Abstract:
A re-usable medical procedure power tool includes a handle portion connected to a tool attachment portion and a power source portion. A removable, single use, contamination-blocking cover substantially covering the power source portion, the handle portion and the tool attachment portion. The cover also includes a primary opening adjacent an exposed first end of the tool attachment portion, whereby a tool accessory is selectively attached to and removed from the first end of the tool attachment portion during a medical procedure.

Description:
[0001]    This application is related to and claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/913,266 filed Dec. 7, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to limited use power tools and more particularly to an enclosure for such tools during use in medical procedures; the enclosure being removed and discarded during reprocessing of the tools for subsequent re-use. 
         [0003]    Important factors for any surgical instrument include sterility, cost of acquisition, maintenance, and reliability during use in the surgical suite. Each of these factors can have a significant impact on the cost of medical care for both the patient and the provider. 
         [0004]    In recent years, there has been significant focus on the ever increasing cost of medical care. These cost increases have led to skyrocketing insurance premiums, reduced coverage, reduced reimbursements, increased fees for services, severe reductions in services for some patient groups by some providers, and unfortunately an apparent increase in infections and medical mishaps. 
         [0005]    In an effort to reduce costs and improve profitability, both service providers and medical device suppliers are continuously looking for ways to streamline procedures, reduce time, cost, and risk from their products and services without reducing the quality of the products or services they provide to their customers. One area to benefit from these savings and improvements has been in the orthopedic surgical field through the use of high precision, battery powered surgical instrumentation. In the late 1960&#39;s and early 1970&#39;s battery operated drills were bulky, ill-balanced and required multiple batteries to perform some surgeries due to the limited energy storage capacity and poor efficiency of the electric motors. 
         [0006]    Since then, manufacturers have attempted to make batteries more efficient with higher energy storage capacity, reduced size, and improved rechargeable lifespans. Likewise, motor housings such as saw and drill bodies have become more ergonomic, balanced, lightweight and energy efficient. As with many standard hand tools having multiple moving components, instrument manufacturers have reduced weight by utilizing lighter materials such as plastic housings, and gears, and put weight reducing apertures in what were previously solid housings. In some cases, standard mountings for attachments have been replaced with modular fittings, allowing for greater interchangeability and component selections. Additionally, manufacturers have attempted to improve electrical components by upgrading them with more modern components wherever possible. 
         [0007]    All of these improvements in equipment construction have improved efficiencies, costs and quality in some areas while at the same time increasing costs for acquisition, maintenance and increasing risks in other ways that were not previously seen or predicted. Often times cost and quality can be inversely proportional to one another. One example of the increased cost and patient risk is seen in the cleaning and maintenance of instruments. 
         [0008]    Recent published reports suggest that many of the surgical instruments used in operations were not being cleaned and/or sterilized appropriately in the very hospital facilities that were established and tasked for that purpose. In numerous reports, following cleaning and sterilization, it was noted that upon closer secondary inspection, the inside of small diameter cannulas and intricate mini-components of arthroscopic shavers that are used for many of today&#39;s minimally invasive procedures, contained human tissue and bone fragments from previous surgeries. In other cases, modular components of drills and saws such as chucks, drill bits and blades were found to have similar debris or pieces of cleaning brushes and/or bristles embedded in or on them. These investigations have demonstrated that in most cases the instruments were not cleaned according to manufacturer&#39;s specifications which has likely lead to many documented cases of serious, multiple, serial infections for subsequent patients. A pilot program conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Schaefer et al., 2010; JAMA 2010; 303(22):2273-2279) inspected 1500 outpatient surgery centers and found that 28% had been cited for infectious control deficiencies associated with equipment cleaning and sterilization. The costs to the patients and the hospitals in both expense and liability to deal with these infections can be and has been staggering. 
         [0009]    In other cases, critical battery-operated, motorized tools such as drills or bone saws have ceased to function due to dead batteries that no longer maintain their capacity to hold a charge, or due to internal part failure, often attributable to overuse or lack of proper maintenance. The resultant downtime in the operating suite is extremely costly, as the procedure step must be put on hold while replacement or substitute tools are obtained. Wait times may often exceed 20-30 minutes, resulting in additional anesthesia exposure for the patient, additional operating room time (charged to the patient) and potential delays to other procedures where the replacement or substitute equipment had been scheduled for use in a later procedure. Recent estimates (2005) establish the average cost of operating room time to range between $62/min. (range $21.80-$133.12) depending on the procedure. These figures did not include extra resources provided by the hospital for special, non-routine situations which often occur during standard procedures, and did not include the surgeon and anesthesia provider fees, (anesthesia fees are estimated to be $4/min; range $2.20-$6.10). 
         [0010]    Hospitals and instrument manufacturers are continuously attempting to find improved ways to reduce risk associated with infection in general, and more recently, specifically from improperly cleaned instruments. One approach has been to use more disposable, single-use instruments such as drills, saw blades and plastic cannulas. Additionally, many laparoscopic devices such as, surgical staplers and trocars, are designed as single use items that are intended to be immediately disposed of after use. Unfortunately, at today&#39;s acquisition costs, the total cost of ownership and benefits are not always clear for high-use battery-operated, motorized instruments such as saws, drills and reamers used in orthopedic procedures and the idea of disposable powered instruments has not been readily embraced. 
         [0011]    A recent trend in the medical community is reprocessing of single use medical instruments, by parties other than the original equipment manufacturer, instead of discarding them after use. During reprocessing, the medical instruments are disassembled, cleaned and sterilized. They are then reassembled for future use. However, because the medical instruments reprocessed for further use are specifically provided for use during a single procedure, the performance of the medical instruments tends to decline after reprocessing, because the components making up the medical instrument are not adapted for multiple uses and will degrade in performance when used beyond their intended life span. For example, reprocessing of the cutting devices on trocars is intended to extend these devices beyond their intended mission life, but often results in duller cutting edges on the blades because neither the materials used nor the reprocessing method can restore the device to the original manufacturing specifications. A greater force, therefore, is needed to make an initial incision, causing more trauma to the patient. In addition, the use of greater force increases the potential for error during the surgical procedure. 
         [0012]    Most hospitals and surgery centers buy high-use, reusable motorized, pneumatic, wired or battery operated, orthopedic surgical equipment and are expected to clean, sterilize, and maintain them internally within the hospital. Unfortunately, the technicians hired to perform this work are typically not qualified or trained to perform this work adequately for the many varieties of powered instruments used. Further, manufacturers rarely provide the hospital/client with the training or diagnostic equipment necessary to evaluate or test the equipment. Often times the hospital employees responsible for cleaning and maintenance are not technicians at all, being paid slightly more than minimum wage, working at a fast pace to merely wash, count, and reload instruments into their appropriate system trays and flash sterilize them as quickly as possible, in an effort to keep the equipment in rotation in the hospital operating rooms, where higher throughput dictates profitability for the hospital or surgery center. 
         [0013]    As a result of high throughput requirements, general maintenance is rarely done and preventative monitoring and maintenance is almost never done on this type of equipment. Hospital budgets for internal maintenance of equipment are generally geared toward high-end, multi-million dollar capital equipment such as x-ray and radiological equipment. It is generally assumed that it is faster, simpler, and more economical for the hospital to wait for hand-held instruments, such as drills, saws and reamers to fail, then, send them back to the manufacturer for repair or replacement. 
         [0014]    Thus it has become apparent that there is a need for an improved system of cost-effective, battery-operated, motorized tools in conjunction with better cleaning and maintenance protocols which can provide the hospital, surgeon, and most importantly, the patient, with a higher degree of efficiency and cleanliness while reducing risk and keeping the costs of cleaning, maintenance, and repair as low as possible. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0015]    Accordingly, a reusable medical procedure power tool cover comprises a removable, single use contamination blocking material substantially covering the power tool, wherein the power tool includes a control portion, a power access portion and an attachment access portion. A first opening is provided in the cover adjacent the attachment access portion, whereby a tool accessory is selectively attached to and removed from a first end of the tool attachment portion during a medical procedure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, assembly view illustrating an embodiment of a power tool having a housing and a removable, single use, hardshell or softshell wrap or cover formed of a contamination blocking material. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective assembly view illustrating an embodiment of the power tool of  FIG. 1  wherein the cover is a stretch membrane. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are perspective assembly views illustrating embodiments of the power tool of  FIG. 1  wherein the covers include a shrink-wrap tape and a shrink-wrap tube respectively. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective assembly view illustrating an embodiment of a mechanical sub-frame of a power tool having no housing and wherein the cover is a disposable hardshell. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective assembly view illustrating an embodiment of the power tool of  FIG. 1  wherein the cover is spray-on applied. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective assembly view illustrating an embodiment of the power tool of  FIG. 1  wherein the cover is dip applied. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective assembly view illustrating an embodiment of the power tool of  FIG. 1  wherein the cover is a header bag. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective assembly view illustrating an embodiment of the power tool of  FIG. 1  wherein the cover is a pre-cut wrap. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective assembly view illustrating an embodiment of the power tool of  FIG. 1  wherein the cover is double layer stretch membrane. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the power tool housing as viewed from the backside of the tool and having a sealable door removed to expose a cavity to receive a portable battery. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating the tool of  FIG. 10  having the sealable door installed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a sterilized shipping tray and lid containing the power tool. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary power tool  10  for use in medical procedures such as surgical procedures. A removable, single use, contamination-blocking cover  12  is provided for blocking excessive contamination of the power tool  10  during use. The cover  12  is replaceable, e.g. after the procedure, the cover  12  may be removed and replaced by a new cover  12 . 
         [0029]    The tool  10  includes a housing  14  comprising a handle portion  16  and in this example, a power source portion such as a receiver  18  for a portable battery pack and a tool attachment portion  20  having a chuck  21  provided for releasably receiving and holding an attachment tool such as a drill bit or a saw blade. The handle  16  includes a control portion including but not limited to an actuating trigger  22 , a trigger lock  24  and a forward-reverse switch, all of which may not be visible in  FIG. 1 . The attachment point of a saw blade may vary depending on whether it is a reciprocating or oscillating blade. 
         [0030]    The cover  12  preferably includes a two-piece hard or soft outer shell including portions  12   a  and  12   b . The tool  10  is illustrated at  10   a  prior to application of the cover  12 , and is illustrated at  10   b  after application of the cover  12 . A first opening  12   c  is provided in cover  12  adjacent chuck  21  when the cover is applied to the tool  10 . A second opening  12   d , which may be closed by a sealable door  19 , is provided in power source portion  18 . Regardless of the material used for the cover  12 , a flexible portion  12   e  of the cover  12  is provided on the handle  16  to provide a user with a tactile feel and operable movement of for example, the trigger  22  and the trigger lock  24 . 
         [0031]    The replaceable cover  12  is applied to tool  10  by a tool re-processor. Once the tool  10  is used in a procedure, the cover has become contaminated along with portions of the tool  10  which are adjacent the openings  12   c ,  12   d . The tool  10 , including cover  12 , is returned to the tool re-processor where the cover  12  is removed and discarded. The tool  10  is then cleaned and a new cover  12  is mounted on the tool  10 , rendering the tool  10  ready for re-use. 
         [0032]    More specific information regarding the tool  10  and cover  12  of the  FIG. 1  embodiment as described above are set forth below as follows: 
         [0033]    a. Existing product or new product uses a rigid body mechanical housing  14  in conjunction with either a hard or soft/flexible shell outer shield  12  that covers and protects the majority of the tool  10  from contamination by blood/bone/tissue during a procedure. Combinations of materials such as a hard shell with flexible inserted areas for controls actuation are also contained in this area. Additional reinforcements or seals can be used in high stress areas.
       i. Materials and alloys/laminates of these materials appropriate for this concept include but are not limited to:
           a. PETG &amp; A/PET   b. Polystyrene   c. Acrylic   d. Polycarbonate   e. ABS   f. Nylon   g. Polyolefin   h. Polyetheretherketone PEEK   i. Polyetherimide PEI   j. Polyetersulfone PES   k. Polyvinylidene PVDF   l. Polymethylpentene PMP   m. Polysulfone PSO   n. Ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene ECTFE   o. Metals   
           ii. Soft/flexible outer shell can be produced using injection molding, thermoforming, dip molding, compression molding or other processes. Materials and alloys of these materials appropriate for this concept include but are not limited to:
           a. Synthetic Paper   b. C-Flex   c. Flexible PVC   d. Polycarbonate   e. Polyester   f. Polyethylene   g. Polypropylene   h. Nylon   i. Polyolefin   
               
