Abstract: A suture sleeve for anchoring the lead body of an implantable medical device is fabricated of a biocompatible, polymeric material to which has been added color pigment in clear contrast with the bodily tissue adjacent the sleeve. The sleeve is therefore readily visible to the naked eye to aid the physician in locating the sleeve during lead implant or lead revision. Furthermore, the tubular body may be radiopaque and, therefore, easily seen on a fluoroscope through the addition of a radiologically dense material, such as tantalum powder, to the plastic from which the sleeve is molded.

Abstract: An absorbent article useful in medical applications and particularly useful as a medical sponge. The article includes a multilayered absorbent web material having at least first and second side edges thereof twice-folded inwardly of the body of the article and at least an elongated radiopaque element anchored and fully covered by the marginal folds of the web material. In one embodiment, there is included a flexible loop element having its opposite ends anchored in the marginal folds of the web material and having the bight portion thereof extending unsupported from its anchoring marginal folds. A method for the manufacture of the absorbent article is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method detects surgical objects within the human body where the apparatus includes the surgical object utilized in surgical procedures including a marker made of a selected nonmagnetostrictive, soft magnetic material which will emit known specific selected harmonic frequencies when exposed to an alternating electromagnetic field. That emission will cause a change in the alternating electromagnetic field which can be correlated to the presence of only the selected nonmagnetostrictive, soft magnetic material.

Abstract: An absorbent article having two coapertured layers and a method of making the absorbent article are disclosed. The absorbent article includes first and second layers formed from nonwoven materials. The first layer has an open pore structure and has an average fiber denier greater than about 2.5. The second layer has a finer pore structure than the first layer. The first layer overlays the second layer and both layers have a plurality of coaxially aligned apertures formed completely therethrough. The apertures allow body fluid, especially viscous fluid like menses, which is deposited on the first layer to rapidly pass down through both layers.

Abstract: A surgical gauze for use in combination with a trocar for laparoscopic surgery comprises a unitary body of surgical gauze of a size to fit through a trocar for use in surgical procedures, an elongated flexible radio-opaque tether of about 24 inches in length connected at one end to the body of gauze, and an anchoring device of a size too large for passage through a trocar connected to the other end of the tether.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement in human or animal tissue has structure for defining a transmitting zone encompassing a surgical wound in the tissue. A battery powered marker is secured to a surgical implement positioned within the wound. Field generating structure is provided for generating within the transmitting zone an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency band. A signal generator generates a signal having a predetermined frequency band. The signal generator is operative to cause the field generating structure to generate the electromagnetic field, providing the marker with signal identity. A detector having an antenna located within the transmitting zone of the marker detects the marker signal irrespective of the marker's orientation therewithin.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement in human or animal tissue comprises a battery powdered marker. The marker is secured to the surgical implement and positioned within a surgical wound. A detection means has an antenna disposed in close proximity of the tissue. Means are provided for capacitance coupling of both the marker and the antenna to the tissue. A field generating means generates an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency band within the tissue and a signal generating means generates a signal having a predetermined frequency band ranging from about 10 MHz to 1 GHz. The signal generated by the signal generating means causes the field generating means to generate the electromagnetic field providing the marker with signal identity.

Abstract: A surgical sponge, particularly of the neurosurgical class, comprising a fibrous web having attached to one surface thereof a locator string comprising a bundle of X-ray detectable monofilaments that are helically overwrapped as by a yarn. One or more of the components of a preferrred string is bondable to the web by means of heat and/or pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement in human or animal tissue has means for defining a transmitting zone encompassing a surgical wound in the tissue. A battery powered marker is secured to a surgical implement positioned within the wound. Field generating means are provided for generating within the transmitting zone an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency band. A signal generating means generates a signal having a predetermined frequency band. The signal generating means is operative to cause the field generating means to generate the electromagnetic field, providing the marker with signal identity. A detecting means having an antenna located within the transmitting zone of the marker detects the marker signal irrespective of the marker's orientation therewithin.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement in human or animal tissue comprises a battery powered marker. The marker is secured to the surgical implement and positioned within a surgical wound. A detection means has an antenna disposed in close proximity of the tissue. Means are provided for capacitance coupling of both the marker and the antenna to the tissue. A field generating means generates an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency band within the tissue and a signal generating means generates a signal having a predetermined frequency band ranging from about 10 MHz to 1 GHz. The signal generated by the signal generating means causes the field generating means to generate the electromagnetic field providing the marker with signal identity.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a surgical implement in human or animal tissue comprises a detector responsive to the presence, within an interrogation zone, of a surgical implement to which a marker is secured. The marker is adapted to produce identifying signal characteristics within a frequency band generated in the interrogation zone. Variations in the phase and or direction of the interrogating field and changes in the electromagnetic coupling between markers and receiver optimize coupling therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the manufacture of surgical sponges defined by a sponge body with at least a segment of a string, preferably containing a material opaque to x-rays, joined to the sponge body. The apparatus provides for the manufacture of the surgical sponges in an automatic manner and continuous manner by feeding a length of the string from a string supply and an end portion of sponge from a supply of sponge in directions substantially ninety-degrees to one another to an area of intersection area where a segment of the string overlies the sponge at a selected distance from the end thereof remote to the supply of sponge. The string segment is joined to the sponge, preferably by an ultrasonic welding mechanism. The sponge end containing the joined string is then severed at a preselected location depending upon the width of sponge body desired.

