US4385692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical instrument tip protector and method of manufacture
Assignee: American Hospital Supply Corp
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Filing: 1981-05-15
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Granted: 1983-05-31
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Expires: 2001-05-15
Abstract
Abstract A surgical instrument tip protector has a cushioned foam base member for receiving a surgical instrument positioned thereon and a cover member which overlies a lower portion of said base and is peripherally bonded to said base to form an open-ended pocket to protect the instrument tip. The cover is a single integrally formed material comprising a foam portion which is essentially opaque and a non-porous portion which is essentially transparent located to permit the visual inspection of said instrument tip. The cover is formed by providing a single piece of foam and applying heat and pressure to a predetermined area to form the non-porous transparent portion.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Eldridge, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/26; A61B; A61B50/00; A61B50/20; A61B50/30; B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/02; B65D81/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A sterilizable protector for a surgical instrument comprising: a base member being formed of heat sterilizable fine-pore foam upon which said instrument rests; and an integral cover overlying a portion of said base member and having a periphery, a portion of which is bonded to said member and a top portion of which is unbonded to form an open-ended pocket for said instrument tip, said cover having a cushioned portion being formed of heat sterilizable fine-pore foam and a puncture resistant transparent window portion to permit identification of said instrument, said window portion being formed of pressed and heated heat sterilizable fine-pore foam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A sterilizable protector for a surgical instrument comprising: a base member being formed of heat sterilizable fine-pore foam upon which said instrument rests; and an integral cover overlying a portion of said base member and having a periphery, a portion of which is bonded to said member and a top portion of which is unbonded to form an open-ended pocket for said instrument tip, said cover having a cushioned portion being formed of heat sterilizable fine-pore foam and a puncture resistant transparent window portion to permit identification of said instrument, said window portion being formed of pressed and heated heat sterilizable fine-pore foam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A sterilizable protector for a surgical instrument comprising: a protective impact resistant surface being formed of fine-pore polyurethane foam upon which said instrument rests; and a cover overlying a portion of said surface and peripherally bonded to said surface forming an open-ended pocket for receiving the tip of said instrument, said pocket being formed of fine-pore polyurethane foam and having an impact resistant portion which is essentially opaque, and an essentially non-porous, puncture resistant, transparent film portion formed by pressed and heated fine-pore polyurethane foam, which permits identification of said instrument.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
A sterilizable protector for a surgical instrument comprising: a protective impact resistant surface being formed of fine-pore polyurethane foam upon which said instrument rests; and a cover overlying a portion of said surface and peripherally bonded to said surface forming an open-ended pocket for receiving the tip of said instrument, said pocket being formed of fine-pore polyurethane foam and having an impact resistant portion which is essentially opaque, and an essentially non-porous, puncture resistant, transparent film portion formed by pressed and heated fine-pore polyurethane foam, which permits identification of said instrument.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for manufacturing a sterilizable surgical instrument tip protector comprising: providing a section of heat sterilizable fine-pore foam; applying heat and pressure to a predetermined area of said foam to make said area transparent and puncture resistant; providing a second member of heat sterilizable fine-pore small-pore polyurethane foam; affixing said section of foam to said second member to form a pocket which is capable of holding a surgical instrument tip, said transparent area being positioned to permit visual inspection of a lower portion of the instrument.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for manufacturing a sterilizable surgical instrument tip protector comprising: providing a section of heat sterilizable fine-pore foam; applying heat and pressure to a predetermined area of said foam to make said area transparent and puncture resistant; providing a second member of heat sterilizable fine-pore small-pore polyurethane foam; affixing said section of foam to said second member to form a pocket which is capable of holding a surgical instrument tip, said transparent area being positioned to permit visual inspection of a lower portion of the instrument.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product produced by the process of claim 3.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
A process for manufacturing a sterilizable surgical instrument tip protector comprising: providing a piece of small-pore polyurethane foam; applying heat and pressure to a predetermined area of said foam to make said area transparent and puncture resistant; folding said foam into a first section and a second section overlying a portion of said first section; and bonding a portion of the periphery of said second section to said first section to form a pocket to receive said instrument tip, the unbonded portion of the periphery forming an open-end to permit entry of said instrument between said first and second portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
A process for manufacturing a sterilizable surgical instrument tip protector comprising: providing a piece of small-pore polyurethane foam; applying heat and pressure to a predetermined area of said foam to make said area transparent and puncture resistant; folding said foam into a first section and a second section overlying a portion of said first section; and bonding a portion of the periphery of said second section to said first section to form a pocket to receive said instrument tip, the unbonded portion of the periphery forming an open-end to permit entry of said instrument between said first and second portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product produced by the process of claim 5.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-30 | 1986-11-29 | 1987-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-30 | 1990-11-29 | 1991-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-30 | 1994-11-29 | 1995-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |