Glass-tag fixation for medical instruments

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective housing (13) for accommodating a transponder (15) that can be received in a transponder receptacle (17), in a medical product (1), in particular in the medical instrument and / or medical product in a sterilisation circuit, wherein the protective housing (13) contains a first housing half (19) and a second housing half (21) which 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) has at least one product locking geometry (31), via which the protective housing (13) can be incorporated in a form-fitting manner into the medical product (1). The present invention also relates to a system and a method.

Description

[0001] Glass tag fixation for medical instruments

[0002] Description

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a protective housing for a glass tag, a system comprising a protective housing and a medical product, and a method for positively connecting a transponder to a medical product.

[0005] Background of the Revelation

[0006] Due to the increasing importance of lifecycle management of sterile goods in the future, the requirement for monitoring and traceability of these sterile goods, especially medical / surgical instruments in a sterilization cycle, is increasing. For this reason, medical instruments of all kinds are equipped with transponders, particularly passive transponders using RFID (radio-frequency identification) or NFC (near field communication) technology. This makes it possible to constantly identify the location of the medical instruments and determine whether they have (correctly) completed the entire reprocessing process or all maintenance steps. Furthermore, it is possible to record the number of sterilization cycles completed by a sterile item and determine whether the maximum service life of the sterile item has been reached. The transponder's glass tag design is particularly advantageous in this regard.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] Devices for attaching transponders to medical instruments are already known from the prior art. For example, in document EP 2 087 850, a transponder is attached to the medical instrument, for example to its handle, using a housing, wherein the housing has a cavity for receiving the transponder. The housing can consist of two separate parts, which enclose the transponder and the handle of the instrument in a recess during a fastening process and can then be connected in a form-fitting manner. Another attachment option is to accommodate the transponder in a protective housing that can be folded using a hinge, which is then strapped to the medical instrument using a flexible strap / belt.

[0009] A metallic fastening element for metallic RFID tags is known from EP 3 146 477. The fastening element is attached / bonded to a medical instrument via a flat base and accommodates the transponder via a recess enclosed by side surfaces. The transponder and the fastening element are electrically connected to each other, which can improve the signal strength and range of the transponder, especially when attached to smaller objects.

[0010] Attaching the transponder according to the above-mentioned options influences the handling and ergonomics of the equipped sterile goods due to the attachment of the transponder to the outside of a medical object and the resulting highlights, and can also make medical processing or cleaning more difficult.

[0011] There are also known ways to attach a transponder to or into a medical instrument housing by gluing, potting, welding, or by using pre-drilled holes. However, these solutions are complex and require appropriate preparation, such as ensuring that the surface of the medical instruments is clean and free of grease. In addition, pressing in using force or gluing the transponder is not permanently durable due to the plastic settling. Furthermore, replacing the transponder with this type of connection is considerably more difficult. Often, only small wall thicknesses are available for accommodating a transponder, for example a glass tag protected by a housing, in or on a medical product. This makes traditional snap elements such as snap hooks almost impossible to implement due to their necessary dimensions.In addition, certain instruments such as motor-driven saws are exposed to high vibrations during operation, so that these snap elements in small sizes are too delicate and can break over time.

[0012] Brief description of the revelation

[0013] The object of the present disclosure is therefore to eliminate or at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0014] Specifically, it is the object of the present disclosure to provide a way of connecting a transponder, which may contain an individual identifier of a medical tool or instrument, to the medical tool or instrument in a manner protected from environmental influences and mechanical force, without changing a geometry of the instrument or tool in such a way that handling properties of the instrument or tool are adversely affected.

[0015] This object is achieved by a protective housing according to claim 1, a system according to claim 8 and a method for positively connecting a transponder to a medical product according to claim 13.

[0016] 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 in a medical instrument and / or medical device in a sterilization cycle, wherein the transponder receptacle is formed / provided in or by the protective housing. For this purpose, the protective housing includes a first housing half and a second housing half, which jointly enclose the transponder and are connectable / connected to one another in a form-fitting manner, wherein the first housing half and / or the second housing half has at least one product locking geometry, via which the protective housing can be integrated / integrated into the medical product in a form-fitting manner.

