Package for surgical instrument

Claim 2

A package for a sterile instrument, said instrument having a repeating type operation utilizing a flexible driver, said package comprising; semi-rigid formed means for holding said instrument; rigid means mounted on said formed means for maintaining said instrument in a position wherein the driver is maintained in an unstressed state to prevent it from taking a permanent set; an insert covering one side of said semi-rigid formed means for providing ready access to said instrument; and encasing means for completely surrounding said instrument, semi-rigid formed means, rigid means, insert, and access means for maintaining said instrument sterile.

Claim 3

A package according to claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid formed means is an open, polypropylene tray.

Claim 4

A package according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the rigid means is a stainless steel member.

Claim 5

A package according to claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the insert is a paper insert.

Claim 6

A package for a sterile instrument, said instrument having a repeating type operation wherein a flexible driver repeatedly feeds a plurality of fasteners moveable on a track in the instrument to the operating jaws of the instrument, said package including rigid means cooperating with said instrument to maintain said instrument in a precise position wherein the flexible driver is maintained in an unstressed state while the package, and the plurality of fasteners are held in a position in the track.

Claim 7

A package for a sterile instrument, said instrument having a repeating type operation wherein a flexible driver repeatedly feeds a plurality of fasteners moveable on a track in the instrument to the operating jaws of the instrument, said package including rigid means cooperating with said instrument to maintain said instrument in a precise position wherein the flexible driver is maintained in an unstressed state while the package, and the plurality of fasteners are held in a position in the track.

Claim 8

A package for a sterile instrument, said instrument having a repeating type operation utilizing a flexible driver, said package comprising; semi-rigid formed means having an open top for holding said instrument; rigid means mounted on said formed means for maintaining said instrument in a position wherein the driver is in an unstressed state to prevent it from taking a permanent set; flap means connected to one edge of said semi-rigid formed means to at least partially cover the instrument to assist in maintaining the integrity of the package during sterilziation; insert means disposed over the flap means and covering the open top of the semi-rigid formed means; said insert engaging said flap means to lock said insert in place and said insert having a die cut portion for providing ready access to the instrument; encasing means completely surrounding said semi-rigid formed means, flap means, and paper insert for maintaining said instrument in a sterile environment; said encasing means comprising two pieces of foil having a thermo-plastic coating thereon and being heat sealed together about their periphery; a thermoplastic formed tray for holding said foil encased instrument and; a lid member removably sealed about the periphery of said tray to maintain said foil encased instrument in a sterile condition.

Claim 9

A package for a sterile instrument, said instrument having a repeating type operation utilizing a flexible driver, said package comprising; semi-rigid formed means having an open top for holding said instrument; rigid means mounted on said formed means for maintaining said instrument in a position wherein the driver is in an unstressed state to prevent it from taking a permanent set; flap means connected to one edge of said semi-rigid formed means to at least partially cover the instrument to assist in maintaining the integrity of the package during sterilziation; insert means disposed over the flap means and covering the open top of the semi-rigid formed means; said insert engaging said flap means to lock said insert in place and said insert having a die cut portion for providing ready access to the instrument; encasing means completely surrounding said semi-rigid formed means, flap means, and paper insert for maintaining said instrument in a sterile environment; said encasing means comprising two pieces of foil having a thermo-plastic coating thereon and being heat sealed together about their periphery; a thermoplastic formed tray for holding said foil encased instrument and; a lid member removably sealed about the periphery of said tray to maintain said foil encased instrument in a sterile condition.

Claim 10

A package according to claim 6 wherein the semi-rigid formed means is a polypropylene tray.

Claim 11

A package according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the rigid means is a stainless steel member.

Claim 12

A package according to claim 6 or 8 wherein the insert is a paper isert.

Claim 13

A package according to claim 9 wherein a portion of the paper insert is sealed in the periphery of the two pieces of foil whereby on tearing the foil the insert is torn to expose the instrument.