Patent Publication Number: US-2021186641-A1

Title: Medical device transportation systems

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/953,358, filed Dec. 24, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to containment and transportation systems, and more particularly, containers and methods for transporting medical devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some devices, including endoscopes, may be reusable for on-going patient use. Medical facilities, such as clinics or hospitals, may manually clean and high-level disinfect each device between use, and may need to transport the devices from a reprocessing or storage location to another location for use in a medical procedure. Clean medical devices may be deliverable to the medical professional for performing a medical procedure and used medical devices may be deliverable to the reprocessing or storage location. 
     One challenge for medical facilities is to maintain a workflow of the clean and used medical devices to minimize cross-contamination and a potential spread of infections and/or diseases. Current medical device containment and transportation systems used in medical facilities may be difficult to clean, e.g., including configurations that may allow for bacteria and other contaminants to remain on the surfaces even after disinfecting processes. Clean medical devices may be at risk of contamination in the event the containment systems are not thoroughly disinfected. 
     Additionally, existing containment and transportation systems may only be used exclusively together, so that medical facilities may be limited to a particular container to be used with a transportation system. Thus, medical facilities may be unable to swap out particular container configurations in different types of transportation systems as desired. 
     It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present improvements may be useful. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to necessarily identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for containing and transporting a medical device may include a container including a bottom face and surrounding side faces as a closed first end and an open second end to form an inner portion for receiving and retaining the medical device. At least a portion of one or more of the side faces may have an indentation extending along a length of the respective side face. A liner may be removably enclosable about the container. The liner may be extendable over the side faces to line the inner portion of the container. The liner may be conformable to a profile of the container. The indentation may be formed into the inner portion of the container such that the container is compatibly receivable in a first transportation device in a first orientation. 
     In various of the foregoing and other embodiments of the present disclosure, the bottom face of the container may include a contour, such that the container may be compatibly receivable in the first transportation device in a second orientation different from the first orientation. A first cover may be removably enclosable about the container and extendable over at least a portion of the side faces and across the open second end of the container to enclose the inner portion. A second cover may be removably enclosable about the container and extendable over at least a portion of the side faces and across the open second end of the container to enclose the inner portion. The first cover may be exchangeable with the second cover for visual verification of a condition of the medical device. The first cover may be reversible, as opposed to a second cover, with each side of the reversible cover for visual verification of a different condition of the medical device. The container may be compatibly receivable in a second transportation device. The second transportation device may be different from the first transportation device, such that the container may be exchangeable between the first transportation device and the second transportation device. The liner, first cover, and/or second cover may be removably enclosable about the container in a “pillow sham”-type or “sandwich bag”-type configuration. One or more handles may be formed in a container as indentations in the side face, bottom face, or the corner between a side face and the bottom face, or some combination thereof. The handles may be formed with a width, depth and height sized to accommodate a user&#39;s fingers when grasping the container. The side faces of a container may extend along a straight line from the open second end to the closed first end vertical to the bottom face, or the side faces may extend along a straight line that tapers inward from vertical from the open second end to the closed first end, or some side faces may be vertical while others may be tapered inward. The indentations formed into the inner portion of a container may have a uniform height of opening along the length of the indentation, or the opening may increase in height toward one or both ends of the indentation, such that the container may be further compatibly receivable in a transportation device. The contour of the bottom face of the container may include an indentation that may extend from the bottom face into the inner portion of the container. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a container for containing and transporting a medical device may include a bottom face and surrounding side faces as a closed first end and an open second end to form an inner portion for receiving and retaining the medical device. At least a portion of one or more of the side faces may have a first indentation extending along a length of the respective side face. The first indentation on the at least a portion of the one or more side faces may be formed into the inner portion of the container. The container may be compatible to be receivable in a first transportation device. 
