TAMPER EVIDENT SECURITY LID FOR A MEDICAL CONTAINER

Abstract

A lid for a medical container including a body portion including a locating element, a tamper evident security connector integrally formed with the body portion, the tamper evident security connector including an anchor portion and a frangible portion. The anchor portion can attach to and be retained by an engagement portion fixed in at least one direction relative to the medical container, thereby positioning the frangible portion between the locating element and engagement portion. The frangible portion is adapted to break on relative movement between the lid and the medical container. The lid can be suitable for use in an autoclave, and can be formed from a material or materials that are capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 140° C.

Claims

1. A lid for a medical container, the lid including: a body portion including a locating element, a tamper evident security connector integrally formed with the body portion, the tamper evident security connector including: an anchor portion, and a frangible portion; wherein the anchor portion is configured to attach to and be retained by an engagement portion fixed in at least one direction relative to the medical container, thereby positioning the frangible portion between the locating element and engagement portion, the frangible portion being adapted to break on relative movement between the lid and the medical container; and wherein the lid is suitable for use in an autoclave, the lid being formed from a material or materials that are capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 140° C.

2. The lid of claim 1, wherein the locating element is configured to coaxially align with the engagement portion.

3. The lid of claim 1, wherein the locating element is configured to frictionally engage with the tamper evident security connector, and to substantially retain the tamper evident security connector in position relative to the body portion of the lid.

4. The lid claim 1, wherein the locating element is an eyelet configured to allow passage of the anchor portion therethrough to attach and be retained by the engagement portion of the medical container.

5. The lid claim 1, wherein the tamper evident security connector further includes a flexible elongate portion, wherein the elongate portion has a first end which is connected to the body portion and a second end adjacent to the frangible portion.

6. The lid of claim 5, wherein the elongate portion has a length of about one quarter to about one third of an outer perimeter of the lid, the outer perimeter of the lid being in a plane that is parallel with an opening of the container.

7. The lid of claim 5, wherein the elongate portion extends from the outer perimeter of the lid.

8. The lid of claim 5, wherein the frangible portion is a region of reduced thickness that is coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the elongate portion.

9. The lid of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion is a region of reduced thickness of the tamper evident security connector.

10. The lid of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion is a male connector, and the engagement portion includes a female connector.

11. The lid of claim 10, wherein the female connector is a cavity that has a shape that corresponds to the anchor portion.

12. The lid of claim 11, wherein the anchor portion has a tapered shape widening from a tip of the anchor portion to a base of the anchor portion, the tapered shape of the anchor portion configured to displace side walls of the cavity to permit passage of the anchor portion therethrough, the displaced side walls configured to close over the base of the anchor portion to prevent withdrawal of the anchor portion from the cavity.

13. The lid of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion includes barbs to attach and retain the anchor portion within the engagement portion.

14. The lid of claim 1, wherein the lid further includes a permeable portion that allows transmission of a sterilization agent.

15. The lid of claim 14, wherein the permeable portion is a vapor permeable membrane,

16. A medical container including a lid according to claim 1.

17. (canceled)

18. The medical container of claim 16, wherein the engagement portion is integrally formed with a body of the medical container.

19. The medical container of claim 16, wherein the engagement portion is integrally formed on a collar that is separable from a body of the medical container.

20. The medical container of claim 19, wherein the engagement portion is fixed relative to the container.

21. The medical container of claim 20, wherein the container includes the engagement portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a container including a lid that has a tamper evident security connector in an unconnected state.

[0050] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a lid and security connector.

[0051] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a lid with a tamper evident security connector connected to a body of a container.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows Detail 1 of FIG. 3 illustrating the connection of the tamper evident security connector to the container.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of a lid and collar.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a sectional view along lines B-B of FIG. 5.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows Detail 2 of FIG. 6 illustrating the connection of the tamper evident security connector to the collar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a container 100 including a lid 102 that has a tamper evident security connector 104 according to the present invention, wherein the tamper evident security connector 104 in its disconnected state.

[0057] In this embodiment the lid 102 is a screw cap lid. However, the skilled addressee will appreciate that other types of lids may be used.

[0058] In this embodiment, the container 100 and lid 102 combine to form an assembly that is typically used for sterilization and storage of sterilized medical instruments. Broadly, a medical instrument is placed within the container 100, and the lid 102 is then sealed to the container 100. The sealed container 100 may then be placed within an autoclave to sterilize the medical instrument stored within. Once sterilized, the medical instrument can be stored within the container 100 until required. The container 100 and lid 102 includes a tamper evident security connector 104 which indicates whether the container 100 has been opened, and thus the sterility of the medical instrument therein.

