The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 07, 2014
Filed:
Feb. 09, 2009
Dale F. Schmaltz, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Victor K. Appel, Longmont, CO (US);
Paul Guerra, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Dale F. Schmaltz, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Victor K. Appel, Longmont, CO (US);
Paul Guerra, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves.