Modular Medical Instrument Sterilization Container and Related Methods

Abstract

A modular medical instrument sterilization container and related methods are disclosed. The container includes a base and a plurality of sidewalls, each being substantially planar and having a consistently repeated cross-section. A plurality of corner posts having a uniform, consistent cross-section is connected between the plurality of sidewalls. A plurality of bottom edge rails having a uniform, consistent cross-section is connected between a sidewall and the base. A plurality of top edge rails having a uniform, consistent cross-section is connected to the sidewall. A plurality of junction connectors are connected between one of the plurality of corner posts and at least one of: two of the bottom edge rails and two of the top edge rails.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for constructing a modular medical instrument sterilization container, the method comprising the steps of:
 cutting a quantity of substantially planar material having a consistently repeated cross-section to form a base and a plurality of sidewalls;   cutting at least one corner post structure having a uniform, consistent cross-section, whereby at least a portion of the cut corner post structure forms a plurality of corner posts;   cutting at least one bottom edge rail structure having a uniform, consistent cross-section, whereby at least a portion of the bottom edge rail structure forms a plurality of bottom edge rails;   cutting at least one top edge rail structure having a uniform, consistent cross-section, whereby at least a portion of the cut top edge rail structure forms a plurality of top edge rails;   connecting together each of the plurality of corner post between at least two of the plurality of sidewalls;   connecting together each of the plurality of bottom edge rails between at least one sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls and the base, wherein the bottom edge rail is connected to a first edge of the sidewall;   connecting together each of the plurality of top edge rails to a second edge of the sidewall, wherein the second edge is opposite the first edge; and   using a plurality of junction connectors, connecting each of the corner posts with at least one of:
 two bottom edge rails; and 
 two top edge rails. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of connecting together each of the plurality of corner post between the at least two of the plurality of sidewalls further comprises inserting a third edge of each of the at least two plurality of sidewalls into a slot formed within each of the plurality of corner posts, wherein the slot is positioned along a length of each of the plurality of corner posts. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of connecting together each of the plurality of bottom edge rails between the at least one sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls and the base further comprises inserting the first edge of the sidewall into a slot formed within the bottom edge rail, wherein the slot is formed along a length of the bottom edge rail. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of connecting together each of the plurality of top edge rails to the second edge of the sidewall further comprises inserting the second edge into a slot formed within each of the plurality of top edge rails, wherein the slot is formed along a length of the top edge rails. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one corner post, the at least one bottom edge rail structure, and the at least one top edge rail structure have a uniform, consistent cross-section along an entire length of each thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of connecting each of the corner posts with at least one of two bottom edge rails and two top edge rails with the plurality of junction connectors further comprises inserting at least one fastener at least partially within a hole within each of the plurality of junction corners, wherein an end of the at least one fastener extends beyond within the hole to connect to at least one of the two bottom edge rails and the two top edge rails. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the hole has a recessed cavity, wherein a head of the at least one fastener is positioned within the recessed cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps of cutting the at least one corner post structure, cutting the at least one bottom edge rail, and cutting the at least one top edge rail structure further comprises sanding a cut end of each of thereof, wherein the cut end of each of thereof is not further processed.