[0059] In order for the lid 102 to be suitable for use in an autoclave, the lid must be able to withstand the typical temperatures and pressures required within the autoclave during sterilization. Furthermore, in such cases, the lid 102 includes a vapor permeable sterility barrier 105 to allow the passage of vapor, preferably steam, into and out of the container 100. This permeable sterility barrier 105 is preferably a non-wettable vapor permeable sterility barrier 105. In such cases, it is also preferred that the non-wettable vapor permeable sterility barrier 105 is hydrophobic. A hydrophobic vapor sterility barrier 105 advantageously allows the passage of water and water vapor therethrough, but due to the hydrophobic nature prevents surfaces of the barrier from being wetted by water. As the barrier cannot be wetted, strikethrough does not occur. Strikethrough is a problem that occurs when a porous membrane (such as a permeable sterility barrier 105) becomes wetted. Wetting of the permeable sterility barrier 105 increases the risk of transfer of pathogens through the barrier 105, compromising sterility. In this specific embodiment, the vapor permeable sterility barrier includes a microporous membrane formed from a hydrophobic polymeric material. A range of different materials may be used, provided that those materials are able to withstand autoclave conditions. Suitable materials include polypropylene, polyesters and polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0060] The tamper evident security connector 104 is formed integrally with the lid 102. That is, the lid 102 and the tamper evident security connector 104 are unitary. Suitable methods for forming a lid 102 that includes an integrally formed tamper evident security connector 104 may be through injection molding. In this case, the lid 102 and the tamper evident security connector 104 are formed through an injection molding process from the same material.

[0061] The lid 102 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. In this embodiment the lid 102 includes a tamper evident security connector 104 having an elongate portion 106 which extends from an outer perimeter of the lid 102. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the tamper evident security connector 104 may conveniently extend from other portions of the lid 102 depending on the design and nature of the lid. The elongate portion 106 has a degree of flexibility such that it can be manipulated for connection with an engagement portion 108 of the container 100.

[0062] The engagement portion 108 may be formed integrally with the container 100. That is the engagement portion 108 and the container are a unitary piece. Alternatively, the engagement portion 108 may instead be present on a collar 109 which is connected with the container 100. In such embodiments, collar 109 may be physically attached to the container 100 for example via some form of non-removable connection means or mechanism, through direct physical attachment (such as via welding or the like), or further the collar 109 may be glued or otherwise adhered to the container 100. For the purpose of the discussion in respect of FIGS. 1 to 4 below, the collar 109 is connected to the container 100 via one of the aforementioned means and is not removable. Therefore, this discussion also generally applies to a container in which the engagement portions 108 are integrally formed with the container 100. However, alternative embodiments in which the collar 109 is removable will also be discussed.

[0063] The elongate portion 106 extends from the outer perimeter of the lid 102 and is substantially aligned with the circumference of the lid. Again, the skilled addressee will appreciate that the nature of the alignment of the elongate portion 106 with respect to the outer perimeter of the lid 102 will depend on the size, shape, and physical characteristics of the lid 102. The elongate portion 106 is of sufficient length that it can engage with an engagement portion 108 of the container 100. In the present embodiment, the elongate portion 106 is approximately one third the length of the outer circumference of the lid 102.

[0064] In the presently illustrated embodiment, the container 100 includes one engagement portions 108. However, the skilled addressee will appreciate that the container may include more than one engagement portions, such as two engagement portions. This can be advantageous as it allows a user to connect the lid 102 to the container 100 without being concerned with the exact orientation of the lid 102. Instead, the tamper evident security connector 104 will naturally be in sufficiently close proximity to one of the two engagement portions that the tamper evident security connector 104 can be connected to at least one of the engagement portions Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the container 100 may include multiple tamper evident security connectors corresponding with each of the engagement portions of the container. On connection of the lid to the container each of the tamper evident security connectors is in proximity to form a connection with a corresponding engagement portion of the container.

