Package for removable device tips

Abstract

A package for a tip, such as a replaceable tip for a bipolar electrosurgical device, is used for insertion of the tip onto and removal of the tip from the end of a device handle, without requiring any direct contact between the user's hand and the tip. The package includes a housing having a tip cavity shaped to receive the tip and an opening through which the end of the handle is insertable for removable attachment to the tip. A releasable locking mechanism, which is releasable in response to the end of the handle being disposed in the opening for removable attachment to the tip, retains the tip in the tip cavity. The package may be made from a single piece of molded material, such as a clear plastic. The package may also be used with monopolar, diathermized and non-bipolar tips, as well as other sharp tips such as cannulae, pics and blades, that are attachable to the end of a handle.

1 . A package for a tip of a surgical device capable of removable attachment to an end of a handle, comprising a 
 housing having a tip cavity shaped to receive the tip and an opening through which the end of the handle is insertable for removable attachment to the tip.    
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1  further comprising 
 a releasable locking mechanism for retaining the tip in the tip cavity, the locking mechanism being released in response to the end of the handle being disposed in the opening for removable attachment to the tip.  
 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the releasable locking mechanism is a movable protrusion of an inner surface of the housing which forms the cavity, the releasable locking mechanism being movable by the end of the handle to release the tip.  
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the housing is made from a single piece of molded material.  
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4  wherein the material is plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 4  wherein the material is co-polyester PETG.  
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 4  wherein the material is polyvinyl chloride.  
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 4  wherein the housing is made by vacuum molding.  
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 4  wherein the material is clear.  
     
     
         10 . A package for a tip of a surgical device capable of removable attachment to an end of a handle, comprising 
 a top portion, a bottom portion, and a hinging segment connecting the top portion and the bottom portion, the top portion and the bottom portion forming a tip cavity when the top portion and the bottom portion are folded together along the hinging segment, the tip cavity being shaped to receive the tip and having an opening through which the end of the handle is insertable for removable attachment to the tip.    
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10  further comprising 
 a releasable locking mechanism comprising a releasable locking recess formed in the top portion and the bottom portion to hold the tip within the tip cavity, the locking mechanism releasable in response to the end of the handle being disposed in the opening for removable attachment to the tip.  
 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the end of the handle has a bevel and wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a ramp disposed adjacent to the locking recess such that the bevel contacts the ramp to release the locking mechanism.  
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the tip includes a protrusion and wherein the top portion includes a positioning cavity shaped to receive the protrusion, the positioning cavity preventing the tip from rotating within the tip cavity.  
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the package is made from a single piece of molded plastic material.  
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the top portion includes a molded pocket and the bottom portion includes a molded boss, the boss engaging the pocket to hold the top portion and the bottom portion together when folded along the hinging segment.  
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the top portion arid the bottom portion include interlocking ribs.  
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the top portion includes a molded placement indicator to indicate placement of a user's fingers.  
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the top portion includes a molded directional indicator to indicate a direction of movement of the handle in the tip cavity.  
     
     
         19 . A method of attachably engaging a tip of a surgical device to an end of a handle, comprising 
 providing a tip being releasably retained in a package having an opening;    inserting the end of the handle into the opening to release the tip retained in the package;    pushing the end of the handle inserted into the opening to attachably engage the tip to the end of the handle; and    withdrawing the end of the handle from the opening with the attachably engaged tip.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising 
 applying pressure to the package prior to the pushing step; and  
 releasing the pressure on the package prior to the withdrawing step.  
 
     
     
         21 . A method of releasing a tip of a surgical device that is removably attached to an end of a handle, comprising 
 providing a package having an opening;    inserting the end of the handle with the removably attached tip into the opening;    pushing the end of the handle inserted into the opening until the tip is released and retained in the package; and    withdrawing the end of the handle from the opening.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising 
 applying pressure to the package prior to the withdrawing step.  
 
     
     
         23 . A surgical product, comprising 
 a tip capable of removable attachment to an end of a handle, and    a housing having a tip cavity in which said tip is disposed, said housing having an opening through which the end of the handle is insertable for removable attachment to the tip.    
     
     
         24 . The product of  claim 23  further comprising 
 a releasable locking mechanism for retaining the tip in the tip cavity, the locking mechanism being released in response to the end of the handle being disposed in the opening for removable attachment to the tip.  
 
     
     
         25 . The product of  claim 23  wherein the tip is a bipolar tip of the kind used with a bipolar electrosurgical device.  
     
     
         26 . The product of  claim 23  wherein the tip is a sharp tip.  
     
     
         27 . A surgical product, comprising 
 a replaceable tip attachable to a handle having an opening and a plurality of coaxial, axially spaced electrical contacts therein, the tip comprising 
 a tip housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tip housing configured to be received within the opening of the handle,  
 a plurality of electrodes disposed through the tip housing, the electrodes having distal ends that extend distally from the distal end of the tip housing and proximal ends that are coaxial and axially spaced from each other and that extend proximally from the proximal end of the tip housing for connection to the coaxial, axially spaced electrical contacts of the handle when the proximal end of the tip housing is inserted in the opening of the handle,  
 the proximal end of the tip housing being constructed to be releasably secured to the handle for operation of the surgical device solely by inserting the proximal end of the tip housing axially into the opening of the handle; and  
 a housing having a tip cavity in which the tip is disposed, said housing having an opening through which the end of the handle is insertable for removable attachment to the tip.  
   
     
     
         28 . The product of  claim 27  wherein the tip housing is configured to provide a snap fit with the handle.