     In various of the foregoing and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a protrusion may extend from at least a portion of one or more of the side faces and may be positionable relative to the first indentation on at least the portion of the one or more of the side faces of the container. The portion of one or more of the side faces of the container may include a second indentation. A liner may be removably enclosable about the container. The liner may be extendable over the side faces to line the inner portion of the container, such that the liner may be conformable to a profile of the container. A first cover may be removably enclosable about the container and extendable over at least a portion of the side faces and across the open second end of the container to enclose the inner portion. A second cover may be removably enclosable about the container and extendable over at least a portion of the side faces and across the open second end of the container to enclose the inner portion. The first cover may be exchangeable with the second cover for visual verification of a condition of the medical device. The first cover may be reversible, as opposed to a second cover, with each side of the reversible cover for visual verification of a different condition of the medical device. The liner, first cover, and/or second cover may be removably enclosable about the container in a “pillow sham”-type or “sandwich bag”-type configuration. The container may be compatibly receivable in a second transportation device. The second transportation device may be different from the first transportation device, such that the container may be exchangeable between the first transportation device and the second transportation device. A closure feature of the liner may be cross-wise with a closure feature of the first or second cover. A closure feature of the liner may be parallel and staggered with a closure feature of the first or second cover. First and second edges of the closure feature of the liner may at least partially overlap each other. First and second edges of the closure feature of the liner may at least partially abut each other. First and second edges of the closure feature of the first or second covers may at least partially overlap each other. First and second edges of the closure feature of the first or second covers may at least partially abut each other. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for containing and transporting a medical device may include enclosing a liner about a container. The container may include a bottom face and surrounding side faces as a closed first end and an open second end to form an inner portion. At least a portion of one or more of the side faces may have an indentation extending along a length of the respective side face. The liner may be extendable over the side faces and the inner portion of the container, such that the liner may be conformable to a profile of the container. A medical device may be received in the inner portion of the container. A first cover may be enclosed about the container. The first cover may extend over at least a portion of the side faces and across the open second end of the container to enclose the inner portion. The first cover may be exchangeable with a second cover for visual verification of a condition of the medical device. The first cover may be reversible, as opposed to a second cover, with each side of the reversible cover for visual verification of a different condition of the medical device. The liner, first cover, and/or second cover may be removably enclosable about the container in a “pillow sham”-type or “sandwich bag”-type configuration. The indentation may be formed into the inner portion of the container such that the container may be compatibly receivable in a first transportation device in a first orientation. The bottom face of the container may include a contour, such that the container may be compatibly receivable in the first transportation device in a second orientation different from the first orientation. The container may be compatibly receivable in a second transportation device. The second transportation device may be different from the first transportation device, such that the container may be exchangeable between the first transportation device and the second transportation device. The first cover may be exchanged with the second cover in response to a change in the condition of the medical device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component illustrated is typically represented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure, nor is every component of each embodiment shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure. In the figures: 
         FIGS. 1A-1I  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a container in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a containment and transportation system in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a plurality of containers in a stacked configuration in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2C-2D  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a containment system in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a container liner and cover in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 4A-4G  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a container liner and cover in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting beyond the scope of the appended claims. Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure belongs. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, regions, steps elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof. 
     Exemplary embodiments of containment and transportation systems and methods according to the present disclosure may be configured for improved cleanability or disinfection, to reduce a risk of contamination of medical devices. Exemplary embodiments may also be configured to minimize or prevent inadvertent re-use of a device that has not been reprocessed, and/or inadvertently reprocessing an already reprocessed device that is thought to have been used. As described above, existing systems may be configured with features such as undercuts, lips, notches, or the like, that may trap contaminants. During handling, a medical professional may contact the contaminated undercut or lip, potentially transferring contaminants to a clean medical device and thereby increasing a risk of spreading diseases to a patient. 
     A containment system in accordance with the present disclosure may include a container having an improved design to minimize contamination for receiving, handling and retaining a medical device, which may be transported throughout a medical facility for reprocessing and patient use. Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1G , an exemplary embodiment of a container  100  is depicted. The container  100  may be formed as a tray, or basket, or a shallower type of receptacle, for receiving and retaining a medical device. The container  100  may have a bottom face  105 , and surrounding side faces  110   a - 110   d , to form the container having a closed first end  115  and an open second end  120 . The open-ended container  100  may have an inner portion  125  formed by the bottom face  105  and surrounding side faces  110   a - 110   d , e.g., such that a medical device is receivable by placement on the bottom face  105  and retainable inside the container by the surrounding side faces  110   a - 110   d . In some embodiments, the side faces  110   a - 110   d  may extend along a straight line that is vertical to the bottom face  105  (e.g.,  FIGS. 1A-1C ), and in other embodiments one or more of side faces  110   a - 110   d  may extend along a straight line that tapers inward from the open second end  120  to the closed first end  115 . For example, referring to  FIGS. 1D-1I , the container  100  may include vertical sides faces  110   b ,  110   d  along the front and back of the container, while side faces  110   a ,  110   c  along the sides of the container including indentations  130  may taper slightly inward from vertical extending from the open second end  120  to the closed first end  115 .  FIG. 1E  depicts a taper of θ SW  degrees from vertical that may be a range of 0 degrees to about five degrees. The taper may help to provide clearance between side surfaces  110   a ,  110   c  of the container and the sides of a transportation device when the container is loaded in the device. Alternatively, or additionally, the taper may help in the manufacturing process for the container, e.g., to aid in releasing the container from an injection mold if that forming technique is used. 
     In some embodiments, the container  100  may be formed as a rectangle, or square, e.g., having four side faces  110   a - 110   d , although it is envisioned that the container may be formed with any number “n” of side faces. Additionally, the container  100  may have rounded edges  107  connecting the bottom face and surrounding side faces, which may be advantageous for a more thorough disinfection as well as handling. In embodiments with a tapered side face, the side face may be made to follow a straight line from the open second end to the closed first end and tangential to the apex of the rounded edge  107  (see  FIG. 1E ). The container may be formed of a substantially rigid material, such as a plastic or composite, and may be thermoformed or molded as a single piece to its configuration. 
     The container  100  may have one or more indentations  130 . In embodiments, a first indentation  130   a  may extend along at least a portion of a first side face  110   a , e.g., substantially parallel to the bottom face  105 . Similarly, a second indentation  130   a  may extend along at least a portion of a third side face  110   c , e.g., substantially parallel to the bottom face  105  and in alignment with the first indentation  130   a . The indentations may extend along the full length of the respective face, although in some embodiments the indentations may extend along a portion of the side face. In some embodiments, the container  100  may have two indentations  130   a ,  130   b , along opposing side faces, to be received by a transportation device. Indentations may also be included in at least a portion of the other side faces  110   b ,  110   d , etc. The indentations  130  may be substantially symmetrical to each other, e.g., so that the container  100  may be receivable into a transportation device in an upright position. In embodiments, the container may be receivable into a cart, for transport in a medical facility. 