[0017] In other words, the protective housing according to the disclosure contains the first housing half and the second housing half, which together or in cooperation with one another form the transponder receptacle. The transponder receptacle is provided and designed to receive the transponder, in particular in a form-fitting manner. The transponder is in particular a passive RFID tag of the glass tag design. However, other wirelessly readable transponder types such as an NFC tag are also conceivable, which enable unique identification. The first housing half can be an upper housing half. The second housing half can be a 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.“Top” and “bottom” are preferably understood to mean those sides which, for example, in the case of a rectangular body, result from the respective large-area sides. The first housing half and the second housing half can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner and, together with the transponder, form a sandwich structure. The first housing half can at least partially enclose the second housing half. Furthermore, the first housing half and / or the second housing half forms or contains the product locking geometry which enables a form-fitting reception / integration of the protective housing in the medical product. In this case, reception or integration is understood to mean that at least a large part of the protective housing is formed / arranged in the medical product in an assembled state and does not protrude, or only protrudes insignificantly, beyond an outer contour of the medical product.

[0018] The core of the disclosure is therefore the two-part protective housing, which is positively closed and contains the transponder. The two-part protective housing can be positively integrated into the medical product. This design of the protective housing makes it easy to install. In other words, the transponder, in the form of a glass tag, can be easily inserted into the protective housing. In addition, the protective housing surrounds the transponder in such a way that the transponder is protected from environmental influences and mechanical damage. The product locking geometry enables tamper-proof fixation of the protective housing and thus the transponder in the medical product without significantly changing the external geometry of the medical product, which could adversely affect the handling properties of the medical product.

[0019] In a first aspect, the first housing half can be formed with first locking lugs which can be locked into recesses formed in the second housing half.

[0020] In other words, a number of locking lugs, in particular six locking lugs, can be formed on the first housing half. The locking lugs can be resiliently designed or can be resiliently attached to the first housing half. The locking lugs can be formed uniformly and / or (axially)symmetrically on the first housing half, in particular with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first housing half. The locking lugs can at least partially encompass the second housing half and engage into the recesses in the second housing half. The second housing half can be formed with, in particular, two recesses.

[0021] It should be explicitly pointed out that the first housing half and / or the second housing half can be designed in such a way that only a subset of the locking lugs of the first housing half fit positively into the recesses of the second housing half.

[0022] By designing the housing with locking lugs and recesses, the positive connection between the first and second housing halves can be achieved cost-effectively and reliably. Furthermore, this design enables tool-free assembly of the protective housing.

[0023] In a further aspect, the locking lugs of the first housing half can be actuated independently of one another.

[0024] In other words, the spring-elastic locking lugs of the first housing half can be individually tensioned, relaxed or generally manipulated without this having any (mechanical) effects on neighboring locking lugs.

[0025] This design of the locking lugs allows for different functions to be implemented with each individual locking lug. Furthermore, if a single locking lug fails, the general function of the protective housing (e.g., the positive connection between the first housing half and the second housing half, thus providing a protective function for the transponder) is maintained.

[0026] In a further aspect, the at least one product locking geometry and the first locking lugs can be formed on the one spring element.

[0027] In other words, the spring-elastic locking lug can also contain or form the product locking geometry.

[0028] Synergy effects can be achieved by designing the spring-elastic locking lugs in this way. For example, the locking lugs can engage with the recesses of the second housing half (and are thereby tensioned) during the insertion process of the protective housing, thus connecting the first housing half and the second housing half even more securely. As soon as the protective housing is inserted, the spring-elastic locking lug can spring back and the product locking geometry can engage. In a further aspect, 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 a groove longitudinal direction.

[0029] In other words, the recesses can be designed to be variable / stepped in a recess depth.

[0030] By designing the recess as a groove, a flat or at least linear force application of the positive connection between the first housing half and the second housing half can be achieved. By providing at least one projection or by the stepped design of the groove, a different contact force / contact type / contact time can be achieved between the individual locking lugs and the recess.

[0031] In a further aspect, the first housing half may substantially correspond to the second housing half.