[0065] In the presently illustrated embodiment, particularly with reference to FIG. 2, the lid 102 also includes a locating element 110, which in this case is an eyelet. As best shown in FIG. 3, when the lid 102 is connected to the container 100, a hole of the eyelet 111 (see FIG. 2) is substantially coaxially aligned with the engagement portion 108 of the lid 102, such that the tamper evident security connector 104 may be threaded through the hole of the eyelet 110 to be connected with the engagement portion 108. Thus, on attachment of the lid 102, locating element or eyelet 110 is configured to locate with the engagement portion 108, to allow an anchor portion 112 to be easily inserted through the eyelet 110 and into the engagement portion 108. The engagement portion 108 retains the anchor portion 112 therein to lock the security connector 104 in place. Attempting to remove the security connector 104 will cause the security connector 104 to break, leaving the anchor portion 112 within the engagement portion 108. Thus for example, unscrewing the lid 102 to separate the lid 102 from the container 100 causes the security connector 104 to break, which indicates to the user that the container 100 has been accessed.

[0066] As discussed above, the tamper evident security connector 104 is connected to the engagement portion 108 of the container 100 via an anchor portion 112. FIG. 4 illustrates the end of the security connector 104 retained within the engagement portion 108 of the lid 102 after insertion of the anchor portion 112. The anchor portion 112 is shaped for engagement with a correspondingly shaped cavity 114 in the engagement portion 108. This correspondingly shaped cavity 114 is configured to receive at least the anchor potion 112 of the tamper evident security connector 104, to retain the anchor portion in place and to prevent its withdrawal after insertion.

[0067] The use of the security connector in the context of the container 100 and lid 102 will now be discussed. As previously discussed, FIG. 3, illustrates an embodiment in which the tamper evident security connector 104 has been connected with the engagement portion 108 of the container 100. As can be seen, the tamper evident security connector 104 is threaded through the hole of the eyelet 110 and the anchor portion 112 has been inserted into the engagement portion 108 of the container 100, where the anchor portion 112 is retained within the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 of the engagement portion 108. Once the lid 102 and container 100 have been connected in this manner, the lid 102 cannot be removed from the container 100 (for example by attempting to pull the anchor portion 112 from the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 or unthreading the lid 102 from the container 100) without breaking the tamper evident security connector 104 at a frangible portion 115 (see FIG. 4) of the tamper evident security connector 104.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows further detail of the connection between the anchor portion 112 of the tamper evident security connector 104 within the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 of the engagement portion 108. The correspondingly shaped cavity 114 is shaped to permit entry of the anchor portion 112 into the engagement portion 108 and to prevent withdrawal of the anchor portion 112 from the engagement portion 108 after insertion. A suitable type of connection may be interference connection in which the anchor portion 112 of the tamper evident security connector 104 is a male connector, and the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 of the engagement portion is a female connector.

[0069] In this particular embodiment, the anchor portion 112 has a narrow tip 120 which widens out to form a tapered head from the tip 120 of the anchor portion 112 to a base 122 of the anchor portion 112, wherein the base 122 of the anchor portion 112 adjoins the elongate portion 106 of the tamper evident security connector 104. The base 122 of the anchor portion 112 presents a flanged surface which engages with a corresponding flanged surface of the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 to prevent withdrawal. On insertion of the anchor portion 112 into the correspondingly shaped cavity 114, the tapered shape of the anchor portion 112 pushes narrowing side walls 124 of the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 apart permitting the anchor portion 112 to pass into the correspondingly shaped cavity 114. Once the anchor portion 112 is inserted into the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 the narrowing side walls 124 close against the anchor portion 112 such that the flanged surface of the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 closes over the flanged surface of the base 122 to hold the anchor portion 112 in position, and to prevent withdrawal of the anchor portion 112. Attempting to remove the anchor portion 112 from the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 causes the tamper evident security connector 104 to break at a frangible portion 115 of the tamper evident security connector 104. In this case, the frangible portion 115 is structurally weakened region of reduced thickness.

[0070] In alternative embodiments, the anchor portion may additionally include barbs which further act to retain the anchor portion within the correspondingly shaped cavity and to prevent withdrawal of the anchor portion from the correspondingly shaped cavity after insertion.

