WO1992009240A1

WO1992009240A1 - Instrument frame and instrument system

Info

Publication number: WO1992009240A1
Application number: PCT/FI1991/000360
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pekka Kangasniemi
Original assignee: Laakintamuovi Oy
Current assignee: Laakintamuovi Oy
Priority date: 1990-11-28
Filing date: 1991-11-28
Publication date: 1992-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 1993-05-28
Also published as: FI905853A7; AU8914191A; FI905853A0; FI96382B; FI96382C

Abstract

The object of the invention is a frame (10) for a physician's instruments, incorporating two locking handles (20 and 21), one near each end. The handles can be turned into a position locking the instruments (30) or into an open position. The locking hook (22) of the handle is opened by pressing the centre part of the flexible handle. An object of the invention is also an instrument system in which the instruments (30) are placed in the instrument frame (10) in a desired order. After this the required instrument is removed from the frame only when the instrument is being used. All cleaning and storage measures relating to the instruments are carried out with the instruments in place in the frame.

Description

INSTRUMENT FRAME AND INSTRUMENT SYSTEM

The object of the invention is a frame for instruments used by a physician or other member of medical staff, in which frame the instruments can be disinfected, washed and and sterilized. The instrument frame is provided with notches for the instruments. The instruments are fixed into place in the frame by means of a locking element so that the instruments can move slightly in their fasteners in order to achieve better cleaning during the stage of cleaning the instruments.

Previously known frames are, for example, mesh baskets made of metal or plastic, into which the instruments are placed for the cleaning treatment. In such baskets the instruments are, however, usually loose, which means that their points may penetrate through the mesh walls of the basket. The sharp points of the instruments may thus cause cuts to the staff handling the baskets and the points may also break or be otherwise damaged.

In some solutions the instruments are kept in place during cleaning by forming individual holders for each instrument inside the mesh basket. The holders are also often made of a rubber-like material which prevents the instruments from moving. The disadvantage in this case is that since the basket is of a relatively solid structure, the instruments are not cleaned properly, especially under the holders.

The applicant's earlier frame solution is presented in FI- patent no. 71484. In this solution the instruments remain in order during cleaning, but are also properly cleaned. This has been arranged so that the instruments can move slightly in the loosely fitting holder openings.

Fl-patent no. 71484 shows a metal frame in which the instruments are placed in the loosely fitting notches of the frame and are fixed into place by placing a separate holder part provided with corresponding notches over the instruments. The instruments are thus locked loosely by their neck parts in the openings between the holder and the frame body, thus allowing the instruments to move during the washing stage. The instrument holders do not, therefore, form areas covering the instruments, which might remain uncleaned.

The disadvantage of the applicant's known instrument frame is its inconvenience in use. This is due to the separate holder of the frame, which must be unlocked and removed completely from over the frame before the instruments can be removed from the frame. It is only after this that the instruments can be removed from the washing frame. Similarly, placing new instruments into the frame for cleaning is somewhat inconvenient for the same reason. The instruments must be placed in the frame notches and after this the separate holder is positioned accurately into place over the f ame and locked to the frame by means of a locking screw.

The aim of the present invention is to achieve a novel instrument frame the use of which .is essentially more convenient and versatile than that of known instrument frames. It is characteristic of the invention that the instrument frame incorporates two locking elements, one on each of the opposite sides or one near both ends, and that the said locking elements can be turned into a position for locking the instruments or into an open position and that by means of the first locking element, the instruments can • be locked into place at one end, and by means of the second locking element, the instruments can be locked into place at the opposite end.

Since the locking elements, which can be opened by turning, are incorporated in the frame, the frame can be gripped with both hands and the locking elements can be opened or closed with a quick movement of the hand. A separate holder part is not required to lock the instruments into place.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, in their locked position the locking elements are situated at the same point as the two transverse instrument holders fixed to the walls inside the instrument frame and provided with notches so that the instruments can be locked at both ends between the instrument holder and the locking element.

According to a second preferred embodiment, the locking element is a locking handle extending over the instrument frame, the said handle being hinged to the walls of the frame by means of hinges, and which locking element can be turned into the open position by turning the handle up from over the instruments. The handle can be turned into the locked position and into the open position with a quick movement of the hand. When the handles at both ends of the frame are opened, all instruments are available for use. The hinge may be, for example a pin at the end of the handle, which is fitted in a hole in the wall of the frame.

According to a third preferred embodiment of the invention, in the centre part of the locking handle a locking hook is formed and in the corresponding place on the instrument holder a second locking hook is formed, and the locking handle is made flexible so that the interlocking of the locking hooks can be opened by pressing and bending the centre part of the locking handle.

An object of the invention is also an instrument system for- using the above-mentioned instrument frame, according to which system the instruments are placed in the instrument frame to clean the instruments. It is characteristic of the instrument system relating to the invention that the instruments are placed in the instrument frame in a particular order, after which the locking elements are opened and the required instrument is removed from the frame only when the instrument is used, when the order of instruments is changed or when one instrument is replaced by another, and that all cleaning and storage measures relating to the instruments are carried out with the instrument in the frame. The frame is thus a part of the instrument handling system, in which it forms a base for the disinfection, washing, sterilization and other handling stages of the instruments. At the same time it acts as a storage pack and user rack for the instruments.

