Protective Box for Surgery

Abstract

The present invention is directed to providing a sterile container protecting various surgical grafts, implants and devices from incidental contamination and damage during operative procedures. The design includes an inner box to contain the items, and an outer box to protect the exterior of the inner box from contamination in the event of fall or other contamination, such as from airborne particles or liquids, fall from the sterile field, or by non-sterile handling. In the event of fall or contamination of the outer box, the surgical staff will be able to recover the inner box and its contents in sterile and unspoiled condition without difficulty.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A storage device for holding at least one sterilizable article, comprising:
 a first rigid storage container having a first sterile interior void, the first sterile interior void bounded by a first lower surface, at least one first peripheral wall and a first closeable lid, the first closeable lid capable of isolating the at least one sterilizable article within the first sterile interior void from a first environment external to the first rigid storage container;   a second rigid storage container having a second sterile interior void, the second interior void bounded by a second lower surface, at least one second peripheral wall and a second closeable lid, the second closeable lid capable of isolating the second interior void from a second environment external to the second rigid storage container; and   the first rigid storage container sized and configured to fit completely within the second interior void, wherein the at least one sterilizable article within the first interior void is isolated from the first environment by the first rigid storage container and the at least one sterilizable article within the first interior void is isolated from the second environment by the second rigid storage container.   
     
     
         2 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first environment external to the first rigid storage container is sterile. 
     
     
         3 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first environment external to the first rigid storage container and the second environment external to the second rigid storage container is sterile. 
     
     
         4 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein a shock absorbent material is positioned between the first rigid storage container and the second rigid storage container. 
     
     
         5 . The storage device of  claim 1 , further comprising a user operable linkage that connects the first closeable lid to the second closeable lid, wherein a user's opening of the second closeable lid also opens the first closeable lid. 
     
     
         6 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the second closeable lid is biased to a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first rigid storage container includes a securement feature. 
     
     
         8 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second closeable lids comprises at least one transparent material. 
     
     
         9 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the second storage container includes a securement feature. 
     
     
         10 . The storage device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one modular partition sized and configured for placement within the first interior void of the first storage container, the modular partition dividing the first interior void into a plurality of compartments. 
     
     
         11 . The storage device of  claim 1 , where in the at least one sterilizable article is selected from the group consisting of biologic articles, synthetic articles, artificial articles, graft articles, pharmaceutical articles, laboratory specimens, warfare articles, industrial articles, and/or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the size and shape of the first interior void substantially matches a size and shape of the at least one sterilizable article. 
     
     
         13 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein a user operable linkage between the first closeable lid and the second closeable lid selectively connects the first closeable lid to the second closeable lid. 
     
     
         14 . A method of protecting one or more surgical articles from contamination or damage prior to a surgical procedure in a patient, comprising:
 placing the one or more surgical articles within a first rigid sealable enclosure and closing the first rigid sealable enclosure, the first rigid sealable enclosure including a sterile interior and exterior;   placing the first rigid sealable enclosure completely within a second sealable enclosure and closing the second sealable enclosure to fully encapsulate the first sealable enclosure, the second sealable enclosure including a sterile interior and exterior;   placing the second sealable enclosure within a sterile field of a surgical procedure; and   maintaining the second sealable enclosure in a closed condition until at least one of the one or more surgical articles is to be utilized for direct implantation into the patient.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first rigid sealable enclosure or the second rigid sealable enclosure includes a securement mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first sealable enclosure has a first interior void, the first interior void bounded by a first lower surface, at least one first peripheral wall and a first closeable lid, the first closeable lid including an airtight seal capable of isolating the at least one surgical article within the first interior void from a first environment external to the first sealable enclosure; and the second sealable enclosure having a second interior void, the second interior void bounded by a second lower surface, at least one second peripheral wall and a second closeable lid, the second closeable lid including an airtight seal capable of isolating the second interior void from a second environment external to the second sealable enclosure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising a user operable linkage between the first closeable lid and the second closeable lid that selectively connects the first closeable lid to the second closeable lid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first closeable lid is biased to a closed position and includes a locking feature which releasably secures the first closeable lid in an open position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first and second closeable lids comprises a transparent material capable of optically magnifying the contents of the first or second sealable enclosures. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one modular partition sized and configured for placement within the first interior void of the first sealable enclosure, the modular partition dividing the first interior void into a plurality of compartments.