MEDICAL STERILE CONTAINER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a medical sterile container comprising a tub-like first container part; a lid-like second container part; and a filter device which is arranged or attached from the outside to at least one first side wall of the tub-like first container part.

[0002] Sterile containers are generally known from the prior art and are used in medicine in particular to sterilize or disinfect surgical instruments, implants and the like, and to store or transport them briefly after sterilization. Objects to be sterilized are generally first placed in the sterile container or in a tub-like first container part of the sterile container. Subsequently, a lid-like second container part is arranged on or on the tub-like first container part and the two container parts are sealed together. The sealed sterile container is fed to a sterilizer. In this, the objects to be sterilized located in the container interior are sterilized or disinfected using any sterilization process (e.g. hot air sterilization, steam sterilization, etc.).

[0003] It is known from the state of the art to equip sterile containers with filter devices which are intended to prevent the penetration of germs, bacteria or similar into the sterile container and to enable sterile media exchange during sterilization.

[0004] For example, sterile containers are known in which the filter device can be assembled and disassembled from the inside of the sterile container. If the filter device is assembled from the inside, there is often the disadvantage, particularly when mounted on a side wall, that the filter device can only be checked for possible damage after the sterilized objects, in particular the sterilized medical devices, have been removed by a sterile user, in particular a nurse. If it is then discovered that the filter device is damaged, the removed objects must be sterilized again, a possibly contaminated instrument table on which the removed objects have been placed in the meantime must be cleaned and the sterile user may have to change clothes. Filter devices that can be assembled and disassembled from the inside are therefore disadvantageous in many respects.

[0005] Filter devices that can be mounted and dismounted from the outside of a sterile container are also known from the prior art. However, the known solutions with filter devices that can be mounted and dismounted from the outside have the disadvantage that the filter device can generally be dismounted and remounted after sterilization without this being detectable later. A user therefore cannot determine whether the filter device has already been opened or removed after sterilization, and thus whether the sterilized items in the sterile container are still sterile when removed.

[0006] Sterile containers are known, for example, from DE 10 2012 101 833 A1, US Pat. No. 5,372,787, WO 92 / 07588 A1, DE 92 12 315 U1, DE 20 2009 001010 U1, US 2004 / 256269, and US 2016 / 0151123 A1. DE 10 2012 101 833 A1 discloses a sterile container having a through-opening in its outer wall, which is covered by a filter. A filter holding element provided inside (on the inside of the sterile container) holds the filter. The filter has simple perforated plate-like openings / perforations. US Pat. No. 5,372,787 discloses a sterile container according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a sterile container that allows sterile media exchange, prevents the penetration of bacteria, germs, or dust particles into the sterile container, and ensures sterile removal of sterilized objects. In particular, the disadvantages of the prior art are to be avoided or at least mitigated.

[0008] This object is achieved by a sterile container according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are claimed in the subclaims. The invention relates to a sterile container with a trough-like first container part, a lid-like second container part, and a filter device which is arranged or attached from the outside to at least one first side wall of the trough-like first container part, wherein the first side wall has a filter device receiving section with gills pointing downwards, in particular towards an inner side of the container, and the filter device has an externally provided filter holder holding a filter element, with gills pointing downwards, in particular towards an outer side of the container, and wherein the gills provided on the filter holder and the filter device receiving section are preferably arranged offset from one another in a side wall height direction.

[0009] The invention according to claim 1 can further comprise: a medical sterile container with a trough-like first container part; a lid-like second container part; a filter device which is arranged or attached, in particular from the outside, to at least one container part, in particular to a first side wall of the trough-like first container part; and a sterile container closure, in particular a sealable closure, which comprises at least one closure flap which can be arranged on one of the container parts between a closed position and an open position for closing the two container parts to one another, wherein the closure flap, in the closed position, locks and / or fixes and / or secures the filter device to the container part on which the filter device is arranged or attached, in particular to the first side wall of the trough-like first container part, in particular by covering it at least in sections.

[0010] The tub-like first container part basically consists of a base and side walls extending from the base, preferably vertically upwards. In particular, four side walls are provided. The lid-like second container part can be pivotally connected to the tub-like first container part or can be completely removable.

