FR2497089A1 - Medical device sterilisation case - has cover with slots locating on headed posts on base to prevent detachment - Google Patents

Abstract

A case includes a base with front and rear walls, a cover with depending side walls, upstanding posts at each side of and attached to the front and rear walls, and a handle pivoted to each side wall with axis of rotation and longitudinal axis parallel to the side wall longitudinal axis, and part pivoted between adjacent posts. Each post has a head above a necked constriction and the cover has recesses inwardly from front and rear edges, each with a concave extension at the inner end to underlie a post head and prevent cover detachment. Handle length is equal to the distance between posts so that it prevents the cover sliding rearwardly.

Description

 The present invention relates to a clean box or box in particular for receiving objects to be sterilized in the field of medicine in general and more particularly of surgery.

 Known steriXization boxes or boxes are made of metal.

They include a base and a cover arranged so that before a surgical operation, they can be sterilized in the autoclave with the instruments which they contain.

 Some of these boxes are set up like a suitcase in which one encloses instruments, implants or the like. Sterilization is carried out at temperatures from 140 to 1450C, then by applying a vacuum. When the box is opened after sterilization, the hinged cover of the box considerably interferes in the operating rooms where the space available is measured. In addition, the objects it contains are not retained in a stable manner, which complicates handling.

Finally, they are difficult to stack on top of each other.

We can add that the opening of such boxes is not always easy, their latching devices in the closed position deforming
easily in service.

 The invention aims to eliminate the above drawbacks and to make it possible to establish a sterilization case or box in which the cover can be easily removed stably, but which comprises a locking device reliably avoiding any untimely opening during transport.

 The invention also aims to produce such a box which is stackable in the closed state, so as to minimize the size.

 In accordance with the present invention, a sterilization case for medical instruments or devices comprises an upper wall secured to two opposite parallel side walls which extend downwards from it, a lower wall secured to its side of two opposite parallel walls. front and rear facing upwards, at least four vertical posts also facing upwards, arranged along each of the lateral edges of the aforementioned front and rear walls and a swiveling handle articulated to each side wall , its axis of rotation and its central longitudinal axis being parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the side wall with which it is associated, while a part of said handle is disposed at articulation between an adjacent baluster fixed to the front wall and a star fixed ~ lr arricce wall. Each baluster includes a neck which is placed above the upper rfl of the front or rear wall and a head which surmounts this neck, the minimum transverse dimension of this head being greater than that of the neck. The above-mentioned upper wall is cut out of two recesses oriented towards the rear from its front edge (each recess opening on this front edge and comprising in its rear edge a concave extension or depression shaped so as to be below the head of the baluster adjacent and to prevent the lifting of the upper wall).

This upper wall further comprises on its rear edge two openings arranged in the vicinity thereof (each opening being in plan of generally rectangular shape and also comprising on its rear edge a concave extension or depression shaped so as to be below of the head of the corresponding baluster and to prevent the lifting of the upper wall). The longitudinal dimension of the handle is approximately equal to the distance between an adjacent post fixed to the front wall and another fixed to the rear wall, so that when this handle is placed between the two aforementioned posts, it prevents any sliding towards the rear of the upper wall and the side walls associated therewith.

The appended drawing, given by way of example, will allow a better understanding of the invention, the characteristics which it presents and the advantages which it is likely to provide.
Fig. l is a perspective view of a sterilization case for medical instruments and devices comprising a device established in a preferred form of the invention.

 Fig. 2 is an elevational view from the left of the box in FIG. 1.

 Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of this box showing a handle in the unlocked position.

 Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but in which it was assumed that the cover of the box had been moved backwards.

 Fig. 5 is a partial view in elevation showing the handle in the unlocked position.

 Fig. 6 is an elevational view showing two boxes stacked one on the other.

 The sterilization box or box shown in the drawing serves to receive the objects necessary during an operation, such as surgical instruments or implants. it can be provided for example to enclose osteosynthesis plates with the corresponding screws.

