Abstract:
In order to improve a surgical screw container comprising a receiving part and a closure part mounted thereon so as to be movable, wherein the receiving part has at least two screw receptacles for accommodating at least two bone screws, wherein the closure part can be brought relative to the receiving part into at least one closure position, in which none of the screw receptacles is accessible for the introduction or removal of a bone screw, such that any loss of screws from the screw container can be practically ruled out it is suggested that the closure part can be brought from the at least one closure position into at least two removal positions, in each of which only a single screw receptacle is accessible for the introduction or removal of a single bone screw.

Description:
This application is a continuation of International application No. PCT/EP2006/005458 filed on Jun. 8, 2006. 
     The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in International application No. PCT/EP2006/005458 of Jun. 8, 2006 and German application No. 10 2005 030 553.9 of Jun. 22, 2005, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a surgical screw container comprising a receiving part and a closure part mounted thereon so as to be movable, wherein the receiving part has at least two screw receptacles for accommodating at least two bone screws, wherein the closure part can be brought relative to the receiving part into at least one closure position, in which none of the screw receptacles is accessible for the insertion or removal of a bone screw. 
     In surgery, small, flat bone plates, which are fixed to the bone, for example, with self-cutting and self-boring screws, are used, in particular, for the fixing of bone fragments or artificial bone opercula in the cranial region. The bone screws used for this purpose are, generally, very small and so they can be handled only with difficulty and can easily become lost. They are, therefore, usually made available for use in surgery in a surgical screw container of the type described at the outset. 
     In the case of the known screw containers, the fact that all the screw receptacles are freely accessible after removal of the closure part has proven to be disadvantage. As a result, all the screws found in the screw container can be accessed at the same time but there is also the risk of these screws being able to fall out of the screw container, for example, when the screw container tilts over. Since, in addition, exact records must be kept during a surgical procedure as to what instruments and, where applicable, also what implants have been used, it is necessary to search for a lost bone screw for such a time until it is found again. It is possible only in this way to avoid any instruments or implant parts unintentionally being left in the body of a patient. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a surgical screw container of the described type at the outset so that any loss of screws from the screw container can be ruled out. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, it is suggested in a surgical screw container of the type described at the outset, that the closure part can be brought from the closure position into at least two removal positions, in each of which only a single screw receptacle is accessible for the insertion or removal of a single bone screw. 
     The surgical screw container according to the invention ensures that only one screw receptacle is freely accessible in each removal position. So that the screw can be removed from the screw container, the closure part must, first of all, be brought relative to the receiving part from the at least one closure position, i.e., from one closure position or from several closure positions into one or several removal positions. Only then is access to one of the at least two screw receptacles possible. All the other screw receptacles are, however, not accessible. As a result, none of the screws located in the other screw receptacles can fall out of the screw container. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the surgical screw container can also serve to accommodate other securing elements or tools, for example, surgical needles or tool inserts, so-called “bits”. 
     The construction and the production of the screw container become particularly simple when the screw receptacles are designed in the form of insert bores or blind-hole bores in a basic member of the receiving part. The screw can be inserted into the insert bores or blind-hole bores, in particular, with a screw body provided with an external thread first so that a head of the screw protrudes out of these bores. 
     A transition from the at least one closure position into the at least one removal position and vice versa becomes particularly simple when the closure part is mounted on the receiving part so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. 
     The construction of the screw container is simplified further when longitudinal axes of the screw receptacles extend parallel to the axis of rotation. 
     Individual access to a single screw receptacle is simplified when the at least two screw receptacles are arranged concentrically around the axis of rotation. 
     The at least two screw receptacles are advantageously arranged on at least two concentric circles around the axis of rotation. As a result, considerably more screw receptacles can be provided in the screw container than is possible with an arrangement of the screw receptacles on only one circle concentric to the axis of rotation. 
     In order to be able to connect the closure part securely to the receiving part and, where applicable, to release it again therefrom in a simple manner, it is favorable when the closure part can be connected to the receiving part in a snap-in manner so as to be movably mounted thereon. A snap-in connection has, in addition, the advantage that the fact that the connecting position of receiving part and closure part has been taken up can generally not only be felt but also heard by an operator. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be provided for the receiving part and the closure part to each bear a coupling element for their movable mounting on one another and these coupling elements can be brought into engagement with one another. As a result of the two coupling elements, a connection can be realized between the receiving part and the closure part in a simple manner. 
     In order to keep the closure part and the receiving part secure in a coupling position and movable relative to one another and on one another in a simple manner, it is advantageous when the two coupling elements are rotatable relative to one another in a coupling position and are held on one another by means of a snap-in connection. 
     The construction of the screw container and its parts is simplified further when one of the two coupling elements is a coupling pin and when the other coupling element is a pin receptacle corresponding to the coupling pin. 
     It is particularly favorable when the coupling pin defines the axis of rotation. The coupling pin therefore serves, on the one hand, for connecting the receiving part to the closure part; on the other hand, it also forms a bearing shaft. 
     In order to be able to remove a screw from the screw container in one of the removal positions in a simple manner, it is particularly favorable when the closure part has at least one removal opening and when the at least one removal opening frees a single screw receptacle at least in one of the at least two respective removal positions. For example, two or even more removal openings can also be provided, wherein, however, only a single screw receptacle is freely accessible in each respective removal position. 
     The construction and the production of the closure part are simplified when it has a cover plate for covering the screw receptacles at least partially and when the at least one removal opening is designed in the form of a passage in the cover plate. The shape of the passage can be adapted, in particular, to the shape of the screw receptacle and/or be similar to it. In the case of a round or cylindrical screw container, the cover plate can have the form of a flat disk. 
     The production of the closure part becomes particularly simple when the passage is a bore. 
     A plurality of removal positions can be taken up in a particularly simple manner when the at least one removal opening is arranged concentrically around the axis of rotation. It is then possible to transfer between one and several removal positions and/or closure positions in a simple manner by rotating the closure part relative to the receiving part. 
     In principle, it would be conceivable for longitudinal axes of the screw receptacles to be arranged transversely to the axis of rotation. However, the screw container may be of a considerably more compact design when only one removal opening can be aligned coaxially with one of the respective screw receptacles in each of the plurality of removal positions. Particularly in the case of screw receptacles which are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation, they can all be stored in the screw container parallel to their longitudinal axes and also be inserted and/or removed parallel to their axes. 
     It is advantageous when a positioning mechanism comprising a plurality of positioning members is provided for the defined positioning of the closure part in at least one closure position and/or in at least one removal position, when at least one of the positioning members is provided on the receiving part and at least one positioning member corresponding to it is provided on the closure part and when at least two positioning members corresponding to one another on the closure part and on the receiving part engage in one another when at least one removal opening of the closure part frees a single screw receptacle in the at least one removal position. It can thus be ensured in a simple manner by means of the positioning device that the closure part takes up a removal position and/or closure position relative to the receiving part in a defined manner. For example, the positioning mechanism can be designed in the form of a snap-in mechanism so that an operator can not only feel but also hear when a closure position and/or a removal position is taken up. 
     The positioning members preferably comprise positioning projections and positioning recesses. In this way, the construction of the screw member can be simplified further. 
     A particularly compact construction of the screw container is made possible when the positioning members are arranged concentrically around the axis of rotation. For example, the screw receptacles could, themselves, serve as positioning member, in which a corresponding projection engages. 
     So that the screw container can accommodate as many screws or tool inserts as possible, it is favorable when the positioning members are arranged at equal angular distances around the axis of rotation. It could also be said that the positioning members are arranged so as to be distributed uniformly in circumferential direction. In this way, a highly symmetric construction of the screw container may be realized, in addition. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be provided, in addition, for the receiving part to have an annular edge pointing in the direction towards the closure part and for the edge to bear the positioning members provided on the receiving part. The edge can, on the one hand, serve as a stop for the closure part and, on the other hand, bear the positioning members. The positioning members of the closure part may be brought into engagement with those of the receiving part particularly easily when at least one positioning member is arranged on an underside of the closure part pointing in the direction towards the receiving part. For example, a positioning mechanism with the positioning members arranged on an edge of the receiving part may be formed with a positioning member arranged in such a manner. 
     It is advantageous when the number of positioning receptacles corresponds to an integral power of the number 2, when the number of positioning projections provided is at the most the same as the number of positioning receptacles and when the angular distance between the positioning receptacles corresponds to the quotient of 3600 and the number of positioning receptacles. For example, four, eight, sixteen or thirty-two positioning receptacles and, at the most, an equal number of positioning projections can be provided, wherein an angular distance between the positioning receptacles is then 90°, 45°, 22.5° and 11.25°, respectively. 
