Tray for receiving a plurality of medical hollow bodies

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tray for holding a plurality of medical hollow bodies.

[0002] US Patent 6,216,885 B1 discloses a tray for holding multiple syringes, made of a thermoformed plastic material and, in particular, deep-drawn. This tray has very low rigidity and is therefore difficult to handle. To facilitate handling, gripping prongs are provided at regular intervals, to which, for example, vacuum grippers can attach to hold the tray. The tray is designed for a specific syringe format and features fixed clamping elements to hold syringes of that particular format stably and securely. The tray is therefore not flexible enough to accommodate different syringe formats, and due to the clamping elements that securely fix the syringes, loading the tray with syringes or removing the syringes from the tray is cumbersome.

[0003] Trays are also known in which medical hollow bodies are loosely placed, which is particularly disadvantageous if the medical hollow bodies contain or are made of glass. This results in glass-to-glass contact, which can lead to damage, especially during transport. In particular, labels attached to the medical hollow bodies can also be damaged or their legibility impaired. EP0790063, US2016015457 and US2013062245 also describe trays for holding multiple medical hollow bodies according to the prior art.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a tray for receiving medical hollow bodies in which the aforementioned disadvantages are at least partially eliminated, and preferably in which the disadvantages are not present.

[0005] The problem is solved by providing the present technical teaching, in particular the teaching of the independent claims as well as the embodiments disclosed in the dependent claims and the description.

[0006] The problem is solved, in particular, by creating a tray for receiving multiple medical hollow bodies, which has a base plate. The base plate has a top and a bottom. A continuous wall is arranged along the outer edges of the tray on the top. The base plate and the wall define a receiving volume for receiving the medical hollow bodies. The tray has a finite length along a longitudinal direction and a finite width along a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The tray has at least one retaining structure for holding the medical hollow bodies. The retaining structure, in turn, has a first retaining wall that extends longitudinally from a first lateral section of the wall to an opposite second lateral section of the wall. Spaced-apart perforations are formed in the first retaining wall.The support structure also features a second support wall, spaced from the first support wall by a first width gap and extending parallel to the first support wall from the first width section to the second width section. The second support wall has spaced-apart second openings. Each of the second openings is aligned with its corresponding first opening. In particular, the second openings and the first openings are paired, with the paired first and second openings being aligned. The support structure also features a series of spacer elements, spaced from the support walls by a second width gap and extending parallel to them. These spacer elements are separated from each other, forming multiple gaps.The spacers are arranged offset from the openings such that each spacer aligns with one of the first and one of the second openings. Each pair of first and second openings is thus assigned a space, with the corresponding space aligning with the respective first and second openings of the corresponding pair of first and second openings. Each spacer, its associated first opening, and the associated second opening define a holding position for a medical hollow object, extending in the width direction of the shell. The first width distance is smaller than the second width distance.

[0007] Due to its geometric structure, with a base plate and surrounding walls that together define the holding volume, the tray exhibits high rigidity and is therefore both easy and stable to handle. In particular, no separate gripping prongs are required, thus saving the volume otherwise needed for such prongs and allowing it to be used for holding medical instruments. The holding structure, with its various gripping positions created by the openings and gaps, is highly flexible and can be used with a wide variety of medical instrument sizes, especially syringes – regardless of whether a finger rest, plunger rod, and / or injection needle are already attached.At the same time, the holding structure dispenses with fixed clamping elements, allowing the medical hollow bodies to be inserted into and removed from the tray easily and quickly, either manually or mechanically – especially using robots. The tray thus facilitates easy loading and unloading of medical hollow bodies. The holding positions also provide a clear insertion pattern for the further processing of the medical hollow bodies. Furthermore, the holding positions define clearly spaced areas for the individual medical hollow bodies, thus preventing glass-to-glass contact. This also eliminates the risk of damage to the medical hollow bodies and / or any labels attached to them. In particular, the legibility of the labels is not impaired when using the tray proposed here.

[0008] In particular, the exact number of medical containers placed in the tray proposed here can be accurately tracked. A wide variety of formats and variations of medical containers can be accommodated with a single tray. Specifically, the tray proposed here can be used to separate various syringe formats, with and without plunger rods and / or finger rests. The precise fit provided by the retaining positions prevents the medical containers from shifting during transport.

[0009] The base plate is preferably flat and level. In particular, the base plate is free of protrusions and / or deformations.

[0010] In particular, the shell is not deep-drawn.

[0011] Preferably, the trays are manufactured by injection molding. Due to the robustness of the injection-molded material, the tray is reusable multiple times, especially more frequently than thermoformed material. In particular, the tray can be used as a circulating material.

[0012] The arrangement of the retaining walls on the one hand and the spacer elements forming the free spaces on the other hand prevents incorrect insertion of the medical hollow bodies.

[0013] The wall preferably extends at a 90° angle to the base plate. In particular, the wall extends vertically from the base plate. This vertical direction is perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0014] The longitudinal direction is preferably the direction of the shell's longest extent. The lateral direction preferably corresponds to a direction in which the shell extends over a width that is shorter than its length along the longitudinal direction. The vertical direction is, in particular, a direction that, when the shell is arranged as intended, extends vertically, i.e., in the geodetic vertical direction. In contrast, the longitudinal and lateral directions extend in a plane to which the vertical direction, which, when the shell is arranged as intended, corresponds to the vertical in space, is perpendicular.

[0015] The wall extends vertically, preferably to at least the upper edge of the largest medical hollow body that can be inserted into the receiving volume, when this body is inserted into the receiving volume. Preferably, the wall extends to above the upper edge of the largest hollow body that can be inserted into the receiving volume, when this body is inserted into the receiving volume.

[0016] The retaining walls are preferably the same height as the wall in the vertical direction, thus extending in particular from the base plate in the vertical direction to an upper edge of the wall.

[0017] The openings are preferably open at the top, i.e., they have an open end facing away from the base plate.

[0018] The bowl is particularly compatible with the following tip sizes: 1 ml, 8.15 mm diameter, both with and without a plunger / finger rest, with a glass body length of 81.2 mm with Vetter RNS (Rigid Needle Shield) and 73.9 mm with Vetter OVS; 1.5 ml, 10.85 mm diameter, both with and without a plunger / finger rest, with a glass body length of 73.3 mm with RNS and 63.5 mm with Vetter OVS; 2.25 mm, 10.85 mm diameter, both with and without a plunger / finger rest, with a glass body length of 82.8 mm with Vetter RNS and 75 mm with Vetter OVS. Vetter OVS, Vetter TipCap, Vetter NS (Needle Shield), and Vetter RNS can be used as closures.

[0019] The longitudinal length of the bowl is preferably from at least 300 mm to at most 400 mm, preferably from at least 325 mm to at most 375 mm, preferably 350 mm.

[0020] The width of the bowl, measured in the lateral direction, is preferably at least 200 mm to at most 300 mm, preferably at least 225 mm to at most 295 mm, preferably at least 250 mm to at most 280 mm, preferably at least 265 mm to at most 275 mm, preferably 270 mm.

[0021] The tray is preferably designed as a tray insert for placement in a larger transport tray, and multiple trays can be placed in the transport tray. The dimensions of the tray, particularly its length and width, are preferably such that two trays can be placed side by side in the transport tray. The height of the tray is particularly such that multiple trays, especially more than two, preferably four or more, can be stacked one above the other in such a transport tray.

[0022] The height of the bowl, measured vertically from the bottom edge of the base plate to the top edge of the wall, is at least 15 mm to at most 30 mm, preferably at least 17.5 mm to at most 25 mm, preferably at least 20 mm to at most 23 mm, and preferably 22 mm. If the bowl also has feet, its height, including the feet, is preferably at least 23 mm to at most 30 mm, preferably at least 24 mm to at most 28 mm, and preferably 26 mm.

[0023] The first width spacing is preferably at least 6 mm to at most 12 mm, preferably 9 mm. The second width spacing is preferably at least 26 mm to at most 30 mm, preferably 28 mm. The third width spacing is preferably at least 36 mm to at most 42 mm, preferably 39 mm. Each individual clearance preferably has a longitudinal dimension (i.e., clear width) of at least 6 mm to at most 12 mm, preferably 9 mm. Preferably, all clearances are identical.

[0024] According to a further development of the invention, the tray, as the at least one holding structure, comprises two holding structures arranged side by side in the width direction and separated from each other by a partition extending longitudinally from the first width section to the second width section. The tray thus has a total of two holding structures, with two holding positions arranged side by side in the width direction. The tray can therefore accommodate two rows of hollow medical bodies side by side in the width direction, meaning that the hollow bodies of the two rows are arranged in pairs, one behind the other, in the tray when viewed longitudinally. In this way, the tray can very functionally accommodate a large number of hollow medical bodies in an organized manner.

[0025] The partition wall preferably extends vertically to the top edge of the wall, and is therefore the same height as the wall.

[0026] According to a further development of the invention, the first retaining wall of the at least one retaining structure is spaced apart from an end wall, which is selected from a longitudinal section of the wall and the partition, by a third lateral distance. This preferably applies to both retaining structures of the shell if the shell has two retaining structures. In one of the two retaining structures, the end wall is the longitudinal section of the wall; in the other of the two retaining structures, the end wall is the partition that separates the two retaining structures from each other. Advantageously, a piston rod of a medical hollow body can be accommodated in a region arranged between the first retaining wall and the end wall, if the medical hollow body has such a piston rod.

[0027] According to a further development of the invention, the width sections of the wall each have a recess between the second retaining wall and the row of spacer elements. This recess advantageously allows for easy insertion with a gripper or even manually with the hand, for example with a finger, in order to safely and easily insert and remove even medical hollow bodies located at the edge of the tray.

[0028] The recesses are preferably open at the top, meaning they have an open end facing away from the base plate.

[0029] According to a further development of the invention, the base plate has a raised section in the area of ​​the row of spacers. In particular, the base plate in the area of ​​the spacers can have a shape that deviates from the plane and, in particular, a bulge extending upwards. The spacers are arranged on the raised section. In the area of ​​the open spaces, the raised section provides a support area for the medical hollow bodies, set apart from the rest of the base surface of the tray, so that these do not rest on the base surface, particularly in the area between the second retaining wall and the row of spacers. The hollow bodies can then be grasped, and especially gripped, particularly easily in this area. The raised section also structurally stiffens the tray, giving it particularly high stability.On the underside of the base plate, the raised section on the upper side forms a recess, which in turn allows for particularly easy gripping and handling of the tray itself, whether manually or mechanically. In particular, the raised section on the upper side forms a gripping groove on the underside, which makes it especially easy to remove the tray from a transport container.

[0030] According to a further development of the invention, the spacer elements are elongated when viewed from above. This represents a particularly simple and easy-to-manufacture design of the spacer elements.

[0031] Alternatively, it is preferred that the spacers are cross-shaped when viewed from above. In addition to spacing the medical hollow bodies, the spacers thus fulfill an additional function by contributing to the stiffening and therefore the stability of the shell due to their cross-shaped structure. This structural reinforcement, in particular, allows for the high stacking of numerous shells.

[0032] According to a further development of the invention, the base plate has foot elements on its underside. In a preferred embodiment, the bowl can have four foot elements on the underside of the base plate, in particular one foot element at each corner. The foot elements project downwards from the underside geodesically. They thus form support elements on which the bowl can stand, with the underside of the base plate then being spaced apart from a support plane on which the bowl rests.

[0033] Preferably, the foot elements are arranged offset inwards from the outer edges of the base plate by at least one wall thickness. Particularly preferably, they are arranged offset inwards by exactly one wall thickness. This, in particular, allows for the stable stacking of multiple trays on top of each other, with the foot elements of each upper tray engaging in the receiving volume of the tray below and preferably bearing firmly against the inner wall. This particularly precise fit of the foot elements effectively prevents the stacked trays from slipping relative to one another.

[0034] According to a further development of the invention, the shell is designed in one piece and made of a single material; in this way, the shell can be manufactured particularly easily and cost-effectively, especially by injection molding.

[0035] The tray is preferably made in one piece from a single material, preferably a plastic. This allows for particularly simple and cost-effective manufacturing, especially by injection molding. The plastic is preferably selected from the group consisting of: an autoclavable plastic, a dishwasher-safe plastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), polycarbonate, and polypropylene. These plastics, in particular, allow for easy cleaning of the tray, especially using a dishwasher, and the tray is preferably also autoclavable. This, in particular, enables reuse of the tray, especially in a closed-loop system.

[0036] The invention also includes the inventive shell or a shell according to one of the previously described embodiments in combination with a medical hollow body, in particular one of the medical hollow bodies described above, with which the shell can preferably be used. The medical hollow body has a cylindrical section and a flanged section. When the medical hollow body is arranged in the shell, the flanged section is positioned between the first retaining wall and the second retaining wall. The flanged section preferably engages behind a second opening associated with the medical hollow body. The cylindrical section extends in the width direction of the shell through the second opening and into the free space associated with the second opening that is associated with the medical hollow body.In this way, the medical hollow body is held securely and stably in the tray. In particular, it cannot slip within the tray or come into contact with other medical hollow bodies contained within the tray. This specifically prevents glass-to-glass contact between the medical hollow bodies arranged in the tray.

[0037] The flange of the medical hollow body can, in particular, be a finger rest or a backstop. The medical hollow body is arranged with play, at least in the free space and, optionally, at least in the second opening, depending on its outer diameter. The dimensions of the shell are preferably adapted to the largest medical hollow body to be arranged in the shell such that it can be positioned in the holding position without tight clamping, preferably with minimal play. If the medical hollow body is designed as a syringe, an injection end of the syringe is preferably arranged between the row of spacers and a rear end wall, the rear end wall being selected from a longitudinal section of the wall and the partition, depending on which holding structure the row of spacers is associated with.The partition wall is therefore, in particular, the rear front wall for a first holding structure of the two holding structures, and the front front wall for a second holding structure of the two holding structures.

[0038] According to a further development of the invention, a piston rod of the medical hollow body extends through the first opening towards the end wall. Thus, the third width gap is available, in particular, for arranging the piston rod.

[0039] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a bowl; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the bowl along the line shown. Figure 1 line AA shown, and Figure 3 shows a plurality of stacked bowls according to a second embodiment in combination with medical hollow bodies.

[0040] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a representation of a first embodiment of a tray 1 designed to hold a plurality of medical hollow bodies. The tray 1 has a base plate 3 with a top surface 5 and a bottom surface 7. A circumferential wall 11 is arranged on the top surface 5 along the outer edges 9 of the tray 1. The base plate 3 and the wall 11 define a receiving volume 13 for holding the medical hollow bodies. The tray 1 has a finite length along a longitudinal direction L and a finite width along a lateral direction B perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The tray 1 also has a retaining structure 15 for holding the medical hollow bodies.

[0041] In particular, shell 1 here has a first retaining structure 15 and a second retaining structure 15°. The two retaining structures 15, 15' are identical, so only the design of the first retaining structure 15 will be discussed in detail below. The corresponding elements of the second retaining structure 15' are shown with crossed-out reference symbols.

[0042] The retaining structure 15 has a first retaining wall 17, which extends longitudinally L from a first width section 21 of the wall 11 to an opposite second width section 23 of the wall 11. First openings 25 are formed in the first retaining wall 17 and are spaced apart from one another. The retaining structure 17 also has a second retaining wall 19, which is spaced apart from the first retaining wall 17 by a first width gap ΔB1. The second retaining wall 19 extends parallel to the first retaining wall 17 from the first width section 21 to the second width section 23. Second openings 27 are formed in the second retaining wall 19 and are spaced apart from one another. Each of the second openings 27 is aligned with its corresponding first opening 25.The retaining structure 15 also has a row 29 of spacer elements 33 spaced from the retaining walls 17, 19 by a second lateral spacing ΔB2, wherein the row 29 extends parallel to the retaining walls 17, 19, and wherein the spacer elements 33 are spaced apart from one another to form a plurality of clearances 31. The spacer elements 33 are arranged offset from the openings 25, 27 such that each of the clearances 31 is aligned with one of the first openings 25 and one of the second openings 27. In this way, a retaining position 35 for a medical hollow body is defined by each of the clearances 31, its associated first opening 25, and its associated second opening 27, the retaining position 35 extending in the lateral direction B.

[0043] The first width distance ΔB1 is smaller than the second width distance ΔB2.

[0044] The first support structure 15 and the second support structure 15' are arranged side by side in the lateral direction B and are separated from each other by a partition wall 37 extending in the longitudinal direction L from the first lateral section 21 to the second lateral section 23.

[0045] The first retaining wall 17 is spaced from an end wall 39 by a third width distance ΔB3. In this case, the end wall 39 is a longitudinal section 41 of the wall 11. The first retaining wall 17' of the second retaining structure 15' is also spaced from another end wall 39' by the third width distance ΔB3. In this case, the other end wall 39' is the partition wall 37.

[0046] The width sections 21, 23 of the wall 11 each have a recess 43 between the second retaining wall 19 and the row 29 of spacer elements 33.

[0047] The base plate 3 has a protrusion 45 in the area of ​​row 29 of spacer elements 33. The spacer elements 33 are arranged on the protrusion 45.

[0048] At the in Figure 1 In the first embodiment shown, the spacer elements 33 are cross-shaped in plan view.

[0049] The base plate 3 has 7 foot elements 47 on its underside, which project from the underside 7. The foot elements 47 are preferably arranged offset inwards from the outer edges 9 of the base plate 3 by at least one wall thickness of the wall 11, preferably by the wall thickness.

[0050] The shell 1 is in particular formed in one piece and of a single material, preferably a plastic. The plastic is preferably selected from the group consisting of: an autoclavable plastic, a machine-washable plastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, and polypropylene.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of shell 1 according to the first embodiment along the in Figure 1 line AA is shown. In this case, Figure 2 In particular, the first width spacing ΔB1, the second width spacing ΔB2, and the third width spacing ΔB3 are shown. Furthermore, in Figure 2 It is shown that the height of shell 1 measured in the vertical direction, including the foot elements, is 47 26 mm, with the height minus the foot elements being 47 22 mm.

[0052] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows a representation of a plurality of stacked trays 1 according to a second embodiment in combination with a plurality of medical hollow bodies 49. Identical and functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference numerals, so reference is made to the preceding description. For the sake of clarity, however, only one of the hollow bodies 49 is designated with the corresponding reference numeral as well as with further reference numerals relating to the hollow body 49.

[0053] In particular, the foot elements 47 enable the stable stacking of the majority of trays 1 on top of each other without the risk of the individual trays 1 slipping relative to one another. For this purpose, the foot elements 47 of the uppermost trays 1 engage in the receiving volumes 13 of the trays 1 below them and preferably rest against the inner surface of the respective walls 11.

[0054] In this second embodiment of the shell 1, the spacer elements 33, 33' are elongated when viewed from above.

[0055] The medical hollow bodies 49 are specifically designed as syringes. Only one of the medical hollow bodies 49 will be described in more detail below. The medical hollow bodies 49 are preferably identical or at least similarly designed. The medical hollow body 49 considered here has a cylindrical section 51 and a flanged section 53, the flanged section 53 being arranged between the first retaining wall 17 and the second retaining wall 19. It engages behind a second opening 27 associated with the medical hollow body 49. The cylindrical section 51 extends in the width direction B of the shell 1 through the second opening 27 and into the free space 31 associated with the second opening 27, which in turn is associated with the medical hollow body 49.

[0056] A piston rod 55 of the medical hollow body 49 extends through the first opening 25 towards the front wall 39.

[0057] The flange area 53 is preferably designed as a finger rest or as a backstop.

