Surgical instrument management systems and methods

Abstract

Surgical instrument management systems and methods using one or both of a surgical instrument catcher and a surgical device holder. In one example the surgical instrument catcher may include a flexible elongated drape and a frame configured to support the drape in a trough shape adjacent to an operating table. The frame is resilient such that its outboard side is biased away from the inboard side adjacent the operating table. In one example the surgical device holder includes a base configured to be adhered to a surgical drape; and several device holders configured to receive surgical devices in a removable fashion.

Description

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 594,290, filed October 30, 2023 for Surgical Instrument Management Systems and Methods, the contents of which is incorporated herein by this reference as if fully set forth herein.RELATED FIELDS

[0002] Surgical instrument management systems and methods, such as systems and methods for catching instruments from falling off an operating table.BACKGROUND

[0003] Surgical instruments and devices are often placed on a surgical drape covering a patient's body during an operation. Dropped instruments and devices is a common problem, resulting in increased operating time, which translates into increased operating expenses and other complications. The currently available options for addressing this issue leave room for improvement. One option is a foam drape with embedded magnets. One drawback to this option is that the magnets may interfere with patient implant devices. Another option is a Mayo stand for keeping supplies near the patient. Drawbacks to this option include that the Mayo stand is separate from the operating table, and that it must remain sterile. It does not provide a surgeon interface. Instrument pouches have been formed from drapes to create pockets for holding instruments, but these are not effective at catching falling instruments.SUMMARY

[0004] This patent describes improved surgical instrument management systems and methods, including one or both of a surgical instrument catcher and a surgical device holder.

[0005] In one example a surgical instrument management system includes a surgical instrument catcher, the surgical instrument catcher has: (a) a flexible elongated drape with an inboard side and an outboard side; (b) a frame configured to support the drape in a trough shape adjacent to an operating table, the frame having an elongated support configured to support the outboard side of the drape, the resilient frame further having at least two bent spring arms extending inwardly from the elongated support and configured to resiliently bias the outboard side of the drape away from the inboard side of the drape.

[0006] In some implementations the bent spring arms each have a downwardly extending segment and an upwardly extending segment.

[0007] In some implementations the trough shape has a trough bottom, and the downwardly extending segments of the bent spring arms extend downwardly towards the trough bottom, with the upwardly extending segments extending upwardly away from the trough bottom.

[0008] In some implementations the frame is configured to mount to the operating table or to a surgical drape on the operating table at the downwardly extending segments.

[0009] In some implementations the downwardly extending segments are connected by an inboard segment.

[0010] In some implementations the inboard segment is configured to mount to the operating table or to a surgical drape on the operating table.

[0011] In some implementations the frame is configured such that the elongated support is positioned above the inboard segment when the frame is mounted to the operating table.

[0012] In some implementations the upwardly extending segments connect to the elongated support.

[0013] In some implementations the downwardly extending segments connect to an inboard segment configured to mount to the operating table.

[0014] In some implementations the upwardly extending segments are longer than the downwardly extending segments.

[0015] In some implementations the surgical instrument management system also includes a surgical device holder that includes: (i) a base configured to be adhered to a surgical drape; and (ii) a plurality of device holders configured to receive a plurality of surgical devices in a removable fashion.

[0016] In some implementations the surgical device holder is flexible.

[0017] In some implementations the base and device holders are a foam material.

[0018] In some implementations the base has an adhesion surface that is at least partially covered by an adhesive.

[0019] In some implementations the device holders are a row of recesses formed in the base.

[0020] In some implementations each recess includes an opening, a pincer, and a holding channel in which the opening and holding channel are wider than the pincer.

[0021] In some implementations the opening tapers towards the pincer and the holding channel tapers towards the pincer.

[0022] In another example a surgical instrument management method includes (a) securing a surgical instrument catcher along a side of an operating table to be positioned in between one or more operating room personnel and the operating table during an operation; (b) the surgical instrument catcher includes: (i) a flexible elongated drape comprising an inboard side and an outboard side; and (ii) a frame configured to support the drape in a trough shape adjacent to the operating table, the frame having an elongated support configured to support the outboardside of the flexible elongated drape, the resilient frame further including at least two bent spring arms extending inwardly from the elongated support and configured to resiliently bias the outboard side of the drape away from the inboard side of the drape. The surgical instrument catcher is configured for the outboard side of the flexible elongated drape and the elongated support to translate towards the operating table in response to contact by an operating personnel towards the operating table. The surgical instrument catcher is configured for the outboard side of the drape and the elongated support to translate away from the operating table in response to the operating personnel moving out of contact with the surgical instrument catcher away from the operating table. The surgical instrument catcher is configured to catch surgical instruments falling from the operating table.

