Abstract:
A tray assembly for use with dental instruments is disclosed herein having a tray, a plate having a top plane and a bottom plane and apertures, the apertures being horizontally configured to receive a plurality of receiver assemblies supported on a top plane via a receiver assembly support, a plurality of semi-cylindrical Radel® instrument supports, a biasing instrument stationer whereby the instrument is friction held in stasis between the stationer and the instrument support, and a plurality of instrument stationers. The plate includes a plurality of aperture(s), at least one receiver assembly for receiving at least one medical/dental instrument inserted between the instrument support and the biasing instrument stationer, suspended within the tray. A kit is also disclosed for the present invention.

Description:
This application is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional application No. 61/325,295 filed on Apr. 17, 2010. The Present invention relates generally to the field of dental instrument storage. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Trays are often used to store and transport medical tools such as dental instruments for safekeeping and cleaning processes. It is crucial that the tools stored in these trays are properly sterilized and housed to protect users from accidental injury and patients from infection. Several devices are known that provide a way for a dental instrument to be secured and/or sanitized within a tray. Among these are restraints comprised of elastomeric materials such as silicon. One such restraint comprises a ring the instrument may be inserted into. Another utilizes a series of tabs to surround the instrument. Advantageously, all of these devices, especially when using a series of tabs, function to hold an instrument vertically in place in a tray, as opposed to simply resting the tool horizontally on the bottom of the tray. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The known instrument securing devices do not adequately secure an instrument because they merely employ passive restraints comprised of elastomeric materials. As the elastomeric material degrades and becomes more porous over time, complete sterilization is compromised due to residual pathogens remaining in the material. Further, passive restraint systems lose their elasticity and the instrument becomes less secure as it is held in the tray. 
     At the heart of the present invention is the discovery that a multi-part, rigid, active restraint system can properly secure an instrument within the tray to prevent the user from accidental injury during use, storage, and transport of the instrument(s). In accordance with the invention, then, a dental instrument securing system configured to secure one or more dental instruments using the system described above is provided. Such a system includes at least one instrument support and a biasing means comprised of a non-elastomeric material. Such a system works to more effectively secure a dental instrument within a tray for sterilization, storage, and transport for easy removal. 
     Various other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent by reading the following description in conjunction with the drawings, which are shown by way of example only. The preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a dental instrument securing system embodying the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective top view of a plate and a receiver assembly embodying the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective underside view of a plate, a receiver assembly, and a receiver assembly support according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4 , consisting of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , is a perspective view illustrating a receiver assembly and receiver assembly support according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, this invention will be described by way of example and with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, however, it is to be understood that modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , showing a perspective view illustrating dental instrument securing system  100  embodying the principles of the present invention. Dental instrument securing system  100  is shown comprising at least one tray  120 ; at least one plate  200  having a plurality of receiver assembly support  300 ; a plurality of receiver assembly  400  for vertically securing dental instruments  110 ; and, optionally, at least one lid  102 . 
     Tray  120  within the present invention may house and support the various components of dental instrument securing system  100  and may be of any size to work with standard laboratory equipment. Further, tray  120  may be comprised of any sturdy material, including materials capable of withstanding harsh conditions (such as those in an autoclave or dishwasher). Such materials may include polymers and plastics, metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and the like, metal alloys, or any other material suitable for such purpose. It should be appreciated that other suitable materials may be used if desired and still be considered to be within the scope of the disclosed invention. 
     The dimensions of plate  200  may be complementary to the dimensions of tray  120  such that plate  200  may be removably received by tray  120 . Further, plate  200  may be comprised of any material capable of withstanding harsh conditions (such as those in an autoclave or dishwasher). Such materials may include polymers and plastics, metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and the like, metal alloys, or any other material suitable for such purpose. It should be appreciated that other suitable materials may be used if desired and still be considered to be within the scope of the disclosed invention. 
     Also shown within  FIG. 1  is kit  170  including tray  120 , optionally lid  102 , at least one plate  200 ; a plurality of receiver assembly(ies)  400  (as also shown and discussed in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 ), a plurality of receiver assembly support(s)  300  (as also shown and discussed in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 ) and may include detailed instructions for proper use. Upon reading this specification, it should be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, when considering such issues as user, design, and marketing preferences, cost considerations, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may present a suitable alternative. 