     The indentations  130  may be formed to extend inward into the inner portion  125 . In some embodiments, the indentations  130  may be formed as rails, e.g., having a rectangular cross-section. The indentations may be formed inward so that a user, e.g., a medical professional, may grip the container  100  by the indentations  130  (e.g., surfaces  135   a ). The medical professional may alternatively and/or additionally handle the container  100  via the bottom face  105  and/or side faces  110   a - 110   d  (e.g., rounded edges  107 ). In embodiments, the medical professional may slide a container  100  in and out of a transportation device, such as a cart, and may carry the container  100  to a reprocessing location and/or a patient procedure location. The indentations  130  may have surfaces  135   a - 135   c  formed substantially perpendicular to each other (90 degrees±10 degrees), although in some embodiments one or more of the surfaces may form an obtuse angle (&gt;90 degrees). The surfaces  135   a - 135   c  of the indentations  130  may be cleanable, e.g., contaminants may not be trapped in the indentations, so that when the medical professional grips and carries the container  100  as needed, cross-contamination may be minimized. In embodiments, corners of the surfaces  135   a - 135   c  may have radii to enhance cleanability of the container  100 , which may be dimensioned between approximately 0.100 to 0.180 inches for cleaning. The surfaces  135   a - 135   c  may be a “C” or “U” shape, to create an opening “o”. As described below, the opening “o” may be sized as desired, e.g., to allow for handling by a medical professional and/or for receiving a cover, a liner, or both, e.g., based on the surface  135   b  formed substantially perpendicular relative to the bottom face  105 . 
     In some embodiments, the indentations  130  may have a uniform height of opening along the side face (e.g.,  FIG. 1C ), and in other embodiments the indentions may have a height of opening that increases at one or both ends of the indentation. Referring to  FIG. 1F , container  100  includes indentations  130  extending along the side faces  110   a ,  110   c , with flared end openings  132 . The height of the middle length of indentation  130  is represented as dci and the height of the flared end openings  132  is represented as d TI  Height d TI , may gradually decease to height d CI , through the length of the flare end openings  132 . For example, at a maximum height, flared end openings  132  may be approximately 30%-50% greater than the height of the middle length of indentations  130 . Flare end openings may assist with aligning the opening of indentation  130  with the rails  215  of a transportation device  505   a ,  505   c , as the container is loaded into the device. Flare end openings  132  may also provide some gap clearance between the edges of the opening of indentation  130  and the edges of rails  215  to facilitate sliding the container into a transportation device along the rails. In some embodiments, one or both ends of indentations  130 , whether flared or not, may include a portion  135   d  that wraps around from the side face with the indentation to the adjacent side face (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1D ). This may assist with alignment and starting the indentation along the rails of a transportation device once aligned. 
     In embodiments, the indentations  130  may be formed to allow for the container  100  to be compatibly receivable into a plurality of transportation devices. For example, the container  100  may be receivable in a first transportation device, and a second transportation device, where the first and second transportation devices have differing configurations. It is understood that the container may be compatibly receivable in any number “n” of transportation devices of differing configurations. The indentations may extend inwardly into the inner portion  125  a depth such that the container is adaptably receivable into carts having different configurations. In some embodiments, the container  100  and the indentations  130  may be dimensioned to be receivable in the transportation devices. In this matter, the container  100  may be compatible with a variety of transportation systems (see  FIGS. 2A-2D ). 
     Additional features may also include contouring and/or beveling on the rounded edges  107  at the corners of the container  100  underneath the indentations  130 , as described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/726,588, filed Dec. 24, 2019, and titled “Medical Device Containment and Transportation Systems and Methods,” the entirety of which application is incorporated by reference herein. 
     The bottom face  105  of the container  100  may include a contour  140 . The contour  140  may include recessed portions  145 , e.g., an outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105  may be disposed inward from portions  150  of the bottom face  105 . The recessed portions  145  may be positioned substantially along the side faces  110   b ,  110   d  opposite of side faces having the indentations  130   a ,  130   b , and/or along a central portion  147  of the bottom face  105 . In some embodiments, side faces  110   a ,  110   c  may have at least the portions  150 . 
     In some embodiments, the central portion  147  of the bottom face  105  may include an indentation  146  that extends from the surface of the recessed portion  145  of the bottom face  105  into the inner portion  125  (e.g.,  FIGS. 1D-1H ). Referring to  FIGS. 1D-1E , indentation  146  may have a square shape and extend into inner portion  125  a distance d RB  that may range from about 0 mm. to about 25 mm. As shown, indentation  146  may extend into inner portion  125  a distance dRB of 0.4 in. (10.16 mm). The shape of indentation  146  is depicted as a square, but may be any number of other shapes, such as circular, oval, rectangular, etc. The profile of the indentation  146  may have a plateau-like cross-section, as shown, with a step-up around the edges and a relatively flat portion parallel to the bottom face  105  and recessed portions  145 . Alternatively, indentation  146  may have a dome-like cross-section, with a gradual slope from recessed portion  145  of bottom face  105  to an apex at central portion  147 , and then a gradual slope back to recessed portion  145 . Additionally, or alternatively, the raised surface of the indentation  146  may serve to strengthen the bottom face  105  of the container (e.g., resist twisting or warping), or facilitate manufacturing (e.g., ease removal of the container from an injection or thermoforming mold). 