[0011] The filter device of the present invention can preferably be attached / arranged / fixed / fastened from the outside to either the trough-like first container part or the lid-like second container part. According to the invention, the filter device can thus be attached to the bottom or one of the side walls of the trough-like first container part, as well as to the lid-like second container part / the lid. In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, however, the filter device is attached to a first side wall, which is any one of the, preferably four, side walls of the trough-like first container part.

[0012] The tub-like first container part and the lid-like second container part can be closed to one another via a sterile container closure, which can be designed, for example, as a snap-in closure, a toggle-lever closure, a combination of a snap-in closure and a toggle-lever closure, etc. According to the invention, the sterile container closure has at least one closure flap, which can generally be moved into an open position and a closed position. In the closed position of the closure flap, the two container parts are closed to one another. The closure can preferably be sealed in the closed position of the closure flap.

[0013] The filter device is secured to the sterile container by the closure flap in its closed position. In other words, the filter device is at least partially covered by the closure flap when the closure flap is in the closed position. It is advantageous if the closure flap covers the filter device in the closed position in such a way that removal of the filter device is prevented. Thus, if the closure flap is in the closed position, removal of the filter device from the sterile container is impossible.

[0014] Preferably, the filter device is thus detachable from the container part on which the filter device is arranged or attached, in particular from the first side wall of the trough-like first container part, in the open position of the sterile container closure, in particular the closure flap, and is secured to the container part on which the filter device is arranged or attached, in particular to the first side wall of the trough-like first container part, and is therefore not detachable, in the closed position of the sterile container closure, in particular the closure flap.

[0015] According to the invention, the filter device can therefore only be removed or detached from the sterile container / from one of the two container parts, in particular from a first side wall of the trough-like first container part, if the sterile container closure has been opened beforehand, i.e. if the closure flap has been moved from the closed position to the open position. This has the advantage that the filter device cannot be disassembled and reassembled after sterilization without being detected by a subsequent user. A user therefore knows that when the sterile container is closed, in particular when the sterile container closure is sealed in the closed position of the closure flap, the filter device could not have been opened or removed beforehand.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the container part on which the filter device is arranged or attached, in particular the first side wall of the trough-like first container part, has a receptacle or recess, in particular in the form of a groove-shaped depression, and a locking element / a locking section, and the sterile container closure comprises a latching element / a latching section on the container part on which the filter device is arranged or attached, in particular on the first side wall of the trough-like first container part, wherein the filter device, in the open position of the closure flap, can be inserted and / or attached into the receptacle or recess from the outside / from an outside of the sterile container and can be fixed and / or locked via the locking element on the container part on which the filter device is arranged or attached.and wherein the closure flap is engaged in the locking element / locking section in the closed position, thereby locking the two container parts to each other and covering the filter device at least in sections.

[0017] In other words, a receptacle / recess / groove-shaped depression as well as a latching element, in particular a latching projection, and a locking element, in particular a locking projection, are advantageously provided on the container part to which the filter device is attached / arranged, in particular on the first side wall of the trough-like first container part. The filter device is first inserted into the receptacle / recess / groove-shaped depression so that an edge portion of the filter device is received therein. The filter device can now fully rest against the trough-like first or lid-like second container part. However, it is also conceivable for the filter device to be manually pressed and held against the corresponding container part by a user.Another, preferably opposite, edge portion of the filter device is now preferably located in a position adjacent to the locking element and is locked / fixed to the corresponding container part via the locking element. If the closure flap engages the locking element, the other, preferably opposite, edge portion of the filter device can even be pressed against the corresponding container part by the closure flap. This can be achieved in particular by the closure flap covering / overlapping the filter device at least in sections in the locked closed position. The core idea of ​​the present invention is thus realized in a structurally simple manner with this preferred embodiment.

[0018] It is furthermore expedient if the latching element, in particular the latching projection, is received in a receiving recess provided on the closure flap in the closed position of the closure flap and a seal for sealing the sterile container and for securing the sterile container closure in the closed position of the closure flap can be carried out on the latching element, in particular the latching projection.

[0019] In other words, in its closed position, the closure flap engages the latching element such that the latching element is received in the receiving recess of the closure flap. The latching element is advantageously firmly connected to the container part to which the filter device is attached or arranged, or can even be an integral / one-piece / single-material section, in particular a latching section, of the container part. If the latching element has a projection, in particular a latching projection, which completely penetrates the closure flap, in particular the receiving recess of the closure flap, in the closed position or projects outwards with respect to the closure flap in the closed position, and this latching projection has a suitable recess, a seal can be easily attached to the latching element / latching projection.

[0020] The sealed sterile container is thus inherently sealed and secured. Opening the sterile container and the associated release or detachment of the filter unit from the tub-like first or lid-like second container section is therefore only possible by breaking the seal. If the seal on a sealed sterile container is intact, the user knows that the filter unit could not have been opened or removed beforehand.

[0021] It is further advantageous if the filter device comprises an externally provided filter holder and a filter element held / attached / fixed to the filter holder, and the filter holder has a window for checking a state of the filter element from a sterile container outside by a user.

[0022] The window on the filter holder allows the user to see whether a filter element / filter is inserted or whether the inserted filter element is potentially damaged without having to open the sterile container. If a process indicator is attached to the filter element, the user can also check whether the filter element has undergone a sterilization-like process.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the filter device is arranged or attached, in particular from the outside, to at least one first side wall of the trough-like first container part.

[0024] Attaching or arranging the filter device on the lid or on the base of the sterile container has proven to be disadvantageous in many respects. If the filter device is located on the lid, dust particles can build up on the filter device during storage of the sterile container. Furthermore, condensate dripping onto the lid-like component during sterilization can get into the sterile container and make drying more difficult after sterilization. If the filter device is located on the base, damage to the filter device can occur when handling the sterile container, particularly if objects are placed on a surface, without this being immediately visible to the user. If, on the other hand, the filter device is located on a side wall, basically little dust can build up on it and penetration of condensate is practically impossible.Furthermore, damage caused by objects on the surface is virtually eliminated. Attaching or arranging the filter device on a side wall of the sterile container is therefore advantageous in many ways.

[0025] It is further advantageous if the first side wall of the trough-like first container part has a perforated filter device receiving section with gills pointing downwards and towards the inside of the container and / or the filter device has a perforated filter holder provided on the outside and holding a filter element with gills pointing downwards and towards the outside of the container.

[0026] In other words, the invention provides both a perforated filter device receiving section and a perforated filter holder, which enable sterile media exchange via the filter element located therebetween. In contrast to the simple perforated plate-like perforation known from the prior art, the perforation in the present invention is formed by downward-facing gills. These provide, on the one hand, improved mechanical protection for the filter element and, on the other hand, enable improved drainage of condensate on the inside and / or outside of the container.

[0027] Advantageously, the filter device receiving section and the filter holder are perforated in the shape of gills, in particular with gills, preferably pressed out or pressed in, in the form of narrow and / or elongated and / or groove-shaped and / or arched / curved depressions.

[0028] A gill-shaped design provides optimal mechanical protection and, particularly due to the gill-shaped curvature or curvature, enables a compact construction. Furthermore, the gills can be easily manufactured by pressing in or out, so there are no disadvantages in this respect, especially compared to a perforated plate-like perforation.

[0029] Furthermore, it is expedient if gills pointing towards the outside of the container are provided on the filter holder and gills pointing towards the inside of the container are provided on the filter device receiving section and / or the gills provided on the filter holder and the filter device receiving section are arranged offset from one another in a side wall height direction.

[0030] If the external filter holder has gills pointing downwards and toward the outside of the container, condensate can drain outward from the filter holder and thus cannot penetrate the filter element. If the filter device receiving section has gills pointing downwards and toward the inside of the container, condensate can drain inward from the filter device receiving section and thus cannot penetrate the filter element. The gills are thus designed in such a way that draining condensate is directed away from the filter element both at the filter holder and at the filter device receiving section.

[0031] If the gills of the filter device receiving section and the filter holder are arranged offset relative to or against each other in a sidewall height direction, the mechanical protection of the filter element is further improved. In particular, direct piercing from the outside into the sterile container is then no longer possible.

[0032] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for sterilizing, in particular for preparing for sterilization, objects, in particular medical devices, in a sterile container with a trough-like first container part and a lid-like second container part, in particular in a sterile container as described above, comprising the steps of: attaching a filter device, which is formed in particular by a filter holder and a filter element inserted therein, in particular from the outside, to one of the container parts, in particular to a first side wall of the trough-like first container part; locking the filter device, in particular the filter holder, to the corresponding container part by means of a locking element;and closing the container parts to one another via a sterile container closure, in particular via a closure flap arranged on one of the container parts, and concomitantly, in particular thereby effected, securing the filter device to the container part to which the filter device is attached, in particular to the first side wall of the trough-like first container part;

[0033] Advantageously, the method according to the invention further comprises the following steps: applying a seal to the sterile container closure; sterilizing objects to be sterilized located in the sterile container; destroying the seal; and opening the sterile container closure and the concomitant, in particular thereby effected, release of the filter device.

[0034] The invention is further explained below with the aid of figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a side view of a sterile container according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the inventive interaction between a filter device, a closure flap, and a side wall of the sterile container of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a preferred embodiment of the filter device and a filter device receiving section provided on the side wall; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of pressed-in / pressed-out gills, as they may be provided on the filter device receiving section or a filter holder of the filter device.

[0035] The figures are merely schematic and serve solely to clarify the invention. Identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0036] In Fig. 11 shows a side view of a medical sterile container 2. This consists of a trough-like first container part 4 and a lid-like second container part, in particular a lid, 6. The container parts 4, 6 are preferably made of metal, in particular aluminum or stainless steel. However, both container parts 4, 6 can also be manufactured from plastic, in particular by injection molding. The trough-like first container part 4 consists of a base 8 and four side walls 10. In other words, the base 8 and the four side walls 10 together form the one-piece, single-material or integral trough-like first container part 4. In a transition region 12 from the side walls 10 to the base 8, the trough-like container part 4 is beveled, folded or chamfered. The lid-like second container part 6 is also a one-piece, single-material or integral component that is separate from the trough-like container part 4.The lid-like second container part 6 is preferably pivotally mounted on the trough-like first container part 4 (not shown). However, according to the invention, it can also be completely removable from the latter.

[0037] In Fig. 1 Furthermore, a sterile container closure 14 with a closure flap 16 is shown. The closure flap 16 is pivotally mounted on a hinge 18 on the lid-like second container part 6 and is located in Fig. 1 in a closed position. In the closed position of the closure flap 16, the two container parts 4, 6 are closed from each other. The closure flap 16 has a receiving recess 20 in which a locking element 21 is received. A seal 22 can be passed through the locking element 21. In its closed position, the closure flap 16 is thus locked into the locking element 21, and a seal 22 attached to the locking element 21 secures the sterile container closure 14.

[0038] At the Fig. 1 A filter / filter device 26 is arranged or attached to the completely visible first side wall 10a from the outside / from a sterile container outer side 24. The filter device 26 consists of a filter holder 28 and a filter element 30. The filter holder 28 has a window 32 through which a user can see the inserted filter element 30. If a process indicator is attached to the filter element 30, a user can check whether the filter element 30 has been sterilized in the desired manner or not. The closure flap 16 overlaps the filter device 26 in Fig. 1 in sections on an upper edge region 34 of the filter device 26. It is also conceivable according to the invention that the closure flap 16 overlaps either only the filter element 30 or only the filter holder 28. On the filter device 26 or in particular the filter holder 28, Fig. 1horizontally aligned and thus parallel arranged, elongated and narrow longitudinal recesses are indicated, which, as in the following description to Fig. 2 As can be seen, they are intended to represent a gill-shaped perforation of the filter holder 28.

[0039] In Fig. 2 the inventive interaction between the filter / filter device 26, the closure flap 16 and the first side wall 10a is illustrated in a sectional view.

