The present invention relates to a unit that is comprised in a modular system or that is a self-contained unit for holding instruments and components intended for use in dental treatment. The unit has a drawer-shaped construction and is made of a heat-resistant material.

The use of units for holding surgical instruments and components that are to be used in various dental connections is already known. For this purpose, the unit can be arranged to hold instruments and components in order for these to be able to be used in the various treatment situations. The unit or units can be the shape of a drawer or box and, for example, can receive and hold various combinations and parts for the various treatment situations on a surface that faces towards the user. Reference can be made to the patent SE 513842, obtained by the same applicant as for the present patent application, and to US 5 518 115 and 5 525 314 and to the references cited therein.

With this type of equipment, there is an ever- increasing desire for the unit to be able to work as a single unit or alternatively to work in a modular system that will ensure the optimal provision of instruments and components for the various dental treatment situations. A problem that is greatly accentuated in connection with this is also that the total volume of the unit or of the modular system must be able to be limited and there is a desire to achieve a reduction in volume of up to 50% in comparison to currently-known corresponding equipment. The unit or units must, in addition, be able to hold the same or

greater numbers of instruments and components. In addition, the unit or units must be made of a material or have a covering that is easy to hold, which material or covering must, in addition, be able to have excellent frictional characteristics in relation to an underlying surface so that, during the removal of instruments and components from the respective unit or during the insertion of instruments and components into the respective unit, this is prevented from sliding on the underlying surface and making the removal or insertion more difficult. The number of instruments and components on the market has a constant tendency to increase and the ease of selection of the instruments and components has been made considerably more difficult on account of the increasing assortment. This means that it can be difficult to select the correct instruments and components. There is a need for sets of instruments and components for optimal use for different types of treatment and different patients and for different treatments, for example, more general treatment, advanced treatment, specialist treatment, etc. Each user must be able to select his assortment from a larger general assortment in a simple way. It must therefore be possible for display arrangements and information labels for recommended treatment stages and for stages carried out in a particular order to be available on or in association with the respective unit. Among other things, double utilization of expensive tools must be possible. The different parts of the unit must be able to be assembled irrespective of whether one or more of the unit parts constitutes or represents a varied collection. Thus a side or top arrangement - is to be provided with different or optional top arrangements, that can occur in different variants with regard to the instruments and/or components that are held or that can be held. It is therefore important that the unit or units meet these requirements and make possible the clearest possible arrangement for each user. It is also important that

the unit or units can be autoclaved at high temperatures and that they can be constructed to withstand long periods of use without requiring intermediate service or replacement of parts. It is also important that the unit or units have a robust construction in spite of the said requirement that they must be easy to hold and have the required frictional characteristics.

The main object of the present invention is to solve all or parts of the problems described above.

The principal characteristics of a unit according to the invention are, among other things, that the sides and bottom mentioned in the introduction form a rigid first unit part that is completely or partially provided externally with a covering or layer of a non-rigid/flexible/soft material and is arranged to be easy to hold and functional. In addition, the top of the unit is to form a rigid second unit part that preferably contains an organized holding arrangement for the instruments and components.

The different materials in each unit must preferably be able to withstand temperatures of approx. 135 ⁰ C, which are encountered during sterilization of the instruments and the components in the unit. In a preferred embodiment, the said sides and bottom are encased in the non-rigid or soft material, which can consist of elastomer (Silicone) . The sides and bottom are preferably constructed of rigid plastic, but they can also be made of metal. The unit is preferably constructed with a lid that can be arranged to be removable. In a similarly preferred embodiment, the unit is provided with a support at one end that can be unfolded and folded away. By means of the support, the top surface of the unit can be given an advantageous angle of inclination in relation to a user. The top can be made of metal or plastic and can be provided with

labelling that can withstand the said temperatures. The unit is preferably arranged with holes and/or openings for sterilizing steam,. The unit's holding arrangement can comprise rubber grommets arranged with holes, hook-shaped holding devices and snap-fit devices. The reduction in volume is considerable, and the unit is easy to hold and has a good frictional resistance in relation to the underlying surface upon which the unit is arranged. In an additional embodiment, the unit is comprised in a modular system together with other modular units and, for this purpose, the modular units can be arranged in a box that is provided with a lid that can be opened and closed and that holds the modular units securely during, for example, transportation and storage. The modular units can have different breadths and different combinations of different sizes of modular units and can be used in association with the storage box. The respective units can be provided with labelling or information regarding dimensions, different treatment stages, different types of patient, etc. It is also a characteristic of the invention that the unit is constructed of a combination of rigid and flexible or non-rigid/soft material.