     The bottom face  105  and recessed portions  145  may allow for the container  100  to be received in a transportation device in a plurality of orientations. As shown in  FIG. 2C , a first container  200   a  may be receivable into a transportation device  205   c  via the indentations  130  in a first orientation. The transportation device  205   c  may be configured such that a container may not be receivable in a lower portion  205  in the first orientation. In some embodiments, the transportation device  205   c  may lack means for receiving a container by the indentations  130 , and/or include additional elements that may otherwise prevent the first container  200   a  from being received, e.g., support elements at a bottom portion of the transportation device  205   c . In this event, a second container  200   b  may be receivable into the transportation device  205   c  in a second orientation, e.g., rotation of the container 90° about a central axis  155 . The recessed portion  145  may allow for the second container  200   b  to fit in the transportation device  205   c  with enough vertical clearance from an above first container  200   a . In some embodiments, the container  100  may be formed in a rectangle, so that in the second orientation the second container  200   b  is receivable in a narrower configuration than in the first orientation. It is understood that the first and second containers  200   a ,  200   b  may include the features described with respect to the container  100 , as described below. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom face  105  and/or surrounding side faces  110   a - 110   d , may incorporate a handle  160 ,  170 ,  180  to facilitate holding and movement of the container  100  (see  FIGS. 1H-1I ). Referring to  FIGS. 1H-1I , a container  100  with corner handles  160  is depicted. Respective corner handles  160   a ,  160   b  may be integrated into opposite sides faces  110   b ,  110   d , and their adjoining recessed portions  145  of bottom face  105 . Each handle  160   a ,  160   b , may have a width W h , height H h  and depth D h  dimension that is sized to accommodate the fingers of a user&#39;s hand grasping the container palm-side upward. For example, each handle  160   a ,  160   b , may have a width W h  that extends 3-7 in. (76.2-177.8 mm), height H h  that extends 1.0-3.0 in. (25.4-76.2 mm), and depth D h  that extends 0.5-2.0 in. (12.7-50.8 mm). Handles  160   a ,  160   b , may extend inward from respective side faces  110   b ,  110   d  into the inner portion  125  of the container  100 , and may include a sloped vertical face  165   b  that transitions to a recessed dimple  165   a . Dimple  165   a  may be sized to accommodate a user&#39;s fingertips when grasping the container  100 . Other shapes and dimensions of handles  160 ,  170 ,  180  may be possible depending on user requirements. Handles  160 ,  170 ,  180  may provide a more secure grasping feature compared to holding a container from the bottom face  105  and/or side faces  110   a - 110   d , particularly if the container is encased in a liner (e.g., liner  300  or liner  400 ,  FIGS. 3A, 4A ). For example, the handle  160   a ,  160   b  may not extend along an entire length of a side face  110   a - 110   d.    
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , a first container  200   a  may be configured to be stacked with a second container  200   b , by nesting an optional lid  202  disposed on an upper surface of the second container  200   b  with the bottom face  105  of the first container. The first and second containers  200   a ,  200   b  may include the features described above with respect to container  100  described in relation to  FIGS. 1A-1I  and may be removably attachable to a respective optional lid  202 . The nested configuration may allow for the containers to be stacked, e.g., vertically stacked, relative to each other, which may be advantageous for storing extra containers in a medical facility, and/or during transport of a plurality of containers. For example, the nesting configuration may provide stability to the stack of containers to reduce a likelihood of tipping over, which may reduce potential contamination of a medical device. The lid  202  may be formed of a substantially rigid material such as a plastic or composite material and may be a single piece thermoformed or molded configuration. 
     The containment and transportation system may further include a liner for lining the inner portion  125  of the container  100 . In embodiments, a liner may be included so that when a medical device is placed in the inner portion  125  of the container  100 , the liner may act as a protective barrier to the inner portion  125 . This may aid in minimizing potential contamination of the container, e.g., when receiving and/or retaining a used medical device. When the medical device is removed for cleaning, the liner may be disposed of so that the container may avoid direct contact with the used medical device. In some embodiments the containment and transportation system can include one or more covers. The cover may be extendable across the second open end  120  of the container  100 , so that a medical device placed in the inner portion  125  of the container is enclosed between the liner and the cover. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3F , an embodiment of a liner and first and/or second cover is described. Liner  300  may have a lining portion  305 , bottom portion  308  and a closure feature  310  that together define a “pillow sham”-type enclosure  309  into which container  100  may be placed ( FIG. 3A-3C ). The lining portion  305  may be sized to extend over the side faces  110   a - 110   d  of the container  100  and line the inner portion  125 . The lining portion  305  may be extendable fully over the side faces  110   a - 110   d  to an outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105  of the container  100 . The lining portion  305  and the bottom portion  308  may fully enclose, or substantially fully enclose, the container  100 , to act as a protective barrier and prevent and/or minimize direct contact between a medical device and the container, and/or between a user and the medical device and/or container (see  FIG. 3B-3C ). The liner  300 , including the lining portion  305  and the bottom portion  308 , may comprise a flexible material, such as a single piece or multiple pieces to form the enclosure  309 . The flexible material may allow for the liner  300  to be conformable to a profile of the container  100 , e.g., the liner may surround the side faces  110   a - 110   d  and may sit in the inner portion  125  of the container ( FIG. 3C ). In embodiments, the liner  300  may be at least partially substantially transparent or translucent, although it is also envisioned that the liner  300  may be colored, or opaque. The liner  300  may include symbols, textures, patterns and/or words to, e.g., indicate orientation of the tray within the liner, highlight the closure feature  310 , indicate the status of the medical device at various stages of use, reprocessing, transport and handling, or the like. For example, wording such as “long side”, “short side”, “slit opening”, or a textural cuff along the opening, may be included to allow a user to correctly orient the tray with respect the liner, and locate the opening for loading the tray into the liner. 
