Abstract: A sterilization enclosure to be placed within a sterilizer, the sterilization enclosure defining an interior for accommodating at least one surgical instrument and maintaining sterility of the at least one surgical instrument after the sterilization enclosure is removed from the sterilizer. The enclosure comprising a light source and a transparent window. The light source to illuminate the interior and the transparent window positioned such that the interior and the at least one surgical instrument are visible through the transparent window. A process indicator that is either disposed within the interior or coupled to an external surface of the sterilization enclosure. The process indicator in fluid communication with the interior of the sterilization enclosure such that the process indicator is exposed to a sterilant agent disposed within the interior of the sterilization enclosure to measure a characteristic within the interior during a sterilization process.

Abstract: A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

Abstract: A sterilization system comprising a sterilization container for holding a surgical instrument, the sterilization container formed to allow sterilant to enter and residual sterilant to exit so that the surgical instrument in the sterilization container can be subjected to a sterilization process. The sterilization container comprises an electronic sensor module for measuring a characteristic of an environment in the sterilization container during a sterilization process. The system further comprises a station capable of being in electronic communication with the sterilization container, with the station comprising a station memory. The station is configured to track usage of the sterilization container on the station memory based on data measured by the electronic sensor module.

Abstract: A sterilization enclosure to be placed within a sterilizer, the sterilization enclosure defining an interior for accommodating at least one surgical instrument and maintaining sterility of the at least one surgical instrument after the sterilization enclosure is removed from the sterilizer. The enclosure comprising a light source and a transparent window. The light source to illuminate the interior and the transparent window positioned such that the interior and the at least one surgical instrument are visible through the transparent window. A process indicator that is either disposed within the interior or coupled to an external surface of the sterilization enclosure. The process indicator in fluid communication with the interior of the sterilization enclosure such that the process indicator is exposed to a sterilant agent disposed within the interior of the sterilization enclosure to measure a characteristic within the interior during a sterilization process.

Abstract: A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing at least one surgical instrument. The container includes at least one sensor for measuring an environmental characteristic of the container during the sterilization of the instrument. The measure of the environmental characteristic is supplied to a processor. The processor compares the measurement of the container environment to a validated measurement for the sterilization process. If the measured environmental characteristic is at least equal to the validated sterilization process measurement, the processor presents an indication that the surgical instruments was properly sterilized.

Abstract: A clasp having two opposing parallel hooks coupled together by a pivot joint. The shank of the first hook is disposed above the plane of rotation while the bend of the first hook is disposed below the plane, and the shank of the second hook is disposed below the plane while the bend of the second hook is disposed above the plane. A protrusion on the first shank engages with a depression on the second shank to latch the clasp in a “closed” configuration. The protrusion engages with an edge of the second shank to latch the clasp in a “crossed” configuration.

Abstract: A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

Abstract: A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

Abstract: A hook device for bungee cords comprising a pair of opposing hooks whose bends substantially overlap when the device is in a closed configuration. The hooks may rotate away from each other into an opened configuration to enclose an object, and the hooks may rotate towards each other into a crossed configuration to provide a pull tab. The hooks are resistively held in each configuration by retaining elements. One hook may have a shallow throat to enable insertion into narrow openings.

Abstract: A cable tie having a locking head, a strap, and a truss projecting from the plane of the strap separated from the head by a slot. The strap may be passed over the truss, fed through the slot, and rested upon the truss to form a loop having a cavity therein. The strap may be subsequently passed around an object and fed into the head to lock the cable tie. A cutting implement may be inserted into the cavity to cut the loop and thereby release the cable tie from the object.

Abstract: A clasp having a bushing and two hooks that face each other. Each hook has a bend, a shank, a sleeve that is rotatably coupled to the bushing, and ridges and grooves that engage with ridges and grooves on the other hook to latch the clasp in various positions. The bends contact each other along a plane of contact. The sleeve and bend of each hook are disposed on opposite sides of the plane of contact to bias the ridges and grooves towards each other.

Abstract: A tie strap comprising a first end having a plurality of first apertures adapted to receive a medial region and to couple with a plurality of ribs defined thereon, a hooked or knobbed catch mechanism protruding from a distal portion of the first end, and a plurality of second apertures situated along the medial region adapted to receive the catch mechanism. The second apertures may be further adapted to receive the medial region and to couple with the ribs defined thereon.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing at least one surgical instrument. The container includes at least one sensor for measuring an environmental characteristic of the container during the sterilization of the instrument. The measure of the environmental characteristic is supplied to a processor. The processor compares the measurement of the container environment to a validated measurement for the sterilization process. If the measured environmental characteristic is at least equal to the validated sterilization process measurement, the processor presents an indication that the surgical instruments was properly sterilized.

Abstract: A cable tie comprising a locking head, a strap, and a truss projecting from the plane of the strap separated from the head by a slot. The strap may be passed over the truss, fed through the slot, and rested upon the truss to form a loop having a cavity therein. The strap may be subsequently passed around an object and fed into the head to lock the cable tie. A cutting implement may be inserted into the cavity to cut the loop and thereby release the cable tie from the object.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing at least one surgical instrument. The container includes at least one sensor for measuring an environmental characteristic of the container during the sterilization of the instrument. The measure of the environmental characteristic is supplied to a processor. The processor compares the measurement of the container environment to a validated measurement for the sterilization process. If the measured environmental characteristic is at least equal to the validated sterilization process measurement, the processor presents an indication that the surgical instruments was properly sterilized.

Abstract: A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

Abstract: A multi-piece tool having an outer pair of tubes, an inner pair of tubes, and a screwdriver, all of which nest together axially for compact storage. The outer pair of tubes and inner pair of tubes respectively thread together at their proximal ends and have a plurality of open-end wrenches on their distal ends. The screwdriver comprises a removable double-ended shaft with a removable bit on each end. A laser pointer may be disposed within the first inner tube and a flashlight may be disposed within the second inner tube.

Abstract: A tie strap comprising a first end having a plurality of first apertures adapted to receive a medial region and to couple with a plurality of ribs defined thereon, a hooked or knobbed catch mechanism protruding from a distal portion of the first end, and a plurality of second apertures situated along the medial region adapted to receive the catch mechanism. The second apertures may be further adapted to receive the medial region and to couple with the ribs defined thereon.

Abstract: A hook device comprising two adjacent parallel oppositely facing hooks extending from a bushing and rotatably connected thereto such that adjacent surfaces of the hooks engage with each other at predefined relative angles defining a closed configuration suitable for enclosing around an object and a crossed configuration wherein one hook may serve as a finger pull tab. An engagement bias may be created by disposing the first bushing sleeve inferior to the second bushing sleeve and the first bend superior to the second bend.