Abstract:
A disposable hinged box (2) for surgical articles. The container (2) has certain design features to facilitate accounting of small surgical implements. An oblique bifurcation between the container cover (6) and container bottom (4), together with a guard (36, 38) forms a cradle within the cover for retaining implements therein. The container is particularly suited for holding syringes within the container cover (6) and accounting for needles, or suture, within the container bottom (4).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a novel hinged container for holding surgical articles. More particularly, the present invention provides a unitary hinged container with specific design features to facilitate ready accounting of the surgical articles both prior to and after a surgical procedure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During any surgical procedure, it is of extreme importance to maintain an exact account of the number and identity of the various medical and surgical implements employed during the procedure. That is, the exact number and identity of the implements must be noted prior to the surgical procedure so that the same number can be readily accounted for at the conclusion of the procedure. 
     This accounting procedure is usually performed prior to closing surgical incisions to ensure that no implements accidentally remain within the incision. Implements which are inadvertently left within an incision commonly are a source of infection and other complications. Surgical accountability is especially difficult with sponges, sutures and needles because of their extremely small size. 
     The hinged container of the present invention includes certain design features which render it useful in surgical accountability, especially in accounting for small surgical implements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The container of the present invention comprises a container bottom and a container cover joined to each other along a common severable hinge. To form a closed container, the container cover is folded over the container bottom along the common hinge. The container cover engages the container bottom by a simple snap action along the common rims of the container cover and container bottom. 
     Of particular interest is the oblique bifurcation of the container cover and container bottom as is further described in the detailed description of the invention. Briefly, when the container is in an open position, this oblique bifurcation provides a deeper cradle portion within the cover along one side. This cradle portion is further provided with an articulated pocket or guard to organize and retain the cover contents. The oblique bifurcation of the container also provides a deeper cradle portion within the container bottom. 
     The floor of the container bottom is preferably provided with a magnetic pad to retain magnetic surgical articles, or with a cushioned pad to retain other small surgical articles. The floor of the container bottom, or the inserted magnetic or cushioned pad, may be further provided with indicia to facilitate surgical accountability of the articles. 
     The container&#39;s severable hinge allows the container cover and container bottom to be separated from each other so that they may be used as individual trays even though the entire container can initially be molded as one piece. When the surigal articles have been accounted for in the container, the container and its contents may be safely and conveniently disposed of. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an open, hinged container of the present invention showing the cover and bottom joined to each other along a severable hinge; 
     FIG. 2 is a profile view of the hinged, open container; 
     FIG. 3 is a side profile view of the hinged closed container showing the oblique bifurcation formed by the mating cover and bottom rims; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the container taken generally along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a view of the container top, similar to that of FIG. 4, showing an alternative embodiment of a guard taking the form of an articulated pocket shown in a closed configuration; 
     FIG. 6 is a view of the container top with the articulated pocket shown in an open configuration; and 
     FIG. 7 is a view of the container cover, taken generally along the line 7--7 of FIG. 2, showing concave contoured rests for surgical implements such as syringes. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The hinged container 2 of this invention comprises a container bottom 4 and a container cover 6 joined to each other along a common severable hinge 8, as shown in the illustrative embodiment of this invention in FIGS. 1 and 2. Cover 6 can be separated from bottom 4 along hinge 8 so that the invention can be used as two separate trays. 
     Container bottom 4 has a generally rectangular floor member 10 lying generally in a first plane. Floor member 10 is preferably provided with means for accounting for surgical articles. For example, a magnetic insert 25 for retaining small metallic surgical implements, such as needles (not shown) can be employed. 
     Alternatively, floor member 10 may include a cushioning insert for retaining both metallic and non-metallic surgical implements, such as sponges or suture clips. The insert may also be both magnetic and cushioned. 
     Preferably, the chosen accounting means has a numbered grid 27 with space for individual surgical implements so that the number and identity of implements can be readily accounted for following the surgical procedure and before closing the surgical incision. 
     Extending upwardly from floor member 10 are four sides 12, 14, 16 and 18. The first pair of opposing sides 12 and 14 extend upwardly from floor member 10 such that side 12 is slightly taller than side 14. The second pair of opposing sides are mirror image sides 16 and 18. The four sides terminate at a generally rectangular peripheral rim 20 which extends outwardly from sides 12, 14, 16 and 18. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, rim 20 lies generally in a second plane at an oblique angle to the first plane of floor member 10. Rim 20 along side 14 forms part of hinge 8 to container cover 6. 
     A female trough 34 is formed inside rim 20 and extends substantially along sides 12, 14, 16 and 18. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, rim 20 along side 12 forms a co-planar flange 22. Flange 22 functions as half of a thumb-and-finger opening mechanism and cooperates with a flange 24 on cover 6 as is further explained below. 
     FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show container cover 6 as having generally rectangular top member 28, lying in a third plane. Extending downwardly from top member 28 are four sides 29, 30, 31 and 32. First pair of opposing sides 29 and 30 extend downwardly from top member 28 such that side 29 is slightly taller than side 30. Sides 31, 32 are opposing mirror images. Sides 20, 30, 31 and 32 terminate at a generally rectangular peripheral rim 33 which extends outwardly from sides 29, 30, 31 and 32. 
     Rim 33 lies generally in a fourth plane at an oblique angle to the third plane of top member 28. Rim 33 along side 29 forms part of hinge 8 to container bottom 4. A male trough 35 is provided inside rim 33 substantially surrounding sides 29, 30, 31 and 32 and aligned to cooperate with female trough 34 on container bottom 4. When cover 6 is folded over bottom 4 to form container 2, male trough 35 will cooperate with female trough 34 to retain cover 5 to bottom 4 in a snap fashion. Rim 33 along side 30 also forms a co-planar flange 24 as half of a thumb-and-finger opening mechanism to cooperate with flange 22 on the bottom 4. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, a guard 36 is attached inside of rim 33 and male trough 35 along side 29. Guard 36 forms a pocket with top member 28 and sides 31, 32. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, alternative guard 38 is formed so that it will be accordian-compressed within cover 6 when container 2 is closed to provide secure retention for the contents of cover 6. As shown in FIG. 7, male trough 35 along side 30 is conveniently provided with a plurality of concave indentations 37 to ensure retention of surgical syringes or other similar elongated tubular surgical articles within cover 6 when container 2 is open. 
     To close container 2, cover 6 is folded over bottom 4 along hinge 8. Container 2 is formed of material which is sufficiently sturdy to allow hinge 8 to remain intact when cover 6 is folded over bottom 4, yet light enough to allow cover 6 and bottom 4 to be separated by tearing along the hinge 8. Polyvinylchloride has been found to be satisfactory, and such material also allows the container 2 to be sterilized for surgical use. 
     In closure, slight pressure is applied so that male trough 35 and female trough 34 engage to seal container 2. To open the closed container 2, a light thumb-and-finger opposing action is applied to flanges 22 and 24. 
     Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been discussed. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is only illustrative. Changes may be made in details without exceeding the scope of the invention.