Surgical instrument container assembly with snap fit handle assembly

A surgical instrument container assembly includes a container and a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes at least one wire handle coupled with the container, and a pair of handle halves. Each handle half includes a pair of ends and a pair of partial openings respectively positioned at the ends. Each partial opening of one handle half is adjacent a respective partial opening of the other handle half. The adjacent partial openings conjunctively receive a portion of the at least one wire handle therein. The handle halves surround a portion of the at least one wire handle and are snap fitted together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to surgical instrument cases, and, more particularly, to handle assemblies for such cases.

2. Description of the Related Art

Surgical instrument containers are known that provide organization, storage and sterilization functionality for surgical instruments and devices. Surgical procedures are regularly performed using “sets” of pre-selected surgical instruments, each set being a collection of instruments established from experience or design to be useful in a given surgical procedure. The surgical instruments expected to be used in a particular procedure are grouped together to form a set, and, as a set, are arranged in a tray or case, sterilized, and transported to the operating room for subsequent use. Complex procedures typically involve a substantial number of instruments. Thus, typically, several instrument trays may be necessary to accommodate all of the required surgical instruments. Accordingly, sterilizing cases often are designed to accommodate a plurality of trays with the instruments arranged on the trays in such a manner that the trays may be accessed as the surgical procedure advances, often in a preset sequence.

To assist in transport and use, the trays and/or cases may include one or more handles which are grasped by a user. The handles may be located on the sides or top of the tray and/or case. Such handles may be in the form of, e.g., a simple wire handle allowing a user to open, move and/or transport the tray and/or case. Although such handles are functional, they tend not to be particularly ergonomic and/or easy to use.

What is needed in the art is a handle assembly for a surgical container which is easier to use, non-obtrusive, and ergonomically designed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a snap fit, ergonomically designed handle assembly for a surgical instrument container.

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a surgical instrument container assembly, including a container and a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes at least one wire handle coupled with the container, and a pair of handle halves. Each handle half includes a pair of ends and a pair of partial openings respectively positioned at the ends. Each partial opening of one handle half is adjacent a respective partial opening of the other handle half. The adjacent partial openings conjunctively receive a portion of the at least one wire handle therein. The handle halves surround a portion of the at least one wire handle and are snap fitted together.

An advantage of the present invention is that the handle halves can be snap fitted together in a quick and easy manner.

Another advantage is that the handle halves can be manufactured using a simple injection molding process and coupled together without the use of tools.

Yet another advantage is that the wire handle can be manufactured with a one piece or two piece design.

Still another advantage is that the beveled surfaces providing the snap fit can be integrally molded with one of the handle halves, or provided on a separate piece which interconnects the handle halves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of a surgical instrument container assembly10, which generally includes a handle assembly12which is attached to a container14(FIG. 7). Container14is in the form of a tray for orthopedic instruments in the embodiment shown, but may also be in the form of a drawer, case, etc.

Handle assembly12includes a pair of wire handles16pivotally coupled with container14. Although shown as a split design, wire handle16may also be configured as a single wire rather than a pair of wires.

Handle assembly12also includes a pair of handle halves18and20, which as can be seen inFIGS. 1-6and8are substantially similar to each other. Handle halves18and20are also shown as being identical to each other and can be interchanged with each other. Each handle half18and20includes a pair of ends22and a pair of partial openings24respectively positioned at ends22. Each partial opening24of one handle half18or20is adjacent a partial opening24of the other handle half18or20. Each adjacent pair of partial openings24conjunctively receive a portion of wire handle(s)16therein. Handle halves18and20surround a portion of wire handle(s)16and are snap fitted together, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Snap fit block26is interposed between and interconnects handle halves18and20. Snap fit block26includes four beveled surfaces28extending generally parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction of handle halves18and20. As can be seen inFIG. 8snap fit block26is substantially symmetrical as viewed in the cross-sectional view. Each handle half18and20includes a pair of side edges30defining a pair of respective recesses32which receive a respective beveled surface28therein. When coupled together, beveled surfaces28and recesses32define the snap fit engagement between handle halves18and20. Handle halves18and20have an elliptical cross sectional shape when snap fit coupled together.

Handle halves18and20each include a plurality of depressions34in an outer surface thereof. Depressions34provide finger depressions for the fingers of a user to further improve the ergonomic design of handle assembly12.

Handle halves18and20and snap fit block26are injection molded parts in the embodiment shown. Snap fit block26is shown as being separate from but snap fit to each of handle halves18and20. However, it is also possible to form snap fit block26integral with one of handle halves18or20. That is, snap fit block26may be molded to be a monolithic part of handle half18or20, and snap fit with the other handle half18or20.