 As shown in fig. 1 this box 1 comprises two parallel rectangular walls opposite one another, namely an upper wall 2 and a lower wall 3. These are joined by a front wall 4 and a rear wall 5 of rectangular shape, parallel one to each other and located opposite each other. The set is completed by two side walls 6 and 7, which are also rectangular and facing each other.

To facilitate sterilization, the upper and lower walls 2 and 3 preferably have a multiplicity of openings 8 of which only a few have been shown in FIG. 1 for clarity of the drawing.

In the illustrated form, the upper and side walls 2, 6, 7 are made of a single sheet of metal which forms a cover C, while the front, lower and rear walls 4, 3, 5 likewise constitute a base B .

 A baluster 20 (fig. 2 and 6) is fixed to each lateral edge of the front 4 and rear 5 walls, for example by means of screws S (fig. 1), to position the cover C (that is ie all of the upper and side walls 2, 6, 7) - relative to the base B (lower, front and rear walls 3, 4, 5) as well as to contribute to locking. Each baluster 20 comprises a body 22 having the configuration of a rectangular right prism extending in the upward direction, a foot 24 projecting downwards and a head 26 connected to the upper end of the body 22 by a cylindrical neck 28 with reduced diameter.

The body 22 of each baluster 20 is located inside the box when the latter is closed and it constitutes for it a corner support, the side wall 23 (fig. 2 and 6) of this body which is located opposite the side wall 6 or 7 of the box cooperating with the side edge of the front and rear walls 4 and 5 to prevent the cover C from sliding on the side. Each of the necks 28 is of reduced diameter and its maximum transverse dimension is less than the minimum transverse dimension of the head 26. Each head 26 thus overflows on all sides above the corresponding neck 28.

 As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the upper wall 2 has two recesses 10 on its front edge and two openings 12 near its rear edge, these recesses and openings cooperating with the balusters 20 as will be explained below, to allow the cabinet to be locked in the closed position, but leaving the possibility of opening it.

Each recess 10 opens on the front edge of the upper wall 2 and is delimited by two parallel edges 10a (fig. 4) which extend from this edge to a rear edge having a depression or extension lOb of concave shape, preferably semi-circular. Each opening 12 has in plan a generally square shape except in that which converges its rear edge 12a (fig. 4), which also includes a depression or extension 12b centered on the square profile and having a concave or preferably semi-circular shape.

 When the bottom Bet the cover C are assembled to make the box in the closed state, the necks 28 pass through the depressions 10b or 12b, so that these partially surround them. The heads 26 of the four columns 20 then protrude at least in part above the recesses 10 and the openings 12 and thus prevent any upward movement of the cover 2. Each head 26 is square in plan shape (FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and its upper face, seen from the side, has a convex profile (fig. 2, 5, 6). This face has in its center a depression 37 of hemispherical shape (fig. 3 and 4). The feet 24 of the box are established in a profile complementary to that of the depressions 27, that is to say that they are of cylindrical shape with a hemispherical end. We can thus stack one on the other several boxes, such as 1 and 1 '(fig. 6), the feet of the upper box 1' being centered in the depressions 27 of the lower box 1, so that the assembly is protected from any horizontal movement.

 Each opening 12 is arranged and dimensioned so that the head 26 of a baluster 20 can pass through it in the direction of the axis of the baluster. The depth of the recess 10 is a little greater than the corresponding dimension of the opening 12, which means that the distance between the deepest point of the depression 10b, and the front edge of the wall 2 is less than that which separates the deepest point of the depression 12b from the front edge of the opening 12. The distance between the edges îOa closest to the two recesses 10 is approximately equal to that which separates the points vis-a- screws of the necks 28 of the two columns fixed to the front wall 4. Similarly, the distance between the edges closest to the two openings 12 is at least approximately equal to that which separates the edges facing the columns 20 corresponding to the rear wall 5. Furthermore, the distance from the most distant edges of the two openings 12 is at least equal to that of the opposite edges of the heads 26 of the two aforementioned columns. While the recesses 10 are of width less than that of the heads 26 measured in the corresponding direction, the distance between the edges opposite each opening 12 is at least equal to this width of the heads 26. Consequently when the upper wall is at the position shown in fig. 4 for which each of the openings 12 can slide on the head 26 of the rear column 20 which corresponds to it, the recesses 10 and the front edge of this wall 2 are not free rar compared to the head 26 of the columns which are associated with them.

 An elongated handle 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is articulated by a hinge 36 at the upper edge of each side wall 6, 7, its axis of rotation and its central longitudinal axis itself being arranged parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the side wall to which it is fixed by members such as 38 End view (fig. 5) this handle 30 has a general L-shaped profile with a large branch or upper plate 32 which has an approximately equal length (fig. 2) at the distance between the rear and front edges respectively of the heads 26 of the corresponding posts 20. The other branch of L, shorter than the previous one, is referenced 34.

 When the cover C is in the closed and locked position (fig. 1 and 2), the box 1 has the shape of a rectangular prism, while the necks 28 of the front balusters 20 are housed in the depressions 10b of the two recesses 10 corresponding, those 28 of the two rear columns 20 being their side in the depressions 12b of the two openings 12, so that the heads 26 of all these columns 20 prevent the lifting of the cover C (i.e. the upper wall 2 and the side walls 6 and 7 associated therewith). In this closed and locked position the upper branch or plate 32 of each handle 30 is located between a front baluster and a rear baluster 20, substantially substantially parallel to the upper wall 2, so that this branch or plate 32 and the columns with which it is associated prevent any shift of the cover C towards the rear. In the position shown in fig. 1 and 2 the handle 30 is therefore locked.

 The hinges 36 are preferably established with automatic locking and are connected to the handles 30 so that the latter cannot modify their angular position by themselves. So when these handles have been tilted to the locked position, they remain there until they are brought by hand to another position. When someone lifts the box by the part of the handle-30 which protrudes above the hinge, then transports it, the gravity makes appear on the handles of the couples which apply the branch or plate 32 against the upper wall 2.

 To open the box 1, the two handles 30 must be brought to the unlocking position by acting on their lips 34 and lifting their plates 32. (see fig. 3 and 5). This cannot be done easily when the box 1 is carried by means of said handles 30, which constitutes a security preventing any untimely opening during the transport of the box. When the handles 30 have thus been tilted, their plates 32 being raised so as not to hinder the rearward shift of the cover C, the latter can be pushed back until the rear edge 12a of each opening 12 releases the corresponding edge of the head 26 of each of the posts 20 located on the rear of the cabinet (see fig. 4). At this time the front edge of the upper wall 2 has not released the rear edge of the head 26 of each of the posts 20 that correspond to it. The rear edge of the upper wall 2 is then tilted upwards using the contact surface between the front edge of this wall and the upper face of the front of the body of the corresponding columns as a pivot axis. During this operating phase the handles 30 can remain in their raised unlocking position, or they can be brought back first in part, then entirely to their lowered locked position so as to obtain a better grip on the cover C for the As soon as the front edge of each rear opening 12 is released from the upper face of the baluster 20 which is associated with it, the upper wall 2 is again slid backwards until its front edge is disengaged from the rear edge of each of the corresponding posts 20. As a variant, the two tilting and sliding movements can be combined in a single operating phase, these two movements then being carried out simultaneously. The movement of the cover C is then continued rearward (or alternatively it is lifted) in order to remove it completely from the box 1.

 To close and lock the box 1, the procedure is the opposite of what has just been explained. In any case, for sterilization, the box containing the instruments or the like can, for example, be alternately heated with steam and subjected to a vacuum. Steam and air or other gas can flow freely through the openings 8.

 In any case, after sterilization, the cover C can be entirely disengaged from the bottom B and can be set aside at an appropriate position while completely clearing the operating space. As indicated in reference to fig. 7, the boxes can be stacked stably. It will be noted that this possibility of stacking applies not only to closed boxes, but also to bases B in the isolated state.