Additional further developments of the concept of the invention will be apparent from the following claims.

By means of what is proposed above, a unit is provided that has small external dimensions and that holds a relatively large number of instruments and components and that has a construction that is robust and easy to hold, and that, in addition, has good frictional characteristics in relation to the underlying surface upon which the unit can be arranged. The unit comprises an advantageous combination of the rigid and soft materials mentioned above, whereby the rigid material provides the robustness and the soft material makes the unit easy to hold and provides the frictional characteristics. Extremely good display information and

labelling is arranged on or in association with the unit which labelling can, in addition, withstand the harsh environment 'that, for example, autoclaving represents. In spite of this, the unit can utilize known technology and known materials. The unit can be comprised. in a modular system for several units and can be arranged with a common storage box for these.

A currently-proposed embodiment of the unit/units according to the invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows, in perspective, viewed from above and in front, a first embodiment of the unit provided with a lid and holding devices for instruments and/or components,

Figure Ia shows, in vertical section, a holding device and a drill arranged or inserted in this,

Figure Ib shows, in vertical section, a permanent gap for sterilizing steam, with the lid according to Figure 1 in a closed position,

Figure Ic shows, from in front, a vertical section where the lid is in a closed position and there are permanent gaps or openings for sterilizing steam,

Figure 2 shows, in perspective, viewed from obliquely below, parts of a first unit part, in which is arranged a support that can be unfolded and folded away,

Figure 2a shows, in outline, the inclination of the top side of the unit in relation to an underlying surface when the support is in the folded-down position according to Figure 2,

Figure 3 shows, in perspective, viewed obliquely from above and in front, parts of a first unit part ■ that

comprises or is constructed of a plastic material or metal and is also covered externally with elastomer or other soft material,

Figure 4 shows, in perspective, viewed from above and from the left, a storage box for three modular units with different arrangements of holding device and . with different breadths,

Figure 5 shows, in perspective and viewed obliquely from above and from in front, the bottom of the storage box and guide devices arranged therein,

Figure 6 shows, in vertical section, an alternative embodiment of the guide device according to Figure 5,

Figures 7-7b show, from above, different layouts for the holding arrangement on modular units with a first breadth,

Figures 8-8e show, from above and in outline, different layouts for holding arrangements for instruments and/or components, in which each modular unit is half the breadth of the modular units according to Figures 7-7b, and

Figure 9 shows, in perspective and viewed obliquely from above and in front, a drawer-shaped construction of rigid plastic for the sides and bottom of the unit.

A first modular unit is shown in Figure 1 represented by 1. The modular unit comprises bottom and sides 2 and a top arranged on these at the upper parts of the sides. In the present case, the said sides are arranged with a hinge rod 4 or corresponding hinge device. A lid 5 belonging to the modular unit 1 can be arranged on the hinge rod, which lid is mounted on the hinge rod at its rear part. In the figure, the lid is shown in a partially opened position and can be put into a closed

position that is indicated symbolically by 5a. In the closed position, the lid ^' covers the said top 3 of the unit. In Figure 1, an underlying surface upon which the unit can be arranged is indicated in outline by β. In accordance with what is described below, the sides and bottom 2 comprise a rigid drawer-shaped ^' part that is covered externally with or encased in a soft material, which can consist of elastomer, for example Silicone. The rigid drawer-shaped part can be constructed of rigid plastic, for example polyethersulphone, polyphenylsulphone or the like, or metal. The top 3 can be constructed of metal or rigid plastic of the kind mentioned above. The lid 5 is also constructed of rigid plastic of the kind mentioned above. It is characteristic of the materials selected for use in the unit 1 that they can withstand high temperatures, for example 135°C, that are used during sterilizing or autoclaving. The top 3 is provided with holding devices of various kinds and can consist of rubber grommets 7, snap-fit devices 8, etc.

In Figure Ia, a rubber grommet 7 is shown in greater detail. The rubber grommet has a central hole 9, in which different components and/or tools can be inserted. A drill 10 is shown in Figure 1, and its connection to a tool (not shown) has been indicated by 10a. The latter part is thus arranged to be able to be inserted into the opening 9. Figure Ia also shows the thickness of the top, that can be selected to be between 0.5-2.0 mm. The top 7 can interact with snap-fit devices' 11 on the said upper part of the sides. The top 3 is pushed downwards onto the sides in the direction of the arrow 12 so that the snap-fit function 11 is activated. Alternatively, the top can be attached to the said upper parts of the sides in a different way, for example by means of screws. The snap-fit devices 8 (see Figure 1) can be constructed in a known way. The devices comprised in the holding

arrangement are also constructed of material that can withstand the said temperatures.

Figure Ib. is intended to show in outline what happens when the lid 5 assumes its closed position in relation to the said sides. In the present case, the design of the lid 5 is such that there is a permanent' gap or opening or gaps or openings when the lid is in the closed position. The said gaps and/or openings form a passage for the sterilizing steam during autoclaving.

Figure Ic shows that such gaps or openings 14 and 15 can also be arranged at the front edge 5' of the lid when parts of this make contact with the sides 2. The purpose of the lid 5, 5' is to protect the instruments and/or components that are inserted in the holding arrangement during transportation, storage, etc. The lid 5 consists preferably of transparent material that enables the set of instruments and/or components to be viewed from the outside of the unit.

Figure 2 shows examples of the construction of the sides 2a and the bottom 2b of the drawer-shaped unit made of rigid plastic. The said parts 2a and 2b can be integrated in association with manufacture. Alternatively, they can consist of two parts that can be assembled. In the case shown in Figure 2, a hinge device 4 is shown in greater detail. The hinge device can comprise a hinge rod, for example made of metal, that extends through the sides for the whole of their breadth. In the present case, the hinge rod has projecting parts 4a on both sides, of the unit, on which the lid can be guided down over the hinge and pivoted in different angles when in position, as shown by, for example, Figure 1. Figure 2 also shows openings or holes 16 that are arranged passing through the bottom. The said openings or holes are intended to form passages for sterilizing steam in association with autoclaving. In association with the said sides and

bottom, the unit also comprises a support 17 that can be unfolded and folded away, which support is provided with two feet 17a and 17b. With the support in the folded-away position, the unit takes up less space, while with the support in the unfolded position, that is the position according to Figure 2, the- top surface of the unit can be inclined in relation to an underlying surface.

In Figure 2a, such an underlying surface is indicated in outline by 18 and the top of the underlying surface is indicated by 18a. By means of the arrangement, the top surface 19 of the unit that is indicated in outline in Figure 2a can be inclined towards a user, so that the user can see in an optimal way the surface and the instruments and/or components that are inserted in it. Figure 2a shows the inclination in a longitudinal section through the unit 1. The support can be provided, at least on its feet, with a material, layer, etc, of material that has good frictional characteristics that prevents the unit sliding on the underlying surface 18a during insertion and removal of instruments and/or components. The angle of inclination is indicated by α in Figure 2a and has, in the present case, been selected to be approximately 30°. The lid is arranged to hold inserted instruments and/or components securely during transportation and/or storage.

Figure 3 shows the sides 2a and bottom 2b comprised in the second unit part that form the said rigid drawer-shaped part. _. In the present case, the sides and the bottom are covered with the said soft material in accordance with what is described above. The covering is indicated by 20 and the encasing can be carried out in a known way. The thickness and the Shore number constitute the parameters for the softness and the ease with which the unit can be held. In the present case, a Shore number of 30-90, preferably 30-50, can be used. The thickness is indicated by tl and can be selected to

be between 30-50 mm and is preferably 20 mm. In Figure 3, a breadth of a module in question is indicated by B and a length of a module is indicated by L. The height of the unit is indicated by H. As an example of the length L, it can be mentioned that this should lie within the range 150-200 mm, while the breadth B has values within the range 150-200 mm. The height can be selected within the range 30-50 mm. In Figure 3, a hinge arrangement for the folding support 17 is indicated by 21. The hinge arrangement can, for example, consist of a rod upon which the support is mounted in such a way that it can pivot, so that it can assume either of the unfolded or folded-away positions.

