Document 4JVb0jObyJrMN8nb43Y5VLRkx

United States Patent [19] Hamas [ii] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent: 4,671,916 Jun. 9,1987 [54] METHOD OF INDEMNIFYING INSTRUMENTS AS BELONGING TO A SET [76] Inventor: Robert S. Hamas, Woodhill Medical Park, 8345 Walnut Hill, Suite 120, Dallas, Tex. 75231 [21] Appl. No.: 797,597 [22] Filed: Nov. 13,1985 [51] IntCl..............................................A61B 17/00 [52] U.S. Q....................................... 264/249; 29/451; 40/913; 428/67; 428/133; 428/187 [58] Field of Search..................... 433/75, 77; 40/913; 428/99, 67, 133, 187; 29/451, 525; 264/249 [56] References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 1,984,839 12/1934 2,195,598 4/1940 3,747,603 7/1973 3,872,572 3/1975 3,897,534 7/1975 3,935,640 2/1976 4,139,664 2/1979 4,202,351 5/1980 4,253,830 3/1981 Murray .................. ......... 40/913 X Olson ..................... ............. 29/525 Adler ..................... ........... 128/341 Hahn...................... ....... 264/249 X Stephens et al................... 29/525 X Cohan .................... ............. 433/75 Wenrick................. ....... 428/133 X Biche...................... ........... 128/696 Kazen et al...........:.. ............. 433/77 Primary Examiner--Henry F. Epstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Webb, Burden, Robinson & Webb [57] ABSTRACT A method of identifying instruments, preferably surgi cal instruments, as belonging to a set comprises forming at least one bore in a location of each instrument belong ing to the set such that said bore will neither substan tially weaken the instrument nor interfere with its pri mary functions. The bore may be cast as part of or drilled partially or completely through each instrument. At least one colored plug of a preferably autoclavable material is then secured in the bore. The colored plug may have a distinctively-shaped head portion, or may have multiple end locks at intermittent positions, the excess of which can be cut away. Most preferably, the method of the invention comprises the step of securing the plug between a pair of differently colored washers. An instrument bearing indicia of a set comprises a col ored plug inserted in a bore formed in said instrument and a means for securing said plug in said bore. Most preferably, the plug is made from an autoclavable mate rial selected from either a thermoplastic, a polycarbon ate, an elastomer or a metal, such as colorable stainless steel. 13 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures CEL-1333 U.S. Patent jun.9,1987 Sheet 1 of2 4,671,916 Fig. la l Fig. Ic Fig.3a 5U-25c f l2Y9sa///KkZXJL 28 29b 23 `24 Fig. 3c Fig.3b U. S. Patent Jun. 9,1987 Sheet 2 of2 4,671,916 30a 33 '30a 36 37 30 31 35 Fig.4a Fig.4b Fig.5a Fig. 5 b 40 Ml 4Q ilk- M2 40 43 40 Fig. 6a Fig.6b Fig.6c Fig.6d 46 51 .48 45 Fig. 7a Fig. 7b Fig.8b 4,671,916 12 to identify the size of the synthetic, surgical dilator in METHOD OF INDENT1FYING INSTRUMENTS AS U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,603 and the terminal function of BELONGING TO A SET lead wires to electrocardiogram monitoring equipment BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION in U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,351. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,640, 5 color coding of an area of a dental instrument is taught 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of identifying tools for determining the depth of insertion of the tip to a periodontal probe. None of the above patents, alone or or instruments as belonging to a group or set. In particu in combination, teach or suggest the method of identify lar, the invention relates to a method of identifying sets ing instruments and instrument bearing indicia of be of medical or surgical instruments. Further, the inven- 10 longing to a set. tion relates to an instrument bearing indicia of a set to which it belongs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 2. Description of the Prior Art A method of identifying instruments as belonging to Surgical instruments are gathered into sets which are a set according to this invention comprises the step of kept separately in an operating room. With each instru- 15 forming at least one bore in a location on each instru ment assigned to a particular set, it is easier to account ment belonging to the set such that said bore will nei for all instruments at any given time. ther substantially weaken the instrument nor interfere In the past, operating room personnel have resorted with its primary functions. In existing instrument sets, to placing colored, vinyl adhesive tape on the handles the bore may be formed by drilling in