[0032] In other words, the first housing half and the second housing half can each be formed with locking lugs and recesses. Preferably, the first housing half and the second housing half can be formed with locking lugs in a first section and with recesses in a second section, so that when the first housing half and the second housing half are brought into engagement with one another, the locking lugs of the first housing half come into positive engagement with the recesses of the second half and the locking lugs of the second housing half come into positive engagement with the recess of the first housing half. With such a configuration of the first and second housing halves, it is conceivable for the first housing half and the second housing half to differ in secondary features, such as a curvature of an upper shell of the first housing half or second housing half.

[0033] Such an identical or nearly identical structure of the first housing shell and the second housing shell can reduce production costs, inventory costs, and tooling costs. In a further aspect, the protective housing can taper / constrict toward a connecting plane between the first housing half and the second housing half.

[0034] In other words, the protective housing may have an hourglass (cross-sectional) shape, wherein a constriction point may be formed in the connecting plane between the first housing half and the second housing half.

[0035] By designing the protective housing in this way, a positive connection between the medical product and the protective housing can be easily achieved if the protective housing is installed accordingly in the medical product.

[0036] In a further aspect, the protective housing may be formed from a plastic.

[0037] In a further aspect, the protective housing may be manufactured by injection molding.

[0038] In a further aspect, the protective housing may have a substantially pill-shaped geometry.

[0039] In a further aspect, the locking lug may include a part-circular geometry and the recess may be formed as at least two arms which are provided and designed to encompass the part-circular geometry.

[0040] In a further aspect, the locking lug can be rigid and the recess can be spring-elastic.

[0041] In a further aspect, the protective housing can be at most twice as large as the transponder accommodated in the protective housing. The object of the present disclosure is further achieved by a system comprising the medical product, in particular a medical instrument and / or medical product in a sterilization cycle, and the protective housing. The medical product includes a protective housing receptacle that is provided and designed to accommodate the protective housing and the transponder accommodated in the protective housing. The protective housing, in particular the protective housing according to one of the above aspects, is fixed / can be fixed in a form-fitting manner directly in the protective housing receptacle of the medical product.

[0042] In other words, the system includes the medical product with the protective housing receptacle and the protective housing with the transponder. The protective housing receptacle is preferably adapted in its geometry to the geometry of the protective housing. In other words, an internal volume of the protective housing receptacle essentially corresponds to a volume of the protective housing. The protective housing and the protective housing receptacle are coordinated in such a way that the protective housing is / can be positively fixed in the medical product.

[0043] In one aspect, the protective housing receptacle may include at least one receiving groove for receiving product locking geometries of the protective housing.

[0044] In other words, the protective housing receptacle can include the receiving groove, which is designed to positively accommodate the product locking geometry of the protective housing. The receiving groove can be designed as a substantially rectangular groove. Alternatively, the receiving groove can be designed as a groove that tapers conically in a vertical direction.

[0045] In a further aspect, the receiving groove can be interrupted at least once in a receiving groove longitudinal direction, in a parallel section of the protective housing receptacle.

[0046] In other words, the protective housing receptacle can include two parallel wall sections connected by radial sections. The receiving groove can be interrupted in the parallel wall sections. The interruption in the receiving groove can, in particular, be arranged centrally in the longitudinal direction of the receiving groove.

[0047] By interrupting the receiving groove, at least one locking lug of the protective housing can be specifically fixed / tensioned in an assembled state such that the locking lug in question can be in permanent engagement with the groove of the second housing half of the protective housing, whereby the positive fixing between the first housing half and the second housing half can be secured in the assembled state.

[0048] In a further aspect, the protective housing receptacle can be designed as a through-opening in the medical product and connect a top side of the medical product to a bottom side of the medical product. Of course, the top side can also be an outer side and the bottom side can also be an inner side of the medical product, particularly if the medical product is designed as a sterile goods container.

[0049] By designing the protective housing receptacle as a through-opening, the two-part protective housing can be fixed to the medical product in such a way that the positive connection between the first housing half and the second housing half only occurs when the protective housing is installed in the medical product.

[0050] In another aspect, the protective housing receptacle may include a constriction between the top and bottom of the medical device.

