Packaging for a Medical Device

Abstract

The invention relates to packaging (E, E) for a medical device (D, 100), the packaging comprising: a first container (300, 300) receiving the medical device (D, 100), a second container (400, 400) receiving the first container (300, 300) and closed by a closure means (410, 4101), the packaging being characterised in that it comprises a frame (300, 600) for supporting the medical device (D), the support frame (300, 600) being preformed so as to have two walls which are arranged opposite each other and between which the medical device (D) is supported by means of at least one transversely arranged movable bearing stop (500, 61 T, 621).

Claims

1. Packaging for a medical device defining a longitudinal axis, said packaging adopting a trundle configuration and comprising: a first container accommodating the medical device in its internal volume, a second container having an internal volume accommodating the first container, closed by a closure means and serving as a sterile and protective barrier for the first container, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT IT comprises an elongate support frame supporting the medical device, said support frame being preformed so as to have two walls disposed opposite each other and between which the medical device is supported by means of at least one movable bearing stop disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the medical device.

2. Packaging according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said support frame is the first container.

3. Packaging according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said support frame is housed in the first container.

4. Packaging according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said support frame is preformed with a plurality of housing zones for the movable stop.

5. Packaging (E, E) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said medical device is a pedicle screw.

6. Packaging according to claim 5, wherein the pedicle screw is of the type comprising a rod and a head and which is used in combination with a headless screw, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said support frame comprises a cavity in which said headless screw is housed.

7. Packaging according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said accommodating cavity of the headless screw is equipped with an elastic tongue with a retaining projection enabling by its elasticity the accommodation of the headless screw and holding it in position in the cavity with the projection.

8. Packaging according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the head of the pedicle screw bears on the movable bearing stop sliding in at least two parallel grooves preformed in the support frame.

9. Packaging according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the two walls are preformed from at least one elastic blade with a retaining projection projecting inwards in order to form the movable stop and engaging with the medical device, once the medical device has been disposed between the two walls of the support frame for the purposes of elastic retention.

10. Packaging according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the two walls are preformed from at least one elastic blade with a retaining projection projecting inwards to form the movable stop and engaging with the head of the pedicle screw.

11. Packaging according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said support frame is preformed and sized such that the two walls come together at one end to form a tapered shape easily accommodated in the second container.

12. Packaging according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the two walls are preformed from at least one elastic blade with a retaining projection projecting inwards to form the movable stop and engaging with the head of the pedicle screw.

13. Packaging according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the head of the pedicle screw bears on the movable bearing stop sliding in at least two parallel grooves preformed in the support frame.

14. Packaging according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the head of the pedicle screw bears on the movable bearing stop sliding in at least two parallel grooves preformed in the support frame.

15. Packaging according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said support frame is preformed with a plurality of housing zones for the movable stop.

16. Packaging according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said support frame is preformed with a plurality of housing zones for the movable stop.

17. Packaging according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the two walls are preformed from at least one elastic blade with a retaining projection projecting inwards in order to form the movable stop and engaging with the medical device, once the medical device has been disposed between the two walls of the support frame for the purposes of elastic retention.

18. Packaging according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the two walls are preformed from at least one elastic blade with a retaining projection projecting inwards in order to form the movable stop and engaging with the medical device, once the medical device has been disposed between the two walls of the support frame for the purposes of elastic retention.

19. Packaging according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the two walls are preformed from at least one elastic blade with a retaining projection projecting inwards in order to form the movable stop and engaging with the medical device, once the medical device has been disposed between the two walls of the support frame for the purposes of elastic retention.

20. Packaging according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the two walls are preformed from at least one elastic blade with a retaining projection projecting inwards in order to form the movable stop and engaging with the medical device, once the medical device has been disposed between the two walls of the support frame for the purposes of elastic retention.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of a closed packaging according to the invention;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of the partially open packaging of FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a front view of the packaging of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a cross-sectional view along a cross-sectional plane defined in FIG. 3 of the packaging of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of another embodiment of a closed packaging according to the invention;

[0044] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of the partially open packaging of FIG. 6;

[0045] FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of a front view of the packaging of FIG. 1;

[0046] FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of a cross-sectional view along a cross-sectional plane defined in FIG. 7 of the packaging of FIG. 5;

[0047] FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of an external view of the first container of the packaging of FIG. 1 accommodating a different screw;

[0048] FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing of an external perspective view of the first container of the packaging of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the packaging referenced E as a whole accommodates a medical device referenced D. This medical device, in this case, is formed of a pedicle screw 100 of the type comprising a threaded rod 110 and a head 120 preformed from a groove 121 for accommodating an implant rod (not illustrated) and a tapping 122 for the purposes of accommodating a securing screw 200. The screw 100 defines a longitudinal axis.