 The base B, the cover C, the handles 30 and the hinges 36 are made of a stainless metal. Aluminum can be used for the bottom and lid and stainless steel for the handles and hinges. As for the balusters 20, it is possible to establish them in a synthetic material, such as a polyamide.

 It should moreover be understood that the above description has been given only by way of example and that it in no way limits the field of the invention from which one would not depart by replacing the execution details described by all other equivalents. Thus, although intended for surgical applications, the boxes or boxes according to the invention can be used for the transport of all kinds of objects.

Claims (10)

 1. Box or box suitable in particular for receiving objects to be sterilized, applicable in the medical or surgical field, of the type comprising a base (B), a cover (C) allowing the opening and closing of the box and means (30 -36) which lock the cover (C) with the base (B) when they are in the blocking position, while in the free position they release them, characterized in that the base (B) comprises a wall lower (3), two opposite sides are integral with a front wall (4) and a rear wall (5), in that the cover (C) also comprises on its side an upper wall ( 2) two opposite sides of which are secured to the side walls (6-7), in that the base (B) is provided with retaining means (20) which comprise at least towards each lateral edge of the front and rear walls ( 4, 5), a neck (28) and a head (26) disposed above the latter and which projects at least laterally on one side above the neck (28), in that the the upper wall (2) is cut from its front edge by two recesses (10) and has two openings (12) in the vicinity of its rear edge, in that the recesses (10) and the openings (12) are established in such a way that for a position of the cover (C) the rear heads (26) can each pass through an opening (12), while when the box is closed the collars (28) are engaged in a recess (10) or respectively a opening (12), the heads (26) retaining the cover (2) against any lifting, in that to each side wall (6-7) is fixed a handle (30) articulated around an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wall (6, 7) considered and in that each handle (30) is made so that when the box is closed it can switch to a locking position for which it partially engages between two heads (26) associated with said wall (6, 7) thereby retaining the cover (C) against any dep lacing towards the rear wall 5.  2. Box according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining means are constituted by four columns (20) each of which is disposed at one of the angles of the lower wall (3) and is rigidly secured to the inner face of the front wall (4) or respectively that rear (5).  3. Box according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each head (26) extends beyond all the neck (28) associated therewith.  4. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the recesses (10) and the openings (12) have on their edges opposite to the front edges of the upper wall (2) a depression (lOb-12b ) tapering towards its end and which is crossed by the neck (28) in the closed position of the box.  5. Box according to claim 4, characterized in that the heads (26) have a rectangular profile and in that the openings (12) have on their side a rectangular section through which these heads (26) can pass, this profile openings further having depressions (12b) on its rear edge (12a).  6. Box according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the maximum dimension of the recesses (10) measured parallel to the side walls (6, 7) is less than the maximum of the openings (12) measured in the same direction, so that when the upper wall (2) is raised so that its openings (12) pass over the heads (26), its front edge can bear on the facets provided below the collars (28) of the retaining means (20) and allow a rocking movement around the supports thus produced.  7. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the distance between the lateral edges (lOa) closest to the two recesses (10) is approximately equal to that of the points closest to the two necks ( 28) which in the closed position of the box pass through these recesses (10), and in that the distance from the edges closest to the two openings (12) is less than that from the points closest to the two heads (26) which associated with them.  8. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the length of the part (32) of each handle which is housed between two heads (26) of the side walls (6, 7) is approximately equal at the spacing of the edges facing these two heads (26).  9. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each head (26) has a depression (27) and in that the retaining means (20) are provided with feet (24) which protrude at - below the bottom wall (3) and which are established in such a way that each foot of a box (1 ') can engage in a depression (27) of the box (1 located below it.  10. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lower wall (3) and / ru the upper wall (2) has openings (8) to facilitate the entry and exit of the gas or steam when using the cabinet for sterilization of the medical or similar objects it contains.