[0058] Contrary to the representation chosen here, medical hollow bodies 49 can also be included in the tray 1 which are not yet mounted, i.e., in particular, do not yet have a flange area 53 and / or a piston rod 55.

Claims

1. Tray (1) for holding a plurality of medical hollow bodies (49), comprising - a bottom plate (3) having a top side (5) and a bottom side (7), wherein - an all-around wall (11) is disposed along outer edges (9) of the tray (1) on the top side (5), wherein - the bottom plate (3) and the wall (11) delimit a receiving volume (13) for receiving the medical hollow bodies (49), wherein - the tray (1) has a finite length along a longitudinal direction (L) and a finite width along a width direction (B) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), wherein - the tray (1) comprises at least one holding structure (15) for holding medical hollow bodies (49), wherein the at least one holding structure (15) comprises: ∘ a first holding wall (17) extending from a first width portion (21) of the wall (11) to an opposite second width portion (23) of the wall (11) in the longitudinal direction (L), spaced first breakthroughs (25) being formed in the first holding wall (17), ∘ a second holding wall (19) spaced from said first holding wall (17) by a first width distance (ΔB1) and extending parallel to said first holding wall (17) from said first width portion (21) to said second width portion (23), said second holding wall (19) having formed therein spaced second breakthroughs (27), each of said second breakthroughs (27) being aligned with an associated one of said first breakthroughs (25), and ∘ a row (29) of distance elements (33) spaced from the first holding walls (17,19) by a second width distance (ΔB2) and extending parallel to the first holding walls (17,19) to form a plurality of spaces (31), the distance elements (33) being arranged offset from the first breakthroughs (25,27) such that each of the spaces (31) is aligned with a respective one of the first and second breakthroughs (25,27) so that ∘ a holding position (35) for a medical hollow body (49) is defined by a respective one of said spaces (31), an associated first breakthrough (25) and an associated second breakthrough (27), said holding position (35) extending in the width direction (B), and wherein ∘ the first width distance (ΔB1) is smaller than the second width distance (ΔB2).

2. Tray (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tray (1) comprises as the at least one holding structure (15) two holding structures (15,15') arranged side by side in the width direction (B) and separated from each other by a separating wall (37) extending in longitudinal direction (L) from the first width portion (21) to the second width portion (23).

3. Tray (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first holding wall (17) of the at least one holding structure (15) is spaced from an end wall (39) selected from a longitudinal portion (41) of the wall (11) and the separating wall (37) by a third width distance (ΔB3).

4. Tray (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the width portions (21,23) of the wall (11) each comprise a recess (43) between the second holding wall (19) and the row (29) of distance elements (33).

5. Tray (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom plate (3) has an elevation (45) in the region of the row (29) of distance elements (33), wherein the distance elements (33) are arranged on the elevation (45).

6. Tray (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance elements (33) are elongated or cross-shaped in top view.

7. Tray (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom plate (3) has foot elements (47) on the bottom side (7), which protrude from the bottom side (7) and are preferably arranged offset inwards from the outer edges (9) of the bottom plate (3) by at least one wall thickness of the wall (11), preferably by the wall thickness.

8. Tray (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray (1) is formed in one piece and of uniform material, preferably of a plastic, wherein the plastic is preferably selected from a group consisting of: An autoclavable plastic, a machine rinsable plastic, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-copolymer, polycarbonate, and polypropylene.

9. Tray (1) according to one of the preceding claims in combination with a medical hollow body (49), wherein the medical hollow body (49) comprises a cylinder portion (51) and a flange area (53), wherein the flange area (53) is arranged between the first holding wall (17) and the second holding wall (19) and preferably engages behind a second breakthrough (27) of the second breakthroughs (27) associated with the medical hollow body (49), wherein the cylinder portion (51) extends in the width direction (B) of the tray (1) through the second breakthrough (27) and into the spaces (31) associated with the second breakthrough (27) associated with the medical hollow bodies (49).

10. Tray (1) according to claim 9 in combination with the medical hollow bodies (49), wherein a piston rod (55) of the medical hollow bodies (49) extends through the first breakthrough (25) towards the end wall (39).