are oriented essentially parallel to the insertion side of the main part 7.

[0038] At the end of the connecting section 15 furthest from the bridge 17, it also forms two connecting projections 21. These projections emerge from the through-opening 20 when the intended insertion depth is reached, thus engaging behind the edge of the through-opening 20 at an exit side of the main part 7 of the device holder 2. This creates a positive connection between the marking element 14 and the main part 7. Insertion of the connecting section 15 with the two connecting projections 21 at its end is possible due to the relatively high elasticity of the material of the main part 7.

[0039] The rear contact surfaces 22 of the two connecting projections 21 arranged at the head end of the connecting section 15 are in the design of the marking element 14 according to Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 is aligned essentially parallel to the course of the exit side of the main part 7 at the edge of the through-opening 20, thereby forming a positive-locking connection between the main part 7 and the marking element 14. Alternatively, this contact surface 22 can also be aligned obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis 18 of the connecting section 15 in order to allow the marking element 14 to be detached or pulled out of the main part 7 without damage.

[0040] In the area between the two end-side connecting projections 21, the connecting section 15 of the marking element 14 forms two additional pairs of connecting projections 21 with contact surfaces 22 running diagonally on both sides, which are pressed into the material of the main part 7 of the device holder 2 when the marking element 14 is inserted and thereby provide a further positive locking mechanism to secure the connection between the marking element 14 and the device holder 2 against loosening.

[0041] Fig. 9 and Fig. Figure 10 shows a third embodiment of a main part 7 of a device holder 2 in combination with a marking element 14, which in additional combination with a support structure 1 according to the Fig. 1 are intended for the formation of a device carrier.

[0042] The main part 7 of the device holder 2 according to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 differs from those of the other embodiments essentially only with regard to the dimensions in the vertical direction and the shape of the holding structure 12 due to a specific adaptation to the shape of a medical device to be accommodated (not shown).

[0043] The identification element 14 according to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 essentially corresponds to the one in Fig. 6 to Fig. 8. Only the length of the connecting section 15 between the two end-facing pairs of connecting projections 21 distinguishes these two identifying elements 14, the respective length being adapted to the depth of the through-opening 21 of the respective associated main part 7. This depth of the through-opening 20 is, in the case of the main part 7, according to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 smaller than in the main part 7 according to Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Reference symbol list 1 Supporting structure 2 fixture holders 3 Floor of the supporting structure 4 Edge of the supporting structure 5 Handle of the support structure 6 passage openings in the supporting structure 7 Main part of the device holder 8 Mounting part of the device holder 9 Base plate of the mounting part 10 connecting bolts of the fastening part 12. Mounting structure of the device holder 13 Fixing projection of the holding structure 14 Identification element 15 Connecting section of the marking element 16 Identification section of the identification element 17 Bridge of the marking element 18 Longitudinal axis of the connecting section and the marking section 19 Marking area of ​​the marking element 20 Through-opening of the main part 21 Connecting projection of the connecting section 22 Contact surface of the connecting projection QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2009 004 103 U1 [0004, 0013] US 2004139642 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Device carrier for receiving at least one medical device, with - a supporting structure (1) comprising at least one first connecting device, - at least one device holder (2) with a second connecting device configured to cooperate with the first connecting device to connect the device holder (2) to the support structure (1), and a holding structure (12) for receiving the medical device, and - a marking element (14) forming a marking area (19) which is designed to be provided with a marking that can be associated with the medical device, characterized by , that the marking element (14) is connectable to or connected with the device holder (2). [2] Device carrier according to claim 1, characterized by, that the marking element (14) is detachably connectable to or connected with the device holder (2). [3] Device carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the device holder (2) has a first plug-in connection structure and the marking element (14) has a second plug-in connection structure which can be plugged together to form the connection. [4] Device carrier according to claim 3, characterized by , that one of the connector structures is designed as an opening and the other of the connector structures is designed as a plug. [5] Device carrier according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that the plug-in connection structures form a positively locking connection when plugged together. [6] Device carrier according to claims 4 and 5, characterized by, that one of the connector structures has at least one connecting projection (21) which engages behind an undercut of the other connector structures or engages in a recess of these other connector structures. [7] Device carrier according to claim 6, characterized by , that one of the plug-in connection structures is designed as a through-opening (20) and the other of the plug-in connection structures has at least a first connecting projection (21) and a second connecting projection (21) which are spaced apart in such a way that they engage behind the through-opening (20) at both ends. [8] Device carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the device holder (2) on the one hand and the marking element (14) on the other hand are designed, at least in the area of ​​the plug connection structures, from materials with different moduli of elasticity. [9] Device carrier according to claim 8, characterized by , that the material of the fixture holder (2) has a smaller modulus of elasticity than the material of the marking element (14). [10] Device carrier according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized by that a first of the materials is or comprises silicone and / or polyphenylsulfone and a second of the materials is or comprises a metal and / or a plastic. [11] Device carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the marking element (14) is at least partially designed in a plate-like form. [12] Device carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the marking element (14) comprises a connecting section (15) and a marking section (16), wherein the marking section (16) has the marking surface (19), and the connecting section (15) can be inserted into a through-opening (20) of the device holder (2), so that the marking element (14) is held in the device holder (2) by means of a plug connection between the connecting section (15) and the through-opening (20). [13] Device carrier according to claim 12, characterized by , that the through-hole (20) is designed as an elongated hole or as a rectangular opening. [14] Device carrier according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterized by , that the connecting section (15) and the marking section (16) of the marking element (14) are connected to each other via a joint. [15] Device carrier according to claim 14, characterized by that the joint is designed to be self-locking. [16] Device carrier according to claim 14, characterized by , that the joint is designed as a plastically and / or elastically deformable bridge (17). [17] Device carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the marking surface (19) is not aligned parallel to a floor (3) of the supporting structure (1). [18] Device carrier according to claim 17, characterized by , that the marking surface (19) and the base (3) of the supporting structure (1) enclose an angle between 0 and 90 degrees. [19] Device carrier according to claim 18, characterized by , that the marking surface (19) and the base (3) of the supporting structure (1) enclose an angle between 10 and 35 degrees. [20] Device carrier according to claim 17 or claim 18, characterized by, that the device carrier has several device holders (2) each with at least one marking element (14) connected or connectable thereto, wherein the marking surfaces (19) of the marking elements are similarly non-parallel to the base (3) of the supporting structure (1). [21] Device carrier according to claim 20, characterized by , that the marking area (19) of each of the marking elements (14) includes an angle between 0 and 90 degrees to the ground (3) of the supporting structure (1). [22] Device carrier according to claim 21, characterized by , that the marking area (19) of each of the marking elements (14) forms an angle between 10 and 35 degrees to the ground (3) of the supporting structure (1).

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