[0023] In some implementations the surgical instrument catcher is secured along the side of the operating table such that the outboard side of the flexible elongated drape is positioned higher than the inboard side of the flexible elongated drape.

[0024] In some implementations the method also includes adhering a surgical device holder to a surgical drape, the surgical device holder having: (i) a base; and (ii) device holders configured to receive a plurality of surgical devices in a removable fashion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of a surgical instrument management system.

[0026] FIGS. 2-4 illustrates an outboard side of a surgical instrument catcher of the example of FIG. 1 translating towards an operating table in response to contact by an operating personnel and translating away from the operating table in response to the operating personnel moving out of contact with the surgical instrument catcher away from the operating table.

[0027] FIGS. 5-6 illustrates an example of a frame of a surgical instrument catcher.

[0028] FIG. 7 shows another example of a surgical instrument catcher secured to an operating table.

[0029] FIG. 8 shows an example of a surgical device holder of a surgical instrument management system.

[0030] FIGS. 9-10 shows another example of a surgical device holder of a surgical instrument management system.

[0031] FIG. 11 shows another example of a surgical instrument management system.

[0032] FIGS. 12-13 show another example of a surgical instrument catcher, including its frame and drape components.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an example of a surgical instrument management system including a surgical instrument catcher 100 and a surgical device holder 200. In the example of FIG. 1 the surgical instrument catcher 100 and the surgical device holder 200 are both mounted to a surgical drape 10 covering a patient 12 on an operating table 14. The surgical instrument catcher 100 is adhered to the surgical drape 10 by adhesive tape 16. The surgical device holder 200 has an adhesive back allowing it to be directly adhered to the surgical drape 10. In other implementations the surgical instrument catcher 100 and surgical device holder 200 may be secured relative to the surgical drape 10 and / or operating table 14 in other fashions. For example, an adhesive-backed sterile surgical drape (such as an loban surgical drape available from 3M) could be placed on top of the surgical instrument catcher to hold it in place, such as shown in FIG. 11.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 11, the surgical instrument catchers 100 and surgical device holders 200 can be used to efficiently and effectively handle the many instruments involved in a surgical operation. The terms "surgical instrument" and "surgical device" are used broadly in thispatent to refer to a wide variety of instruments and devices usable during a surgical procedure, including manual instruments such as scalpels, forceps, hemostats, and other hand instruments as well as powered instruments and devices such as endoscopes, insufflators, electro-surgical instruments, and the various wires and tubes that are part of those powered instruments.Surgical Instrument Catcher

[0035] The surgical instrument catcher 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a flexible elongated drape 102 and a frame 104. The flexible elongated drape 102 includes an inboard side 106 and an outboard side 108. The flexible elongated drape 102 may be a standard plastic or similar material surgical drape that is cut down to fit relative to the frame 104. As shown in FIG. 11 the flexible elongated drape 102 may be of a size to extend along a portion of an operating table, adjacent to an area where there may be a risk of surgical instruments falling from the surgical area or otherwise in an area in which it would be convenient to store instruments.

[0036] In these examples the frame 104 is configured to support the drape in a trough shape adjacent to the operating table 14. FIGS. 5-6 show views of an example frame 104. In this example the frame 104 is a continuous loop of bent metal wire. In other implementations the frame 104 may be made of other resilient materials. The frame 104 includes an elongated support 110, bent spring arms 112, and inboard segment 114. The elongated support 110 is configured to support the outboard side of drape 108.

[0037] The bent spring arms 112 extend inwardly from the elongated support 110 and resiliently bias the outboard side of the drape 108 away from the inboard side of the drape 106. Each of the bent spring arms 112 include a downwardly extending segment 116 and an upwardly extending segment 118. The upwardly extending segments 118 connect to the elongated support 110. The downwardly extending segments 116 connect to the inboard segment 114.

