Instrument sterilization container

Abstract

An instrument sterilization container may include a base, a lid, a retention mechanism extending out from a base floor of the base, a first support mechanism extending out from a lid top of the lid, and a second support mechanism extending out from the base floor. A reusable instrument handle may be disposed between the first support mechanism, the second support mechanism, the retention mechanism, and a portion of the base. The portion of the base and the retention mechanism may be configured to prevent an actuation structure of the reusable instrument handle from extending during a sterilization of the reusable instrument handle in a medical autoclave. The first support mechanism and the second support mechanism may be configured to prevent the actuation structure from expanding during a sterilization of the reusable instrument handle in a medical autoclave.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 disposing a surgical instrument handle in a base of an instrument sterilization container;   disposing the surgical instrument handle between a first retention mechanism and a second retention mechanism or the instrument sterilization container;   disposing the surgical instrument handle between a portion of the base and at least one of the first retention mechanism and the second retention mechanism;   sterilizing the surgical instrument handle in a medical autoclave; and   preventing an actuation structure distal end of an actuation structure of the surgical instrument handle from extending relative to an actuation structure proximal end of the actuation structure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 disposing the surgical instrument handle below a first support mechanism. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 disposing the surgical instrument handle above a second support mechanism. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the actuation structure has a plurality of actuation arms. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 preventing a surgical instrument handle distal end of the surgical instrument handle from extending relative to a surgical instrument handle proximal end of the surgical instrument handle. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the surgical instrument handle is an ophthalmic surgical instrument handle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the actuation structure is manufactured from a synthetic polymer material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the actuation structure is manufactured from a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The method or  claim 1  further comprising:
 facilitating an ingress of steam into the base. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 preventing damage to the actuation structure. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 disposing the first retention mechanism in a first retention mechanism housing. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 disposing a first retention mechanism sleeve over a portion of the first retention mechanism. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 disposing a second retention mechanism sleeve over a portion of the second retention mechanism. 
 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 disposing a surgical instrument handle in a base of an instrument sterilization container;   disposing the surgical instrument handle between a first retention mechanism and a second retention mechanism of the instrument sterilization container wherein the first retention mechanism has a first retention mechanism sleeve and the second retention mechanism has a second retention mechanism sleeve;   disposing the surgical instrument handle between a portion of the base and at least one of the first retention mechanism and the second retention mechanism;   sterilizing the surgical instrument handle in a medical autoclave; and   preventing an actuation structure distal end of an actuation structure of the surgical instrument handle from extending relative to an actuation structure proximal end of the actuation structure.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 disposing the surgical instrument handle below a first support mechanism. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 disposing the surgical instrument handle above a second support mechanism. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the actuation structure has a plurality of actuation arms. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 preventing a surgical instrument handle distal end of the surgical instrument handle from extending relative to a surgical instrument handle proximal end of the surgical instrument handle. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method or  claim 14  further comprising:
 facilitating an ingress of steam into the base. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 disposing the first retention mechanism in a first retention mechanism housing.