[0051] In other words, a cross-sectional area of ​​the protective housing receptacle can change in the vertical direction such that the cross-sectional area, starting from the top side, first tapers / reduces until the cross-sectional area reaches a minimum value and then widens again toward the bottom. The taper can be symmetrical with respect to the vertical direction. In other words, the constriction can be arranged parallel to the top side and the bottom side of the medical product. In particular, a distance of the constriction from the top side can correspond to a distance of the constriction from the bottom side.

[0052] By designing the protective housing receptacle in this way, a positive connection between the protective housing and the protective housing receptacle can be easily formed.

[0053] In a further aspect, a central axis of the transponder receptacle of the protective housing can be formed in a plane with the constriction of the protective housing receptacle when the protective housing is installed as intended in the protective housing receptacle.

[0054] In a further aspect, the medical product may be formed from metal.

[0055] Furthermore, the disclosed object is achieved by a method for at least positively connecting a transponder to a medical product, comprising the steps:

[0056] - Positioning the transponder in a first housing half of a protective housing;

[0057] - Inserting the first housing half of the protective housing into a protective housing receptacle of the medical device from a top side;

[0058] - Inserting a second housing half of the protective housing into the protective housing receptacle of the medical device from a bottom side;

[0059] - positive connection of the first housing half and the second housing half.

[0060] Of course, the first housing half can also be inserted into the protective housing receptacle from the underside of the medical device, and the second housing half can be inserted into the protective housing receptacle from the top of the medical device. Furthermore, the transponder can be positioned in the second housing half of the protective housing in the first step.

[0061] In other words, in the method, the positive connection between the first housing half and the second housing half of the protective housing is only created / produced when the protective housing is positioned in the protective housing receptacle.

[0062] In other words, the positive connection between the first housing half and the second housing half occurs simultaneously with the positive connection between the protective housing and the protective housing receptacle.

[0063] In one aspect, the method may include a further step in which the first housing half and the second housing half are joined together in a material-to-material bond. This step may replace or supplement the step of positively connecting. The material-to-material bonding may be achieved by ultrasonic welding, hot forming, gluing, or the like.

[0064] Short description of the characters

[0065] Fig. 1 shows a tool with a protective housing receptacle in a first embodiment;

[0066] Fig. 2 shows the protective housing receptacle of the first embodiment in a sectional view;

[0067] Fig. 3 shows a protective housing in a first embodiment;

[0068] Fig. 4 shows the protective housing of the first embodiment in the protective housing receptacle of the first embodiment; Fig. 5 shows the protective housing of the first embodiment in the protective housing receptacle of the first embodiment in a first sectional view;

[0069] Fig. 6 shows the protective housing of the first embodiment in the protective housing receptacle of the first embodiment in a second sectional view;

[0070] Fig. 7 shows the tool with a protective housing receptacle in a second embodiment;

[0071] Fig. 8 shows the protective housing receptacle of the second embodiment in a sectional view;

[0072] Fig. 9 shows the protective housing in a second embodiment;

[0073] Fig. 10 shows the protective housing of the second embodiment in the protective housing receptacle in the second embodiment in a perspective view;

[0074] Fig. 11 shows the protective housing of the second embodiment in the protective housing receptacle of the second embodiment in a first sectional view;

[0075] Fig. 12 shows the protective housing of the second embodiment in the protective housing receptacle of the second embodiment in a second sectional view;

[0076] Fig. 13 shows a sectional view of the perspective view of Fig. 10;

[0077] Fig. 14 shows the tool with the protective housing holder in a third embodiment;

[0078] Fig. 15 shows the protective housing receptacle of the third embodiment in a sectional view; Fig. 16 shows the protective housing of a third embodiment in a first view;

[0079] Fig. 17 shows the protective housing of the third embodiment in a second view;

[0080] Fig. 18 shows the protective housing of the third embodiment in the protective housing receptacle of the third embodiment;

[0081] Fig. 19 shows the protective housing of the third embodiment in the protective housing receptacle of the third embodiment in a sectional view;

[0082] Fig. 20 shows the protective housing of a fourth embodiment in a first view;

[0083] Fig. 21 shows the protective housing of the fourth embodiment in a second view;

[0084] Fig. 22 shows the protective housing of the fourth embodiment in a third view;

[0085] Fig. 23 shows the protective housing of the fourth embodiment in a sectional view; and

[0086] Fig. 24 shows the protective housing of a fifth embodiment and the protective housing receptacle of a fourth embodiment in a perspective view.

[0087] Description of the embodiments

[0088] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below based on the accompanying drawings. First Embodiment

[0089] Fig. 1 shows a tool 1 with a protective housing receptacle 3 in a first embodiment. The protective housing receptacle 3 is shown enlarged in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the protective housing receptacle 3 in a section along the line AA. The protective housing receptacle 3 forms an essentially cylindrical recess in the tool 1. A (negatively extruded) base surface of the protective housing receptacle 3 is pill-shaped with two parallel sections and two radius sections delimiting the parallel sections. However, other geometries are also conceivable, wherein the geometry of the protective housing receptacle 3 is coordinated with a geometry of the protective housing (see, for example, Fig. 4). An inner wall 5 of the protective housing receptacle 3 contains a groove 7. The groove 7 is formed in the parallel sections and the radius sections of the protective housing receptacle 3.In the first exemplary embodiment, the groove is formed as a substantially rectangular recess in the inner wall 5, which extends away from the protective housing receptacle 3 or a receiving space of the protective housing receptacle 3. In a central section of a longitudinal extension in the longitudinal direction X of the protective housing receptacle 3, the groove 7 is interrupted by a projection 9. In other words, the groove 7 is not formed in the central section. The groove 7 is formed / oriented parallel to a tool upper side 11. The groove 7 is arranged / formed substantially centrally in a height direction Z in the protective housing receptacle 3.

[0090] 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 a tool bottom 12. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the protective housing receptacle 3 is designed as a type of blind hole.

[0091] Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of a protective housing 13 according to the disclosure for a transponder in the form of a glass tag 15, which is received in a transponder receptacle 17. The protective housing 13 is essentially pill-shaped. The protective housing 13 includes a first housing half, which in the embodiment shown here is the upper housing half 19, and a second housing half, which in the embodiment shown here is the lower housing half 21. The transponder receptacle 17 is essentially formed in the lower housing half 21 and forms a cylindrical shape, in particular for receiving a glass tag. The upper housing half 19 includes six mutually independent locking lugs 23, which extend essentially at right angles from a cover section 25 of the upper housing half 19.Of the six independent locking lugs 23, three are formed on each side of a central axis in the longitudinal direction X of the upper housing half 19. The lower housing half 21 includes, on opposite side sections, relative to the central axis in the longitudinal direction X, a protective housing groove 27 which is provided and designed to receive the locking lugs 23 in a form-fitting manner. A groove projection 29 is formed in a central section of the protective housing groove 27. A longitudinal extent of the groove projection 29 in the longitudinal direction X essentially corresponds to a longitudinal extent of the middle of the three locking lugs 23 in the longitudinal direction X on the corresponding side of the protective housing 13. The outer locking lugs 23 in the longitudinal direction X of the upper housing half 19 include tool locking hooks 31 on an outer side, which are provided and designed to engage in the groove 7 of the tool 1 and to connect the protective housing 13 to the tool 1 in a form-fitting manner.The outside is considered to be the side which, in a mounted state, faces away from the glass tag 15 or the transponder receptacle 17.

[0092] Fig. 4 shows the disclosed protective housing 13 of the first embodiment in an assembled state in the protective housing receptacle 3 of the first embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a section along the line BB and Fig. 6 shows a section along the line CC. Due to the partial design of the groove 7 and the locking lugs 23 of the protective housing 13, the six locking lugs 23 are actuated independently of one another and fulfill different tasks / functions. The middle ones of the locking lugs 23 are pressed together by the projection 9 of the groove 7 in the assembled state and thus engage in the groove projection 29 (see CC or Fig. 6). The middle ones of the locking lugs 23 thus connect the upper housing half 19 to the lower housing half 21 in a form-fitting manner. The outer locking lugs 23 formed with tool locking hooks 31 are not compressed in the assembled state and create a positive connection with the groove 7 of the protective housing receptacle 3 (see BB in Fig. 5).The upper housing half 19 is therefore positively connected to the protective housing receptacle 3 via the outer sides of the locking lugs 23 and positively connected to the lower housing half 21 via the inner sides of the locking lugs 23.

