Medical Instrument Sterilization Pouch

Abstract

The sterilization pouch includes a sealable inner space for receiving one or more medical instruments, a preferred instrument being a hinged plier. The pouch is generally comprised of first and second layers, the layers being sealed around a peripheral edge except a separation in the seal to form an opening for accessing the inner space and a flap for closing the opening. The pouch has an upper portion and a first and second lower portion extending therefrom, the upper portion being comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than the lower portions to allow for insertion and removal of the instrument through the opening, wherein the opening is along the peripheral edge of the upper portion. A recessed portion separates the first and second lower portions, such as to permit the inner space to connect the first and second lower portions only through the upper portion.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sterilization pouch having a sealed inner space therein for receiving one or more medical instruments, said sterilization pouch comprising:
 an upper portion;   a first lower portion extending from said upper portion;   a second lower portion extending from said upper portion; and   a recessed portion separating said first lower portion from said second lower portion, said recessed portion being below said upper portion, said recessed portion adapted to permit said inner space to connect said first lower portion and said second lower portion through said upper portion and to restrict said inner space from connecting said first lower portion directly to said second lower portion;   wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said second lower portion.   
     
     
         2 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 1 , wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said second lower portion. 
     
     
         3 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 1 , wherein said upper portion is comprised of a triangular shaped structure. 
     
     
         4 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 1 , wherein said upper portion is comprised of a rectangular shaped structure. 
     
     
         5 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 1 , wherein said upper portion includes an opening along a peripheral edge, wherein said opening connects to said inner space. 
     
     
         6 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 5 , including a flap extending from said upper portion, wherein said flap seals said opening. 
     
     
         7 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 6 , wherein said opening and said flap extend along an angular edge of said upper portion. 
     
     
         8 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 6 , wherein said opening and said flap extend along a top edge of said upper portion. 
     
     
         9 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 8 , wherein said opening and said flap are horizontally oriented. 
     
     
         10 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 6 , wherein said opening and said flap are positioned entirely above said recessed portion. 
     
     
         11 . A sterilization pouch comprising:
 a first layer and a second layer wherein said first layer is attached to said second layer via an outer seal substantially surrounding an outer perimeter;   wherein said first layer and said second layer form an inner space between thereof for receiving one or more medical instruments;   an upper portion;   a first lower portion extending from said upper portion;   a second lower portion extending from said upper portion; and   a recessed portion separating said first lower portion from said second lower portion, said recessed portion being below said upper portion, said recessed portion adapted to permit said inner space to connect said first lower portion and said second lower portion through said upper portion and to restrict said inner space from connecting said first lower portion directly to said second lower portion;   wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said second lower portion.   
     
     
         12 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 11 , wherein said first layer and/or said second layer are comprised of a gas permeable material. 
     
     
         13 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 11 , wherein said first layer and said second layer are separably formed substantially along at least one outer edge thus forming an opening. 
     
     
         14 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 13 , including a flap extending from said pouch, wherein said flap seals said opening. 
     
     
         15 . The sterilization pouch of  claim 11 , wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said second lower portion. 
     
     
         16 . A pliers and sterilization pouch, comprising:
 a hinged pliers, said pliers having a working head, a first leg, and a second leg, each of said legs extending from said working head in a hinged manner; and   a pouch having an inner space to extend within an upper portion, a first lower portion, and a second lower portion of said pouch, said upper portion receives said working head, said first lower portion receives said first leg, and said second lower portion receives said second leg;   wherein said pouch includes a recessed portion separating said first lower portion from said second lower portion, said recessed portion being below said upper portion, said recessed portion adapted to permit said inner space to connect said first lower portion and said second lower portion through said upper portion and to restrict said inner space from connecting said first lower portion directly to said second lower portion;   wherein said upper portion is above said recessed portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than said second lower portion.   
     
     
         17 . The pliers and sterilization pouch of  claim 16 , wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said first lower portion and wherein said upper portion is comprised of a vertical length longer than said second lower portion. 
     
     
         18 . The pliers and sterilization pouch of  claim 16 , wherein said upper portion is comprised of a triangular shaped structure. 
     
     
         19 . The pliers and sterilization pouch of  claim 16 , wherein said upper portion is comprised of a rectangular shaped structure. 
     
     
         20 . The pliers and sterilization pouch of  claim 16 , wherein said upper portion includes an opening along a peripheral edge, wherein said opening connects to said inner space, and including a flap extending from said upper portion, wherein said flap seals said opening, wherein said opening and said flap are positioned entirely above said recessed portion.