Biological containment and transport carriers and methods thereof

Abstract

A biological containment and transport carrier apparatus which includes a base layer having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface, a top layer having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface, a perimeter of the top layer is coupled to a perimeter of the base layer to form a sealed bag, and a zipper formed within the top layer configured to open and close an insertion flap to provide access to a cavity formed between the base layer and the top layer, wherein a portion of the top layer around the zipper is configured to fold inside out around a table to secure the base layer to the table.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biological containment and transport carrier apparatus for use with a table in an operating room to store surgical equipment, comprising:
 a base layer having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface;   a top layer having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface, a perimeter of the top layer being coupled to a perimeter of the base layer to form a sealed bag; and   a zipper formed within the top layer configured to open and close an insertion flap to provide access to a cavity formed between the base layer and the top layer such that when the zipper is open, a portion of the top layer extending around the zipper is configured to fold inside out over a top surface of the table and to extend below the top surface to secure the base layer to the top surface of the table.   
     
     
         2 . The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer and the top layer include a length and a width defined by a length and width of the top surface of the table. 
     
     
         3 . The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the inside out folded portion of the top layer forms a sterile drape portion extending below a bottom surface of the table. 
     
     
         4 . The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the sterile drape portion extends at least two inches below the bottom surface of the table. 
     
     
         5 . The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer and the top layer are constructed from a material having a thickness between about 0.2 millimeters and 10 millimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer and the top layer are constructed from a material configured to be an antimicrobial barrier from the table. 
     
     
         7 . The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity formed between the base layer and the top layer is sealed off from an external environment when the zipper is closed. 
     
     
         8 . The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity formed between the base layer and the top layer is open to an external environment when the zipper is open. 
     
     
         9 . The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealed bag formed between the base layer and the top layer is leak proof when the zipper is closed. 
     
     
         10 . The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer and the top layer are constructed from a puncture resistant material. 
     
     
         11 . The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer and the top layer are constructed from a leak resistant material. 
     
     
         12 . A method of containing and transporting bio-contaminated instruments when storing surgical instruments on a table in an operating room, comprising
 obtaining a biological containment and transport carrier comprising:
 a base layer having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 a top layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, the top layer coupled to the base layer; and 
 a zipper formed in a central portion of the top layer, the zipper being configured to open and close an insertion flap formed by the top layer when the zipper is open and closed, respectively, 
 wherein the inner surface of the base layer is configured to lie flat on a surface of a table and 
 wherein portions of the top layer around the zipper are configured to fold inside out to secure the base layer to the surface of the table; 
   placing the outer surface of the base layer on the surface of the table;   opening the insertion flap by opening the zipper;   folding the portions of the top layer that extend around the zipper inside out to secure the base layer to the surface of the table;   placing bio-contaminated instruments within an opening of the top layer defined by the insertion flap;   unfolding the inside out portions of the top layer around the zipper; and   closing the insertion flap by closing the zipper to contain the bio-contaminated instruments between the base layer and the top layer.