[0093] The rectangular design of the groove 7 in the first embodiment creates an essentially permanent connection between the protective housing 13 and the tool 1. In this way, a high degree of security against accidental disassembly or even against tampering with the glass tag 15 can be created. In other words, the protective housing 13 can only be removed from the tool 1 by destructive means, for example, using a toggle press and special punches / dies. The high disassembly force generated during this process breaks the glass tag 15 and the protective housing 13 is severely deformed. A suitably designed punch-die pairing can ensure that the tool itself is not damaged and that the manufacturer can equip the tool 1 with a new glass tag 15.

[0094] In the following, an assembly and use process of the protective housing 13 according to the first embodiment is explained by way of example with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6.

[0095] In a first step, the glass tag 15 is inserted into the transponder receptacle 17 of the lower housing half 21 of the protective housing 13. Subsequently, the upper housing half 19 is placed onto the lower housing half 21, whereby the locking lugs 23 of the upper housing half 19 are brought into engagement with the protective housing groove 27 of the lower housing half 21. The locking lugs 23, which are spring-mounted on the upper housing half 19, are essentially released from tension. When the protective housing 13 is inserted into the protective housing receptacle 3, the locking lugs 23 are pressed through the inner wall 5 into the protective housing groove 27. The spring-mounted locking lugs 23 are thereby tensioned. When the protective housing 13 is arranged in a predetermined position in the protective housing receptacle 3, the tool locking hooks 31 of the outer locking lugs 23 are arranged in a plane with the groove 7 and the outer locking lugs 23 can relax.By releasing the outer locking lugs 23, the positive connection between the upper housing half 19 and the protective housing receptacle 3 is established. The projections 9 of the protective housing receptacle 3 prevent the inner locking lugs 23 from being released, which remain engaged with the protective housing groove 27.

[0096] Second embodiment

[0097] The second embodiment largely corresponds to the first embodiment, so a repeated description of identical components and features will be omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment will be explained in more detail below.

[0098] Fig. 7 shows the tool 1 with the protective housing receptacle 3 in a second embodiment. The protective housing receptacle 3 is shown enlarged in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 shows the protective housing receptacle 3 in a section along the line DD. In contrast to the first embodiment, the groove 7 in the second embodiment is not designed as a rectangular recess, but as a recess that tapers conically in a tool height direction Z toward the tool top side 11. In other words, in the second embodiment, the groove 7 is designed essentially without an undercut.

[0099] Fig. 9 shows the disclosed protective housing 13 in a second embodiment for the transponder in the form of the glass tag 15, which is accommodated in the transponder receptacle 17 of the protective housing 13, in a disassembled state. Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, no tool locking hooks 31 are formed on the outer sides of the locking lugs 23.

[0100] Fig. 10 shows the protective housing 13 according to the disclosure in the second embodiment in the mounted state in the protective housing receptacle 3 of the second embodiment. Fig. 11 shows a section along the line EE and Fig. 12 shows a section along the line FF. The sectional view along the line EE essentially corresponds to the sectional view along the line CC of the first embodiment. In other words, in the second embodiment too, the middle of the locking lugs 23 engage in the groove projection 29 of the lower housing half 21 and thus connect the upper housing half 19 to the lower housing half 21 in a form-fitting manner. Due to the design of the outer ends of the locking lugs 23 without the tool locking hooks 31, the outer ends of the locking lugs 23 lie in the conically shaped groove 7. Furthermore, the protective housing receptacle 3 of the second embodiment is designed with disassembly openings 33.

[0101] The functioning of the disassembly openings 33 is explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 13.

[0102] The disassembly openings 33 are bores formed in a plane with the groove 7 and connecting the groove 7 to the environment surrounding the tool 1. The disassembly openings 33 allow disassembly, in particular non-destructive disassembly, of the protective housing 13 from the protective housing receptacle 3. For this purpose, a special tool (not shown) is brought into contact with the locking lugs 23 through the disassembly openings 33. By applying a force to the special tool, the locking lugs 23 can be tensioned, whereby the locking lugs 23 are disengaged from the groove 7. The protective housing 13 can then be removed from the protective housing receptacle 3.

[0103] Such a design with disassembly openings 33 is particularly advantageous in combination with the conical groove 7 of the second embodiment. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the disassembly openings 33 can be formed in conjunction with the groove 7 of the first embodiment, which is designed as a rectangular recess.

[0104] Third Embodiment The third embodiment largely corresponds to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, so a repeated description of identical components and features will be omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be explained in more detail below.

[0105] Fig. 14 shows the tool 1 with the protective housing receptacle 3 in a third embodiment. The protective housing receptacle 3 is shown enlarged in Fig. 14. Fig. 15 shows the protective housing receptacle 3 in a section along the line GG.

[0106] The protective housing receptacle 3 of the third embodiment is designed without a groove 7. In contrast to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the protective housing receptacle 3 has a constriction / taper 35. In other words, a cross-sectional area of ​​the protective housing receptacle 3, starting from the tool top 11, decreases in the height direction Z to a minimum, wherein the minimum of the cross-sectional area is reached at the constriction 35, and then widens towards 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. The cross-sectional area of ​​the protective housing receptacle 3 changes in the embodiment shown here by only a few percent, by a maximum of ten percent, across the height direction Z.

[0107] Fig. 16 shows the protective housing 13 in the third embodiment in a disassembled state.

[0108] In the third embodiment, the locking lugs 23 are designed as locking circle geometries, which can be positively fixed by the grooves 7, which are designed as arms encompassing the locking lugs 23.

[0109] In the third embodiment shown here, the locking lugs 23 are formed on the lower housing half 21 and the grooves 7 in the upper housing half 19. Of course, this is also possible the other way around. In the third embodiment, the locking lugs 23 are rigid and the grooves 7 are elastic.

[0110] In an alternative modification of the third embodiment, the lower housing half 21 and the upper housing half 19 can be identically constructed. In other words, both the lower housing half 21 and the upper housing half 19 can include locking lugs 23 on one side of the transponder receptacle 17 and grooves 7 on the other side of the transponder receptacle 17, so that each of the locking lugs 23 meets / fits a groove 7. Such an assembled state is illustrated, for example, in Fig. 17. Each of the locking lugs 23 is positively secured by two arms, each of which forms a groove 7.

[0111] Fig. 18 shows the protective housing 13 according to the disclosure in the third embodiment in the mounted state in the protective housing receptacle 3 of the third embodiment and Fig. 19 shows a section through the mounted state from Fig. 18.

[0112] Both the upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 have a conical geometry. Specifically, the conical geometry of the protective housing 13 corresponds to the constriction 35 of the protective housing receptacle 3. In other words, the upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 contact each other flatly in a plane VE. In the assembled state, the plane VE lies in the same plane as the constriction 35. The conical taper / conical geometry of the protective housing 13 and the protective housing receptacle 3 creates a positive connection between the protective housing receptacle 3 and the protective housing 13. For this purpose, the upper housing half 19 is inserted into the protective housing receptacle 3 from the top side 11 of the tool, and the lower housing half 21 is inserted into the protective housing receptacle 3 from the bottom side 12 of the tool.The positive connection between the upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 occurs during the insertion process. Fourth embodiment.

[0113] The fourth embodiment is explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 20 to Fig. 23.

[0114] The fourth embodiment is essentially the same as the third embodiment, so a repeated description of identical components and features will be omitted. Only the differences between the fourth and third embodiments will be explained in more detail below.

[0115] 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 is / are formed with locking lugs 23 and grooves 7, wherein the grooves 7 are formed by material recesses in the upper housing half 19 and in the lower housing half 21, respectively. The housing halves 19; 21 themselves are formed from an elastic material so that they can be locked into one another during assembly. The upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 are designed such that at every position at which a locking lug 23 is formed on one side of the housing half 19; 21, a groove 7 is formed on the other side of the housing half 19; 21, and the locking lug 23 and the groove 7 alternate on the respective side of the housing half 19; 21. Fig. 20 shows the protective housing receptacle 3 of the fourth embodiment in a disassembled state in a mounting arrangement.Fig. 21 shows the protective housing receptacle 3 of the fourth embodiment in a state in which the upper housing half 19 is placed next to the lower housing half 21. Fig. 22 shows the protective housing receptacle 3 of the fourth embodiment in an assembled state, and Fig. 23 shows the protective housing receptacle 3 of the fourth embodiment in a sectioned state, or in a section HH from Fig. 22.

[0116] Such an embodiment, in which the upper housing half 19 corresponds to the lower housing half 21, is particularly inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble (Poka Yoke). Fifth embodiment

[0117] The fifth embodiment is essentially the same as the third embodiment, so a repeated description of identical components and features will be omitted. Only the differences between the fifth and third embodiments will be explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 24.

[0118] The upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 of the protective housing 13 of the fifth embodiment are designed without a groove 7 and locking lugs 23. The upper housing half 19 and the lower housing half 21 are connected to one another in the inserted state, for example, by permanent deformation (hot forming) or welding (ultrasonic welding). In the embodiment shown here, the upper housing half 19 is formed with two domes 37 that fit into corresponding recesses 39 in the lower housing half 21. The domes 37 and the recesses 39 are positively connected to one another in the assembled state by hot forming or ultrasonic welding.

[0119] Alternatively, the domes 37 can be glued to / into the recesses 39. Alternatively, the domes 37 can be pressed into the recesses 39. Alternatively, for example, a screw can be screwed into the dome 37, causing the dome 37 to expand and be fixed in the recess 39.

[0120] List of reference symbols

[0121] I Tool

[0122] 3 Protective housing holder

[0123] 5 Interior wall

[0124] 7 grooves

[0125] 9 lead

[0126] II Top of tool

[0127] 12 Tool bottom

[0128] 13 protective housing

[0129] 15 Glass Tag / Transponder

[0130] 17 Transponder recording

[0131] 19 upper housing half

[0132] 21 lower housing half

[0133] 23 locking lug

[0134] 25 lid section

[0135] 27 Protective housing groove

[0136] 29 Groove projection

[0137] 31 tool locking hooks

[0138] 33 Disassembly opening

[0139] 35 Constriction

[0140] 37 Cathedral

[0141] 39 recess

[0142] X Longitudinal direction

[0143] Z Altitude direction

[0144] VE level

Claims

Claims 1. Protective housing (13) for accommodating a transponder (15) which can be accommodated in a transponder receptacle (17) in a medical product (1), in particular in a medical instrument and / or medical product in a sterilization cycle, characterized in that the protective housing (13) contains a first housing half (19) and a second housing half (21) which 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) has at least one product locking geometry (31) via which the protective housing (13) can be integrated into the medical product (1) in a form-fitting manner.

2. Protective housing (13) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing half (19) is formed with locking lugs (23) which can be locked into recesses (27) formed in the second housing half (21).

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

4. Protective housing (13) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one product locking geometry (31) and the locking lugs (23) are formed on a spring element.

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

6. Protective housing (13) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first housing half (19) corresponds substantially to the second housing half (21).

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

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

9. System comprising a medical product (1), in particular a medical instrument and / or medical device in a sterilization cycle, with a protective housing receptacle (3) which is provided and designed to receive a protective housing (13) and a transponder (15) received in the protective housing (13), and the protective housing (13), in particular the protective housing (13) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the protective housing (13) is fixed / can be fixed in a form-fitting manner directly in the protective housing receptacle (3) of the medical product (1).

10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the protective housing receptacle (3) includes a receiving groove (7) for receiving product locking geometries (31) of the protective housing (13).

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

12. System according to 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 an upper side (11) to a lower side (12).

13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the protective housing receptacle (3) has a constriction (35) between the upper side (11) and the lower side (12).

14. Method for the positive connection of a transponder (15) to a medical product (1), characterized by the steps: - positioning the transponder (15) in a first housing half (19) of a protective housing (13); - inserting the first housing half (19) of the protective housing (13) into a protective housing receptacle (3) of the medical product (1) from a top side (11); - inserting a second housing half (21) of the protective housing (13) into the protective housing receptacle (3) of the medical product (1) from a bottom side (12); - positive connection of the first housing half (19) and the second housing half (21).

Images