In accordance with Figure 4, modular units can be arranged in a box-shaped drawer with a lid 23 that can be raised and lowered. Two modules with a breadth B can be arranged alongside each other in the box shown in Figure 4. Alternatively, and as shown in Figure 4, one modular unit with breadth B can be arranged together with two modules with half its breadth, that is B/2. The modules placed in the box 22 are designated 24, 25, and 26. In an alternative embodiment, the modules 25 and 26 can be placed on each side of the module 24, which then assumes a central position. The modules 24

(= ^' the main module) and 25 and 25 (sub-modules) can have a corresponding ^' construction to that described above. The lids in accordance with the above for the modules 24, 25 and 26 are removed when the modules are placed in the storage box. The modules can thus be transported and/or stored in such a storage box. The modules are held securely in the box when the lid of the box is closed. The box is also provided with a lid that leaves permanent passages or openings when it is in its closed position. The said openings 27, 28 are intended as passages for sterilizing steam during autoclaving. The modules are held securely in a lateral direction by means of supports 29, 30 that extend in

- li the depth direction D of the box. The breadth of the box is indicated by 2B.

Figures 5 and 6 are intended to show guides for modules or modular units that can be placed in the box 22. The guide arrangement can comprise guide ridges 31 arranged in the bottom 22a of the box, that extend in the said depth direction D (cf. Figure 4) . Alternatively, in accordance with Figure 6, the guide ridges can be designed as grooves 32 extending in the depth direction. The bottom 22a has thereby surfaces 33 on which the modular units can be inserted in the depth direction. The box is also constructed of a heat-resistant material and is constructed robustly in order to be able to. protect the instruments and components in the modular units. The box is designed with rigid units constructed of metal or of the rigid plastic mentioned above. The box can also be constructed or encased completely or partially in material that is easy to hold. The lid of the box can be constructed of transparent material.

Figures 7, 7a and 7b show different examples of the holding arrangement for the main modules and display and information labels. The main modules can be selected with different layouts for instruments and/or components. In the embodiment according to Figure I ₁ a table 35 is given for the main module 34 that indicates the implants that are to be used for different bone qualities, that is, in the present case, for soft, medium and hard bone. The different holding devices are numbered and, in addition, the types of implant are listed in the table. By combining the instruments and/or components arranged in the different holding devices, different treatments can be carried out.

Figures 7a and 7b show two alternative embodiments of arrangements, 36 and 37 respectively, of the holding devices. Different stages in the treatment can thereby

be indicated, compare for example the partial stages indicated by horizontal lines that indicate the relevant instruments and/or components that are to be used in the different stages. The horizontal indications are represented by 38.

Figures 8-8e show different sub-modules and indications on these of the use, patient type, implant type, etc. The sub-modules are represented by the reference numeral 39. A sub-module can supplement the content of a main module and can represent, for example, a specialist stage or advanced stage in relation to the general directions and proposals that are provided by means of the main module'. The space between the top and bottom of the main module can be utilized for the insertion of additional instruments and/or components, that can thereby be of a more bulky type.

Figure 9 shows the drawer-shaped construction of the said sides and bottom. In order to make the abovementioned covering or encasing on the outside of the parts adhere more securely, the drawer-shaped construction is designed with a corrugated arrangement

40 that extends vertically on the outside of the parts in question. As a result of the applied soft material extending into the corrugations, the whole covering is prevented from moving in relation to the sides. Grooves or corrugations (not shown) in a horizontal direction can prevent the vertical movement of the covering in relation to the outside of the sides. In addition or alternatively, the covering can be secured at the upper edge of the sides.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above as examples, but can be modified within the framework of the following claims and concept of the invention.