Abstract:
An instrument stand for supportingly receiving surgical instruments is provided. The instrument stand includes at least one of an instrument support and a stabilization support, a first stand section and a second stand section. The second stand section is positionally coupled to the first stand section by at least one of the instrument support and the stabilization support. Also, a surgical instrument organizer assembly for supportingly receiving surgical instruments is provided, and includes an instrument stand and at least one clamp positionably coupled to the instrument stand. Further, a method of using a surgical instrument organizer assembly is provided.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/830,435, filed Jul. 12, 2006, for “Surgical Instrument Organization System,” the contents of the entirety of which are incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to surgical instrument organization systems used in surgical settings to organize surgical instruments for reliable, rapid, ready access by medical personnel as needed during a surgical procedure and, more particularly, to surgical stands, surgical instrument organizer assemblies, and methods of use therefor. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Surgical instruments anticipated as likely to be needed during any surgical procedure are conventionally assembled in advance of the surgery on a tray by, for example, a surgery technician or nurse. The tray is stably supported, such as along one side thereof, on rollers above the surgery floor in order to allow mobility and accessibility to the surgical instruments. The height of the tray above the surgery floor is such as to permit the tray to be selectively positioned at will over any portion of an occupied surgery bed, within easy reach of medical personnel. The tray, in combination with the support and rollers therefor, is conventionally referred to as a “mayo stand.” 
         [0004]    Various types of surgical instruments are routinely loaded onto a mayo stand in preparation for use in surgery. These surgical instruments are generally arranged on the mayo stand in a nesting, parallel relationship with the handles of the surgical instruments in alignment. In many cases, similar types of surgical instruments are grouped together and graded by size. Such a line up of surgical instruments is commonly known or referred to as a “stringer” or “stringer of surgical instruments.” Examples of surgical instruments that would commonly be included in a stringer on a mayo stand include hemostats, tonsils, Haney clamps, and needle holders. 
         [0005]    Known systems for organizing stringers on a mayo stand employ rolled cotton towels, foam organizers, and complicated metal structures. While the latter are occasionally capable, in addition, of securing a group of medical instruments together temporarily during sterilization in an autoclave, organization systems that employ towels or foam organizers cannot be so sterilized and are thus not reusable. Even metal organizers frequently lack the type of flexibility that would allow medical personnel in the surgical field to customize the organizer to accommodate various sizes of stringers or allow the metal organizers to adapt to various compositions of surgical instruments within a stringer. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is an ongoing desire to provide a surgical stand capable of reuse after sterilization that accommodates various sizes of stringers or various compositions of surgical instruments within a striger. There is also a need to provide a surgical stand capable of adjustment to accommodate an assortment of surgical instruments while conserving space on a mayo stand. Further, there is a need for providing a reusable surgical stand having adjustable divisible sections for accommodating sets of stringers or stringer having different sized instruments. Further still, there is a need to provide a surgical stand capable of being stably repositionable about a mayo stand and un-affixed therefrom, in order to provide adaptable adjustability for sectionally supporting surgical instrument thereon Moreover, there is a need to provide a surgical stand that includes reusable adjustable dividers for receiving stringers of surgical instruments there between, particularly for providing sturdy upright support for the surgical instruments. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In certain embodiments, an instrument stand is provided that may be reused after sterilization and advantageously accommodates various sizes of stringers and compositions of surgical instruments. The instrument stand is capable of adjustment allowing accommodation of an assortment of surgical instruments while efficiently conserving and utilizing space upon a mayo stand or other surface. Further, the reusable instrument stand includes adjustable or divisible sections for accommodating surgical instruments, stringers of surgical instruments, sets of stringers and stringers having different sized surgical instruments. Further still, the instrument stand may be stably repositioned about a mayo stand or other surface, allowing adaptable adjustability for sectionally supporting surgical instrument thereon or thereabout. Moreover, the instrument stand may receive reusable adjustable dividers, such as clamps, for receiving surgical instruments therebetween, while providing sturdy upright support for the surgical instruments. 
         [0008]    In certain embodiments, an instrument stand for supportingly receiving surgical instruments is provided. The instrument stand includes at least one of an instrument support and a stabilization support, a first stand section and a second stand section. The second stand section is positionally coupled to the first stand section by at least one of the instrument support and the stabilization support. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments, a surgical instrument organizer assembly for supportingly receiving surgical instruments is provided. The surgical instrument organizer assembly includes an instrument stand and at least one clamp positionably coupled to the instrument stand. 
         [0010]    A method of using a surgical instrument organizer assembly is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0011]    Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the invention, the advantages of this invention may be more readily ascertained from the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mayo stand positioned over the foot of a surgery bed and loaded with surgical instruments in a stringer arrangement that are thus upheld for ready access by an embodiment of a surgical instrument organizer assembly in accordance with the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the surgical instrument organizer assembly of  FIG. 1  empty of surgical instruments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the surgical instrument organizer assembly of  FIG. 2  taken along section line  3 - 3  shown therein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional elevation view an instrument stand of the surgical instrument organizer assembly of  FIG. 3  taken along section line  4 - 4  shown therein; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows assembly view of an instrument stand and a clamp of the surgical instrument organization system of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a surgical setting in which a surgical instrument organization system, or surgical instrument organizer assembly  30  is used to advantage. Shown, a doctor  10 , a first assistant  12 , and a nurse  14  are grouped about a surgical table upon which a prone patient  16  is undergoing a surgical procedure. Positioned over the surgical table at the foot of the patient  16  is a mayo stand  18  upon which a stringer  20  arrangement of surgical instruments  22  are organized upon the surgical instrument organizer assembly  30  and positionally upheld for ready use. The nurse  14  is shown in the process of removing a surgical instrument  22   a  from the surgical instrument organizer assembly  30  and passing the instrument  22   a  to the assistant  12 . 
         [0019]    The surgical instrument organizer assembly  30  includes an instrument stand  32  and at least one clamp  34 . In this embodiment of the invention, four clamps  34  are shown separating, organizing and supporting the stringer  20  of surgical instruments  22 . 
         [0020]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , surgical instrument organizer assembly  30  includes an instrument stand  32  (hereinafter “stand”) and one clamp  34 . Reference may also be made to  FIG. 5  which shows the clamp  34  disassembled from the stand  32 , which is also disassembled into its constituent parts for sterilization. 
         [0021]    The clamp  34  is generally nondestructively removably secured to stand  32  at a pre-selected location along a length D thereof by the nurse, assistant or doctor, as mentioned herein. While one clamp  34  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , any desired number of clamps, such as the clamp  34 , may be used with a stand, such as instrument stand  32 , in the surgical instrument organizer assembly  30  configured according to embodiments of the invention. 
         [0022]    The clamp  34  includes a pair of similarly-sized, elongated first and second arms  36 ,  38 , respectively that meet at one end of clamp  34  to form a jaw  40  thereof. The first arm  36  and the second arm  38  are secured to each other at a shared medial location by a spring-loaded hinge  42  that urges the first arm  36  and the second arm  38  into the closed condition of the clamp  34  shown with the jaw  40  of the clamp  34  selectively clasping the stand  32 . Nonetheless, the first arm  36  and the second arm  38  engage in relative pivoting movement out of the closed position of the clamp  34 , when the biasing effect of the hinge  42  is overcome by sufficient counteracting force applied between the first arm  36  and the second arm  38 . 
         [0023]    Accordingly, the end of the first arm  36  on the opposite side of the spring-loaded hinge  40  from the jaw  40  is formed into a first handle  44 , while the end of the second arm  38  on the opposite side of the hinge  40  from the hinge  40  is formed into a second handle  46 . When a force F is applied by the fingers of a medical practitioner to the first handle  44  and to the second handle  46  in the directions indicated by correspondingly labeled arrows in  FIG. 2 , the jaw  42  opens in the manner indicated by arrows G allowing the grip of the jaw  40  to be released from the stand  32 . According to the needs of medical personnel, the clamp  34  may then be repositioned at a different location along the length of the stand  32 , or removed entirely from the stand  32  and thus, from the surgical instrument organization system  30 . While a clamp  34  is biased about the hinge  40  by a spring, it is recognized that the clamp  34  may or may not have a biasing member. Furthermore, the clamp  34  may include a tension or compression member for supplying the requisite clamping force to secure the clamp  34  to the instrument stand  32 . 