     In order to keep the construction of the surgical screw container as simple as possible and, nevertheless, be able to store as many screws or instrument inserts in the container as possible, it is favorable when at least two removal openings are provided which are arranged on at least two radial rays proceeding from the axis of rotation and when the at least two radial rays form between them an angle of rotation. It may be ensured by selecting the angle of rotation accordingly or arranging the screw receptacles accordingly that only one screw receptacle is freely accessible per removal position for the insertion and/or removal of a screw. 
     The angle of rotation advantageously corresponds to an integral multiple of the angular distance between the positioning members on the closure part and/or on the receiving part. As a result, it is possible, for example, to bring the positioning members arranged on the two parts into engagement in each or in every second angular position of the closure part relative to the receiving part so that removal positions and/or closure positions are taken up in a defined manner. 
     It is favorable when at least two removal openings, which are at different distances from the axis of rotation, are provided and when the angle of rotation formed by the radial rays, on which the removal openings are arranged, is 45°. If more than two removal openings arranged on more than two radial rays are provided, the angle of rotation formed can also be smaller than 45°. The angle of rotation formed preferably corresponds to double the angular distance between two positioning members. 
     In principle, it would be conceivable to use the screw container on its own. However, it is also conceivable to arrange the screw container with additional screw containers for screws of different sizes in a common screw storage device. In order to avoid the possibility of a screw container becoming detached from the screw storage device in an undesired manner, it is favorable when at least one storage device coupling member is provided on the screw container for the releasable connection of the screw container to the surgical screw container storage device for at least one surgical screw container. In this way, a screw container can be connected to the screw container storage device without there being the risk of it becoming detached from the screw container storage device unintentionally. Moreover, a screw container can be interchanged in a simple manner, for example, when larger screws or screws of a different type are required for a surgical procedure. 
     The construction of the screw container becomes particularly simple when the at least one storage device coupling member comprises a snap-in element for bringing into engagement with a corresponding snap-in element of the screw container storage device. 
     So that the screw container can also be releasably connected to a screw container storage device in different positions, it is favorable when several storage device coupling members are provided which are distributed uniformly over the circumference of the screw container. For example, a screw container having altogether a fourfold symmetry can be equipped with four storage device coupling members distributed over its circumference at an angular distance of 90°. 
     It is advantageous when the screw container bears at least two coupling projections which protrude in opposite directions, are designed to correspond to two parallel grooves, which point towards one another, of at least one screw container receptacle of a surgical screw container storage device, which can accommodate at least one surgical screw container, and can be inserted into the grooves. In this way, it is possible for the screw container to be held securely on the screw container storage device. Movement of the screw container relative to the screw container storage device is limited to a degree of freedom of movement by the grooves provided. 
     The construction of the screw container becomes particularly simple when the at least two coupling projections are formed by tongues which are located in one plane and spaced from one another in circumferential direction. For example, four tongues can be provided which can be designed and arranged, in addition, in the form of a clover leaf. 
     In order to fix the screw container secured on the screw container storage device with the coupling projections so as to be at least temporarily immovable on the screw container storage device, it is favorable when a storage device coupling member of the screw container is arranged between two respective coupling projections. This makes it possible to insert the screw container into the screw container receptacle in different positions and also releasably connect it to the screw container storage device in different positions. 
     Four different connecting positions are possible between the screw container and a screw container storage device when four coupling projections and four storage device coupling members are provided and when an outer contour of the coupling projections is designed to be concentric to the axis of rotation. 
     In order to prevent any turning of the screw container in grooves of the screw container storage device, it is favorable when a distance of a tangent touching two spaced coupling projections from the axis of rotation is smaller than a distance of the concentric outer contour of the coupling projections from the axis of rotation. This means that a secant of the coupling projections otherwise defining, altogether, a disk-like outer contour is formed so to speak as a result of the distance of the coupling projections from one another and prevents any turning of the screw container in grooves of the screw container storage device when a distance between groove bases of the grooves is greater than double the distance of the tangent from the axis of rotation but smaller than an external diameter of the concentric outer contour of the coupling projections. 
     The closure part favorably has wash openings. This makes it possible to prepare the screw container again following a surgical procedure without the screws not used needing to be removed from the screw container. 
     In order to simplify the production of the closure part, the wash openings are provided in the cover plate. 
     So that the cleaning not only of the screw container but also of screws or instrument inserts stored therein is improved, it is advantageous when the receiving part comprises a sleeve-like basic member defining a longitudinal direction and at least one web which passes through the basic member transversely to the longitudinal direction and bears the at least two screw receptacles. The sleeve-like basic member can, in particular, be designed in the form of a hollow cylindrical ring which has one or two webs intersecting a longitudinal axis of the basic member. 
     It is favorable when at least two intersecting webs are provided and when the pin receptacle is arranged at the point of intersection of the two webs. As a result, the stability of the screw container is increased, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, a possibility is created in a simple manner of connecting the receiving part to the closure part, in particular, by providing a coupling pin on the closure part which corresponds to the pin receptacle. 
     So that a maximum volume of the screw container can, as far as possible, be used for accommodating screws or instrument inserts, the coupling projections preferably project radially outwards from the sleeve-like basic member in a flange-like manner. 
     In order to keep not only the construction of the screw container but also a construction of a screw container storage device as compact as possible, it is advantageous when the storage device coupling members project radially outwards from the sleeve-like basic member in a flange-like manner. 
     In principle, it would be conceivable to move the closure part relative to the receiving part by hand. However, in order to prevent, as far as possible, any damage to surgical gloves worn by surgeons during a surgical procedure, it is favorable when the closure part bears at least one tool coupling member for an actuating tool for turning the closure part relative to the receiving part. If, for example, the receiving part is inserted with coupling projections and, possibly, storage device coupling members present, in addition, into a screw container receptacle of a screw container storage device, the closure part can then be turned relative to the receiving part in a simple manner by means of the actuating tool. 
     The construction of the screw container becomes particularly simple when the at least one tool coupling member is a projection projecting from the cover plate of the closure part. Such a projection also serves alternatively as a point of engagement in order to be able to turn the closure part relative to the receiving part by hand. 
     So that it can be ensured that the at least one tool coupling member can be brought into engagement with the actuating tool in a defined manner, it is favorable when two tool coupling members, which are located diametrically opposite one another in relation to the axis of rotation, are provided. As a result, torque can be transferred symmetrically to the closure part. 
     In order to be able to prepare, in particular, to sterilize the screw container together with the screws contained therein, it is favorable when the screw container is produced from a sterilizable plastic. 
     So that it is immediately apparent how many screw receptacles of the screw container are filled and which ones, it is advantageous when the closure part is produced from a transparent material. 
     A bone screw is favorably arranged in each screw receptacle. The screw container therefore comprises, in addition, the bone screws or tool inserts contained in the screw receptacles. 
     In addition, a surgical screw container storage device for at least one of the surgical screw containers described above is suggested, the screw container storage device has at least one screw container receptacle, into which the at least one screw container can be inserted at least partially. This makes it possible to combine one or more screw containers, for example, screw containers which are equipped with screws of different sizes. As a result, screws of different sizes can be made available for a surgical procedure, wherein the advantageous developments of the screw container described above enable only a single screw or an instrument insert to be respectively removed from the screw container. This does, however, also mean that only a single screw or an instrument insert can be respectively removed from the entire screw container storage device having several screw containers. Furthermore, this has the advantage that a screw which has already been removed or an instrument insert can be returned to the screw container provided for it, namely once the desired screw container is brought into the required removal position for the screw receptacle provided for accommodating the screw. 
     Screw containers may be connected to the screw container storage device particularly easily when the at least one screw container can be pushed into the screw container receptacle. 
     The surgical screw container storage device favorably comprises at least one of the screw containers according to the invention described above. The screw container storage device and the at least one screw container therefore form a unit. For example, the screw container storage device can, therefore, already be presented for use in surgery with one or several screw containers. 
     It is advantageous when the at least one surgical screw container can be connected to the screw container storage device in a snap-in manner. This simplifies not only the construction of the screw container but also that of the screw container storage device. It is conceivable, in particular, to produce both parts from a plastic material by way of injection molding. 
     In order to ensure that one or more screw containers cannot become detached from the screw container storage device in any undesired manner, it is favorable when the at least one surgical screw container is connected to the screw container storage device in a storage position, in which the at least one screw container is introduced completely into the screw container receptacle. The screw container can, in particular, also be released again from the screw container storage device in order to move it out of the storage position. 
     So that the screw container and the screw container storage device can be connected in the storage position in a simple manner, it is advantageous when the at least one screw container and the screw container storage device each bear a storage device coupling member, these members being in engagement in the storage position. A connection between the screw container and the screw container storage device results, therefore, in the storage position, namely when the respective storage device coupling members are in engagement. 
     In order to obtain a releasable connection between the screw container and the screw container storage device in a simple manner, it is favorable when one of the two storage device coupling members is designed as a snap-in element in the form of a flexibly mounted snap-in nose and when the other storage device coupling member is designed as a snap-in element in the form of a recess interacting with the snap-in nose. The recess can, for example, also be designed in the form of an opening, in which the snap-in nose can engage entirely or partially in the storage position. 
     So that screw containers are held securely in the storage position in each screw container receptacle, a storage device coupling member of the screw container storage device is advantageously associated with each screw container receptacle. 
     Screw containers may be connected to the screw container storage device easily and reliably when the screw container receptacles comprise coupling receptacles in the form of two respective parallel grooves which point towards one another and into which corresponding coupling projections of the at least one screw container can be inserted. It would also be conceivable for the parallel grooves to point away from one another so that corresponding storage device coupling members of the at least one screw container engage around the screw container receptacle at least partially. 
     Furthermore, in accordance with the invention, a surgical supply box for surgical implants and/or surgical tools is suggested, comprising several compartments for accommodating surgical implants and/or instruments and/or surgical tools in that at least one compartment is provided for accommodating one of the screw container storage devices according to the invention and described above. The screw container storage device according to the invention therefore forms part of a surgical supply box, in which some or all of the instruments, tools and/or implants required for a surgical procedure are contained. This makes it possible to place all the parts required for the preparation of a specific surgical procedure in the surgical supply box. This can preferably be sterilized so that the supply box which has been prepared and equipped can be sterilized prior to the operation. 
     So that the screw container can be brought from the at least one closure position into at least one removal position, it is favorable when the supply box has at least one receptacle for a screwdriver and/or a screwdriver handle. A bone screw may, on the one hand, be screwed, for example, into a bone with these tools and, on the other hand, the closure part can be moved relative to the receiving part with a handle end configured accordingly. 
     The supply box preferably comprises at least one screwdriver and/or a screwdriver handle which has a proximal end which bears a tool receptacle for the purpose of engagement with a tool coupling member of the closure part of one of the screw containers described above. The closure part can be moved relative to the receiving part in a simple manner with the screwdriver or the screwdriver handle in order to transfer the closure part from the at least one closure position into the at least one removal position and to remove a screw or an instrument insert from the screw container. 
     The tool receptacle preferably comprises at least two recesses which are located diametrically opposite one another and point in a proximal direction. It is possible with such a tool receptacle to accommodate two tool coupling members which are located diametrically opposite one another in relation to the axis of rotation of the screw container and turn the closure part relative to the receiving part. 
     In order to be able to make the desired instruments, tools and/or implants available in an orderly manner for a surgical procedure and be able to remove them easily, it is advantageous when at least some of the compartments are designed to essentially correspond to an outer contour of the implants, instruments, tools or screw container storage devices stored therein. 
     The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves to explain the invention in greater detail in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 : shows a perspective view of an equipped surgical supply box; 
         FIG. 2 : shows a plan view of a screw container storage device with a screw container in the storage position; 
         FIG. 3 : shows a sectional view along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4 : shows a side view of the screw container storage device in  FIG. 2  in the direction of arrow A; 
         FIG. 5 : shows an enlarged view of the section B in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6 : shows a plan view of a receiving part of a screw container; 
         FIG. 7 : shows a view of a closure part of a screw container from below; 
         FIG. 8   a : shows a sectional view along line  8   a - 8   a  in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8   b : shows a sectional view along line  8   b - 8   b  in  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9 : shows a perspective view of a screw container with a screwdriver handle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In  FIG. 1 , a surgical supply box provided altogether with the reference numeral  10  is provided and this comprises a container tray  12  which is essentially in the shape of a parallelepiped and has several compartments of different shapes which are provided in  FIG. 1  by way of example with the reference numerals  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  and  20 . 
     The compartments  14  to  20  specified by way of example are shaped in such a manner that surgical instruments, for example, forceps provided altogether with the reference numeral  22  or a pair of scissors provided altogether with the reference numeral  24  can be stored in the respective compartments, for example, the forceps  22  in the compartment  19  or the pair of scissors  24  in the compartment  17  and can be removed in a simple manner. Furthermore, a screwdriver  26  and a screwdriver handle  28 , which can be equipped as required with different screw inserts for bone screws, are arranged in the compartment  14 . Furthermore, the supply box  10  comprises various storage devices, for example, a storage device  30  for small parts arranged in the compartment  15  and having a perforated displaceable cover  32 . The compartments  16  and  18  serve to accommodate respective screw container storage devices  34  which each have 8 screw container receptacles  36  of an essentially identical design, each for accommodating a can-shaped screw container  38 . 
     The screw container storage device  34  described in greater detail in the following in conjunction with  FIGS. 2 to 4  is designed in mirror symmetry to two planes of symmetry  40  and  42  intersecting one another at right angles. It comprises an elongated, rectangular frame  44  with a central longitudinal web  46  including the plane of symmetry  42 , side webs  48  arranged symmetrically to it as well as a central web  49  including the plane of symmetry  40 , outer transverse webs  50  arranged symmetrically to the central web  49  and separating webs  58  arranged between the central web  49  and the transverse webs  50  and running parallel to them. In the point of intersection of the longitudinal web  46  and the central web  49 , a holding pin  54  protrudes upwards in the direction of a line of intersection of the planes of symmetry  40  and  42 . Spacers  56  essentially in the shape of parallelepipeds likewise protrude upwards in the corners of the frame  44 , i.e., in the points of intersection of the side webs  48  and the transverse webs  50 . 
     The screw container receptacles  36  are each limited by a separating web  52 , the longitudinal web  46 , a side web  48  and either the central web  49  or one of the transverse webs  50 . Each screw container receptacle  36  comprises two parallel grooves  58  and  60 , the groove bases of which point towards one another and are designed to be parallel to the plane of symmetry  40 . Groove side walls of the grooves  58  and  60  define planes which are oriented at right angles not only to the plane of symmetry  40  but also to the plane of symmetry  42 . The grooves  58  are respectively arranged in the transverse webs  50  as well as in the central web  49 , the grooves  60  in the central web  49 . The grooves  58  and  60  each extend over approximately two thirds of the free length of the webs, in which they are arranged, proceeding from an outer edge of the side webs  48 . 
     Projections  62  essentially in the shape of parallelepipeds project from the longitudinal web  46  on both sides of it in the direction towards the side webs  48  and are penetrated by elongated holes  64  in a direction parallel to the line of intersection of the planes of symmetry  40  and  42 . The elongated holes  64  form recess-like storage device coupling members for the releasable connection of the screw container storage device to a screw container  38 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and explained in the following in conjunction with the detailed description of the screw container  38 . 
     The screw container  38  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4  and  9  will be described in detail in the following in conjunction with  FIGS. 6 to 8   b.    
     The screw container  38  is designed in two parts and comprises a receiving part provided with the reference numeral  66  as well as a cover  68  forming a closure part. The receiving part  66  comprises a basic member  70  in the form of a cylindrical sleeve section with an end edge  72  which points upwards and has 16 recesses  74  which form the positioning members of the receiving part  66  and are distributed uniformly over its circumference. They are each arranged on radial rays  76  proceeding from a longitudinal axis  78  of the basic member and offset through an angle  80  which is calculated from the quotient of 360° and the number of recesses  74  and therefore amounts to 22.5°. 
     Two webs  82 , which intersect in the longitudinal axis  78 , pass through the basic member  70  transversely to the longitudinal axis  78 . A bore  84  forming a pin receptacle is arranged at the point of intersection of the webs  82  and concentrically to the longitudinal axis  78 . In addition, two bores forming screw receptacles  86  are provided in the respective webs between the bore  84  and the basic member  70 , the longitudinal axes of these bores running parallel to the longitudinal axis  78  and their diameter being somewhat smaller than that of the bore  84 . 
     A snap-in projection  90  projects radially outwards from the basic member  70 , from a lower edge  88  of the receiving part  66  in extension of the respective webs  82  and is approximately half as wide as the webs  82 . The snap-in projections  90  bear on their undersides snap-in noses  92  which can engage in the elongated holes  64  from above. The snap-in projection  90  with its snap-in nose  92  forms a storage device coupling member of the screw container  38 . 
     A coupling projection  94  projecting radially outwards and having an outer contour  96  in the shape of a circular arc extends between two respective snap-in projections  90 , spaced from them. The outer contour  96  is indicated in  FIG. 6  by a dash-dot line. Furthermore, the coupling projections  94  are constructed such that a tangent  98  touching the snap-in projections  90  also forms at the same time a boundary line for the coupling projections  94 . A distance  100  between two respective, parallel tangents  98  corresponds to a distance  102  of groove bases which point towards one another from grooves  58  and  60  of a screw container receptacle  36  which are associated with one another. As a result, a distance  104  of the tangent  98  from the longitudinal axis  78  is also, therefore, smaller than a radius  106  which is defined by the outer contour  96 . This makes it possible to introduce the screw container  38  into a screw container receptacle  36  parallel to one of its webs  82 , wherein respective snap-in projections  90  pointing away from one another in opposite directions as well as areas of the coupling projections  94  touching on tangents  98  can engage in the grooves  58  and  60 , respectively, and are guided in them. As a result, the screw container  38  may be displaced in the direction towards the longitudinal web  46  until it takes up its storage position, in which the snap-in nose  92  sliding onto the projection  62  during insertion engages in the elongated hole  64  due to the snap-in projection  90  springing back, as is well apparent in  FIG. 3 , for example. 
     The screw receptacles  86  serve to accommodate bone screws  108 , of which two are illustrated in  FIG. 3  by way of example. An external diameter of a screw head of the bone screw  108  is somewhat larger than a diameter of the bores forming the screw receptacles  86  and so a screw body of the bone screw  108  can be introduced into the screw receptacle but an edge thereof forms a stop for the head of the bone screw  108 . 
     So that bone screws  108  inserted into the screw receptacles  86  cannot fall out of the screw receptacles  86  in an unintentional manner, the cover  68  is provided. It comprises a disk-like cover plate  110  as well as a hollow cylindrical annular wall  112  which projects from this and the internal diameter of which is somewhat larger than an external diameter of the basic member  70 . As a result, the cover  68  can be pushed over the receiving part  66  from above with the annular wall  112  first. 
     A coupling pin  114 , which protrudes on an underside of the cover plate  110  and is formed by four snap-in projections  116  which bear snap-in noses  118  at their free ends which project radially outwards, serves to connect the cover  68  to the receiving part  66 . The coupling pin  114  can be introduced into the bore  84  with the snap-in noses  118  first, whereby the snap-in projections  116  are pivoted in the direction towards a longitudinal axis of the coupling pin  114  and only spring back again into their basic position illustrated in  FIG. 8   b  when the snap-in noses  118  project out of the bore  84  and engage laterally behind it, as is apparent in  FIG. 3 . It is possible as a result of the design of cover  68  and receiving part  66  to turn there two parts relative to one another about the longitudinal axes  78  and  120 , respectively. 
     Defined rotary positions of the cover  68  relative to the receiving part  66  may be set when a positioning member  122 , which is in the shape of a semi sphere and protrudes from an underside of the cover plate  110 , engages in one of the sixteen recesses  74 . As a result, sixteen defined angular positions of the cover  68  relative to the receiving part may be realized. If the cover is moved out of a defined angular position, the positioning member  122  slides onto the end edge  72  and leads to a temporary deformation of the cover  68  until it can engage in an adjacent recess  74 . The positioning member  122  therefore forms a positioning mechanism in conjunction with the recesses  74 . 
     The cover  68  is, furthermore, provided with two removal openings  124  and  126  which are formed by bores and are each arranged on a radial ray  128  and  130 , respectively, which form between them an angle  132  of 45°. The removal opening  124  is arranged at a distance from the longitudinal axis  120  so that it can be brought concentrically into congruency with the screw receptacles  86  which are arranged adjacent to the bore  84 . The distance of the removal opening  126  from the longitudinal axis  120  is selected such that the removal opening  126  can be brought concentrically into congruency with the screw receptacles  86  which are arranged adjacent to the basic member  70 . 