the location on of particular instruments to identify them as belonging each instrument. In newly-created sets, the bore may be to a given set. However, surgical instruments are re drilled in or cast as part of each instrument. The bore peatedly sterilized in steam autoclaves. A standard auto clave treatment may exceed 15 minutes where the auto clave is first purged of air with steam and then the con tents heated with steam at 121 C. The colored vinyl tape breaks free over time. It is apparently altered by 25 may be formed partially or completely through a thin, shank portion or the handle portion of an instrument. The next step comprises securing at least one colored plug in the bore. The plug may have a distinctively- repeated autoclaving. The vinyl tape that remains on shaped head portion, or may be comprised of a two- the surgical handles gradually chips away due to occa pieced, interlocking configuration. Alternatively, the sional impacts when instruments are tossed onto a gath plug to be secured in the bore may have multiple end ering table after use. The vinyl tape identifying also 50 locks at intermittent positions for use in bores of varying prevents total sterilization of surgical instruments. It depth. Where plugs of variable length are used, the may protect bacterial growth therebeneath from steril invention comprises the additional step of cutting off ization by the autoclaving process. (Interestingly the excess of each plug that protrudes outwardly be enough, it is not simply the temperature treatment of the yond the bore. autoclaving that destroys the bacteria, but rather the 35 The plug to be inserted into a bore may be self-secur combination of temperature and steam in the absence of ing by having a spring-loaded, forked end. Otherwise, air.) the method of the invention includes the steps of insert Recently, surgical instrument sets have been intro ing a plug in a bore through an instrument, then heading duced with handles that are specially painted to color one or both ends of the plug where it emerges from the code the instruments which belong to a given set. The 40 bore. In a preferred errfbodiment, the plug is first in process of painting the handles is understood to be very serted through a differently colored washer and most expensive, to assure that the paint is secured to surgical preferably through a second washer after insertion instruments which are made from stainless steel. through said bore and before securement. In an alterna It is not known how durable the painted surgical tive embodiment, two differently colored half plugs are instruments will be since they have only recently been 45 secured in the bore. introduced to the market. However, it is believed that With respect to surgical instruments, no additional the paint, like the vinyl tape, being in the form of a thin, steps beyond those mentioned above are required. colored film, is vulnerable to being chipped away over time. Painting is of little use to previously purchased However, the material selected for manufacture of the plug must be autoclavable. Exemplary of such materials surgical instrument sets. Since the painting process is so special, it is not possible to easily retrofit older instru ment sets with painted handles. It is known in the art that certain utensils can be made from autoclavable elastomers. For example, U.S. Pat. 50 are known thermoplastics, polycarbonates, elastomers and most metals. With respect to the latter group, color able stainless steels presently used in the manufacture and coating of new surgical instrument handles are No. 4,253,830 teaches the use of autoclavable plastics in 55 preferred. Since the metal plugs would be smaller in size dental bur blocks having color-coded receptacles in than the entire handle to a surgical instrument, the which dental drills, grinders and the like can be inserted painting process costs are substantially reduced per set. for cleaning. However, the purpose of these color- The instrument bearing indicia of a set to which it coded plastic receptacles is for holding the tools to be belongs comprises a colored plug of a preferably auto autoclaved. The identification means disclosed therein 60 clavable material which is inserted in a bore formed in does not permanently attach to the respective instru said instrument and a means for securing said plug in ments belonging to a set. said bore. The plug may have a distinctively-shaped In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,747,603, 3,935,640 and 4,202,351, head portion. Alternatively, the plug may be comprised color-coded medical instruments are disclosed but for of a first portion inserted into one end of the bore and a different purposes. In both