Limited-use tool disposable enclosure

Abstract

A re-usable medical procedure power tool includes a handle portion connected to a tool attachment portion and a power source portion. A removable, single use, contamination-blocking cover substantially covering the power source portion, the handle portion and the tool attachment portion. The cover also includes a primary opening adjacent an exposed first end of the tool attachment portion, whereby a tool accessory is selectively attached to and removed from the first end of the tool attachment portion during a medical procedure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A re-usable medical procedure power tool comprising:
 a handle portion connected to a tool attachment portion and a power source portion; and   a removable, single use, contamination blocking cover substantially covering the power source portion, the handle portion and the tool attachment portion, the cover further including a primary opening adjacent an exposed first end of the tool attachment portion, whereby a tool accessory is selectively attached to and removed from the first end of the tool attachment portion during a medical procedure.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second end of the tool attachment portion, opposite the first end, the second end including a port, the port providing access to the first end of the tool attachment portion.   
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a sealed access opening in the cover, immediately adjacent the port.   
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3  wherein the port is accessible by penetration of the sealed access opening. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 3  wherein the port is accessible by removal of a seal on the sealed access opening. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing enclosing the power source portion, the handle portion and the tool attachment portion.   
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the contamination blocking cover comprises a first molded member attached to a mating second molded member, the first and second molded members encapsulating the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the contamination blocking cover comprises a flexible membrane stretched over the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the contamination blocking cover comprises a first flexible membrane stretched over the housing and a second flexible membrane stretched over the first flexible membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the contamination blocking cover comprises a shrink-wrap tape wound around the housing and shrunk to envelop the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the contamination blocking cover comprises a shrink-wrap tube positioned over the housing and shrunk to envelop the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the contamination blocking cover comprises a solution in which the housing is dipped and coated. 
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the contamination blocking cover comprises a spray-applied coating sprayed onto the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the contamination blocking cover comprises a shaped, non-stretchable bag-like shell loosely fitted over the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the contamination blocking cover comprises a die-cut flat wrap folded around the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the contamination blocking cover comprises a disposable hard-shell molded housing. 
     
     
         17 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the power source portion having a sterilized cavity therein; the cavity including an access opening.   
     
     
         18 . The tool of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 sterile means for sealing the cavity opening, the sterile means including a removable access door.   
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 providing a sterile, re-usable medical procedure power tool having a handle portion connected to a tool attachment portion and a power portion;   covering the power tool with a removable, single-use contamination blocking cover having a single opening adjacent an exposed first end of the tool attachment portion, whereby a power tool accessory is selectively attached to and removed from the first end of the tool attachment portion during a medical procedure;   following use of the power tool for the medical procedure, removing the contamination blocking cover and sterile cleaning the exposed first end of the tool attachment portion;   re-covering the power tool with a replacement, single-use, contamination blocking cover;   packaging the power tool;   sterilizing the packaged power tool; and   re-using the sterile power tool for a subsequent medical procedure.   
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 providing a sterile, re-usable medical procedure power tool having a handle portion connected to a tool attachment portion and a power portion;   covering the power tool with a removable, single-use contamination blocking cover having a single opening adjacent an exposed first end of the tool attachment portion, whereby a power tool accessory is selectively attached to and removed from the first end of the tool attachment portion during a medical procedure;   providing a sterilized cavity in the power source portion, the cavity including an access opening;   providing a sterile, removable sealing access door for the access opening;   following use of the power tool for the medical procedure, removing the contamination blocking cover and sterile cleaning the exposed first end of the tool attachment portion;   re-covering the power tool with a replacement, single-use, contamination blocking cover;   packaging the power tool and the access door;   sterilizing the packaged power tool and the access door; and   re-using the sterile power tool for a subsequent medical procedure.