US5424048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular sterilization tray system for medical instruments
Assignee: Symmetry Medical Manufacturing Inc
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Filing: 1994-03-15
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Granted: 1995-06-13
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Expires: 2014-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A modular sterilization tray system for medical instruments comprises a rigid, substantially rectangular case having a pair of opposite side walls, a pair of opposite end walls and a bottom wall. A plurality of vertical columns of vertically spaced apart uniform size holes are formed in the case side walls and end walls. Also, one or more substantially rectilinear instrument trays are provided for placement in the case, the length and width dimensions of each of the trays being directly related to the spacing of the columns of holes in the case side and end walls such that one or more trays may be positioned within the case so as to be bracketed by selected columns of holes. The system also includes fixtures for positioning in selected holes of the bracketing columns of holes for fixing the position of one or more trays at a selected elevation in the case.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward D. Riley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/26; A61B; A61B50/00; A61B50/20; A61B50/22; A61B50/30; A61B50/31; A61B50/33; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B17/3215; A61B2050/005; A61B2050/0058; A61B2050/006; A61B2050/0067; A61B2050/007; A61B2050/0075; A61B2050/3007; A61B2050/3011; A61B2050/311; A61B2050/314
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A modular sterilization tray system for medical instruments comprising a rigid substantially rectangular case having a pair of opposite side walls, a pair of opposite end walls and a bottom wall; means defining a plurality of vertical columns of vertically spaced apart uniform size holes in opposite walls of the case; one or more substantially rectilinear instrument trays for placement in said case, the length and width dimensions of each of said trays being directly related to the spacing of said columns of holes in the case opposite walls such that said one or more trays may be positioned within said case so as to be bracketed by selected columns of holes, and fixation means for positioning in selected holes of the bracketing columns of holes for fixing the position of said one or more trays at a selected elevation in said case.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A modular sterilization tray system for medical instruments comprising a rigid substantially rectangular case having a pair of opposite side walls, a pair of opposite end walls and a bottom wall; means defining a plurality of vertical columns of vertically spaced apart uniform size holes in opposite walls of the case; one or more substantially rectilinear instrument trays for placement in said case, the length and width dimensions of each of said trays being directly related to the spacing of said columns of holes in the case opposite walls such that said one or more trays may be positioned within said case so as to be bracketed by selected columns of holes, and fixation means for positioning in selected holes of the bracketing columns of holes for fixing the position of said one or more trays at a selected elevation in said case.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system defined in claim 1 and further including a perforate cover for said case.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system defined in claim 2 and further including means for releasably securing said cover to said case.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system defined in claim 1 and further including an imperforate liner for said case.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system defined in claim 1 and further including an outer wrap for said case, said wrap being permeable to fluid sterilant but impermeable to micro-organisms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system defined in claim 1 and further including an array of holes in the case bottom wall, said array of holes being composed of columns and rows of holes that are aligned with said columns of holes in the case opposite walls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein one of said trays occupies substantially the entire interior area of said case.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said trays occupies substantially one-half the length of said case.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said trays occupies substantially one-third the length of said case.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said trays occupies substantially two-thirds the length of said case.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said trays occupies substantially one-half the width of said case.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said trays occupies substantially one-third the width of said case.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said trays occupies substantially two-thirds the width of said case.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-12 | 1998-12-12 | 1999-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-12 | 2002-12-12 | 2003-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-12 | 2006-12-12 | 2007-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |