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US 5,573,529 AGranted
Color coded medical instruments
OwnerBenjamin A. Haak, James T. Diffendalinventors
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OwnerBenjamin A. Haak, James T. Diffendalinventors
Estimating the term…
The method of identifying sets of metal medical instruments includes the steps of creating a color plan for identifying metal medical instruments, providing at least one medical instrument having a metal portion electro-depositing at least one colored water-borne polyurethane coating on the metal portion of each metal medical instrument in accordance with the plan. Each of the coatings is deposited in a layer which is thick enough to adhere to the instrument but not so thick as to crack or flake off the instrument. Each of the coatings is resistant to sterilization conditions with each color of the coatings contrasting with the instrument and with any other electro-deposited coating. The method further provides for allowing the coating to cure a temperature in the range of 270.degree. F.-350.degree. F. for a time period in the range of 2 minutes to 50 minutes. The method is preferably used to electro-deposit the coating on stainless steel, aluminum, chrome or silver plated instruments with the method most preferably being used on surgical grade stainless steel instruments. Kits and medical instruments are disclosed.
A method of identifying sets of metal medical instruments comprising the steps of:
The medical instrument of claim 26, wherein said coating maintains its integrity against chipping, breakage, peeling and sticking after 500 autoclave cycles, where said coating is maintained at 270.degree. F. at approximately 30 pounds per square inch pressure in steam for approximately 35 minutes time.
The medical instrument of claim 26, wherein said coating is flashable at an autoclave sterilization cycle of said instrument using steam treatment under pressure of approximately 30 pounds per square inch at a temperature of 270.degree. F. for a time period of 3 to 10 minutes depending a weight of said instrument.
A medical instrument having colored indicia on a metal surface thereof, said indicia comprising electro-deposited colored water-borne polyurethane coating, said indicia being peel resistant, capable of being multiply autoclaved and is conformable to a contour of said surface.
A kit of medical instruments comprising a collection of medical instruments selected for a specified medical procedure, each of said medical instruments having a commonly colored indicia on a metal surface thereof, said indicia comprising electro-deposited colored water-borne polyurethane coating, said indicia being peel resistant, capable of being autoclaved and conformable to a contour of said surface, said color being used to identify said specific medical procedure, each said coating deposited in a micro thin layer thickness, each said color of said coating contrasting with said instrument and where more than one colored coating has been electro-deposited, each said colored coating also contrasting with any other said colored coating.
A method of identifying sets of metal medical instruments comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.