[0040] The first side wall 10a has a filter device receiving section 36. The filter device receiving section 36 is perforated in a gill-like manner and has a plurality of gills 38. The gills 38 are generally narrow, elongated or groove-shaped, and arched / curved and are manufactured by pressing or pressing. The gills 38 each point downwards or toward the bottom 8 of the sterile container 2 and toward an interior 40 of the sterile container. The gills 38 have a curved / arched shape similar to a downwardly open semi-parabola with an initially slight gradient and an approximately proportionally increasing gradient toward the bottom. A groove-shaped recess 42 is provided at a lower portion of the filter device receiving section 36. The filter device receiving section 36 is slightly inward or outward with respect to the side wall 10a on which the filter device receiving section 36 is provided.offset from the inside of a sterile container 40.

[0041] The filter device receiving section 36 is delimited at the top by a locking element 44 attached to the side wall 10a. The locking element 44 can, in principle, be mounted as a separate component in the side wall 10a in a spring-loaded manner. However, the locking element 44 can also be firmly connected to the side wall 10a. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the locking element 44 to be formed in one piece / from a single material / integrally with the side wall 10a.

[0042] Above the filter device receiving section 36, the first side wall 10a has the locking element 21, which in Fig. 2 a component separate from the side wall 10a, but firmly connected to it. The locking element 21 has a locking projection 46, which protrudes or protrudes toward an outer side 24 of the sterile container.

[0043] The filter device 26 consists of the filter holder 28 and the filter element 30 held or fastened thereto. The filter holder 28 has gills 48, which, like the gills 38 of the filter device receiving section 36, are narrow, elongated, or groove-shaped, and arched / curved, and are manufactured by pressing or pressing. The gills 48 each point downwards or toward the bottom 8 of the sterile container 2 and toward an outer side 24 of the sterile container. The gills 48 also have a curved / arched shape in the manner of a downwardly open semi-parabola with an initially slight gradient and an approximately proportionally increasing gradient toward the bottom.

[0044] The gills 48 can have a spring action / act as spring elements that press the filter element 30 against the filter device receiving section 36. The gills 48 preferably overlap in the vertical direction and are only open at the bottom. The gills 38 also preferably overlap in the vertical direction and are only open at the bottom. Thus, the filter element 30 is concealed / protected in the lateral direction.

[0045] During assembly of the filter device 26, a lower edge region 50 of the filter device 26 is inserted / received into the groove-shaped recess 42, and the filter device 26 is manually pressed against the first side wall 10a. The locking element 44 then locks the filter device 26, in particular the filter holder 28, to the first side wall 10a. Finally, the closure flap 16 is folded downward and engages the engagement element 21, thereby locking the tub-like first container part 4 and the lid-like second container part 6 to one another. A covering section 52 of the closure flap 16 overlaps or covers the upper edge region 34 of the filter device 26 and can preferably press it against the filter device receiving section 36 or the first side wall 10a when the two container parts 4, 6 are locked to one another.

[0046] In the closed position of the closure flap 16, the latching element 21, or in particular the latching projection 46 of the latching element 21, projects outward relative to the closure flap 16. The latching element 21 has a recess or the like (not shown) through which the seal 22 can be passed. If the sterile container 2 is additionally sealed with the seal 22 in the closed position of the closure flap 16, the sterile container 2 can only be opened again by destroying the seal 22. Only once the seal 22 has been destroyed and the sterile container has been opened again can the filter device 26 finally be detached from the filter device receiving section 36 or the first side wall 10a. In other words, removal of the filter is only possible once the seal 22 has been destroyed after sterilization.

[0047] By orienting the gills 38 of the filter device receiving section 36 downward and toward the sterile container interior 40, condensate water coming from above is directed away from the filter element 30 as it drips. By orienting the gills 48 of the filter holder 28 downward and toward the sterile container exterior 24, condensate coming from above is also directed away from the filter element 30 as it drips.