         [0024]    The structure of the stand  32  will be investigated in detail by reference first to  FIG. 2 . The remote ends of the stand  32  includes a first footing  50  and a second footing  52  that support the stand  32  on the upper surface of the mayo stand  18  when the surgical instrument organizer assembly  30  is assembled thereupon with a stringer of surgical instruments in preparation for surgery. Extending between and upheld by the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  are an elongated instrument support  54  and therebelow, at a height H above the upper surface of the mayo stand  18 , a stand stabilization shaft or support  56 . 
         [0025]    Advantageously, the instrument support  54  and the stabilization shaft  56  of the stand  32  allow the jaw  40  of the clamp  34  to grippingly supported in the closed condition thereof. Toward that end, the opposed faces  57 ,  58 , of the jaw  40  may be configured as shown in  FIG. 2  to conform closely to the exterior profile and the vertical separation V between the instrument support  54  and the stabilization shaft  56 . 
         [0026]    When thusly employed as part of the surgical instrument organizer assembly  30 , the clamp  34  separates the distance D between the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  into a first instrument disposition slot  60  adjacent to first footing  50  and a second instrument disposition slot  62  adjacent to the second footing  52 . The first instrument disposition slot  60  is as a result separated from the second instrument disposition slot  62  by a distance S representing the width of the clamp  34  as measured parallel to the hinge  42 , the instrument support  54 , and the stabilization shaft  56 . 
         [0027]    The use with the stand  32  of additional clamps, such as the lamp  34 , will serve to further subdivide the distance D into additional and smaller instrument disposition slots along the length of the stand  32 . In  FIG. 1 , for example, the surgical instrument organizer assembly  30  is shown to employ four clamps  34 , thus subdividing the distance D between the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  into five distinct instrument disposition slots P, Q, R, S, T, along the length of the stand  32 . The sizes of instrument disposition slots P, Q, R, S, T, can be varied at will by medical personnel according to the positions chosen selectively therefor, for each of the clamps  34 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the instrument support  54  and the stabilization shaft  56  is a telescoping structure of an inner rod  64 ,  68  that is slidably longitudinally received within a hollow outer rod  66 ,  70 , respectively. Thus, the inner support rod  64  is cantilevered from the second footing  52  and slidably disposed within a longitudinally extending interior passageway  65  in the hollow outer support rod  66  that projects from the first footing  50  to produce the instrument support  54 . Similarly, the inner stabilization rod  68  is slidably disposed within a longitudinally extending interior passageway  69  in the hollow outer stabilization rod  70  that projects from the first footing  50  to produce the stabilization shaft  56 . 
         [0029]    To avoid the inclusion of problematic dead end spaces within the components described herein of the stand  32 , the interior passageway  65  in the outer support rod  66  and the interior passageway  69  in the outer stabilization rod  70  open at both ends to the exterior of the stand  32 . Thus, while the end of the interior passageway  65  at the free end  72  of the outer support rod  66  actually receives the free end  74  of the inner support rod  64 , the opposite end of the interior passageway  65  opens through the first footing  50  on the face  76  thereof, opposite from the outer support rod  66  in an upper clean out aperture  78 . Similarly, the end of the interior passageway  69  at the free end  82  of outer support rod  70  receives free end  84  of the inner support rod  68 , and the opposite end of the interior passageway  69  also opens through the first footing  50  on the face  76  in a lower clean out aperture  88 . 
         [0030]    By means of this arrangement of components, the first footing  50  with the outer support rod  54  and the outer stabilization rod  70  projecting therefrom is slidable at will toward or away from the second footing  52  with the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  68  projecting therefrom. Advantageously, the stand  32  may be increased or decreased in length, thus rendering distance D between the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  variable at the convenience of a user of the surgical instrument organizer assembly  30 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the outer support rod  54  and the outer stabilization rod  70  have a first common length L( 1 ), while the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  68  have a second common length L( 2 ). In those terms, the maximum length achievable for distance D between the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  by sliding the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  away from each other would be equal to the combination of the first common length L( 1 ) plus the second common length L( 2 ). Upon extension to the maximum length (L( 1 )+L( 2 )), the stand  32  would be separatable into a first stand half or section  92  made up of the first footing  50 , the outer support rod  54  aid the outer stabilization rod  70 , and a second stand half or section  94  made up of the second footing  52 , the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  68 . 
         [0032]    To forewarn a user of the stand  32  hat further movement of the first stand section  92  apart from the second stand section  94  risks disassembly of the stand  32 , the surface of the inner support rod  64  for a distance T adjacent to the free end  74  thereof and the surface of the inner stabilization rod  68  for a distance T adjacent to the free end  84  thereof may be colored, textured, or coated in a manner that contrasts visually with the balance of the surface of the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  86 , respectively. When these visually contrastingly potions of the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  86  present, respectively, at the free end  72  of the outer support rod  66  and at the free end  82  of the outer stabilization rod  70 , a user is advised sensorially, such as visually, that the fullest extension of the stand  32  is being approached. 
         [0033]    Disassembly of the stand  32  into the first stand section  92  and the second stand section  94 , and unclamping all clamps  34  there from, facilitate sterilization, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Optionally, disassembly provides the opportunity to pass any of the free ends of any of the inner support rod  64 , the outer support rod  66 , the inner stabilization rod  68 , or the outer stabilization rod  70  through apertures in handles of surgical instruments. Reassembling the first and the second section  92 ,  94 , with the inner support rod  64 , the outer support rod  66 , the inner stabilization rod  68 , or the outer stabilization rod  70  passing through the apertures in the handles of surgical instruments captures those surgical instruments as a group with the stand  32 , whereupon the assembly may be manipulated as a unit for sterilization, transport, or other organizational purposes. However, it is conventionally recognized that a stringer wire (not shown) is customarily utilized to capture the above mention surgical instruments creating a stringer suitable for sterilization, transport, or utilization with embodiments of the invention mentioned herein. 
         [0034]    It may be convenient, but not necessary, that the first common length L( 1 ) of the outer support rod  54  and the outer stabilization rod  70  is equal to the second common length L( 2 ) of the inner support rod  6  and the inner stabilization rod  68 . 
         [0035]    Where, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the ends of both the outer support rod  66  and the outer stabilization rod  70  adjacent to the first footing  50  are closed off, the minimum length achievable for distance D between the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  by sliding the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  toward each other is equal to the first common length L( 1 ) of the outer support rod  66  and the outer stabilization rod  70  when the second common length L( 2 ) is equal to or less than the first common length L( 1 ). When the first common length L( 1 ) the outer support rod  66  and the outer stabilization rod  70  is less than the second common length L( 2 ) of the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  68 , then the distance D between the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  is minimized at the second common length L( 2 ) when closed off; and is further minimized at the first common length L( 1 ) when the free end  74  of the inner support rod  64  extends towards or from the face  76  of the first footing  50  through the upper clean out aperture  78 , and the free end  84  of the inner stabilization rod  68  extends towards or from the face  76  of the first footing  50  through the lower clean out aperture  88 . 
         [0036]    Furthermore, if the end of either the outer support rod  54  and the outer stabilization rod  70  adjacent to the first footing  50  is closed off, then the minimum length achievable for distance D between the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  by sliding the first footing  50  and the second footing  52  toward each other is equal to the larger of the first common length L( 1 ) of the outer support rod  66  and the outer stabilization rod  70  and the second common length L( 2 ) of the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  68 . 
         [0037]    Optionally, either of the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  68  may be fabricated as hollow, tubular structures are contemplated within embodiments of the invention. 
         [0038]    As appreciated by reference to the transverse cross sections shown in  FIG. 4 , each of the inner support rod  64 , the outer support rod  66 , the inner stabilization rod  68 , and the outer stabilization rod  70  has a circular outer profile. It is recognized that other shapes of outer profiles in these rods  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70  of the stand  32  may be desirable and workable in other embodiments of the invention. In still another aspect of the invention, the cross-sectional size and outer profile of the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  68  relative to the cross-sectional size of the interior passageway  65  in the outer support rod  66  and the interior passageway  69  in the outer stabilization rod  70  be such as to permit the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  68  to be slidably receivable along the interiors  65 ,  69  of the outer support rod  66  and the outer stabilization rod  70 , respectively. in this regard, a close positionally engaging fit, e.g. sliding fit, is recommended between constituent rods, however, a lose or snug fit may be used to advantage. 
         [0039]    Further, as shown in  FIG. 4  the cross-sectional size and outer profile of the outer support rod  66  and the outer stabilization rod  70  are shown to be approximately equal. It is recognized that the outer support rod  66  and the outer stabilization rod  70  may have different sizes. It may, for example, be desired in enhancing the structural strength of the stand  32  to make the cross-sectional size and outer profile of the outer stabilization rod  70  large, or even substantially larger than the cross-sectional size and outer profile of the outer support rod  66 . Corresponding adjustments to the cross-sectional size and outer profiles of the inner support rod  64  and the inner stabilization rod  68  may be desired to maintain relative slidability between the first stand section  92  and the second stand section  94 , of the stand  32 . 
         [0040]    Furthermore, the relative positioning of the instrument support  54  and the stabilization shaft  56  need not be only as shown in  FIG. 4 . The instrument support  54  and the stabilization shaft  56  may be offset horizontally, or separated vertically to a greater or a lesser extent than depicted. It is advisable in some embodiments of the invention, that a top surface  100  of the instrument support  54  be located sufficiently below an upper edge  102  of, for example, the second footing  52  as to enable a surgical instrument, such as surgical instrument  22   b  shown in phantom in  FIG. 4 , to be rested on the top surface  100  of the instrument support  54  and leaned stably against, for example, a portion of the second footing  52  thereabove. 
         [0041]    It is further recognized that neither it is necessary that, as illustrated herein, the outer telescoping port ions of both the instrument support  54  and the stabilization shaft  56  project from a single one of the first or the second footings  50 ,  52 , respectively. One such outer telescoping portion could project from one of the first or the second footings  50 ,  52 , while the other of the outer telescoping portions projects from the other of the first and the second footings  50 ,  52 , respectively. Corresponding compensatory structural changes in the manner of supporting the inner of the telescoping portions of the instrument support  54  and the stabilization shaft  56  would produce an effective, functioning stand, like the stand  32 . Moreover, the instrument support  54  of the stand  32  may replace the stabilization shaft  56  or the stabilization shaft  56  may replace the instrument support  54 . Also, either of the instrument support  54  and the stabilization shaft  56  may be omitted from the stand. Moreover, additional instrument supports and stabilization shafts may be included with the stand  32 . 
         [0042]    The entirety of surgical instrument organizer assembly  30 , including all components of each of the stand  32  and clamps  34 , may be fabricated from durable, heat and moisture resistant materials that are medically sterilizeable and advantageously permit the surgical instrument organizer assembly  30  to be reusable in subsequent surgical procedures. Materials suitable for the surgical instrument organizer assembly  30  may include stainless steel, autoclavable plastics, and any other autoclavable materials in any combination suitable for assembly as shown and taught herein. It is recognized that the surgical instrument organizer assembly  30 , including all components of each of the stand  32  and clamps  34 , may as an assembly, or individually, be made of materials that are suitable for use in surgical procedures and may be either reusable or disposable. 
         [0043]    In certain embodiments of the invention, the instrument stand may be a non-adjustable stand  32  having a first footing  50  and a second footing  52  separated by at least one of an instrument support  54  and the stabilization support  56 . 
         [0044]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art, Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited in terms of the appended claims.