Abstract: A single compartment container for packaging clean surgical sponges, each with an attached indicator tape, wherein the improvement uses the container, after the removal for the clean sponges, as a receptacle for holding, counting, confining and disposing discarded sponges with only the tapes inserted into specified locations in the container being counted, instead of the sponges, as indicative of their number.

Abstract: A combined instrument polisher and wiper for use with surgical instruments is disclosed. The polisher and wiper comprises a panel of foam or sponge-like material, having a ridge which is formed in the upper surface thereof, near one end. On the upper surface, on both sides of the ridge and at both sides thereof, there is an abrasive surface; and on the lower surface of the panel of foam material, at the end thereof beneath the ridge, there is an adhesive coating for attachment of the instrument polisher and wiper to an instrument table or Mayo stand.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling soiled surgical sponges is provided, where at least one or two arrays of pouches are formed along the length of a strip of thermoplastic material, where the pouches are oriented so as to be contiguous one to another at adjoining sides, or an adjoining top or bottom, or both. Each of the pouches may be provided with a flap to close the pouch, whereby the risk of contamination is reduced. The thermoplastic strip having the array of pouches is adapted for suspension along its top edge, and may thereby be associated with an operating room kick bucket directly, or indirectly, or with a holding frame, and also with a weighing scale, whereby soiled surgical sponges may be counted, weighed and disposed of with a minimum of handling.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser particularly for use at the bottom of a deformable or partly flexible container is disclosed, which dispenser includes a base member having therein a vent providing an air passage controlled by a valve, and a fluid dispensing passage also controlled by a valve. The exterior air vent tube and exterior dispensing tube of the dispenser are usually sealed until the first use of the dispenser, at which time the container is substantially fixed in place with the dispenser at the bottom thereof, and the seals of the exterior air vent and dispensing tubes are broken. The dispensing action is carried out by pressing a deformable portion of the container thereby increasing the pressure within the container, and in the normal, inverted position of the container with the dispenser at the bottom thereof--i.e., the dispensing action is non-inverting.