[0048] In Fig. 3 A detailed view of a preferred embodiment of the filter device 26 and a filter device receiving section 36 provided on the side wall 10a is shown. The filter device 26 in turn consists of the filter holder 28 and the filter element 30. In Fig. 3The gills 38 of the filter device receiving section 36 are designed to overlap one another. In other words, a gill end section 54 of an upper gill 38 overlaps a gill start section 56 of a lower gill 38. The same applies to the gills 48 of the filter holder 28. Here, too, a gill end section 54 of an upper gill 48 overlaps a gill start section 56 of a lower gill 48. This serves in particular to protect the filter element 30. To further improve the protection of the filter element 30, the gills 38 and the gills 48 are also designed or arranged offset from one another. In other words, a gill start section 56 and a gill end section 54 of the gills 38 each coincide with a gill middle section 58 of the gills 48, seen in a side wall height direction.

[0049] In Fig. 4Finally, a perspective view of pressed-in / pressed-out gills 38, 48 is shown, as they may be formed or provided on the filter holder 28 of the filter device 26 or the filter device receiving section 36. In particular, the narrow, elongated, groove-shaped, and arched / curved design of the gills 38, 48 is even more clearly visible here. List of reference symbols

[0050] 2 Sterile container 4 Tub-like first container part 6 Lid-like second container part 8 Base 10 Side walls 10a First side wall 12 Transition area 14 Sterile container closure 16 Closure flap 18 Hinge 20 Recess 21 Snap-in element 22 Seal 24 Sterile container exterior 26 Filter / filter device 28 Filter holder 30 Filter element 32 Window 34 Upper edge area 36 Filter device receiving section 38 Gills 40 Sterile container interior 42 Grooved recess 44 Locking element 46 Snap-in projection 48 Gills 50 Lower edge area 52 Covering section 54 Gill end section 56 Gill beginning section 58 Gill middle section

Claims

1. A sterile container (2) including a troughlike first container part (4), a lid-like second container part (6), a filter device (26) which is arranged or attached from the outside on at least a first side wall (10a) of the troughlike first container part (4), characterized in that the first side wall (10a) has a filter device receiving section (36) with gills (38) pointing downwards, in particular towards a sterile container inner side (40) and the filter device (26) has a filter holder (28), which is provided on the outside and holds a filter element (30), with gills (48) pointing downwards, in particular towards a sterile container outer side (24).

2. The sterile container (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that gills (48) pointing towards the sterile container outer side (24) are provided on the filter holder (28) and gills (38) pointing towards the inner side of the container are provided on the filter device receiving section (36).

3. The sterile container (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gills (38, 48) provided on the filter holder (28) and the filter device receiving section (36) are arranged offset relative to one another in a side wall height direction.

4. The sterile container (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter device receiving section (36) and the filter holder (28) are constructed with perforations in the form of gills, in particular with preferably pressed or pressed-in gills (38, 48), in the form of narrow or elongated or channel-shaped or curved recesses.

5. The sterile container (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter holder (28) has a window (32) for checking a state of the filter element (30) by a user from a sterile container outer side (24).

6. The sterile container (2) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a sterile container closure (14), in particular sealable, which comprises at least one cover flap (16) for closing the two container parts (4, 6) with respect to one another, which closing cap (16) can be arranged between a closed position and an open position on one of the container parts (4, 6).

7. The sterile container (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the closing cap (16), in the closed position, locks or fixes or secures the filter device (26) on the first side wall (10a) of the troughlike first container part (4).

8. The sterile container (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first side wall (1 0a) of the troughlike first container part (4) has a receiver or recess, in particular in the form of a groove-shaped depression (42), and a locking element (44), and the sterile container closure (14) comprises a snap-in element (21) on the first side wall (10a) of the troughlike first container part (4), wherein in the open position of the closing cap (16), the filter device (26) can be inserted into or attached to the receiver or recess from the sterile container outer side (24) and can be fixed or locked on the first side wall (10a) by means of the locking element (44), and wherein the closing cap (16) is snapped in the snap-in element (21) in the closed position, thereby locking the two container parts (4, 6) with respect to one another and covering the filter device (26) at least in portions.

9. The sterile container (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that the snap-in element (21), in particular a snap-in projection (46) of the snap-in element (21), is received in the closed position of the closing cap (16) in a receiving recess (20) provided on the closing cap (16), and a seal (22) for sealing the sterile container (2) and for securing the sterile container closure (14) in the closed position of the closing cap (16) can be passed through to the snap-in element (21), in particular the snap-in projection (46).