Patent Publication Number: US-2023158186-A1

Title: Sterilization case for surgical device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/US21/33429, filed May 20, 2021, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/031,140, filed May 28, 2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     his disclosure relates generally to the field of device sterilization, and more particularly, to sterilization for surgical loupes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The background includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     Surgical loupes are magnifying glasses that dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals wear to magnify the area of interest on a patient. For example, in dental/medical applications, loupes may be worn to magnify the surgical field. Loupes are also worn to allow a more “physiologic” posture while working, and thereby minimize the slouching that may otherwise develop. An example pair of surgical loupes worn by surgeons is shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     Given their use in medical/dental applications, where exposure to patient aerosols and/or bodily fluids that contain pathogens is extremely prevalent, loupes should be sterilized after each use to ensure both patient and user safety. Loupes are often highly customized and constructed from expensive, delicate optical materials that require the use of special cleaning solutions/wipes that do have a corrosive effect on the loupes&#39; components. These solutions do not contain a high enough proportion of isopropyl alcohol to adequately sterilize the loupes and therefore increase the risk of cross-contamination. 
     In addition, the loupes&#39; design makes it difficult to sterilize every surface and crevice by hand with a wipe. This process consumes considerable user productivity and valuable time healthcare professionals could spend with their patients. 
     Therefore, there is a need to provide a device to sterilize loupes using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation that uses short wavelength at 254-265 nm (ultraviolet C or UV-C) for more effective sterilization that exposes the entire surface of the loupes to the sterilization properties of UV-C. 
     SUMMARY 
     Provided herein are example embodiments of systems, devices, and methods for a self-contained medical grade case for sterilizing and protecting surgical devices, for example surgical loupes, utilizing UV-C germicidal light, while also protecting the surgical devices from damage. The case can thus ensure clinician and patient safety, as well as prevent cross contamination. 
     Generally, the present disclosure can include a case comprised of a crush-resistant housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are joined when the housing is in the closed position; the lower portion further comprising a compartment, the compartment comprises: one or more array of UV-C light emitting diodes, a battery power source electrically coupled to the plurality of UV-C light emitting diodes, a loupe rest assembly, a cable management assembly with integrated cavity to house a tracking device (e.g., a Bluetooth tracking device), an inner wall assembly to secure the external battery that powers loupe light, a USBC charging port to recharge loupe light battery; a hinge assembly for joining the upper portion and the lower portion; and a safety mechanism for allowing the battery source to power the array of UV-C light emitting diodes only when the housing is in the closed position. 
     Other compositions, variations, methods, features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be or will become apparent upon examination of the following detailed description. It is intended that all such additional compositions, variations, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the subject matter described herein, and be protected by the accompanying claims. In no way should the features of the example embodiment be construed as limiting the appended claims, absent express recitation those features in the claim. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure. A more particular description of the embodiments briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. However, like parts do not always have like reference numerals. Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, where relative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may be illustrated schematically rather than literally or precisely. 
         FIG.  1    is exemplary pair of surgical loupes. 
         FIG.  2 A  shows an exemplary perspective front and top view of a case of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 B  shows an exemplary perspective back and top view of a case of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show an exemplary internal compartment of a case of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    shows an exemplary exploded view of a loupe rest assembly of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    shows an exemplary exploded view of an inner wall of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    shows an exemplary exploded view of a cable management assembly of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  show exemplary exploded views of the bottom portion of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  show exemplary exploded views of the top portion of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before the present subject matter is described in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims. 
     As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples herein are shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope. 
     As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     In general, terms such as “coupled to,” and “configured for coupling to,” and “secure to,” and “configured for securing to” and “in communication with” (for example, a first component is “coupled to” or “is configured for coupling to” or is “configured for securing to” or is “in communication with” a second component) are used herein to indicate a structural, functional, mechanical, electrical, signal, optical, magnetic, electromagnetic, ionic or fluidic relationship between two or more components or elements. As such, the fact that one component is said to be in communication with a second component is not intended to exclude the possibility that additional components may be present between, and/or operatively associated or engaged with, the first and second components. 
     In the above description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc.,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” or “includes” means “including, but not limited to,” or “includes, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like. 
     Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, devices, and methods for a self-contained medical grade case for sterilizing and protecting surgical devices, for example surgical loupes, utilizing UV-C germicidal light, for example at a wavelength of 254-265 nm, while also protecting the surgical devices from physical damage. The UC-V light can have a germicidal kill rate of a 99+%. The case can thus ensure clinician and patient safety, as well as prevent cross contamination. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG.  2 A  shows an exemplary perspective front and top view of a case  200  of the present disclosure. The case  200  can include a body (or housing) which includes a top portion (which may be referred to as a lid)  201  and a bottom portion  202 . In some embodiments, the top portion  201  can include button  210  and ring  211 . The button  210  can be activated (pushed down by a user) to start a sterilization cycle. In some embodiments, the ring  211  can be or can include a light. During the duration of the sterilization cycle, the ring  211  can light up such that it resembles a light swirling or circling along (around) the ring  211 . When the sterilization cycle completes, the light can stop swirling and stay constant. In some embodiments, the sterilization cycle can take approximately 90 seconds. The case can also include a latch button  205 , which when pushed can allow the top portion  201  to disengage from the bottom portion  202 , to open the case  200 . When the case is opened, the light ring  211  can turn off. 
     In some embodiments, the body of the case  200 , which includes the top portion  201  and bottom portion  202  can be made of crush-resistant material to protect the loupe and its components placed inside the case. 
       FIG.  2 B  shows an exemplary perspective back and top view of a case  200  of the present disclosure. As shown, the case can include a power button  212 , a charging status light array  213 , and a charging port  214 . The charging light array  213  can indicate the progress of charging. For example, when the first (of four) light blinks, it indicates the battery is less than 25% charged and the battery is charging; then the first solid light indicates the battery is 25% charged; when the second light blinks, it indicates the battery is less than 50% charged and the battery is charging; then the second solid lights indicate the battery is 50% charged, and so on. In some embodiments, the charging port  214  can be a USB/USB-C port. 
       FIG.  2 B  further shows an exemplary handle  220  (also shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B ). In some embodiments, the handle  220  can retract into a recess. In some implementations, the handle  220  can be made of rubber. The case can include a hinge  230  (and hinge components  232 ) as an attachment mechanism to attach the top portion  201  with the bottom portion  202 . 
       FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show an exemplary internal compartment of the case  200 . In some embodiments, the bottom portion  102  can include an internal compartment  300  which can receive and store a surgical loupe and related components. For example, the compartment  300  can include a cable management assembly  310 , an inner wall  320 , and a loupe rest assembly  330 . The loupe rest assembly  330  (also shown in  FIG.  4   ) can include a plurality of loupe rest assembly arms  333 , which can hold a surgical loupe. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the loupe rest assembly  330  can include bendable (or foldable) wires  431  which are covered by over-mold  430 . In some exemplary operations, a loupe (e.g., a nose bridge of the loupe) can be placed into the arms  333 , and the wires  431  can be bent so as to restrict the movement of the loupe, and thus can hold the loupe in a secure position. 
     The cable management assembly  310  can receive a cable of the loupe. For example, the cable can be wrap around the cable management  310  and terminate a male end of the battery cable into a female receptacle of the cable management assembly  310 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the cable management assembly  310  can include a body  610  and an over-mold  611 . The over-mold  611  can include one or more grooves to receive the cable. In some embodiments, the top end of the cable management assembly  310  can include an opening  312 . The opening  312  can receive, for example, a wireless tile tracking device (e.g., a Bluetooth tracking device), AirTag™, or the like. The tile can be used to track the location of the case. 
     As shown further, the compartment  300  can include a plurality of transparent covers  340  on the bottom surface and a cover  344  on the front inside wall. The transparent covers cover light emitting diodes (LED) UV-C lights which can shine through them. The inside surface of the top portion  101  can also include a plurality of covers  342  through which LED (UV-C) lights can shine. In some embodiments, the covers may be made of quartz crystal. In some exemplary operations, the front of a loupe can be placed facing the cover  344 , thus the LED lights behind the cover  344  can sterilize the front of the loupe. In some embodiments, the cover  344  can have an oblong shape and four LED lights can be included behind the cover  344 . 