     Lid  102  within the present invention may cover tray  120  and/or the various components of dental instrument securing system  100  and may be of any size to work with standard laboratory equipment. Further, lid  102  may be comprised of any material capable of withstanding harsh conditions (such as those in an autoclave or dishwasher). Such materials may include polymers and plastics, metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and the like, metal alloys, or any other material suitable for such purpose. It should be appreciated that other suitable materials may be used if desired and still be considered to be within the scope of the disclosed invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , showing a perspective top view of plate  200  and similarly illustrating a perspective top view of receiver assembly  400  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned in  FIG. 1 , plate  200  may comprise a plurality of receiver assembly support  300  and may be removably received by tray  120 . By way of example only, plate  200  is shown comprising forty eight (48) receiver assembly(s)  400  within forty eight (48) receiver assembly support(s)  300 . Receiver assembly(s)  400  and receiver assembly support(s)  300  as depicted in  FIG. 2  are arranged in parallel rows of 8.  FIG. 2  also depicts, by way of example, eight (8) dental instrument  110 . It should be understood this arrangement is exemplary; other configurations and/or arrangements of receiver assembly(s)  400  and/or receiver assembly support(s)  300  are contemplated without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  also shows plate  200  comprising forty eight (48) receiver assembly support(s)  300  without receiver assembly(s)  400  (as illustrated on the right side of plate  200 ). It should be understood that this configuration is optional; it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that receiver assembly support  300  may be independent of other receiver support assembly(s)  300 . For example, it is possible to stamp a series of receiver support assemblies  300  independent of each other, or, in the alternative, it is possible to insert them in group(s)  310  as shown. It should be understood that group  310  of receiver assembly  400  and receiver assembly support  300  may be any user-determined number sufficient to fit within plate  200 . In this manner, the user may select any number of receiver assembly support  300  and/or receiver assembly  400  to fit his or her unique needs. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , showing a perspective underside view of plate  200  and similarly illustrating a perspective underside view of receiver assembly support  300  and receiver assembly  400  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and by way of example only, plate  200  is shown comprising three (3) group  310  of eight (8) receiver assembly support  300  containing eight (8) receiver assembly  400  and eight (8) dental instrument  110  per group  310 ; twenty four (24) individually stamped receiver assembly support  300  containing twenty four (24) receiver assembly  400 ; and forty eight (48) receiver assembly support  300  without receiver assembly  400 . It should be understood that the parallel configuration as depicted in  FIG. 3  is optional. Receiver assembly support(s)  300  and/or receiver assembly  400  may be in spaced parallel relation to one another within plate  200  as depicted in  FIG. 3 , however in other embodiments (not shown) the space-relation may be diagonal, perpendicular, or any other suitable polylinear configuration. 
     Receiver assembly support  300  may be preferably press fit into plate  200 . Receiver assembly  400  may be similarly press fit together within receiver assembly support  300 . In this manner, these three components of dental instrument securing system  100  operate in concert to provide active restraint of dental instrument  110 . In alternative embodiments, receiver assembly support  300  and/or receiver assembly  400  may be stamped into or cut out of plate  200 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3  and further discussed in  FIG. 4 , receiver assembly  400  may bisect plate  200  such that instrument support  430  is substantially located on the lower portion of plate  200  as shown. In this manner, grommet  450  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be substantially above receiver assembly support  300  while instrument support  430  may be substantially below receiver assembly support  300  as shown. Receiver assembly support  300  substantially secures receiver assembly  400  by creating a sealed friction fit with grommet  450  and aperture  320  on top portion of plate  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and mentioned above, receiver assembly support  300  may comprise aperture  320 . In a preferred embodiment, the dimensions of receiver assembly support  300  are complementary to the dimensions of receiver assembly  400  such that aperture  320  is capable of removably receiving at least one receiver assembly  400  as shown. In this manner, receiver assembly  400  is held in stasis with receiver assembly support  300  within plate  200 . Aperture  320  may be positioned substantially beneath grommet  450  (discussed in  FIG. 4 ). 
     Receiver assembly support  300  may further comprise a plurality of anchoring means  330  to suitably secure receiver assembly  400 . When receiver assembly  400  is inserted through aperture  320  and bisects plate  200 , at least one anchoring means  330  actively restrains receiver assembly  400  by remaining in constant contact with instrument support  430  as shown. In this manner, receiver assembly  400  is held in stasis with receiver assembly support  300  within plate  200 . Aperture  320  may further comprise instrument stationer  340 , and joint  350 . Instrument stationer  340  may be located on the underside of plate  200  substantially beneath grommet  450  (discussed in  FIG. 4 ) on the lower portion of plate  200 . 
     Instrument stationer  340  within the present embodiment comprises joint  350  and lip  370 . As further discussed in  FIG. 4 , instrument stationer  340  is designed to provide increased securing of dental instrument  110  and to decrease the opportunity for accidental abrasion of the lower portion of dental instrument  110 . Lip  370  may be located on the distal end of instrument stationer  340 . Lip  370  may further be substantially facing upward from instrument support  430  as shown. In this manner, lip  370  permits instrument stationer  340  to securely hold dental instrument  110  in place against instrument support  430  while at the same time preventing damage to the instrument from chafing or scratching by instrument stationer  340 . 
     Joint  350  provides flexibility to instrument stationer  340  to permit it to function as a biasing means to secure and hold dental instrument  110 . Joint  350  may be substantially within the bottom plane of plate  200  within receiver assembly support  300 , as shown. Instrument stationer  340  works in concert with joint  350  and lip  370  to hold the lower portion of dental instrument  110  in stasis with instrument support  430 , vertically as shown. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , consisting of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , and illustrating receiver assembly  400  and receiver assembly support  300  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . Receiver assembly  400  may comprise instrument support  430 , second aperture  440 , and grommet  450 . Receiver assembly  400  may be comprised of any sturdy, non elastomeric material capable of withstanding harsh conditions such as those found in an autoclave or dishwasher; however the preferred material within this particular embodiment is Radel®. It should be understood that other non-elastomeric materials suitable for the purpose of securing and protecting dental instruments  110  may be used if desired, such as polymers and plastics, metal and metal alloys, and the like. 
     As mentioned in  FIG. 3 , instrument support  430  may be molded with grommet  450  and function in concert with instrument stationer  370  to secure, protect, and hold in stasis dental instrument  110 . Grommet  450  may function as the upper portion of receiver assembly  400 . Further, grommet  450  may positioned substantially over aperture  320  (shown  FIG. 2  and discussed in  FIG. 3 ) and serves additionally to provide a sealing means between aperture  320  and lower portion  420  of receiver assembly  400  within plate  200 . In this manner, instrument support  430  may inserted into aperture  320  and occupy the space underneath plate  200  while grommet  450  may occupy the space over aperture  320  and on the upper surface of plate  200 . 
     Receiver assembly  400  may further comprise second aperture  440  for removably receiving and securing dental instrument  110 . Further, instrument support may further comprise rest  460 . When he or she wishes to store and/or transport medical equipment such as dental instruments, the user may insert dental instrument  110  through aperture  320  into second aperture  440  such that the lower portion of dental instrument  110  is positioned substantially against rest  460  (as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 ). 
     Grommet  450  preferably comprises a non-elastomeric material such as Radel® to provide a sealed-fit of receiver assembly  400  within plate  200 . This substantially reduces the chance of contamination, degradation, and erosion of secure instrument retention. In this way, the present invention promotes safe, effective, reliable and efficient instrument retention. Further, use of a non-elastomeric material such as Radel® increases longevity of dental instrument securing system  100  and its components with repeated use over time. It should be understood that other non-elastomeric materials may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     Instrument support  430  may be substantially semi-cylindrical in shape as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . However, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that other shapes may be utilized to accomplish the task of supporting a laboratory instrument. In this manner, anchoring means  320  may be in contact with the outer portion of instrument support  430  while dental instrument  110  may be in contract with the inner portion of instrument support  430  as shown. As with all other components of receiver assembly  400 , rest  460  may be comprised of any non-elastomeric material, with Radel® being preferred. Further, rest  460  may be cylindrical as shown. In alternative embodiments, rest  460  may be cuboid, prismatoid, or any other polyangular shape sufficient to retain an instrument. In certain embodiments, receiver assembly  400  may be color coded according to the user specifications for example, for use in tool identification, organization, and other such uses. It should be understood that receiver assembly support may accommodate any tool such as standard medical or laboratory equipment and is not limited to dental tools. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , dental instrument(s)  110  may be frictionally inserted into second aperture  440  as also shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  such that the lower portion of dental instrument  110  (such as a needle, probe, or a blade) is substantially located in or about the underside of plate  200 , while the upper portion of dental instrument  110  (such as a handle or grip) is substantially located above the top portion of plate  200 . Dental instrument  110  is preferably inserted into receiver assembly  400  in a substantially vertical orientation and is in constant stationary contact with grommet  450  (as depicted in  FIG. 1 ), instrument stationer  340  and rest  460 . Instrument stationer  340  is adjacent to and works in concert with aperture  320  to actively secure dental instrument  110  within receiver assembly  400  by compressing the lower portion of dental instrument  110  against instrument support  430 . In this manner, dental instrument  110  is held in stasis between support  430  and stationer  340  via friction fit. In this way the present invention provides the necessary support means and at the same time secures dental instrument  110  within dental instrument securing system  100 . 
     From the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that a dental instrument securing system  100  preferred embodiment is provided and present significant benefits that would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations in the embodiments exist. Lastly, it should be appreciated that these embodiments are preferred exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient framework for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the exemplary preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth.