Shipping container for surgical devices/cases

Abstract

A method of storing, transporting and using a plurality of surgical devices organized in an instrument case. The method includes the steps of: assembling the plurality of surgical devices in the instrument case; and providing a shipping container including a plurality of walls. The walls define a shipping compartment. The shipping container includes a telescoping handle connected to at least one of the walls, and a set of at least partially recessed wheels connected to at least one of the walls. The method further includes the steps of: captivating the instrument case within the shipping compartment; transporting the shipping container from a first location to a second location using the telescoping handle and the at least partially recessed wheels; removing the instrument case from the shipping container; and using at least some of the surgical devices to perform a surgical procedure.

1 . A method of storing, transporting and using a plurality of surgical devices organized in an instrument case, said method comprising the steps of: 
 assembling said plurality of surgical devices in said instrument case;    providing a shipping container including a plurality of walls, said plurality of walls defining a shipping compartment, said shipping container including a telescoping handle connected to at least one of said plurality of walls, and a set of at least partially recessed wheels connected to at least one of said plurality of walls;    captivating said instrument case within said shipping compartment;    transporting said shipping container from a first location to a second location using said telescoping handle and said set of at least partially recessed wheels;    removing said instrument case from said shipping container; and    using at least some of said plurality of surgical devices to perform a surgical procedure.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of placing a first insert at one end of said instrument case and a second insert at another end of said instrument case, said first insert having a first outer contour approximately the same as a first inside contour of said shipping compartment, said second insert having a second outer contour approximately the same as a second inside contour of said shipping compartment.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of rotating both a first latch and a second latch to an open position, said plurality of walls including a door, each of said first latch and said second latch being located on said door.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further including the step of pivoting said door to an open position.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said instrument case is a sterilization case.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said surgical procedure is an orthopaedic surgical procedure, said surgical devices are at least one of an orthopaedic surgical instrument and an orthopaedic implant.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of sterilizing said plurality of orthopaedic devices in said instrument case.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of manufacturing said plurality of walls using a rotational molding process.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of walls includes a polyethylene exterior with a foam interior.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further including at least one recessed handle connected to at least one of said plurality of walls.  
   
   
       11 . A shipping container for storing, transporting and using a plurality of surgical devices organized in an instrument case, said shipping container comprising: 
 a plurality of walls, said plurality of walls defining a shipping compartment, said shipping compartment having a first inside contour and a second inside contour;    a telescoping handle connected to at least one of said plurality of walls;    a set of at least partially recessed wheels connected to at least one of said plurality of walls;    a first insert configured for placement at one end of the instrument case, said first insert having a first outer contour approximately the same as said first inside contour of said shipping compartment; and    a second insert configured for placement at another end of the instrument case, said second insert having a second outer contour approximately the same as said second inside contour of said shipping compartment.    
   
   
       12 . The shipping container of  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of walls includes a door which pivots to an open position.  
   
   
       13 . The shipping container of  claim 12 , further including a first latch and a second latch connected to said door, each of said first latch and said second latch being rotatable to allow said door to pivot to said open position.  
   
   
       14 . The shipping container of  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of walls are manufactured using a rotational molding process.  
   
   
       15 . The shipping container of  claim 14 , wherein each of said plurality of walls includes a polyethylene exterior with a foam interior.  
   
   
       16 . The shipping container of  claim 11 , further including at least one recessed handle connected to at least one of said plurality of walls.  
   
   
       17 . A shipping assembly, comprising: 
 an instrument case;    a plurality of surgical devices organized in said instrument case;    a shipping container including: 
 a plurality of walls, said plurality of walls defining a shipping compartment within said plurality of walls, said shipping compartment having a first inside contour and a second inside contour;  
 a telescoping handle connected to at least one of said plurality of walls;  
 a set of at least partially recessed wheels connected to at least one of said plurality of walls;  
 a first insert connected to one end of said instrument case, said first insert having a first outer contour approximately the same as said first inside contour of said shipping compartment; and  
 a second insert connected to another end of said instrument case, said second insert having a second outer contour approximately the same as said second inside contour of said shipping compartment.  
   
   
   
       18 . The shipping assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of walls includes a door which pivots to an open position.  
   
   
       19 . The shipping assembly of  claim 18 , further including a first latch and a second latch connected to said door, each of said first latch and said second latch being rotatable to allow said door to pivot to said open position.  
   
   
       20 . The shipping assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said instrument case is a sterilization case.  
   
   
       21 . The shipping assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said surgical devices are at least one of a surgical instrument and a surgical implant.  
   
   
       22 . The shipping assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of walls are manufactured using a rotational molding process.  
   
   
       23 . The shipping assembly of  claim 22 , wherein each of said plurality of walls includes a polyethylene exterior with a foam interior.  
   
   
       24 . The shipping assembly of  claim 17 , further including at least one recessed handle connected to at least one of said plurality of walls.