[0050] The packaging E adopts a trundle configuration and comprises: [0051] a first container 300 accommodating the pedicle screw 100 in its internal volume, [0052] a second container 400 having an internal volume accommodating the first container 300, closed by a closure means, in this case, a plug 410, serving as a sterile and protective barrier for the first container 300.

[0053] According to the invention, it is a packaging which avoids any direct contact of the practitioner with the implant, in this case, with the pedicle screw 100. In use, the second container 410 is opened by removing the plug 400. The first container 300 then falls onto a sterile field and/or can be handled by a scrub nurse without touching the screw 100. Tools already known (not illustrated) make it possible to engage with the screw so as to remove it from the first container 300.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first container 300 slides in the hollow core of the second container 400.

[0055] This first container 300 forms an elongate support frame supporting the pedicle screw 100 having a substantially quadrangular profile. This support frame 300 is preformed so as to have two longitudinal walls 310 and 320 disposed opposite each other and between which the screw 100 is positioned and supported. According to the illustrated embodiment, a third wall 330 connects the two walls 310 and 230 at one of their longitudinal edges. One face of said support frame with a quadrangular profile is perforated and makes it possible to see the screw 100 disposed inside it. The profile formed by the assembly of these walls 310, 320, 330 is open at its two ends. The perforated face accommodates, at the level of the free longitudinal edges of the walls 320 and 310, two transverse grooves 340 and 350. The groove 340 accommodates a movable stop 500, which is removable in this case.

[0056] The depth of the grooves 340 and 350 and the dimensions of the stop 500 make it possible to offer a transverse bearing surface for the head 120 of the screw 100. This bearing surface makes it possible to position the screw 100, such that the end of the tapped part 122 of its head 120 opens out at the open end of the support frame 300 so as to be accessible for a tool (not illustrated).

[0057] According to the aim of the invention, it is understood that, while ensuring this access to the head, the same support frame 300 can accommodate: [0058] with the stop 500 remaining in the same groove 340, screws with different lengths of threaded parts and with identical heads, [0059] with the stop 500 positioned in the groove 350, screws of different lengths and heads (see FIG. 9 for the screw 101).

[0060] As illustrated, the end of the support frame 300 accommodating the head 120 of the screw 100 is preformed so as to prevent the accommodated head from rotating.

[0061] Another feature of this support frame 300 relates to the accommodation of the securing screw 200. According to the illustrated embodiment, the support frame is preformed from a wall portion 360 facing the wall 330. The outer surface of this portion 360 is preformed from a cavity 361 provided in its bottom with an elastic tongue 362 equipped at its free end with a retaining projection 363. The cavity 361 is preformed to retain the screw 200 axially. The elasticity of the tongue 362 enables the screw 200 to be accommodated radially and ensures that it is held in position in the cavity by means of the projection 363, which then forms a radial stop.

[0062] As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10, the packaging E adopts as the packaging E, a trundle configuration and comprises: [0063] a first container 300 accommodating the pedicle screw 100 in its internal volume, [0064] a second container 400 having an internal volume accommodating the first container 300, closed by a closure means, in this case, a plug 410 serving as a sterile and protective barrier for the first container 300.

[0065] The packaging E differs from the packaging E in that the support frame 600 is housed in the first container 300 the opening of which is controlled by a closure means, in this case, a plug 370.

[0066] This support frame 600 differs from the support frame 300 of the packaging E in that the two facing walls 610 and 620 that form it are each preformed from an elastic blade with a retaining projection 611 and 621 projecting inwards to form the movable stop and engaging with the head 120 of the pedicle screw 100. Once the screw is disposed between the two walls 610 and 620 of the support frame 600, the stops which have moved apart to accommodate it return to position, due to the elasticity of the blades 611 and 621 and retain it, creating a transverse bearing surface.

[0067] Another feature of this support frame 600 relates to the accommodation of the securing screw 200. According to the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 600 is equipped with a preformed end 630 of a housing 631 provided in its bottom with an elastic tongue 632 equipped at its free end with a retaining projection 633. The housing is preformed to retain the screw 200 axially. The elasticity of the tongue 632 enables the screw 200 to be accommodated radially and ensures that it is held in position in the housing by means of the projection 633, which then forms a radial stop.

[0068] It is understood that the packagings described and shown above are for the purpose of disclosure rather than of limitation. Naturally, various arrangements, modifications, and improvements can be made to the above examples, without going beyond the scope of the invention.