IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,496,159
Granted Patent B2
US 12,496,159 · App. 17/180,468 · Granted Dec 16, 2025

Cantilever organizational rack system for supporting surgical instrumentation

Inventors: Jeffrey Gerstner (Pittsford, NY); Gregory Bonisteel (Rochester, NY)
Assignee: Flex Operating Room, Inc.
A61B50/22A47B96/027A47F5/0025A47F5/137A61B50/13A61B50/15A61B50/20A61B50/33A61B50/34F16M11/10F16M11/2014F16M11/42F16M13/027A47F5/108
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,496,159
App. No.
17/180,468
Granted
Dec 16, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vertical organizational system for use in the operating room during surgery to hold surgical instrumentation is provided. The system includes a vertical support including a height and angle adjustable portion; vertical support assembly, a back panel, a pivoting spine assembly, a base interface member, casters, a base, an interactive user display, a tray shelf, a receptacle container, a primary working shelf, a formed base, a custom sterile drape, an identification system, a telescoping mayo stand, telescoping step stool, a light assembly, a sterile aerosol assembly, an instrument tray attachment device, telescoping cross rail extensions and a ceiling mounted boom assembly. The cantilever shelves are detachably attachable from the cross rails and helps maintain the sterile state of the instrumentation trays even if the rest of the rack is not maintained in a sterile state.

Claims (61)

1 . A method for organizing surgical instruments, comprising:

providing an organizational rack system that includes:

(i) a base,

(ii) a frame assembly extending away from the base,

(iii) a primary working shelf that is supported by the frame assembly,

(iv) a first tray shelf that is located above the primary working shelf, is supported by the frame assembly, and is adapted to hold a surgical instrument tray,

(v) a second tray shelf that is located above the primary working shelf and the first tray shelf, is supported by the frame assembly, and is adapted to hold a surgical instrument tray, and

(vi) a computing device with a display;

providing a sterile drape that covers the primary working shelf and the frame assembly that supports the primary working shelf, the first tray shelf, and the second tray shelf; and

presenting, on the display of the computing device while the sterile drape is covering the primary working shelf and the frame assembly, information that provides a surgery plan.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the organizational rack system includes surgical instrument trays adapted for placement on the primary working shelf, when the sterile drape is covering the primary working shelf; and

the display of the computing device presents the information that provides the surgery plan while the surgical instrument trays are on the primary working shelf, when the sterile drape is covering the primary working shelf.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the organizational rack system includes a telescoping tube assembly; and

the method comprises moving the second tray shelf with respect to the frame assembly and the base, by actuating the telescoping tube assembly.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the organizational rack system includes a vertical support structure that extends from the frame assembly and supports the first tray shelf and the second tray shelf; and

the first tray shelf is attached to the vertical support structure and the second tray shelf is attached to the vertical support structure.

5 . An organizational rack system, comprising:

a base;

a frame assembly extending away from the base;

a primary working shelf that is supported by the frame assembly;

a first tray shelf that is located above the primary working shelf, is supported by the frame assembly, and is adapted to hold a surgical instrument tray;

a second tray shelf that is located above the primary working shelf and the first shelf, is supported by the frame assembly, and is adapted to hold a surgical instrument tray, wherein:

the first tray shelf is adapted to be oriented at a first mounting angle that is different from an angle at which the primary working shelf is oriented; and

the second tray shelf is adapted to be oriented at a second mounting angle that is different from the angle at which the primary working shelf is oriented;

a computing device with a display to present information that provides a surgery plan; and

a sterile drape adapted to cover the primary working shelf and the frame assembly.

6 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , wherein the base is supported by four wheels.

7 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , wherein the frame assembly comprises four rails that each extend from the base and that work together to support the primary working shelf.

8 . The organizational rack system of claim 7 , wherein:

a first rail of the four rails connects to the base at a first location above a first wheel that supports the base;

a second rail of the four rails connects to the base at a second location above a second wheel that supports the base;

a third rail of the four rails connects to the base at a third location above a third wheel that supports the base; and

a fourth rail of the four rails connects to the base at a fourth location above a fourth wheel that supports the base.

9 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , wherein the primary working shelf is oriented parallel to a flat ground surface on which the base of the organizational rack system is adapted to rest.

10 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , further comprising a vertical support structure that extends from the frame assembly and supports the first tray shelf and the second tray shelf, wherein the first tray shelf is attached to the vertical support structure and the second tray shelf is attached to the vertical support structure.

11 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , wherein:

the first mounting angle is adjustable; and

the second mounting angle is adjustable.

12 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , further comprising an interface assembly bracket to mechanically connect the display to the frame assembly.

13 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , wherein the first tray shelf and the second tray shelf are rotatable with respect to the frame assembly and the base.

14 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , wherein:

the first tray shelf has a first lip at a front edge of the first tray shelf, the front edge of the first tray shelf being a lowest edge of the first tray shelf when the first tray shelf is oriented at the first mounting angle; and

the second tray shelf has a second lip at a front edge of the second tray shelf, the front edge of the second tray shelf being a lowest edge of the second tray shelf when the second tray shelf is oriented at the second mounting angle.

15 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , further comprising a telescoping tube assembly, wherein the second tray shelf is movable with respect to the frame assembly and the base as a result of actuation of the telescoping tube assembly.

16 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , wherein the sterile drape is adapted to form a barrier between (a) surgical instrument trays sitting on the primary working shelf, the first tray shelf, and the second tray shelf, and (b) the frame assembly.

17 . The organizational rack system of claim 5 , further comprising:

surgical instrument trays adapted for placement on the primary working shelf, on top of the sterile drape that is adapted to cover the primary working shelf, wherein the computing device is configured to present the information that provides the surgery plan while the surgical instrument trays are located on the primary working shelf.

18 . An organizational rack system, comprising:

a base;

a frame assembly extending away from the base;

a primary working shelf that is supported by the frame assembly;

a first tray shelf that is located above the primary working shelf, is supported by the frame assembly, and is adapted to hold a surgical instrument tray;

a second tray shelf that is located above the primary working shelf and the first shelf, is supported by the frame assembly, and is adapted to hold a surgical instrument tray;

a vertical support structure that extends from the frame assembly and supports the first tray shelf and the second tray shelf, wherein the first tray shelf is attached to the vertical support structure and the second tray shelf is attached to the vertical support structure, wherein the vertical support structure includes:

a first rail to which the first tray shelf and the second tray shelf are connected;

a second rail to which the first tray shelf and the second tray shelf are connected, the second rail being laterally spaced apart from the first rail; and

a horizontal shaft to connect the first rail and the second rail; and

a sterile drape adapted to cover the primary working shelf and the frame assembly.

Assignments (2)
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 2, 2022
From: FLEX OPERATING ROOM LLC; FLEX OPERATING ROOM, INC.
To: FLEX OPERATING ROOM, INC.
Reel/Frame 060701/0326 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 22, 2021
From: GERSTNER, JEFFREY; BONISTEEL, GREGORY
To: FLEX OPERATING ROOM, LLC
Reel/Frame 055352/0847 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 15932321 · Feb 16, 2018
Continuation 15055280 · Feb 26, 2016
Provisional Application 62121710 · Feb 27, 2015
Related Publication 20210169601A1 · Jun 10, 2021
References Cited (118)
US 338011A · Adams, Jr. · 1886 [cited by applicant]
US 538145A · Allen · 1895 [cited by applicant]
US 725625A · Lurye · 1903 [cited by applicant]
US 907171A · Poles et al. · 1908 [cited by applicant]
US 1104004A · Rathbone · 1914 [cited by applicant]
US 1204286A · Lengquist · 1916 [cited by applicant]
US 1531540A · Calero · 1925 [cited by applicant]
US 1715163A · Kim · 1929 [cited by applicant]
US 2002128A · Reidenbaugh · 1935 [cited by applicant]
US 2148548A · Gregory · 1939 [cited by applicant]
US 2530231A · Detweiler · 1950 [cited by applicant]
US 2707841A · Figura · 1955 [cited by applicant]
US 3294266A · Snow · 1966 [cited by applicant]
US 4109892A · Hartung · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4131218A · Tatsuno · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4943939A · Hoover · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 5096072A · Link · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5170804A · Glassman · 1992 [cited by examiner]
US 5201429A · Hikosaka · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5289957A · Huang · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5310066A · Konstant · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US D352106S · Fanney et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5454722A · Holland et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5590796A · Herman · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5610811A · Honda · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5749480A · Wood · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5918841A · Sweere et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5927214A · Schwartz et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5991728A · DeBusk et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6019102A · Becker · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6039228A · Stein · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6105797A · Haisma · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6158437A · Vagley · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6164738A · Dane et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6189459B1 · DeAngelis · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6224072B1 · Weck · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6267345B1 · Turner · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6315308B1 · Konopka · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6339732B1 · Phoon et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6382434B1 · Silberg · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6493220B1 · Clark et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6497233B1 · DeAngelis · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6823805B2 · Becker · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US D500575S · Lucas · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US D517768S · Arceta · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7104201B2 · Comeaux · 2006 [cited by examiner]
US 7154397B2 · Zerhusen et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US D544962S · Diener et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7249680B2 · Wang · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US D548918S · Nussberger · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7268684B2 · Tethrake et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7350649B1 · Martens · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7624954B2 · Randle · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7731136B1 · Chisolm · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7748802B2 · Peruzzi · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7815202B2 · Richards · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 8074815B2 · Gerstner · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8104787B2 · Haley · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8109527B2 · Bustle et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8210548B1 · Agyemang · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8215650B2 · Arceta et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8286977B2 · Butler et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8323034B1 · Youngblood · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8371592B2 · Feitel · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8459265B2 · Young · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8464994B2 · Chiu · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8689704B2 · Hodges et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8692140B1 · Pollock · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 8763824B2 · Alcock · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8911677B2 · Gerstner et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8950344B2 · Lewis et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9039016B2 · Abernethy · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9355219B2 · Paydar et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9587878B2 · Paydar et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9680333B1 · Brooks · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 9737363B2 · Houde · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US D796679S · Dekock et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9847044B1 · Foster · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9895201B2 · Gerstner · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10070924B2 · Lother · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10154885B1 · Barnett et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10925683B2 · Gerstner · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20020023889A1 · Larbaletier · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20040073279A1 · Malackowski et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050275178A1 · Huesdash · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060260515A1 · Hodges et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070016008A1 · Schoenefeld · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070268133A1 · Sanchez et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080073304A1 · Corbett · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080149001A1 · Hodges et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090045154A1 · Gerstner · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090261992A1 · Song · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100001149A1 · Song et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100289236A1 · Bennett · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100324380A1 · Perkins et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110108698A1 · Chen · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110247634A1 · Young · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120006767A1 · Bennett · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120137935A1 · Hodges et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120212116A1 · McRorie et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120248047A1 · Tanabe · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130113929A1 · DeLand · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130200579A1 · Abernethy · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130277932A1 · De Jong et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140216305A1 · Hodges et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140261457A1 · Lother et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140378952A1 · Humayun et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150223890A1 · Miller et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150366617A1 · Frushour · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160015167A1 · Abu-Akel et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160249996A1 · Gerstner · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160379504A1 · Bailey et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170003712A1 · Funk et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170109489A1 · Lane et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170202630A1 · Gerstner · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170312035A1 · May et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180123365A1 · Racenet et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180250089A1 · Gerstner · 2018 [cited by applicant]