U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,603 and 65 second adjustable-length portion inserted into the oppo No. 4,202,351, the same instrument in each set of instru site end of the bore and through the first portion. The ments is uniformly colored. The color coding does not securement means comprises a spring-loaded, forked identify members as belonging to a set but rather is used end or multiple end locks attached to said plug. 4,671,916 34 Because it is desirable that every portion of a surgical an uppermost portion of shaft 3. Alternatively, bore 5 instrument be subjected to steam during autoclaving for could have been formed in or through various areas of its complete sterilization, it is preferred that the plug to handle 4. be secured contain some sort of opening or notch to FIGS. 1(6) and 1(c) show alternative embodiments of insure steam penetration even at the point where the 5 the method of the invention. In particular, FIG. 1(6) plug contacts the metal of the instrument. shows two bores 6, 7 drilled through a thin, shank por The identification method and instrument according tion 8 of surgical instrument 9. In FIG. 1(c), surgical to this invention will withstand repeated autoclaving instrument 10 is shown having a single bore 11 cast as treatments. The invention will allow for the cleaning of part of and completely through handle portion 12. all surfaces of each instrument including the plug sur 10 The remaining figures accompanying this application faces. The plugs will not break, wear or chip off. The and described herein depict alternative embodiments of plugs will not obstruct the instrument user's hand. They plugs in conjunction with bores either partially or com will not have any sharp edges which could snag upon pletely through locations on an instrument. Although and tear surgical gloves or the like. the figures will be described with reference to particular The invention described herein is most useful in that 15 materials or lined for particular colors, it is to be under it may be practiced on newly-created instrument sets or stood that the material that comprises each plug can be upon existing sets with little effort and expense. The made from a variety of known substances and in a vari method according to this invention is less costly than ety of colors, shapes and sizes. painting the stainless steel handles of each instrument. FIG. 2 shows plug 15 adjacent bore 16 which is The identifying plug in each instrument is more perma 20 formed in but not completely through a location on nent and more sterile than wrapping each instrument instrument 17. Plug 15 comprises head portion 18, stem handle with colored, vinyl tape. 19 and anchoring portion 20. Anchoring portion 20 has BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS beveled sides for securing plug 15 in bore 16. Alterna tively, bore 16 and stem 19 can be correspondingly FIG. 1(a) is a view of a mechanical instrument having 25 threaded for securement. a bore formed in a location on the instrument; In FIGS. 3(a-c), alternative embodiments of plugs 21, FIG. 1(b) is a view of a portion of a surgical instru 22 and 23 are shown inserted in bore 24 drilled through ment having two bores drilled through the thin, shank instruments 25a, 256 and 25c, respectively. Plugs 21 and portion; 22 which are not self-securing each have a head portion FIG. 1(c) is a view of another surgical instrument 30 27 and stem 28. In FIGS. 3(a) and (6), the stem 28 of having a bore cast as part of the handle portion; each plug is first inserted in the bore until head portion FIG. 2 is a cross section of a plug and a bore formed 27 contacts with the instrument 25a, 256. This causes a in a location on an instrument according to the inven section 29 of each stem 28 to protrude outwardly be tion; yond the bore 24. The protruding section 29 is then FIG. 3(a) is a cross section of a plug in a bore formed 35 headed to secure the plug where it emerges from bore completely through an instrument; 24. In FIG. 3(a) plug 21 is made from a thermoplastic FIG. 3(b) is a cross section of an alternative embodi material which would have to be heated, melted or ment of a plug resembling a rivet; deformed to head the protruding section 29 of stem 28 FIG. 3(c) is a cross section of an alternative embodi opposite head portion 27. ment of a headless plug in a bore; 40 In FIG. 3(6) a metal rivet 22 is shown in cross section. FIG. 4(a) is a side view of a preferred embodiment of Preferably, when referring to the method of identifying the invention using a colored plug in combination with surgical instruments as belonging to a set, the metal two differently colored washers; rivet 22 of FIG. 3(6) is comprised of a stainless steel that FIG. 4(b) is a front view of FIG. 4(a); can be electrolytically painted a particular color. FIG. 5(a) is a side view of an alternative embodiment 45 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3(c), the stem 28 of of two differently colored half plugs secured in a bore; headless plug 23 in bore 24 is shown in cross section FIG. 5(6) is a front view of FIG. 5(a); through instrument 25c. This type of plug must be FIGS. 6(a)-(d) are front views of alternative embodi headed at both ends 29a and 296 after insertion in bore ments of plugs having distinctively-shaped head por 24 for securement therethrough by any of the above- tions; 50 mentioned means. FIGS. 7(a)-(b) are cross sections of alternative em Together, FIGS. 4(a) and 4(6) illustrate a preferred bodiments of plugs having multiple end locks at inter embodiment of the invention. Particularly, dual head mittent positions; portions 30,31 of a red plug are shown secured through FIG. 8(a) is a cross section of a two-pieced, interlock first blue washer 32, instrument 33 and second blue ing plug in a bore; 55 washer 34. Alternatively, the plug can be secured FIG. 8(b) is a front view of the right side portion of through a differently colored washer on only one side the plug in FIG. 8(a). of the bore through an instrument. Note notch 30a in DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS head 30 for providing access by steam to the shank of the plug during autoclave sterilization. 60 FIGS. 5(a) and 5(6) illustrate an alternative embodi Referring now to FIGS. 1(a) through 1(c), there are ment of the invention which employs two differently shown exemplary mechanical instruments and surgical colored half plugs for the identification of a greater instruments that belong to respective sets. FIG. 1(a) number of instrument sets. Therein, a yellow half plug illustrates a screwdriver 1 comprised of tip 2, shaft 3 and 35 is first secured in a bore through instrument 36. handle portion 4. As it is a primary intent of this inven 65 Then, green half plug 37 is secured adjacent yellow half tion to form bores in each instrument where the bore plug 35. will neither substantially weaken the instrument nor Collectively, the four figures that comprise FIG. 6 interfere with its primary functions, bore 5 is formed in illustrate a sampling of the various distinctively-shaped 4,671,916 heads that respectively colored plugs may have. The Alternatively, the plugs of the invention can be injec plug of FIG. 6(a) has a blue, star-shaped head portion 41 tion molded of a colorable, butadiene rubber or any that protrudes outwardly beyond surface 40 of an in other suitable elastomer which is well capable of stand strument. FIG. 6(6) shows a red, triangularly-shaped ing up under repeated autoclaving temperatures. head portion 42. In FIG. 6(c), a green, square-headed Having described the presently preferred embodi plug 43 protrudes beyond surface 40. Lastly, in FI. 6(d), ments of this invention, it is to be understood that it may a plug having a yellow petal-shaped head portion 44 is be otherwise embodied within the scope of the ap illustrated. pended claims. So long as the plug is sized to fit in the bore, any size I claim: of bore will suffice. With respect to surgical instruments that are subject to repeated autoclaving, it is found that 10 1. A method of identifying surgical instruments belonging to a set comprising the steps of: as a bore of between 1/32 or 1/16 and i of an inch in forming at least one bore completely through a thin diameter is preferred. A bore of this size should accom portion of each surgical instrument belonging to modate the thermal expansion of a thermoplastic plug said set such that said bore will not substantially with which it is used. With respect to certain, thicker tools or instruments, 15 weaken said instrument nor interfere with the pri mary functions of said instrument; and the depth of the bore formed is also of concern. De securing at least one colored plug of an autoclavable pending upon the set of instruments to be identified, material selected from the group consisting of a there may not exist a thin, shank, portion or equally thin thermoplastic and an elastomer in said bore by handle portion. Since the depth of the bore may vary inserting said plug in said bore and heading at least depending upon its location on an instrument, the inven 20 one end of said plug where it emerges from said tion disclosed herein provides for plugs having multiple bore. end locks at intermittent positions as shown in FIGS. 2. A method of identifying surgical instruments as 7(a) and 1(b). Specifically, plug 45 of FIG. 7(a) com claimed in claim 1 wherein said bore is cast as part of prises a plurality of