Abstract:
A surgical instrument tray for the secure storage of pharmaceuticals and surgical instruments on a surgical cart having a hinged, transparent lid for easy access and visibility.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This present invention relates to a surgical instrument tray for use with a surgical cart used to store surgical instruments and pharmaceuticals and, more particularly to such a surgical instrument tray that fits on the top of the surgical cart having a transparent, hinged, secure lid. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Rolling cabinets used in connection with patient care, more commonly referred to as surgical carts, are used in literally every hospital setting including in-room care as well as the operating or emergency room. Typically, these surgical carts, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,205,629 and 4,790,610, as well as pending application US 2004/0135477 A1, include a system of drawers in a relatively small cabinet with rolling casters to facilitate mobility. The drawers, which can be locking as described in US 2004/0135477 A1, are generally used to store pharmaceuticals and surgical instruments, although a more specialized use such as for blood specimen procurement, U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,286; storage of ophthalmic micro surgical instruments, U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,088, or medication dispensing, U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,965, can be the desired objective. Typically, the top surface of the surgical cart becomes, for the surgeon, attending physician or nurse, just another storage area for used or to be used, surgical instruments or pharmaceuticals. While such a storage area is convenient and allows items to be visible as well as easily assessable; it is not secure. Furthermore, items placed on the top surface of the surgical cart can become displaced during movement of the cart and can even fall onto the ground. Of course, once the pharmaceuticals or surgical instruments are placed back into the drawers of the surgical cart, they can be secured, however one in such drawers, they are no longer visible or easily assessable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a secure and convenient tray to be placed on the top surface of the surgical cart for storage of surgical instruments and pharmaceuticals, the lid of which, at least, is transparent to allow visibility of those items placed in such tray. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of the surgical instrument tray of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1   a  illustrate a top view of the surgical instrument tray of the present invention depicting the lip in an open position 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the surgical instrument tray of the present invention depicting a sectioned top surface (lid). 
           [0009]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates a top view of the surgical instrument tray of the present invention depicting the section lid in a open position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]    The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. 
         [0011]    As shown both in  FIG. 1 , the surgical tray of the present invention consists of a box having two side surfaces [ 2 , and  3 ], a back surface [ 4 ] and a top surface (lid) [ 1 ]. The lid [ 1 ] is attached along the edge of back surface using any conventional means such as a hinge [ 7 ] which will allow the lid [ 1 ] to open [See  FIG. 1   a ]. Although any material of sufficient rigidity can be used to form the back [ 4 ], side [ 2  and  3 ] and lid [ 1 ] surfaces of the present invention, it has been found that the surgical instrument tray works best when the material of construction is one quarter inch acrylic and that the acrylic for the top surface (lid) [ 1 ] is clear. 
         [0012]    Again, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the surgical instrument tray of the present invention is secured to the surgical cart using at least one but preferably 2 latches [ 5  and  6 ]. Any conventional type latch will work, however a simple latch formed from material such as one-eighth inch polycarbonate has been found to be effective. The latches [ 5  and  6 ] are attached to the edge of the top surface (lid) [ 1 ] using any conventional method such as glue. The latches can even be formed as an integral part of the lid [ 1 ]. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the latches [ 5  and  6 ] have a lip [ 15  and  16 ] to secure attachment to the surgical cart. The latches [ 5  and  6 ] can be made of separate pieces attached together to form the latch shape using any conventional means or can be formed as a single piece through processes such as injection molding. 
         [0013]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the top surface (lid) [ 1 ] can be formed in sections, at least two and preferably three sections. One section is permanently attached to the top edge of the back surface [ 12 ] using any conventional means such as glue. The other sections are attached together using any typical means of attachment which will allow the lid [ 1 ] to open such as hinges [ 9  and  10 ].  FIG. 2   a  shows the sectioned lid [ 1 ] in an open position with the first section [ 13 ] folded over the second section [ 14 ]. Folding the sections over each other reduces the amount of space that is needed around the surgical instrument tray to fully open the lid [ 1 ]. 
         [0014]    Without limiting the foregoing and while not necessary for embodiment, the surgical instrument tray of the present invention can be made with a locking device such that the lid [ 1 ] cannot be opened. Further, flaps [ 11 ], as shown in  FIG. 2   a , can be added to the surgical instrument tray of the present invention to form a tighter seal around the perimeter of the lid [ 1 ].