 
         [0060]    b. Methods appropriate for fastening the outer shell to/around the inner structure include but are not limited to:
       i. Fasteners such as:
           1. Screws   2. Rivets   3. Bolts   
           ii. Molded features such as:
           1. Clips   2. Press fits   3. Slip fits   
           iii. Adhesive in multiple forms
           1. Tape   2. Glue   3. Pressure sensitive adhesive   4. Hot melt adhesives   5. Contact adhesives   
           iv. Secondary operations
           1. Heat Seal   2. Pierce   
               
 
         [0078]    Several further embodiments are described below. More specific information regarding the tool  10  and a stretch membrane cover  12  including upper member  12   a  and lower member  12   b , of the  FIG. 2  embodiment is described below as follows: 
         [0079]    a. This embodiment uses a rigid body mechanical housing  14  in conjunction with a highly stretchable membrane  12  (balloon like) to cover and protect the tool  10  from contamination by blood/bone/tissue during a procedure. This cover  12  is a removable, single use cover of contamination blocking material. Single and multiple layer configurations can be considered for this version. Single or multiple membranes may be used to protect various areas of the tool  10  (main body vs. battery pack allowing access to battery pack at the start of a procedure). Variable wall thickness or reinforcements can be used in high stress areas. Members  12   a  and  12   b  are stretched over housing  14  and combined to form cover  12 . Tool  10  is shown at  10   a  prior to application of cover  12 , and is shown at  10   b  after the application of cover  12 .
       i. Flexible membranes can be produced using blow molding, dip molding, thermoforming, or other processes. Members  12   a  and  12   b  are stretched over housing  14  and combined to form cover  12 . Tool  10  is shown at  10   a  prior to application of cover  12 , and is shown at  10   b  after the application of cover  12 .
           1. Materials and alloys of these materials appropriate for this concept include but are not limited to:
               a. Silicone   b. Latex Rubber   c. Synthetic Rubber   d. Polychloroprene   e. Flexible PVC   
               
               
 
         [0087]    b. Methods appropriate for applying the membrane around the outer shell include but are not limited to:
       i. Stretching:
           1. Manually   2. Automated   3. Individual sections (i.e. main body separate from Battery Pack area)   
           ii. Secondary operation:
           1. Additional seals/retention elements at operation interfaces such as drill chuck or saw adaptor   2. Additional tape reinforcements in high stress areas   
               
 
         [0095]    More specific information regarding the tool  10  and a shrink wrap cover  12 ,  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , is described below as follows: 
         [0096]    a. This embodiment uses a rigid body mechanical housing  14  in conjunction with a secondary shrink-wrap element  12  to cover and protect the device from contamination by blood/bone/tissue during a procedure. Cover  12  is a removable, single-use cover of contamination blocking material. Single and multiple layer configurations can be considered for this version (see considerations for transport as non-biohazard state). Single or multiple wraps may be used to protect various areas of the tool  10  (main body vs. battery pack allowing access to battery pack at the start of a procedure). Additional reinforcements or seals can be used in high stress areas. Shrink methods can include both heat application or a chilling operation depending on the type of shrink wrap utilized. Tool  10  is shown at  10   a  prior to application of cover  12 , and is shown at  10   b  after the application of cover  12  and shrink activation,  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b.  
       i. Flexible shrink-wrap can be produced using extrusion processes, and are available in tape,  FIG. 3   a , sheet or tube form,  FIG. 3   b  and can be either heat or cold activated to create the wrap required for device isolation. Some tape applications carry an adhesive layer. The shrink-wrap tube cover  12   x ,  FIG. 3   b , is trimmed at  12   y  after shrink activation at  12   z . Shrink-wrap tape,  FIG. 3   a  is shown prior to wrapping at  12   x  and after wrapping and shrink activation at  12   y .
           1. Materials and alloys/laminates of these materials appropriate for this concept include but are not limited to:
               a. Acetate   b. Polyethylene   c. PVC   d. Polyester   e. Polyolefin   f. Polypropylene   
               
               
 
