Carrier element for supporting at least one medical or dental instrument in a cleaning or care device

Abstract

A carrier element for supporting at least one medical or dental instrument in a cleaning or care device, wherein the instrument comprises a first transmitting and receiving unit for wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation having data and/or energy with a second transmitting and receiving unit. A coupling antenna is provided on the carrier element, which receives and in turn emits the electromagnetic radiation wirelessly transmitted between the first and second transmitting and receiving units in order to support the wireless transmission of the electromagnetic radiation between the first transmitting and receiving unit and the second transmitting and receiving unit. A method for wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation with a corresponding carrier element is also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carrier element for supporting at least one medical or dental instrument in a cleaning or care device for cleaning or caring for the at least one medical or dental instrument, the carrier element comprising:
 at least one coupling antenna provided on the carrier element and configured to receive electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy transmitted wirelessly between a first transmitting and receiving unit arranged on the medical or dental instrument and a second transmitting and receiving unit, and   wherein the at least one coupling antenna is configured to emit the received electromagnetic radiation again in order to support the wireless transmission of the electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy between the first transmitting and receiving unit and the second transmitting and receiving unit.   
     
     
         2 . The carrier element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the carrier element comprises a carrier plate, a tray, a basket or a cassette.   
     
     
         3 . The carrier element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 at least one positioning element is provided on the carrier element in order to position the at least one medical or dental instrument on the carrier element.   
     
     
         4 . The carrier element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one coupling antenna is configured as a linear antenna.   
     
     
         5 . The carrier element according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the linear antenna is arranged in a recess of an outer wall of the carrier element.   
     
     
         6 . The carrier element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one coupling antenna is configured as a flat top antenna.   
     
     
         7 . The carrier element according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the flat top antenna comprises an elongated slot in an outer wall of the carrier element.   
     
     
         8 . The carrier element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one coupling antenna is a first antenna and wherein the carrier element comprises at least one additional coupling antenna, wherein the first coupling antenna comprises a flat top antenna having an elongated slot in an outer wall of the carrier element and wherein the at least one additional coupling antenna comprises a linear antenna, wherein the linear antenna is disposed in the elongated slot of the flat top antenna.   
     
     
         9 . The carrier element according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the flat top antenna is surrounded by a metallic component of the carrier element.   
     
     
         10 . The carrier element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one coupling antenna is a first antenna and wherein the carrier element comprises at least one second coupling antenna, wherein the first and second coupling antennas are configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation of different frequencies.   
     
     
         11 . A cleaning or care device for at least one medical or dental instrument, comprising a carrier element according to  claim 1  and a second transmitting and receiving unit. 
     
     
         12 . Use of a carrier element according to  claim 1  in a cleaning or care procedure of at least one medical or dental instrument in a cleaning or care device for supporting a wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy between a first transmitting and receiving unit arranged on the medical or dental instrument and a second transmitting and receiving unit. 
     
     
         13 . A method for supporting a medical or dental instrument, comprising:
 providing a carrier element for supporting the medical or dental instrument, wherein at least one coupling antenna is provided on the carrier element, which is configured to receive and in turn emit electromagnetic radiation transmitted wirelessly between a first transmitting and receiving unit arranged on the medical or dental instrument and a second transmitting and receiving unit to support wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy between the first transmitting and receiving unit and the second transmitting and receiving unit,   inserting the carrier element with the medical or dental instrument having the first transmitting and receiving unit into a cleaning or care device for cleaning or care of the medical or dental instrument, and   wirelessly transmitting electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy via the at least one coupling antenna between the first transmitting and receiving unit and the second transmitting and receiving unit.   
     
     
         14 . The method for the wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy is transmitted before or after closing an opening of the cleaning or care device, through which the carrier element with the medical or dental instrument to be cleaned or cared for and having the first transmitting and receiving unit is introduced into the cleaning or care device.   
     
     
         15 . The method for wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the at least one medical or dental instrument is fixed to the carrier element by a holder.