The instrument frames are made so that they can easily be piled on top of each other. For this purpose there are grooves and small plugs of silicone on the bottom of the • frame. The frames can thus be piled so that they are in the same direction during transport and crosswise during the cleaning stages. Different types of markings can also be attached to the frames. Such are, for example, the name of the physician or ward, an indication as to which working stage the instruments in the frame are intended for, etc. In this way the instruments can be placed in the frame in the correct order from the outset, and the order will always remain the same and correct in all situations.

According to the system, an instrument is only removed from its notch in the frame when that particular instrument is being used.

After use, the instrument is replaced in its notch, which may also be numbered or marked in some other way. Once the used instrument is thus returned to its place after use, it will not be removed from it until it is used again. It is an essential feature of the system that the frame containing the instruments can be subjected as such to all stages of servicing procedures. Disinfection, washing and sterilization are performed on the unit comprising the instruments and the frame, which is then stored.

When the instruments are needed, the frame unit is taken out and to the place of use. After this, it is only necessary to open the handles of the frame and the instruments are in the correct order and ready for use.

The invention is described in the following by means of an example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows the an axonometric view of the instrument frame relating to the invention with the instruments locked in place. Figure 2 corresponds to figure 1 and shows the instrument frame with the instrument locking elements open. Figure 3 shows a vertical section of figure 1 along line III-III.

Figure 4 shows a vertical section of figure 2 along line IV-IV.

The instrument frame 10 of figure 1 is comprised m inly of a frame formed by the vertical walls 11, inside which frame there are two transverse instrument holders 12 and 13 fixed to the walls 11. These holders 12 and 13 are transverse beams, on the upper surfaces of which notches 14 are formed, in which the neck parts 31 of the instruments 30 fit loosely. When the instruments 30 are in place in the instrument frame 10,. they rest on their neck parts 31 in the loosely fitting notches 14 of the instrument holders 12 and 13. A label 17 is attached to the outer wall of the frame, indicating, for example, to whom the instruments belong.

The distance between the instrument holders 12 and 13 has, however, been made such that the instruments' 30 handle part 32 remains between them, thus restricting the axial movement of the instruments 30. In this way it is ensured that the sharp points 33 of the instruments 30 will not be able to touch the walls 11 of the frame 10.

The instruments 30 are locked into place in the frame 10 by means of locking elements 20 and 21, which are handle-like and hinged to the walls 11 of the frame 10. In the locked position the locking elements 20 and 21 form a transverse locking beam at the instrument holders 12 and 13, crosswise over the neck parts 31 of the instruments 30. When locking, the locking elements 20 and 21 are turned over the instruments 30, but they are not, however, pressed tightly against the instruments 30. The instruments' neck parts 31 fit loosely in the openings, in which the instruments 30 can move slightly. This movement is important to ensure that the instruments 30 are cleaned all over during the cleaning stage.

Figure 2 shows the procedure of opening the locking elements 20 and 21 of the instrument frame 10. Opening takes place by gripping the instrument frame 10 with both hands and at the same time pressing the handle-like locking elements 20 and 21 lightly with the thumbs. The locking hook 22 in the centre part of both handles 20 and 21 is thus released from the corresponding locking hook incorporated in the instrument holders 12 and 13. The locking handles 20 and 21 can then be turned to the side as shown in figure 2.

The cross-sectional view of figure 3 shows the instruments 30 locked in place in the instrument frame 10. The instruments 30 rest on their neck parts 31 on the frame's transverse instrument holders 12 and 13, in the notches made in these holders. The locking elements 20 and 21, mounted by means of hinges 23 and 24 on the walls 11 of the frame 10, are turned into place over the instruments 30. The locking elements 20 and 21 will then interlock by means of their locking hooks 22 with the corresponding locking hooks 15 of the frame 10. The instruments 30 will subsequently remain securely in place but loosely in their openings, in which the instruments can move slightly. Plugs 16 made of silicone rubber are fixed to the bottom of the frame and the frame can be placed on the table supported on these plugs. Undesirable noises in the working environment are thus eliminated. The plugs 16 also act as holders by means of which the frames can be piled crosswise on top of each other. The contact surface between the frames thus remains minimal, which means that there will be no uncleaned spots after washing.

Figure 4 corresponds to figure 3 except in that the locking elements 20 and 21 are in the open position. The instruments 30 are then fully available to the physician or other member of medical staff and can be brought into use simply by lifting the instrument 30 from the frame 10. After use each instrument 30 is replaced and the locking elements 20 and 21 are closed. The frame 10 together with the instruments is then ready to be moved for cleaning and storage and subsequently to be used again. During all these procedures the instrument remains in place in the frame 10.

To a person skilled in the art it is obvious that the different embodiments of the invention may vary within the limits of the claims presented below.

Claims

1. An instrument frame (10), in which notches (14) are formed for a physician's instruments (30), the said instruments being fixed into place in the frame by means of a locking element (20 and 21) in such a way that the instruments can move slightly in their holders to achieve better cleaning of the instruments during the cleaning stage, characterized in that two locking elements (20 and 21) are incorporated in the instrument frame (10), one on each of the opposite sides or one near each end, it being possible to turn the locking elements into a position locking the instruments (30) or into an open position, and that by means of the first locking element (20), the instruments can be locked into place at one end and by means of the second locking element (21), the instruments can be locked into place at the opposite end.

2. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that in their locked position the locking elements (20 and 21) are situated at the same point as the two transverse instrument holders (12 and 13) fixed to the walls (11) inside the instrument frame (10) and provided with notches (14), so that the instruments (30) can be locked at both ends between the instrument holder and the locking element.

3. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (20 and 21) is a locking handle extending over the instrument frame (10), the said handle being hinged to the walls (11) of the frame by means of hinges (23) and which locking element can be turned into an open position by turning the handle up from over the instruments.

4. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that in the centre part of the locking handle (20 and 21) a locking hook (22) is formed and in the corresponding place on the instrument holder (12 and 13) a - second locking hook (15) is formed, and that the locking handle is made flexible so that the interlocking of the locking hooks (22 and 15) can be opened by pressing and 5 bending the centre part of the locking handle.

5. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, to the wall (11) of the instrument frame (10) is attached at least one identifying label (17), by means of which, for example, the instruments

10 (30) in the frame and/or to whom they belong can be identified.

6. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, on the underside of the instrument frame (10) are fixed support plugs (16) made of

15 a flexible material such as rubber or silicone, on which the instrument frames can be supported on the table and by means of which the instrument frames can be piled crosswise on top of each other.

7. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in any of the claims 20 1 to 6, characterized in that the underside and the upper surface of the instrument frame (10) are made to fit each other, so that the instrument frames can be piled on top of each other in the same direction.

8. An instrument system for using an instrument frame (10) 25 as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 7, according to which system the instruments (30) are placed in the instrument ^■ frame for cleaning the instruments, characterized in that the instruments (30) are placed in the instrument frame (10) in a desired order, after which the locking elements 30 (20 and 21) are opened and the instrument required is removed from the frame only when the instrument is being used, the order of the instruments is changed or an instrument is replaced by another, and that all instrument cleaning and storage procedures are carried out with the instruments in the frame.

9. An instrument system as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that according to the instrument system, the moving, disinfecting, washing, rinsing, drying, inspection, possible packaging, sterilization and storage of the instruments (30) can be carried out without touching the instruments by hand, the instruments being all the time in the instrument frame (10).

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 23 April 1992 (23.04.92); original claims 1 and 4 amended; remaining claims unchanged (3 pages)]

1. An instrument frame (10), in which notches (14) are formed for a physician's instruments (30), the said instruments being fixed into place in the frame by means of at least one locking element, it being possible to turn the

5 locking element into a position locking the instruments (30) or into an open position in such a way that the instruments can move slightly in their holders to achieve better cleaning of the instruments during the cleaning stage, characterized in that there are two of the locking

10 elements (20 and 21) incorporated in the instrument frame (10), one on each of the opposite sides or one near each end, and that by means of the transverse locking beam of the first locking element (20), the instruments can be locked into place at one end and by means of the transverse

15 locking beam of the second locking element (21), the instruments can be locked into place at the opposite end.

2. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that in their locked position the locking elements (20 and 21) are situated at the same point as the

'0 two transverse instrument holders (12 and 13) fixed to the walls (11) inside the instrument frame (10) and provided with notches (14), so that the instruments (30) can be locked at both ends between the instrument holder and the locking element.

25 3. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (20 and 21) is a, locking handle extending over the instrument frame (10), the said handle being hinged to the walls (11) of the frame by means of hinges (23) and which locking element can be

30 turned into an open position by turning the handle up from over the instruments.

4. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that in the centre beam part of the locking handle (20 and 21) a locking hook (22) is formed * and in the corresponding place on the instrument holder (12 and 13) a second locking hook (15) is formed, and that the locking handle is made flexible so that the interlocking of 5 the locking hooks (22 and 15) can be opened by pressing and bending the centre part of the locking handle.

5. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, to the wall (11) of the instrument frame (10) is attached at least one identifying 0 label (17), by means of which, for example, the instruments (30) in the frame and/or to whom they belong can be identified.

6. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, on the underside of the 5 instrument frame (10) are fixed support plugs (16) made of a flexible material such as rubber or silicone, on which the instrument frames can be supported on the table and by means of which the instrument frames can be piled crosswise on top of each other.

7. An instrument frame (10) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the underside and the upper surface of the instrument frame (10) are made to fit each other, so that the instrument frames can be piled on top of each other in the same direction.

8. An instrument system for using an instrument frame (10) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 7, according to which - system the instruments (30) are placed in the instrument frame for cleaning the instruments, characterized in that the instruments (30) are placed in the instrument frame (10) in a desired order, after which the locking elements (20 and 21) are opened and the instrument required is removed from the frame only when the instrument is being used, the order of the instruments is changed or an instrument is replaced by another, and that all instrument cleaning and storage procedures are carried out with the instruments in the frame.