     The compartment  300  can also include a charging port  335 , e.g., USB-C port. The charging port  335  can charge a battery placed in the compartment  300 , for example, a battery for the light of the loupe. The inner wall  320  can hold the battery and a clip (e.g., clip used with loupe battery cable). In some implementations, the charging port may not operate (not charging) during a sterilization cycle. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the compartment  300  can include slots  322 ,  336 , and  337 . The slots  322 ,  336  and  337  can allow the inner wall  320 , the loupe rest assembly  330  and the cable management assembly  310 , respectively, to be repositioned, e.g., toward the front, back or side of the compartment  300 . The repositioning can be used, for example, to accommodate the sizes of the loupe and the battery. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the bottom end of the loupe rest assembly  330  can include a plug  435  with an extruding stud  436  which can securely fit into slots  336 . The bottom end of the inner wall  320  and cable management system  310  can include similar studs that fit into slots  322  and  337 . 
       FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  show exemplary exploded views of the bottom portion  102 . In some embodiments, the bottom portion can include a fabric  710  (which can be a reflective fabric). The top surface of the fabric  710  can receive the cable management assembly  310 , the inner wall  320 , and the loupe rest assembly  330  as shown above. The fabric  710  can serve to separate, protect or hide components including, for example, one or more battery  760 , a LED PCBA  750 , a front LED PCB  770 , etc. In some embodiments, battery  760  can provide power to all electric and electronic components of the case  200 , as well as power to the USB-C charging port  335 . As shown further in  FIG.  7 B , a latch assembly  780  with latch components  782  (e.g., latch springs, button, etc.) can be located between the fabric  710  and the outer shell of the bottom portion  102 . Also shown are various washers used, for example, washer  711  for the handle  220 , and  720  for screws  730  for the LED PCBA  750 . As shown, the LED PCBA  750  can include one or more array of LED lights. The LED PCB  770  can include front LED lights. 
     In some embodiments, the case  200  can include a safety mechanism. For example, the safety mechanism can only allow a sterilization cycle to start only when the case  200  is in a closed position. In some embodiments, the safety mechanism can be or can include the latch assembly  780 . 
       FIG.  7 A  also shows a PCB  714  which can include the USB-C port  214  ( FIG.  2   ). 
       FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  show exemplary exploded views of the top portion  101 . As with the bottom portion, the top portion can also include a a fabric  842  (which can be a reflective fabric). The fabric  842  can serve to separate, protect or hide components including, for example, a LED PCBA  852 , one or more LED lights  822 , light ring cover  820 , etc. 
     In some exemplary operations, the lights  822  can turn on and off sequentially in a circle formation, thus giving an effect of a swirling light motion. This swirling motion can occur during a sterilization cycle. When the sterilization cycle completes, all the lights  822  can stay turned on, showing a solid lighted ring  820 . 
       FIG.  8 A  further shows a power PCBA  860 . The power PCBA  860  can include at least a light pipe  864  and a power button  862 . The light pipe  864  provides cover for the charging light array  213  which is described in  FIG.  2 B . 
     The present disclosure also includes a process for sterilizing a surgical loupe. For example, a user can place a loupe on the loupe rest assembly  330 , such that the nose bridge of the loupe can rest on the loupe rest assembly arms  333 . The user can then bend the loupe rest assembly arms  333  around the loupe to keep the loupe secured. If needed, the user can adjust the loupe rest assembly  330  (move the loupe rest assembly  330  either toward the front of the case, or toward the back) to accommodate varying loupe sizes in the case. The user can also secure the loupe battery to the inner wall  320 . The inner wall  320  can be adjusted (moved either toward the front of the case, or toward the back) to fit the battery as desired. A battery clip can be clipped on the top end of the inner wall  320 . A battery cable can be wrapped around the cable management assembly  310 , for example, using the grooves (or cavities) on the cable management assembly and terminate the male end of battery cable into the female receptacle of cable management assembly  310 . If needed, the loupe battery can be plugged into the charging port  335 . It should be noted that the steps are not meant to be in a specific order and can be done in different orders. Once all loupe components have been placed into the compartment  300 , the lid  101  can be closed. In some embodiments, only after the case  200  has been closed, a sterilization cycle can start. To start a sterilization cycle, the user can activate (pushed) the activation button  210 . 
     It should also be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the following description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     To the extent the embodiments disclosed herein include or operate in association with memory, storage, and/or computer readable media, then that memory, storage, and/or computer readable media are non-transitory. Accordingly, to the extent that memory, storage, and/or computer readable media are covered by one or more claims, then that memory, storage, and/or computer readable media is only non-transitory. 
     While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.