     The container may be removably enclosable within the enclosure  309  of the liner  300  by the closure feature  310 , so that when the container  100  is lined, the closure feature  310  maintains the liner  300  in position and to enclose the container  100 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , when the liner  300  encloses the container  100 , the closure feature  310  may be disposed on the outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105 . By aligning the liner  300  so that the lining portion  305  is continuously extended across the inner portion  125  of the container  100 , contamination of the container may be minimized. For example, fluids or other particulates may not leak or may be substantially inhibited from leaking across the edges of the closure feature  310  when positioned on the outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105 . 
     The closure feature  310  may be an opening in the enclosure  309  extending across the width of the liner and including overlapping edges  310   a  and  310   b  of the bottom portion  308  of the liner  300  ( FIG. 3A-3B ). The opening may comprise individual pieces of connected flexible material, e.g., one piece of material as the lining portion  305  that extends the length of the liner and two pieces of material as the bottom portion  308  positioned on top of the lining portion with aligned and connected outer edges defining the outer perimeter of the enclosure  309 . Respective overlapping edges  310   a  and  310   b  may be included a distance along the length of the liner as the opening at closure feature  310 . In embodiments, the closure feature  310  may be an opening in the enclosure  309  extending across the width of the liner and including edges  310   a  and  310   b  of the bottom portion  308  of the liner  300  that are adjacent, but not overlapping. The edges of the short side and long side may be aligned adjacent to each other as the opening of closure feature  310  with respective short side and long side edges  310   a ,  310   b , and the outer edges may be aligned and connected, as above, as the outer perimeter of the enclosure  309 . 
     The edges  310   a  and  310   b  of the opening at closure feature  310  may be separated to load container  100  upside down within enclosure  309 . One end of the container may be slid under edge  310   b  into the larger portion of the enclosure  309 , and then the remaining smaller portion of the enclosure  309  may be pulled around and over the other end of the container, such that edge  310   a  overlaps  310   b  to close the opening at closure feature  310  ( FIG. 3B ). The positioning of the closure feature  310  along the length of the bottom portion  308  of the liner, and the degree of overlap of edges  310   a ,  310   b , may be varied as desired. By fully enclosing or substantially fully enclosing the container  100  within the liner  300 , leaving little or no portion of an underside of the container exposed, contamination of the container and/or clean medical device may be minimized. 
     As described, the container  100  may be removably enclosed within the liner  300  prior to placement of a medical device in the inner portion  125  of the container. A medical device may be placed in an inner portion  125  of a container  100  after the container is enclosed within the liner  300 . 
     When the medical device is placed in the container, a cover may be extendable across the second open end  120 , so that the medical device is captured between the liner  300  and a cover  320 ,  335 . Referring to  FIGS. 3D-3F , a first cover  320  may have a cover portion  325 , bottom portion  308  and a closure feature  330  defining an enclosure  309 , and a second cover  335  may have a cover portion  340 , bottom portion  308  and a closure feature  345  defining an enclosure  309 . Closure features  330 ,  345  may be an opening in the enclosure  309  extending across the width of the respective covers  320 ,  335 , and including respective overlapping edges  330   a ,  330   b  and  345   a ,  345   b  of the bottom portion  308  ( FIG. 3D ). The cover portions  325 ,  340 , bottom portions  308  and closure features  330 ,  345  may define enclosure  309 , as described above with respect to liner  300 . 
