Anti-Splash, Anti-Spill Apparatus and Method for Holding Antiseptic Solution During a Surgical Procedure

Abstract

An anti-splash, anti-spill fluid-holding apparatus is disclosed, comprising: an inner side surface comprising an inner mid section diameter continuing inwardly to an inner upper section diameter which is smaller than the inner mid section diameter; an outer side surface comprising an outer mid section diameter continuing to an outer lower section diameter which is larger than the outer mid section diameter; an inward angle comprising a less than 90 degree angle tangential to any point along the inner side surface from the inner mid section diameter to the inner upper section diameter; an open top circumscribed by the inner upper section diameter; and a base circumscribed by the outer lower section diameter. In a related method, this apparatus is set upon a surgical support surface, filled with antiseptic solution, and a surgical sponge or swab is introduced to absorb some antiseptic solution for cleaning a patent wound or surgical site.

1 . An anti-splash, anti-spill fluid-holding apparatus, comprising: 
 an inner side surface comprising an inner mid section diameter thereof continuing inwardly to an inner upper section diameter thereof which is smaller than said inner mid section diameter;    an outer side surface comprising an outer mid section diameter thereof continuing to an outer lower section diameter thereof which is larger than said outer mid section diameter;    an inward angle comprising a less than 90 degree angle tangential to any point along said inner side surface from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter;    an open top circumscribed by said inner upper section diameter; and    a base circumscribed by said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 75 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 60 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 45 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 30 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 15 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 omitting any anti-splash element comprising an inward angle greater than or equal to 90 degrees tangentially at any point between said inner mid section diameter and said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said inward angle continuously increasing at all points along said inner side surface from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an inner section ratio of no more than approximately 1 to 0.75 between said inner mid section diameter and said inner upper section diameter; and    said inner section ratio of no less than approximately 1 to 0.9375 between said inner mid section diameter and said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an inner section ratio of approximately 1 to 0.875 between said inner mid section diameter and said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said inner side surface, said outer side surface, said points along said inner side surface forming said inward angle, and said base comprising a single, unitary article of fabrication.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a fluid-holding volume of no less than approximately 25 cubic centimeters; and    said fluid-holding volume of no greater than approximately 50 cubic centimeters.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a fluid-holding volume of approximately 37.5 cubic centimeters.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said inner side surface further comprising: 
 an inner side surface height no greater than said inner mid section diameter.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said inner side surface further comprising: 
 an inner side surface height no greater than approximately 4 centimeters;    said inner side surface height no less than approximately 2 centimeters;    said inner mid section diameter no greater than approximately 6 centimeters; and    said inner mid section diameter no less than approximately 3 centimeters.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said inner side surface further comprising: 
 an inner side surface height of approximately 3 centimeters; and    said inner mid section diameter of approximately 4 centimeters.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an outward angle comprising an approximately 90 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an outward angle comprising an approximately 75 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an outward angle comprising an approximately 60 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an outward angle comprising an approximately 45 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an outward angle comprising an approximately 30 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an outward angle comprising an approximately 15 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an outer section ratio of no less than 1 to 1.5 between said outer mid section diameter and said outer lower section diameter; and    said outer section ratio of no more than 1 to 1.1 between said outer mid section diameter and said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an outer section ratio of approximately 1 to 1.33 between said outer mid section diameter and said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said apparatus further comprising: 
 a sterile state suitable for utilization in surgical procedures.    
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in combination with a surgical kit: 
 said surgical kit comprising: 
 said fluid holding apparatus; and  
 at least one item of surgical equipment other than said fluid holding apparatus.  
   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 1:   said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 45 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter;    said inner side surface, said outer side surface, said points along said inner side surface forming said inward angle, and said base comprising a single, unitary article of fabrication;    further comprising a fluid-holding volume of no less than approximately 25 cubic centimeters; and    further comprising said fluid-holding volume of no greater than approximately 50 cubic centimeters.    
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , said apparatus further comprising: 
 a sterile state suitable for utilization in surgical procedures.    
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , in combination with a surgical kit: 
 said surgical kit comprising: 
 said fluid holding apparatus; and  
 at least one item of surgical equipment other than said fluid holding apparatus.  
   