         [0105]    b. Methods appropriate for applying the membrane around the outer shell include but are not limited to:
       i. Tape Wrapping:
           1. Manually   2. Automated   3. Individual sections (i.e. main body separate from Battery Pack area)   
           ii. Film Wrap:   1. Manually   2. Automated   3. Individual sections (i.e. main body separate from Battery Pack area)   iii. Secondary operations:
           1. Heat seal for complex geometries   2. Shrink Tunnel   3. Heat Gun   4. Refrigeration   5. Additional tape reinforcements in high stress areas   6. Adhesive application to tape wrap   
               
 
         [0121]    In  FIG. 4 , an embodiment utilizes no traditional housing  14 , as described above, but provides the inner frame and working parts as tool  110  and the outer hard shell cover  12  of tool  110  is provided as a disposable cover, as described below: 
         [0122]    a. This embodiment uses a rigid sub-frame  110  carrying all mechanical components. The hard shell cover  12  has minimal mechanical content and is used as a disposable single-use housing of a contamination blocking material to protect the mechanical components from contamination by blood/bone/tissue during a procedure. Cover  12  comprises cover portions  12   a ,  12   b . The sub-frame and mechanical components are intended for multiple re-use. This configuration may also be used in conjunction with a soft/flexible outer shell allowing for return of the device in a non-biohazard state. Combinations of materials such as hard shell with flexible inserted areas for controls actuation are also contained in this area. Additional reinforcements or seals can be used in areas subject to contaminant intrusion. Thus, the hard shell, single-use disposable cover  12  functions as a combination previously provided by a traditional housing  14  and cover  12 .
       i. Hard outer shell can be produced using injection molding, thermoforming, or other processes.       
 
         [0124]    I. Materials and alloys/laminates of these materials appropriate for this concept include but are not limited to:
           a. PETG &amp; A/PET   b. Polystyrene   c. Acrylic   d. Polycarbonate   e. ABS   f. Nylon   g. Polyolefin   h. Polyetheretherketone PEEK   i. Polyetherimide PEI   j. Polyetersulfone PES   k. Polyvinylidene PVDF   l. Polymethylpentene PMP   m. Polysulfone PSO   n. Ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene ECTFE   o. Metals           
 
         [0140]    b. Methods appropriate for fastening the outer shell to/around the inner structure include but are no limited to:
       i. Fasteners such as:
           1. Screws   2. Rivets   3. Bolts   
           ii. Molded features such as:
           1. Clips   2. Press fits   3. Slip fits   
           iii. Secondary operation:
           1. Tape   2. Glue   3. Pressure sensitive adhesive   4. Hot melt adhesives   5. Contact adhesives   6. Heat seal   7. Pierce   
               
 
         [0157]    In  FIG. 5 , another embodiment includes a tool  10  having a protective spray cover  12  further described as follows: 
         [0158]    a. This embodiment uses a rigid body mechanical housing  14  in conjunction with a secondary spray-on protective layer  12  to cover and protect the tool  10  from contamination by blood/bone/tissue during a procedure. Single and multiple layer configurations can be considered for this version by using a release layer between subsequent spray applications. This configuration may be used in conjunction with previously described protection systems to allow access to power source portion  18  at the start of a procedure. Additional reinforcements or seals can be used in areas subject to contaminant intrusion. Layer  12  is a removable, single-use cover of contamination blocking material.
       i. Spray on protective layers can be applied either manually or automatically. Specific areas not to be coated can be masked to ensure correct device function. It may also be desirable to coat individual components prior to assembly to minimize masking issues.
           1. Materials and alloys/laminates of these materials appropriate for this concept include but are not limited to:
               a. Natural rubber   b. Synthetic rubber   c. Polyurethane   d. Acrylic   e. Polyethylene   f. PVC   g. Polyester   h. Polyolefin   i. Polypropylene   
               
               
 
         [0170]    b. Methods appropriate for applying the membrane around the outer shell include but are not limited to:
       i. Aerosol application:
           1. Manually   2. Automated   3. Individual section (i.e. main body separate from Battery Pack area)   
           ii. Secondary operations:
           1. Drying/curing   
               
 
         [0177]    In  FIG. 6 , another embodiment includes a tool  10  having a protective dip layer as a cover  12  further described as follows: 
         [0178]    a. This embodiment uses a rigid body mechanical housing in conjunction with a secondary dipping operation to apply a protective layer  12  intended to cover and protect the tool  10  from contamination by blood/bone/tissue during a procedure. Single and multiple layer configurations can be considered for this version by using a release layer between subsequent dip applications. This configuration may be used in conjunction with previously described protection systems to allow access to power source portion  18  at the start of a procedure. Additional reinforcements or seals can be used in areas subject to contaminant intrusion. Layer  12  is a removable, single-use cover of contamination blocking material.
       i. Dip protective layers can be applied either manually or automatically. Specific areas not to be coated can be masked to ensure correct device function.
           1. Materials and alloys/laminates of these materials appropriate for this concept include but are not limited to:
               a. Natural rubber   b. Synthetic rubber   c. Polyurethane   d. Acrylic   e. Polyethylene   f. PVC   g. Polyester   h. Polyolefin   i. Polypropylene   
               
               
 
         [0190]    b. Methods appropriate for applying the membrane around the outer shell include but are not limited to:
       i. Dip application:
           1. Manually   2. Automated   3. Individual sections (i.e. main body separate from Battery Pack area)   4. Secondary operations drying/curing   
               
 
         [0196]    In  FIG. 7 , another embodiment includes a tool  10  with battery door  19  providing access to power source portion  18  and having a protective header bag formed to shape as a cover  12  further described as follows: 
         [0197]    a. This embodiment uses a rigid body mechanical housing  14  in conjunction with a formed header bag outer shielding cover  12  that protects the majority of the tool  10  from contamination by blood/bone/tissue during a procedure. Additional reinforcements or seals can be used in high stress areas. Header bag cover  12  comprises a removable, single-use cover of contamination blocking material.
       i. Header bag cover  12  can be produced using an extrusion process for the base material with secondary forming and sealing operations to create a sealed enclosure. The header bag  12  is a shaped, non-stretchable, bag-like shell loosely fitted over the housing  14 .
           1. Materials and alloys of these materials appropriate for this concept include but are not limited to:
               a. Synthetic paper   b. C-Flex   c. Flexible PVC   d. Polycarbonate   e. Polyester   f. Polyethylene   g. Polypropylene   h. Nylon   i. Polyolefin b. Methods appropriate for fastening the header bag to/around the inner structure include but are not limited to:   
               
           i. Adhesive in multiple forms
           1. Tape   2. Glue   3. Pressure sensitive adhesive   4. Hot melt adhesives   5. Contact adhesives   
               
 
         [0215]    In  FIG. 8 , another embodiment includes a tool  10  having a protective die cut wrap as a cover  12  further described as follows: 
         [0216]    a. This embodiment uses a rigid body mechanical housing  14  in conjunction with a Precut Wrap outer shielding cover  12  that once applied protects the majority of the tool  10  from contamination by blood/bone/tissue during a procedure. Additional reinforcements or seals can be used in high stress areas or areas vulnerable to contaminant intrusion.
       i. The device can be produced using an extrusion process for the base material with secondary cutting operations and sealing components added to provide a method for creating a sealed enclosure.
           1. Materials and alloys of these materials appropriate for this concept include but are not limited to:
               a. Synthetic paper   b. C-Flex   c. Flexible PCV   d. Polycarbonate   e. Polyester   f. Polyethylene   g. Polypropylene   h. Nylon   i. Polyolefin   
               
               
 
         [0228]    b. Methods for cutting the wrap to conform to the device include but are not limited to:
       i. Manual cutting   ii. Die cutting   iii. Rotary cutting       
 
         [0232]    c. Methods appropriate for securing the wrap to/around the device include but are not limited to:
       i. Creation of appropriate flattened geometry that once wrapped conforms to the geometry of the device.   ii. Adhesive in multiple forms:
           1. Tape   2. Glue   3. Pressure sensitive adhesive   4. Hot melt adhesives   5. Contact adhesives   
               
 
         [0240]    In  FIG. 9 , similar to  FIG. 2 , another embodiment discloses a power tool  10  including a first inner stretch membrane cover  112  and a second outer stretch membrane cover  212 . This embodiment adds the outer cover  212  so that after use of the tool  10 , the outer cover  212  is removed and the inner membrane  112  stays in place on the tool  10 . This embodiment enables shipping the used tool to a re-processor so as to avoid shipping a biohazard product. This embodiment is further described as follows: 
         [0241]    a. This embodiment uses a rigid body mechanical housing  14  in conjunction with a two layer soft/flexible shell outer cover  112  and  212  that protects the majority of the device from contamination by blood/bone/tissue during a procedure. Following the procedure and before return shipment of the device the outermost contaminated cover  212  is removed presenting the inner cover  112  that is a non-biohazard product and can economically be returned for re-processing. 
         [0242]    In  FIG. 10 , tool housing  14 , including tool attachment portion  20 , handle portion  16  and power source portion  18  are illustrated from a backside perspective. The power source portion  18 , as stated above may be closed by the sealable door  19 , shown removed. A cavity  25  in power source portion  18  may receive a battery on-site when the sterilized tool is being made ready for use. When sterilized, cavity  25  is exposed due to door  19  being removed and thus, the interior or cavity  25  of the power source portion  18  is also sterile. In  FIG. 11 , door  19  is illustrated in attachment with power source portion  18 , thereby sealingly closing cavity  25 . Also, a rear cannulation opening  23 ,  FIGS. 10 and 11 , not required for saw blade attachment tools, is shown on a backside wall or surface of tool attachment portion  20  opposite a front sidewall where chuck  21  is located. In this manner, a guide wire or pin can be fed through the tool attachment portion  20  via the cannulation opening  23  and exit via the chuck end for use with a cannulated attachment. A seal  23   a , is provided to seal opening  23 . The seal  23   a  may be either a removable seal or a penetratable seal. 
         [0243]    The limited use tool  10 ,  FIG. 12 , is returned to a re-supplier or re-processor to be prepared for re-use by packaging and sterilizing the tool. The single-use, contamination-blocking cover  12  is removed. During repackaging, the tool  10  is placed in a partitioned tray  300  for shipping. Also, the removable, sealing access door  19  is placed in the tray  300  to be used after a battery is placed in a cavity within the power source portion  18  on-site. The tray  300 , containing the tool  10 , access door  19  and a handle  305  available for two-handed operation (optional), are trayed and covered with a Tyvek lid or cover  310 . Then a known ETO sterilization process, or other suitable process, sterilizes the contents of tray  300  in a gas chamber. Typically, a substantial number of the trayed tools are sterilized together for efficiency. Repackaged, sterilized trays  300  containing the tool  10  and access door  19  are then shipped to the user. When used, a battery, stored at the user&#39;s surgical facility is placed into the sterile cavity  25  in the power portion  18 . The sterile door  19  is then installed in the access opening of cavity  25  (discussed above, see also  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0244]    The present disclosure has recognized and addressed many of the foregoing limitations and drawbacks of others concerning the need to provide hospitals and surgery centers with an improved, more reliable system of cost-effective, battery-operated, motorized tools in conjunction with better cleaning and maintenance protocols. In practice, the disclosed tooling system utilizes a concept called limited-use tools (LUT) and specifically, a new cover or enclosure system to make reprocessing of the LUT more efficient. This cover or enclosure would be used only once in the operating room, then would be removed and discarded at the reprocessing facility. A new, single-use enclosure would be installed at the reprocessing facility prior to final testing, packaging and re-sterilization of the LUT. The term “limited-use” as applied to orthopedic surgical tools can mean having a limited useful life, or a restricted lifespan for intended use. Preferably in this context, limited-use is intended to mean the number of surgeries where the useful life of the tool ranges from more than one use to less than 50 surgeries, and more preferably where the useful life of the tool ranges from more than one use to less than 30 surgeries, and most preferably where the useful life of the tool ranges from more than one use to less than 20 surgeries. 
         [0245]    In a broad respect this disclosure teaches a method of improving (i.e. reducing) potential risk factors associated with infection control, and reduction of potential disease and infection transmission due to lapses in cleaning and infection control associated with routine maintenance of reusable powered surgical instruments. In another broad respect, the disclosure teaches a method of processing battery-operated tools used in surgery, to improve the cleanliness of instruments used in multiple surgical procedures and reduce the potential for disease and infection transmission due to lapses in cleaning and infection control procedures between procedures. In yet another broad respect, the disclosure teaches a method of logistical process of powered tools to improve cleanliness, operational efficiencies and performance. Still further it is to be understood that although this disclosure discusses the invention in terms of battery operated tools, one skilled in the art would fully appreciate that this disclosure has similar application to any pneumatic, wired or electric wall socket-powered instruments as well. 
         [0246]    Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.