     The flexible material may allow for the first and second cover  320 ,  335  to extend across the container  100 , e.g., the first and/or second cover  320 ,  335  may form a barrier across the second open end  120  of the container  100 . In embodiments, the first and/or second cover  320 ,  335  may be at least partially substantially transparent or translucent. It is also envisioned that the first and second covers  320 ,  335  may be different colors, and/or may include symbols, textures, patterns and/or words to, e.g., indicate orientation of the tray within the cover, highlight the closure feature  330 ,  345 , indicate the status of the medical device at various stages of use, reprocessing, transport and handling, or the like. For example, wording such as “long side”, “short side”, “slit opening”, or a textural cuff along the opening, may be included to allow a user to correctly orient the tray with respect the cover, and locate the opening for loading the tray into the cover. Different colors and/or patterns may provide an easy indicator for medical professionals traversing through a medical facility, picking up used medical devices and/or delivering clean medical devices, so that incorrect delivery of a medical device is minimized. In embodiments, the liner  300 , first cover  320  and/or second cover  335  may include a section for writing on the top surface. Details regarding the medical device may be included by a medical profession, e.g., to document details such as the time the medical device was used, to track a time from use to cleaning. In some medical facilities, a used medical device must be reprocessed within a predetermined time period, such as less than 1 hour. In embodiments, the first cover  320  may be different than the second cover  335 , so that a medical professional may have a visual indication of a condition of the medical device in the container  100 . For example, a green colored cover  320  may indicate a clean medical device. A medical professional may be able see the green cover  320  and transport the medical device to a patient procedure location for use. Similarly, a red colored cover  335  may indicate a used medical device, so the medical professional may transport the medical device to a reprocessing location. In some embodiments, a hazardous waste symbol, and/or a pattern of hazardous waste symbols, may be included on a cover  335  to indicate a used medical device, so that the pattern may indicate to a medical professional for proper handling and disposal. Alternatively, the first cover may be reversible, as opposed to having a second cover, with each side of the reversible cover for visual verification of a different condition of the medical device. For example, after endoscope reprocessing, a clean medical device may be placed in a lined container, and a reversible cover  320  with opposing sides that are green and red may be extended across the second open end  120 , with the green side facing upwards providing a visual verification of the clean condition of the endoscope. The container may be transported from a reprocessing location to a medical procedure location, where the clean medical device may be used on a patient. Subsequent to the procedure, the used medical device may be placed back in the container, and the reversible cover  320  may be extended across the second open end  120 , with the red side facing upwards providing a visual verification of the used condition of the endoscope. This may indicate to a medical professional, or other medical facility personnel that the medical device should be transported back to the reprocessing area for cleaning. Similarly, opposing sides of a reversible cover may include symbols, patterns and/or words to indicate the status of the medical device at various stages of use, reprocessing, transport and handling. 
     The container  100  enclosed within liner  300  may be removably enclosable within enclosure  309  of the cover  320 ,  335  by the closure feature  330 ,  345  ( FIG. 3D ). The closure feature  330 ,  345  may be an opening in the enclosure  309  extending across the width of the cover and including overlapping edges  330   a ,  330   b  and  345   a ,  345   b  of the bottom portion  308  of respective covers  320 ,  335  ( FIG. 3D ). In embodiments, the closure feature  330 ,  345  may be an opening in the enclosure  309  extending across the width of the cover and including  330   a ,  330   b  and  345   a ,  345   b  of the bottom portion  308  of respective covers  320 ,  335  that are adjacent, but not overlapping. The edges of the opening at closure feature  330 ,  345  may be separated to load container  100  upside down within enclosure  309  in the same fashion as described above for liner  300 . The position of the closure feature  330 ,  345  along the length of the bottom portion  308  of the cover, and the degree of overlap of edges  330   a ,  330   b  and  345   a ,  345   b , may be varied as desired. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3E and 3F , when the cover  320 ,  335  encloses the container  100 , the closure feature  330 ,  345  may be disposed on the outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105 . By aligning the cover  320 ,  335  so that the cover portion  325 ,  340  is continuously extended across the inner portion  125  of the container  100 , contamination of the container may be minimized. For example, fluids or other particulates may not leak or may be substantially inhibited from leaking across the closure feature edges  330   a ,  330   b  and  345   a ,  345   b , when positioned on the outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105 . To further inhibit leaking, the container can be loaded into the liner and the cover such that the closure features of the liner and cover are cross-wise (e.g., substantially perpendicular) to each other, rather than parallel, as shown in  FIG. 3E . In other embodiments, to further inhibit leaking, the container can be loaded into the liner and the cover such that the closure features of the liner and cover are parallel and staggered, as shown in  FIG. 3F . Crossing and/or staggering the closure features of the liner and cover may create a more tortuous path that reduces or eliminates the possibility of fluids or other particulates leaking via both openings of the liner and cover to potentially contaminate a workspace or other systems. In embodiments, corresponding ones of edges  310   a ,  310   b ,  330   a ,  330   b ,  345   a ,  345   b  of closure features  310 ,  330 ,  345  may at least partially overlap, abut, overlay, underlay, adjoin, or any combination thereof. 
     By fully enclosing or substantially fully enclosing the container  100  within the covers  320 ,  335 , leaving little or no portion of an underside of the container exposed, contamination of the container and/or clean medical device may be minimized. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4E , an alternative embodiment of a liner and first and/or second cover is described. Liner  400  may have a lining portion  405 , bottom portion  408  and a closure feature  410  that together define a “sandwich bag”-type enclosure  409  into which container  100  may be placed ( FIG. 4A-4D ). The lining portion  405  may be sized to extend over the side faces  110   a - 110   d  of the container  100  and line the inner portion  125 . The lining portion  405  may be extendable fully over the side faces  110   a - 110   d  to an outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105  of the container  100 . The lining portion  405  and the bottom portion  408  may fully enclose, or substantially fully enclose, the container  100 , to act as a protective barrier and prevent and/or minimize direct contact between a medical device and the container, and/or between a user and the medical device and/or container (see  FIG. 4B-4D ). The liner  400 , including the lining portion  405  and the bottom portion  408 , may comprise a flexible material, such as a single piece or multiple pieces to form the enclosure  409 . The flexible material may allow for the liner  400  to be conformable to a profile of the container  100 , e.g., the liner may surround the side faces  110   a - 110   d  and may sit in the inner portion  125  of the container ( FIG. 4B-4C ). In embodiments, the liner  400  may be at least partially substantially transparent or translucent, although it is also envisioned that the liner  400  may be colored, or opaque. The liner  400  may include symbols, textures, patterns and/or words to, e.g., indicate orientation of the tray within the liner, highlight the closure feature  410 , indicate the status of the medical device at various stages of use, reprocessing, transport and handling, or the like. For example, wording such as “opening”, or a textural feature along the opening, may be included to allow a user to correctly orient the tray with respect the liner, and locate the opening for loading the tray into the liner. 
     The container may be removably enclosable within the enclosure  409  of the liner  400  by the closure feature  410 , so that when the container  100  is lined, the closure feature  410  maintains the liner  400  in position and to enclose the container  100 . As shown in  FIG. 4D , when the liner  400  encloses the container  100 , the closure feature  410  may be disposed on the outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105 . By aligning the liner  400  so that the lining portion  405  is continuously extended across the inner portion  125  of the container  100 , contamination of the container may be minimized. For example, fluids or other particulates may not leak or may be substantially inhibited from leaking across the edges of the closure feature  410  when positioned on the outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105 . 
     The closure feature  410  may be an opening in the enclosure  409  extending across the width of the liner and including cuff edge  410   a  of the lining portion  405  and flap edge  410   b  of the bottom portion  408  of the liner  400  ( FIG. 4A-4B ). 
     The flap edge  410   b  and cuff edge  410   a  of the opening at closure feature  410  may be separated to load container  100  right side up within enclosure  409 . The container may be fully slid into enclosure  409  under the cuff edge  410   a  and lining portion  405  and on top of the bottom portion  408  ( FIG. 4B ). The flap edge  410   b  may then be tucked into enclosure  409  and the cuff with edge  410   a  may be turned inside out and inverted over the flap edge  410   b  and around the end of container  100  to secure the container within the liner  400  ( FIG. 4C ). In the closed position, flap edge  410   b  may extend within inner portion  125  of the container with lining portion  405  lining the container, and cuff edge  410   a  may extend across the width of liner  400  on the bottom face  105  of the container ( FIGS. 4C-4D ). The position of the closure feature  410  along the length of the bottom portion  408  of the liner, and the extent of edges  410   a ,  410   b , may be varied as desired. The orientation of the container within the enclosure  409 , and the interaction between cuff edge  410   a  and flap edge  410   b  may be varied as well. For example, the container may be loaded upside down into enclosure  409 , which would make the material layer with flap edge  410   b  the lining portion  405  and the material layer with cuff edge  410   a  the bottom portion  408 . When closed, cuff edge  410   a  may be inverted over flap edge  410   b  and may extend across the width of the lining portion  405  of liner  400 . As a further example, instead of flap edge  410   b  being tucked into enclosure  409 , flap edge  410   b  may be folded over cuff edge  410   a , and cuff edge  410   a  may be turned inside out and inverted over flap edge  410   b  and around the end of container  100  to secure the container within the liner  400 . 
     By fully enclosing or substantially fully enclosing the container  100  within the liner  400 , leaving little or no portion of the container exposed, contamination of the container and/or clean medical device may be minimized. 
     As described, the container  100  may be removably enclosed within the liner  400  prior to placement of a medical device in the inner portion  125  of the container. A medical device may be placed in the inner portion  125  of the container  100  after the container is enclosed within the liner  400 . 
     When the medical device is placed in the container, a cover may be extendable across the second open end  120 , so that the medical device is captured between the liner  400  and a cover  420 ,  435 . Referring to  FIGS. 4E-4G , a first cover  420  may have a cover portion  425 , bottom portion  408  and a closure feature  430  defining an enclosure  409 , and a second cover  435  may have a cover portion  440 , bottom portion  408  and a closure feature  445  defining an enclosure  409 , each in the manner of a “sandwich bag”-type enclosure similar to liner  400 . Closure features  430 ,  445  may be an opening in the enclosure  409  extending across the width of the respective covers  420 ,  435 , and including respective cuff edges  430   a ,  445   a  of the cover portion  425 ,  440  and respective flap edges  430   b ,  445   b  of the bottom portion  408  ( FIG. 4E ). The cover portions  425 ,  440 , bottom portions  408  and closure features  430 ,  445  may define enclosure  409 , as described above with respect to liner  400 . 