     
     
         30 . A method for preventing spilling and splashing of an antiseptic solution during a surgical procedure, comprising the steps of: 
 setting a fluid-holding apparatus upon a surgical support surface;    substantially filling said fluid-holding apparatus with said antiseptic solution;    preventing said splashing of said antiseptic solution using a inner side surface of said fluid-holding apparatus comprising an inner mid section diameter thereof and continuing inwardly to an inner upper section diameter thereof which is smaller than said inner mid section diameter;    preventing said spilling of said antiseptic solution using an outer side surface of said fluid-holding apparatus comprising 
 an outer mid section diameter thereof and continuing outwardly to an outer lower section diameter thereof which is larger than said outer mid section diameter and using a base circumscribed by said outer lower section diameter;  
 introducing a fluid-absorbing surgical equipment item into said antiseptic solution through an open top of said fluid-holding apparatus circumscribed by said inner upper section diameter, to absorb some of said antiseptic solution, such that a patent wound or surgical site may be cleaned by applying said fluid-absorbing surgical equipment with said antiseptic solution absorbed therein proximate said patent wound or surgical site.  
   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of: 
 cleaning an item of surgical equipment by introducing a soiled region of said surgical equipment into said antiseptic solution in said fluid-holding apparatus through said open top.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of: 
 setting at least one item of surgical equipment upon said surgical support surface.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said splashing further comprising the step of: continuing said inner side surface inwardly from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter using an inward angle comprising a less than 90 degree angle tangential to any point along said inner side surface from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , said step of preventing said splashing further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said inner side surface inwardly with said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 75 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , said step of preventing said splashing further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said inner side surface inwardly with said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 60 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , said step of preventing said splashing further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said inner side surface inwardly with said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 45 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , said step of preventing said splashing further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said inner side surface inwardly with said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 30 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , said step of preventing said splashing further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said inner side surface inwardly with said inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 15 degree angle tangential to any point from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of: 
 omitting any anti-splash element of said fluid-holding apparatus comprising an inward angle greater than or equal to 90 degrees tangentially at any point between said inner mid section diameter and said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 33 , said step of preventing said splashing further comprising the step of: 
 continuously increasing said inward angle at all points along said inner side surface from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said splashing further comprising the steps of: 
 providing an inner section ratio of no more than approximately 1 to 0.75 between said inner mid section diameter and said inner upper section diameter; and    providing said inner section ratio of no less than approximately 1 to 0.9375 between said inner mid section diameter and said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said splashing further comprising the step of: 
 providing an inner section ratio of approximately 1 to 0.875 between said inner mid section diameter and said inner upper section diameter.    
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of: 
 fabricating said inner side surface, said outer side surface, said points along said inner side surface forming said inward angle, and said base comprising a single, unitary article.    
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a fluid-holding volume for said fluid-holding apparatus of no less than approximately 25 cubic centimeters; and    providing said fluid-holding volume of no greater than approximately 50 cubic centimeters.    
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a fluid-holding volume for said fluid-holding apparatus of approximately 37.5 cubic centimeters.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing an inner side surface height for said inner side surface no greater than said inner mid section diameter.    
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing an inner side surface height for said inner side surface no greater than approximately 4 centimeters;    providing said inner side surface height no less than approximately 2 centimeters;    providing said inner mid section diameter no greater than approximately 6 centimeters; and    providing said inner mid section diameter no less than approximately 3 centimeters.    
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing an inner side surface height for said inner side surface of approximately 3 centimeters; and    providing said inner mid section diameter of approximately 4 centimeters.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said spilling further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said outer side surface outwardly from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter using an outward angle comprising an approximately 90 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said spilling further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said outer side surface outwardly from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter using an outward angle comprising an approximately 75 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said spilling further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said outer side surface outwardly from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter using an outward angle comprising an approximately 60 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said spilling further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said outer side surface outwardly from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter using an outward angle comprising an approximately 45 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said spilling further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said outer side surface outwardly from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter using an outward angle comprising an approximately 30 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said spilling further comprising the step of: 
 continuing said outer side surface outwardly from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter using an outward angle comprising an approximately 15 degree angle tangential to at least one point from said outer mid section diameter to said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said spilling further comprising the steps of: 
 providing an outer section ratio of no less than 1 to 1.5 between said outer mid section diameter and said outer lower section diameter; and    providing said outer section ratio of no more than 1 to 1.1 between said outer mid section diameter and said outer lower section diameter.    
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 30 , said step of preventing said spilling further comprising the step of: providing an outer section ratio of approximately 1 to 1.33 between said outer mid section diameter and said outer lower section diameter.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of: 
 sterilizing said fluid-holding apparatus to suitably for utilization in surgical procedures.    
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of providing said fluid-holding apparatus in combination with a surgical kit comprising at least one item of surgical equipment other than said fluid holding apparatus.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the steps of: 
 continuing said inner side surface inwardly from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter using an inward angle comprising a no more than approximately 45 degree angle tangential to any point along said inner side surface from said inner mid section diameter to said inner upper section diameter;    fabricating said inner side surface, said outer side surface, said points along said inner side surface forming said inward angle, and said base comprising a single, unitary article;    providing a fluid-holding volume for said fluid-holding apparatus of no less than approximately 25 cubic centimeters; and    providing said fluid-holding volume of no greater than approximately 50 cubic centimeters.    
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , further comprising the step of: 
 sterilizing said fluid-holding apparatus suitably for utilization in surgical procedures.