thermoplastic balls attached by a each instrument. shank to one another and designed for pulling through the bore formed in instrument 46. Plug 45 is pulled 25 3. A method of identifying surgical instruments as claimed in claim 3 wherein said bore is drilled com through until head portion 47 fits snugly against one end of the bore. Plug 45 is then secured in the bore when ball 48 is positioned outside the bore and opposite head portion 47. Thereafter, the excess of plug 45 can be cut away at 49 and discarded. FIG. 7(6) shows an alternative embodiment of multi ple end lock plug 45 as secured in instrument 46. Note that opposite the head portion 50 of plug 45, a plurality of spring-loaded, forked ends 51, 52 and 53 are located at intermittent positions. When end 53 of plug 45 is 30 35 pletely through said thin portion of each surgical instru ment. 4. A method of identifying surgical instruments as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bore is formed in a shank portion of said surgical instrument. 5. A method of identifying surgical instruments as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bore is formed in a handle portion of said surgical instrument. 6. A method of identifying surgical instruments as claimed in claim 1 wherein said method further com prises the step of inserting said colored plug through a inserted into the bore and pulled through, the spring- differently colored washer made from an autoclavable loaded ends will alternatively engage until head portion material before securing said colored plug in said bore. 50 is snugly against one end of the bore. This allows for the securement of plug 45 in the bore. Thereafter, the 7. A method of identifying surgical instruments as claimed in claim 6 wherein said method further com excess of plug 45 that protrudes outwardly beyond the 40 prises the step of inserting said colored plug through a bore can be cut away at 49. second washer after inserting said plug through said An alternative embodiment of a two-pieced, inter bore and before securement, locking plug is illustrated in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(6). The 8. A method of identifying surgical instruments as plug comprises a first portion 55 inserted into end 57 of claimed in claim 7 wherein said plug has a notched head a bore formed in a location on instrument 58. First por 45 portion. tion 55 contains an aperture 56 at the center of its inner 9. A method of identifying surgical instruments as most end through which a second, adjustable-length claimed in claim 1 wherein said colored plug has a portion 59 is threaded. Second portion 59 comprises a distinctively-shaped head portion. head 60, stem 61 and numerous forked ends 62-66. The 10. A method of identifying surgical instruments as plug of this embodiment is secured in the bore by pull 50 claimed in claim 1 wherein said colored plug has a ing the stem 61 of the second portion 59 through first spring-loaded, forked end. portion 55 until the forked end nearest head 60 engages 11. A method of identifying surgical instruments as with aperture 56. The excess of stem 61 can then be cut claimed in claim 1 wherein the size of said bore is about away. 1/32 to i of an inch in diameter. Plugs for securement in surgical instruments can be manufactured commercially from a variety of autoclav- 55 12. A method of identifying surgical instruments as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plug has multiple end able polycarbonates such as those manufactured by locks as intermittent positions; and said method further Mobay under the trade names Merlon 8310, 8313 and comprises the step of cutting away the excess of said 8315. The latter types of plastic plugs can assume many plug protruding outwardly beyond said bore after se different colors and have a UL temperature index of curement of said plug therethrough. around 120 C. as explained in Modem Plastics Ency 60 13. A method of identifying surgical instruments as clopedia, Volume 57, No. 10(a) (1980-81). claimed in claim 1 wherein said plug comprises a first The plugs may also be made from a thermoplastic portion inserted into one end of said bore and a second, polyester such as those manufactured by Celanese adjustable-length portion which is inserted into an op under the trade name Celanex 3300. This type of plug posite end of said bore and into said first portion for also comes in a variety of colors and has a UL tempera 65 securement therethrough; and said method further com ture index of around 130 C. Most preferably, the plugs prises the step of cutting off the excess of said second should be made of a material which can be repeatedly portion protruding outwardly beyond said first portion. heated to 250 C.