Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of absorbent material comprising a plurality of layers of an open mesh gauze fabric having generally parallel woven spaced warp and filling yarns. The sheet has one or more spaced generally parallel tie-in yarns interwoven between the layers in at least one direction of the sheet, with a substantial number of the yarns in one layer generally parallel to the tie-in yarns being located intermediate the corresponding yarns in another layer of the sheet to define a staggered configuration of the sheet yarns, with the tie-in yarns limiting freedom of movement of the staggered woven yarns to retain them in place, and with the sheet being folded into a multiple ply configuration.

Abstract: A sponge collecting device comprising, a backing sheet of flexible material having a front surface, a rear surface, a pair of side edges, and a pair of end edges connecting the side edges. The device has a plurality of pockets progressively disposed on the front surface of the backing sheet intermediate the end edges. The pockets comprise a first flap of flexible material having a pair of side edges, and an upper edge extending between the side edges. Side portions of the first flap adjacent its side edges are joined to the backing sheet adjacent the side edges of the backing sheet, and a lower portion of the first flap is joined to the backing sheet intermediate the joined side portions of the first flap. The upper edges of the first flap define an opening intermediate the first flap and backing sheet to receive sponges.

Abstract: A device for supporting sponge collection bags from a pole comprising, a basket having opposed front and back sides, a pair of opposed ends connecting the sides, a bottom, and an open top. The sides, ends and bottom define a cavity to receive a box of sponge collection bags through the open top. The basket has a pair of spaced hooks depending from the front side and being directed away from the front side, and a pair of spaced hooks depending from the back side and being directed away from the back side, with the hooks being adapted to be received in spaced apertures of the sponge collection bags. The device has a support member for supporting the basket on the pole.