초록 ▼

The present invention relates apparatus for holding material to be dispensed in a surgical setting, and in particular that: (a) allows for small portions of material to be dispensed efficiently, (b) resists evaporation of volatile agents in the material being dispensed, (c) reduces exposure of the m

The present invention relates apparatus for holding material to be dispensed in a surgical setting, and in particular that: (a) allows for small portions of material to be dispensed efficiently, (b) resists evaporation of volatile agents in the material being dispensed, (c) reduces exposure of the material to light and actinic radiation during intermittent use, and (d) supports autoclaving in order to fulfill sterilization standards in surgical setting.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for holding material to be dispensed, comprising: a) a plurality of wells having: i) a cavity for holding the material, the cavity having a cavity depth, a cavity length, a cavity width and a cavity cross-sectional area and,ii) a passage in communication with the cavity, such that ma

1. An apparatus for holding material to be dispensed, comprising: a) a plurality of wells having: i) a cavity for holding the material, the cavity having a cavity depth, a cavity length, a cavity width and a cavity cross-sectional area and,ii) a passage in communication with the cavity, such that material can be placed into the cavity and removed from the cavity through the passage, the passage having a passage depth, a passage length, a passage width and a passage cross-sectional area,wherein at least one of: A) the cavity depth is greater than at least one of the passage length and the passage width,B) the passage length is greater than the passage width, andC) the cavity cross-sectional area is greater than the passage cross-sectional area,b) a pallet that supports the plurality of wells,c) a first abutment and a second abutment connected to support opposite ends of the pallet,d) a base connected to anchor the first abutment and the second abutment, wherein the base, the first abutment, the second abutment and the pallet form a housing and define between them a compartment beneath the plurality of wells, ande) a frame having: i) a first leg and a second leg, andii) a deck extending between the first leg and the second leg and having a receptacle to receive and support the housing,wherein the first leg, the second leg and the deck substantially form a sheet, andwherein the receptacle passes through the deck, the receptacle having an interior flange to engage a perimeter of the pallet and support the housing. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first abutment and the second abutment has a stop that cooperates with the receptacle to retain the housing within the receptacle. 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first leg and the second leg includes a handle portion. 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the handle portion is curved. 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame further includes an aperture aligned with the compartment. 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the aperture is tapered. 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein: a) the aperture is a plurality of apertures,b) a plurality of dividers extend from the base toward the pallet to divide the compartment into a plurality of sub-compartments equal to the plurality of apertures, andc) each of the plurality of apertures is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of sub-compartments. 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is an autoclavable aluminum extrusion. 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the frame is color-coded. 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including a lid having a closed position covering the receptacle and an open position exposing the receptacle. 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein: a) the frame has a track, andb) the lid has a runner complementary with the track,wherein the track and the runner cooperate to enable the lid to slide over the deck between its open position and its closed position. 12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the deck has a boss that urges against the lid to retain the lid in at least one of its open and its closed position. 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein a center portion of the lid is characterized on its underside by a recess, such that the boss does not urge against the centre portion of the lid, whereby the boss does not resist movement of the lid between its open position and its closed position. 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the recessed center portion is formed by pressing out a knob. 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the track includes at least one open end for mounting and removing the runner. 16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the runner includes at least one cambered end. 17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the lid resists transmission of at least one of visible light and actinic radiation. 18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one of the housing and the frame resists transmission of at least one of visible light and actinic radiation. 19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the lid fits sufficiently tightly over the receptacle when in its closed position to resist evaporation of material in the well. 20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the lid is formed from a metal different than that of the frame. 21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the lid is formed from at least one of stainless steel and opaque plastic.