[0038] When the flexible elongated drape 102 and frame 104 are assembled, the downwardly extending segments 116 extend downwards towards the bottom of the trough defined by the drape 102 and the upwardly extending segments 118 extend upwards away from the trough bottom. A curved segment 120 joins each of the downwardly and upwardly extending segments 116, 118 and the spring arms 112 act as springs in the sense that the upwardly extending segments 118 can be forced to bend towards the downwardly extending segments 116 and when released will resiliently spring back to their original or close to original position. In addition to allowing movement of the outboard side of drape 108 inwardly and outwardly, the shape and configuration of the bent spring arms 112 may help to support the flexible elongated drape 102 even when it catches relatively heavy instruments that have fallen of the surgical drape 10 or have otherwise been dropped.

[0039] In this example the frame 104 is configured to mount to an operating table 14 at the downwardly extending segments 116 of spring arms 112. More particularly the frame 104 is configured to mount to the operating table 14 at the inboard segment 114 connecting the two spring arms 112 at the downwardly extending segments 116. The inboard segment 114 may be mounted directly to the operating table (e.g. by sliding it between the mattress and base panel of an operating table) or, as discussed above, may be mounted to a surgical drape 10 on the operating table 14. Adhesive tape or other securements may be used to secure the surgical instrument catcher and may be applied to the frame 104 and / or to the flexible elongated drape 102.

[0040] In the examples illustrated in the figures, the frame 104 of the surgical instrument catcher 100 is configured such that the elongated support 110 is positioned above the inboard segment 114 when the frame 104 is mounted to the operating table 14 (either mounted directly to the operating table 14 or mounted to the surgical drape 10 on the operating table 14). In theseexamples the elongated support 110 is above the inboard segment 114 because the upwardly extending segments 118 are longer than the downwardly extending segments 116. In other implementations, other frame configurations may allow for the elongated support 110 to be above the inboard segment 114. In some implementations, positioning the elongated support 110 above the inboard segment 114 configures the outboard side of the drape 108 to act as a "backboard" against surgical instruments falling off of the operating table so that they are directed back into the trough defined by the drape 102.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 2-4 the surgical instrument catcher 100 described above can be secured along a side of an operating table 14 to be positioned between operating room personnel 18 and the operating table 14 during an operation.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the surgical instrument catcher 100 is configured for the outboard side of the drape 108 to translate towards the operating table 14 in response to contact by operating personnel 18 towards the operating table 14. In this particular example the bent spring arms 112 and other portions of frame 104 flex inwardly in response to contact by operating personnel 18 allowing translation of the outboard side of the drape 108 inwardly.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the surgical instrument catcher 100 is configured for the outboard side of the drape 108 and the elongated support 110 to translate away from the operating table 14 in response to the operating personnel 18 moving out of contact with the surgical instrument catcher 100 away from the operating table 14.

[0044] In this way, the surgical instrument catcher 100 is positioned to catch surgical instruments falling from the operating table 14 while still allowing operating personnel 18 to move close to the operating table 14.Surgical Device Holder

[0045] FIGS. 8-10 show examples of surgical device holders 200. The surgical device holders 200 shown in these figures include a base 202 configured to be adhered to a surgical drape 10 and a series of device holders 204 configured to receive surgical devices in a removable fashion.

[0046] In some implementations the surgical device holder 200 may be flexible. In some implementations the base 202 and device holders 204 may be a foam or other type of material that is flexible but also resilient.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8 the base 202 may include an adhesion surface 206 that is at least partially covered by an adhesive 208, allowing the surgical device holder 200 to be adhered to a surgical drape 10.

[0048] As also shown in FIG. 8 the device holders 204 may be a row of recesses formed in the base 202, with each recess including an opening 210, a pincer 212, and a holding channel 214. In this example the opening 210 and the holding channel 214 are wider than the pincer 212, with the opening 210 tapering towards the pincer 212 and the holding channel 214 also tapering towards the pincer 212. This configuration may facilitate easy insertion and removal of instruments or devices into the surgical device holder 200 while still guarding against unintentional dislodgement of them. Additionally, the openings 210 may be relatively large compared to the devices and instruments it holds, such that (for example) tubing and wiring held in the openings 210 may be slid and repositioned relatively easily.Conclusion

[0049] The above description is provided by way of example only. Additions, deletions, modifications, substitutions, and other changes may be made to the example systems and methods described above without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed inventions.

Claims

Claims:

1. A surgical instrument management system comprising: a surgical instrument catcher, the surgical instrument catcher comprising:(a) a flexible elongated drape comprising an inboard side and an outboard side;(b) a frame configured to support the drape in a trough shape adjacent to an operating table, the frame comprising an elongated support configured to support the outboard side of the drape, the resilient frame further comprising at least two bent spring arms extending inwardly from the elongated support and configured to resiliently bias the outboard side of the drape away from the inboard side of the drape.

2. The surgical instrument management system of claim 1 wherein the bent spring arms each comprise a downwardly extending segment and an upwardly extending segment.

3. The surgical instrument management system of claim 2 wherein the trough shape comprises a trough bottom, wherein the downwardly extending segments of the bent spring arms extend downwardly towards the trough bottom, wherein the upwardly extending segments extend upwardly away from the trough bottom.

4. The surgical instrument management system of claim 2 wherein the frame is configured to mount to the operating table or a surgical drape on the operating table at the downwardly extending segments.

5. The surgical instrument management system of claim 4 wherein the downwardly extending segments are connected by an inboard segment.

6. The surgical instrument management system of claim 5 wherein the inboard segment is configured to mount to the operating table or to a surgical drape on the operating table.

7. The surgical instrument management system of claim 6 wherein the frame is configured such that the elongated support is positioned above the inboard segment when the frame is mounted to the operating table.

8. The surgical instrument management system of claim 2 wherein the upwardly extending segments connect to the elongated support.

9. The surgical instrument management system of claim 8 wherein the downwardly extending segments connect to an inboard segment configured to mount to the operating table.

10. The surgical instrument management system of claim 9 wherein the upwardly extending segments are longer than the downwardly extending segments.

11. The surgical instrument management system of claim 1 further comprising a surgical device holder, the surgical device holder comprising:(i) a base configured to be adhered to a surgical drape; and(ii) a plurality of device holders configured to receive a plurality of surgical devices in a removable fashion.

12. The surgical instrument management system of claim 11 wherein the surgical device holder is flexible.

13. The surgical instrument management system of claim 12 wherein the base and plurality of device holders are a foam material.

14. The surgical instrument management system of claim 12 wherein the base comprises an adhesion surface that is at least partially covered by an adhesive.

15. The surgical instrument management system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of device holders are a row of recesses formed in the base.

15. The surgical instrument management system of claim 14 wherein each recess comprises an opening, a pincer, and a holding channel, wherein the opening and holding channel are wider than the pincer.

16. The surgical instrument management system of claim 15, wherein the opening tapers towards the pincer, wherein the holding channel tapers towards the pincer.

17. A surgical instrument management method comprising:(a) securing a surgical instrument catcher along a side of an operating table to be positioned in between one or more operating room personnel and the operating table during an operation;(b) wherein the surgical instrument catcher comprises:(i) a flexible elongated drape comprising an inboard side and an outboard side; and(ii) a frame configured to support the drape in a trough shape adjacent to the operating table, the frame comprising an elongated support configured to support the outboard side of the flexible elongated drape, the resilient frame further comprising at least two bent spring arms extending inwardly from the elongated support and configured to resiliently bias the outboard side of the drape away from the inboard side of the drape;(c) wherein the surgical instrument catcher is configured for the outboard side of the flexible elongated drape and the elongated support to translate towards the operating table in response to contact by an operating personnel towards the operating table, and wherein the surgical instrument catcher is configured for the outboard side of the drape and the elongated support to translate away from the operating table in response to the operating personnel moving out of contact with the surgical instrument catcher away from the operating table; and(d) wherein the surgical instrument catcher is configured to catch surgical instruments falling from the operating table.

18. The surgical instrument management method of claim 17 wherein the surgical instrument catcher is secured along the side of the operating table such that the outboard side of the flexible elongated drape is positioned higher than the inboard side of the flexible elongated drape.

19. The surgical instrument management method of claim 8 further comprising adhering a surgical device holder to a surgical drape, the surgical device holder comprising:(i) a base; and(ii) a plurality of device holders configured to receive a plurality of surgical devices in a removable fashion.

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