[0071] When a user desires to open the container 100 the user rotates the lid 102 to de-thread the lid 102 from the container. As the user rotates the lid 102, tension is applied across the frangible portion 115 of the tamper evident security connector 104. In particular, during rotation of the lid 102, an internal wall of the locating element, or in this embodiment eyelet 110 pushes against the tamper evident security connector 104 at a location that is near to, or adjacent, the frangible portion 115. This assists in concentrating the tension force at the frangible portion 115. The eyelet 110 also assists in breaking the frangible portion after only a small degree of rotation is applied to the lid 102. In the absence of the eyelet 110, the lid would undergo partial rotation, for example around a quarter turn of the lid 102, until the elongate portion 106 had been fully extended. This could potentially allow a lid of a container to be lifted or disconnected, without breaking the frangible portion, for example this may arise where a lid has only a short thread for engagement with a container.

[0072] In any event, once this tension force reaches a critical value, the tamper evident security connector 104 breaks at the frangible portion 115, leaving the anchor portion 112 in the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 of the engagement portion 108. The elongate portion is 106 is retained in place by the eyelet 110. That is, in the absence of the eyelet 110, the elongate portion would droop or jut-out becoming an encumbrance. Thus, the eyelet 110, retains the elongate portion 108 in position relative to the lid 102 through frictional engagement.

[0073] Once the tamper evident security connector 104 has broken, the tamper evident security connector 104 cannot be re-inserted into the engagement portion 108 as at least (i) the anchor portion 112 has been separated from the tamper evident security connector 104 and as such there is nothing to anchor the tamper evident security connector 104 into the engagement portion 108, and (ii) the anchor portion 112 has been retained within the tamper evident security connector 104, and this prevents insertion of a further such portion into the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 of the engagement portion 108.

[0074] Additionally, given the above, the skilled user can readily ascertain whether the container has been opened (or potentially tampered with) on a visual inspection of the state of the tamper evident security connector 104.

[0075] As discussed above, in some embodiments the collar 109 is separable from the container 100. In such embodiments, while the collar 109 may be removed when the lid 102 is not connected to the container 100, the collar 109 cannot be removed while the lid 102 is attached to the container 100. That is, in order to remove the collar 109, the lid 102 first needs to be detached from the container 100. This ensures, that even though the collar 109 is removable, the lid 102 first needs to be decoupled from the container 100, causing the tamper evident security connector 104 to break at the frangible portion 126.

[0076] The advantage of having a removable collar 109 is that the container 100 can be reused. That is, in certain embodiment where the engagement portion 108 are either integrally formed with the container 100 or reside on an irremovable collar 109, the container is generally not reusable as the anchor portion 112 of the tamper evident security connector 104 is left jammed within the correspondingly shaped cavity 114 of the engagement portions 108. Thus, in such embodiments the container must be disposed of after use. However, in embodiments which include a removable collar 109, after use, the removable collar 109 having the anchor portion 112 of the tamper evident security connector 104 retained within the correspondingly shaped cavity 114, can be removed from the container 100 and disposed of. A new collar 109 can then be applied and the container 100 re-used after appropriate treatment if required, such as a sterilization treatment.

[0077] An alternative embodiment of a lid 200 connected to a collar 201 (for example, of a container) is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. In this embodiment, the lid 200 includes a locating element 202 and a security connector 206. The security connector 206 may optionally be passed through the locating element 202 to connect with one of two corresponding engagement portions (one of which is not shown, the other of which is 212) of the collar 201. The lid 200 and collar 201 are arranged such that at least one of the engagement portions are substantially aligned with the locating element 202.

[0078] FIG. 6 provides a cross-sectional view along line B-B of the lid 200 and collar 201 shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen, the lid 200 includes a screw thread 208 for connection with a container (not shown). The collar 201 is also shown as including two engagement portions 210 and 212, wherein at least one of the engagement portions 210 or 212 is substantially aligned with the locating element 202 such that the security connector 206 can be passed through locating element 202 to be retained by one of engagement portions 210 or 212.

[0079] FIG. 7 shows Detail 2 of FIG. 6, illustrating the means of connection between the security connector 206 and the engagement portion 210. This interaction is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0080] With reference to FIG. 6, the lid 200 and collar 201 may be connected to a container such that the collar 201 is retained in place around the neck of the container. Suitable methods are known to those skilled in the art, but for example, the collar 201 and container may together interact through a ratchet type arrangement that permits the collar 201 to be rotationally fitted with the lid 200 to the container. However, removal of the lid 200 from the container by rotating in the reverse direction (for example to dethread the lid 200 from the container) causes the ratchet arrangement to prevent the reverse rotation of the collar 201 with respect to the container. Thus, a force is applied to the security connector 206 which breaks the frangible portion as generally described previously.

[0081] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[0082] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[0083] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

[0084] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.