Medical device and information container

Abstract

A dynamically configurable medical device and information container is disclosed. The container includes ergonomic features that enable ease of handling and unloading of the contents of the container. Specifically, a configurable section serves as an ergonomic gripping section and a containment section. The container also includes tamper-proof strips that are visible indications of prior opening or tampering with the container. Furthermore, vent holes are implemented to release sterilization gas residues to limit the sterilization gas content of the container.

1 . A dynamically configurable medical device and information container comprising: 
 a first cover with flanges;    a second cover with flanges;    a hinge pivotably connecting said first cover and said second cover; and    a configurable section at said first cover adapted to form a covered containment section and an open containment section between said first cover and said second cover.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said configurable section includes a living hinge adapted to enable a portion of said first cover to articulate relative to a remainder portion of said first cover.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein said remainder portion of said first cover includes retainer means to retain said remainder portion of said first cover in fixed relation to said second cover.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said first cover and said second cover are adapted to mate about their perimeters at said flanges and form a storage compartment therebetween.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 5  further comprising a snap closure that provides a lock at a free end of the container.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said living hinge includes at least one breakaway strip adapted to break when said living hinge articulates thereby indicating prior opening of the container.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 3  wherein said remainder portion forms an ergonomic grip section for handling the container.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 3  wherein said remainder portion forms a configurable section to vary an open volume of the container.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 4  wherein at least one air vent provides an outlet for sterilization gases from said storage compartment.  
   
   
       10 . A dynamically configurable medical device and information container comprising: 
 a lower shell having a plane surface and upwardly extending flanges around the perimeter thereof;    an upper shell having a plane surface and downwardly extending flanges around the perimeter thereof; and    an operable hinge connecting said lower shell with said upper shell at said upwardly and downwardly extending flanges forming an enclosure therebetween and a living hinge adapted to enable a portion of said upper shell to articulate in relation to a remainder portion of said upper shell.    
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the locking means engageably locks said lower shell with said upper shell to form an enclosure therebetween.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein said locking means includes a tab member to disengage said lower shell from said upper shell and allow access to the container.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 10  wherein a section of said upper shell is engageably locked in place against said lower shell by snap lock means, forming an ergonomic grip section of the container.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13  wherein said snap lock means forms a structure to maintain a portion of said upper shell in fixed relations with said lower shell.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 13  wherein said living hinge enables access to said enclosure.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 12  wherein said tab disengages said lower shell from said upper shell and said living hinge articulates in relation to a fixed section of said upper shell.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 13  wherein said flanges include a vent forming an outlet for gaseous residues contained within said enclosure.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 13  wherein said gases include ethylene oxide, chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 6  wherein said living hinge includes at least one breakaway strip to indicate tampering.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 14  wherein said portion of said upper shell in fixed relations with said lower shell forms a configurable section of the container.  
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 14  wherein said structure forms an ergonomic region for handling the container.  
   
   
       22 . A dynamically configurable medical device and information container, comprising: 
 a lower shell forming a floor and upwardly extending flanges around the perimeter thereof;    an upper shell forming a cover and downwardly extending flanges around the perimeter thereof; and    an operable hinge connecting said lower shell with said upper shell at said upwardly and downwardly extending flanges forming an enclosure therebetween.    
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 22  wherein a section of said upper shell includes a pivotable portion.  
   
   
       24 . The container of  claim 23  wherein a remainder portion of said upper shell remains fixed relative to said pivotable portion.  
   
   
       25 . The container of  claim 24  wherein said pivotable portion further includes friction connections to pivotally support said remainder section.  
   
   
       26 . The container of  claim 24  wherein said remainder section forms a grip area including a non-skid grip surface.