Abstract: Woven and nonwoven fabrics for use in surgical procedures are printed with a radiopaque polymeric composition which bonds to the surface of the fabric. The composition is applied in a visually distinctive pattern, or may assume the pattern of the underlying fabric. The polymeric composition is readily recognized in an X-ray image and provides an improved means for detecting a surgical sponge inadvertently left in a patient. Preferred compositions are latex or plastisols of a printable viscosity containing from 15 to 70% by weight BaSO.sub.4 having a particle size greater than about 5 microns.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of absorbent material comprising entangled fibers. The sponge has an elongated radiopaque element in the sheet, with the fibers being entangled about the element to retain it in place in the sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a surgical sponge which contains contrast agent embedded in a polymer matrix in proportions of up to 70 wt. %. The matrix consists of a polymer material free of plasticizers. In the process for the production of the sponge a matrix for the contrast agent is used, which is an uncrosslinked, viscous liquid, prepolymer state until after it has been extruded onto the basic fleece material, and not until a process step that then follows is the polymerization completed.

Abstract: A radiopaque, polymeric composition suitable for printing onto surgical fabrics to provide an X-ray detectable marker is obtained by dispersing a heavy metal salt such as barium sulfate in a liquid polymer carrier. The barium sulfate has an average particle size greater than about 5 microns and is present in an amount of from about 15 to 90% by weight of total solids of said composition.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of absorbent material. The sponge has an elongated visually detectable element at a visible location on the sheet comprising a pair of elongated twisted strands. One of the strands has a color which contrasts with the color of the sheet, and the other of said strands has a color which contrasts with the color of blood.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for the detection of an increased concentration of dehydrogenases and/or oxidases in the fluids of humans, animals or plants, which consists of a carrier which bonds a redox dyestuff, and a substance mixture, adjusted to a pH value in the acid range, of the substrate corresponding to the particular dehydrogenase, a hydrogen donor compound and at least one redox dyestuff is described. The device has the peculiarity that the carrier contains polar groups and the substance mixture for detecting exclusively pathologically increased concentrations of the particular dehydrogenase and/or oxidase is adjusted to a pH value of below 5.0. The device is suitable for diagnosing malignant growths in very different organs, for example in the female genital area.

Abstract: A surgical sponge constructed of a nonwoven fabric is provided with an integral x-ray detectable element in the form of an entangled roving which is positioned on one surface of the non-woven fabric. The fabric is produced by placing the x-ray detectable element atop a fibrous web and subjecting the roving and web to hydraulic entanglement to produce a patterned, nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of absorbent material comprising entangled fibers. The sponge has an elongated radiopaque element in the sheet, with the fibers being fluidentangled about the element to retain it in place in the sheet.

Abstract: A process for the production of a diagnostic device which is envisaged, in particular, for the detection of a pathologically increased concentration of dehydrogenases in fluids of humans, animals or plants and consists of a carrier and a substance mixture, in which, in each case with exclusion of UV radiation, the substance mixture, which has been adjusted to a pH value in the acid range, is brought into contact, in liquid form, with the carrier and the combination of carrier and substance mixture is subsequently dried and then enclosed in a packaging casing which is opaque to light of higher energy than red light. The process has the peculiarity that the dried combination of carrier and substance mixture in the packaging casing is securely sealed against entry of air and moisture. The device thus produced can be stored for a long time before use, without its ability to function being substantially changed.

Abstract: An active system for tagging and detecting a surgical implement accidentally left within a patient after the completion of a surgical procedure. A miniature electrical oscillator is attached to each implement and actuated before surgery begins. The pulsed output of each oscillator is coupled to the body's internal fluids and tissue. Before the patient is sutured, a detector, located externally from the body, is employed to sense the pulses from any remaining implements. In the event such pulses are sensed, a sensory alert is actuated and corrective action taken.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of absorbent material comprising entangled fibers. The sponge has an elongated radiopaque element in the sheet, with the fibers being entangled about the element to retain it in place in the sheet.

Abstract: A surgical sponge constructed of a nonwoven fabric is provided with an integral X-ray detectable element in the form of a yarn or monofilament which is positioned interiorly of the nonwoven fabric and in the plane thereof. The fabric is produced by placing the X-ray detectable element between two fibrous webs and subjecting the composite material to hydraulic entanglement to produce a patterned, nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprises a bulbous jacket of at least two superimposed inside and outside lying separate cuts of about the same length, of which the outside cut consists of a gauze material, the superimposed cuts having their edge portions gathered together to form a constricted inturned tubular neck, a rubber ring disposed interiorly of the jacket and contracted onto the inturned neck.The inside lying cut includes of a soft flat fleece of high absorbency, whereby the sponge can be mechanically produced, and is completely homogeneous, soft and nestling and especially the rubber ring is upholstered at its outer side by the soft fleece material. The sponge is free of loose threads and lint and resistant even in moist condition.

Abstract: A radiopaque tell-tale filament is disposed between two plies of a multi-ply surgical sponge in the quadrangular area defined by the stitched or folded edges of the sponge and an inwardly disposed continuous stitch. The ends of the tell-tale are embedded in the stitching but the intermediate portion of the filament is otherwise freely disposed in the quadrangular area.

Abstract: A surgical swab comprises a warp knitted body portion (1) and an integrally warp knitted handling tape (3). Both the body portion and the handling tape are formed as two superimposed layers on a twin needle bed knitting machine, the respective longitudinal and/or laterally extending edges of each layer being joined by interknitting.The swab may be cut from a continuous swab strip which is formed by continuously knitting a length of body portion fabric and of handling tape fabric with a lateral band of the fabrics being knitted together at intervals. Individual swabs are separated from the strip by cutting through the lateral band.

Abstract: A surgical sponge principally for blunt dissection formed of an elongated strip of absorbent material such as woven cotton or the like rolled to form a cylindrical structure. At least the outer layer of the roll is adhesively secured to the roll to prevent unwinding and a radiation opaque material is contained within the sponge and is preferably intermixed with the adhesive.