     The cover  68  has, in addition, wash openings  134  and  136  in the shape of elongated holes, wherein three wash openings  134  are arranged concentrically to the longitudinal axis  120  and have a width in a radial direction which is smaller than an internal diameter of the screw receptacles  86  and their distance from the longitudinal axis  120  corresponds approximately to the distance of the center of the removal opening  124  from the longitudinal axis  120 . Five wash openings  136  in the shape of elongated holes are provided in a similar manner concentrically surrounding the longitudinal axis  120 , their distance from the longitudinal axis  120  corresponding approximately to the distance of the center of the removal opening  126  from the longitudinal axis  120 . 
     Two tool coupling members  138  which point in a radial direction and are located diametrically opposite one another are arranged on an outer side of the cover  68 . They serve as turning aid in order to turn the cover  68  relative to the receiving part  66 , for example, by hand or with a screwdriver  26  or a screwdriver handle  28 . In  FIG. 9 , a screwdriver handle  28  is illustrated which has at its proximal end  140  tool receptacles  142  which point in a proximal direction and in each of which a tool coupling member  138  can engage. The screwdriver handle  28  can therefore be pushed onto the cover  68  with its proximal end and the cover  68  can be turned relative to the receiving part  66  as a result of rotation about its longitudinal axis when the receiving part  66  is securely held, for example, when it is located in a screw container receptacle  36  in the storage position. 
     It is ensured by the special design of the screw container  38  that only one of the two respective removal openings  124  and  126  can be brought into congruency with exactly one of the screw receptacles  86  so that this is accessible for introducing or removing a bone screw  108 . This is possible since the two removal openings  124  and  126  are arranged so as to be offset in circumferential direction through the angle  132 , the screw receptacles which are at different distances from the longitudinal axis  78  are, on the other hand, arranged on the same radial rays. The removal openings could, of course, in the reverse case also be arranged on the same radial ray and screw receptacles  86  at different distances from the longitudinal axis  78  on radial rays offset through an angle  132 . 
     It is possible as a result of the positioning mechanism described above to bring the cover  68  into sixteen defined positions relative to the receiving part  66 , wherein eight of these positions define so-called removal positions, in which one of the two removal openings  124  and  126 , respectively, frees exactly one of the eight respective screw receptacles. The other eight defined positions form so-called closure positions, in which the removal openings  124  and  126  each overlap only partially with one of the screw receptacles  86  so that a passage remains but this is so small that a head of the bone screw  108  cannot pass through it. As a result, the bone screws  108  are held securely in the screw container  38  in the eight closure positions, particularly when this is placed upside down, as well. 
     The screw container  38  illustrated in  FIG. 9  takes up a removal position, in which the removal opening  124  frees a screw receptacle  86 . If the cover  68  is turned relative to the receiving part  66  through 22.5°, the positioning member  122  again engages in a recess  74  but neither of the two removal openings  124  and  126 , respectively, then overlaps a screw receptacle completely. As a result, the screw container  38  takes up a closure position. If the cover  68  is turned in the same direction, on the other hand, through a further 22.5°, the removal opening  126  overlaps a screw receptacle  86 . Further turning through 22.5° transfers the screw container  38  from a removal position into a closure position again. As a result of this special positioning mechanism, removal positions and closure positions are passed through alternatingly during rotation of the cover  68 , wherein identical respective positions are, in the end result, taken up after turning though 90°, for example, a position of the screw container  38  as illustrated in  FIG. 9  again results. 
     The cover  68  is preferably produced from a transparent material so that it is immediately apparent, in which of the screw receptacles  86  bone screws  108  are contained. A screw code  144  which is arranged on a coupling projection  94  and is produced, for example, by way of laser marking serves to identify the bone screws  108  contained in the screw container  38 . 
     The construction of the screw container  38  comprising numerous openings ensures that bone screws  108  contained therein can be sterilized with the screw container  38 . This is also possible, in particular, when the screw container  38  is arranged in the screw container storage device  34  or this is, on the other hand, included in the supply box  10 . 
     The special design of the screw container  38  makes it possible to remove individual bone screws  108  in a selective manner and, if they are not required, to insert them back into the screw container  38 . Since the screw container  38  can be sterilized, bone screws  108  which are not required can be sterilized again with the screw container  38  after a successful operation and be made available for the next procedure. Where necessary, the screw container  38  can also be filled again with individual bone screws  108 .