     The covers  420 ,  435 , including the cover portions  425 ,  440  and the bottom portion  408  and the closure features  430 ,  445  may comprise a flexible material, such as a single piece or multiple pieces to form the enclosure  409 . The flexible material may allow for the first and second cover  420 ,  435  to extend across the container  100 , e.g., the first and/or second cover  420 ,  435  may form a barrier across the second open end  120  of the container  100 . In embodiments, the first and/or second cover  420 ,  435  may be at least partially substantially transparent or translucent. It is also envisioned that the first and second covers  420 ,  435  may be different colors, and/or may include symbols, textures, patterns and/or words to, e.g., indicate orientation of the tray within the cover, highlight the closure feature  430 ,  445 , indicate the status of the medical device at various stages of use, reprocessing, transport and handling, or the like. For example, wording such as “opening”, or a textural feature along the opening, may be included to allow a user to correctly orient the tray with respect the cover, and locate the opening for loading the tray into the cover. Different colors and/or patterns may provide an easy indicator for medical professionals traversing through a medical facility, picking up used medical devices and/or delivering clean medical devices, so that incorrect delivery of a medical device is minimized. In embodiments, the liner  400 , first cover  420  and/or second cover  435  may include a section for writing on the top surface. Details regarding the medical device may be included by a medical professional, e.g., to document details such as the time the medical device was used, to track a time from use to cleaning. In some medical facilities, a used medical device must be reprocessed within a predetermined time period, such as less than 1 hour. In embodiments, the first cover  420  may be different than the second cover  435 , so that a medical professional may have a visual indication of a condition of the medical device in the container  100 . For example, a green colored cover  420  may indicate a clean medical device. A medical professional may be able see the green cover  420  and transport the medical device to a patient procedure location for use. Similarly, a red colored cover  435  may indicate a used medical device, so the medical professional may transport the medical device to a reprocessing location. In some embodiments, a hazardous waste symbol, and/or a pattern of hazardous waste symbols, may be printed on a cover  435  to indicate a used medical device, so that the pattern may indicate to a medical professional for proper handling and disposal. Alternatively, the first cover may be reversible, as opposed to having a second cover, with each side of the reversible cover for visual verification of a different condition of the medical device. For example, after endoscope reprocessing, a clean medical device may be placed in a lined container, and a reversible cover  420  with opposing sides that are green and red may be extended across the second open end  120 , with the green side facing upwards providing a visual verification of the clean condition of the endoscope. The container may be transported from a reprocessing location to a medical procedure location, where the clean medical device may be used on a patient. Subsequent to the procedure, the used medical device may be placed back in the container, and the reversible cover  420  may be extended across the second open end  120 , with the red side facing upwards providing a visual verification of the used condition of the endoscope. This may indicate to a medical professional, or other medical facility personnel that the medical device should be transported back to the reprocessing area for cleaning. Similarly, opposing sides of a reversible cover may include symbols, patterns and/or words to indicate the status of the medical device at various stages of use, reprocessing, transport and handling. 
     The container  100  enclosed within liner  400  may be removably enclosable within enclosure  409  of the cover  420 ,  435  by the closure feature  430 ,  445  ( FIG. 4E ). The closure feature  430 ,  445  may be an opening in the enclosure  409  extending across the width of the cover and including cuff edges  430   a ,  445   a  and flap edges  430   b ,  445   b  of the respective covers  420 ,  435  ( FIG. 4E ). The edges of the opening at closure feature  430 ,  445  may be separated to load container  100  right side up within enclosure  409  in the same fashion as described above for liner  400 . The position of the closure feature  430 ,  445  along the length of the bottom portion  408 , the dimensions of cuff edges  430   a ,  445   a  and flap edges  430   b ,  445   b , the orientation of the container within the enclosure  409 , and the interaction between cuff edges  430   a ,  445   a  and flap edges  430   b ,  445   b , may be varied as described above for liner  400 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4F and 4G , when the cover  420 ,  435  encloses the container  100 , the closure feature  430 ,  445  may be disposed with cuff edges  430   a ,  445   a  on the outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105 . By aligning the cover  420 ,  435 , so that the cover portion  425 ,  440  is continuously extended across the inner portion  125  of the container  100 , contamination of the container may be minimized. For example, fluids or other particulates may not leak or may be substantially inhibited from leaking across the closure feature cuff edges  430   a ,  445   a  and flap edges  430   b ,  445   b , when positioned on the outer surface  148  of the bottom face  105 . To further inhibit leaking, the container can be loaded into the liner and the cover such that the closure features of the liner and cover are cross-wise (e.g., substantially perpendicular) to each other, rather than parallel, as shown in  FIG. 4F . In other embodiments, to further inhibit leaking, the container can be loaded into the liner and the cover such that the closure features of the liner and cover are parallel and staggered, as shown in  FIG. 4G . Crossing and/or staggering the closure features of the liner and cover may create a more tortuous path that reduces or eliminates the possibility of fluids or other particulates leaking via both openings of the liner and cover to potentially contaminate a workspace or other systems. In embodiments, corresponding ones of edges  410   a ,  410   b ,  430   a ,  430   b ,  445   a ,  445   b  of closure features  410 ,  430 ,  445  may at least partially overlap, abut, overlay, underlay, adjoin, or any combination thereof. 
     By fully enclosing or substantially fully enclosing the container  100  within the liner  400  and cover  420  or cover  435 , leaving little or no portion of the underside of the container exposed, contamination of the container and/or clean medical device may be minimized. 
     Additional liner and/or cover features may be relevant to aspects of the embodiments herein, as described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application, Attorney Docket Number 8150.0714, filed even date herewith, and titled “Medical Device Transportation Systems,” the entirety of which application is incorporated by reference herein. 
     Numerous specific details have been set forth herein to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments. 
     Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. These terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. For example, some embodiments may be described using the terms “connected” and/or “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. 
     It should be noted that the methods described herein do not have to be executed in the order described, or in any particular order. Moreover, various activities described with respect to the methods identified herein can be executed in serial or parallel fashion. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Thus, the scope of various embodiments includes any other applications in which the above compositions, structures, and methods are used. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.