Abstract: A sterile imaging head protective apparatus includes a radiolucent rigid sheet configured to cover an imaging head of an X-ray imaging machine and a sterile flexible drape attached to the radiolucent rigid sheet. The drape extends away from the radiolucent rigid sheet to an open free end. A member is provided adjacent the open end, wherein the member is operable to maintain the open end in abutment with a portion of the X-ray imaging machine.

Abstract: A wrappable sterile radiation shield drape, a wrappable sterile radiation shield drape in combination with a radiation shield, and a method of providing a sterile surface about a suspended radiation shield is provided. The drape includes a flexible wall having a sterilized outer surface. The wall has opposite side edges extending between upper and lower ends. The upper end has an everted portion providing an inverted pocket. The wall includes an upper fastener adjacent its upper end. The upper fastener is configured to releasably fix the upper end of the wall relative to the radiation shield. The wall further includes an edge fastener adjacent at least one of its side edges. The edge fastener is configured for releasable attachment adjacent the opposite side edge to releasably maintain the wall in a wrapped configuration about the radiation shield with the side edges being releasably maintained in overlapping relation with one another.

Abstract: A luer port alert device and method of alerting a care provider to a condition of a patient therewith prior to administering fluid treatment to the patient is provided. The luer port alert device includes an arcuate body having a through passage extending along a central axis between opposite ends. A bridge member extends from the body over one of the ends generally along the central axis to at least partially obstruct access to the through passage. The bridge member is selectively and resiliently moveable radially outwardly the central axis under an externally applied force to allow full, unobstructed access to the through passage, when desired, and returns to its relaxed position generally along the central axis upon removing the externally applied force.

Abstract: A sterile craniotomy drape and method of simultaneously draping a sterile barrier over a patient and a navigation tracker prior to performing a craniotomy procedure are provided. The sterile craniotomy drape has a flexible, sterile wall with opposite edges extending lengthwise between opposite ends. The wall is sized to substantially cover a patient lying on a patient support surface of an operating table. The wall has a cranial region adapted to be attached to the patients head and at least one opening adjacent the cranial region. A flexible, tubular sterile sleeve has an open end attached to the wall about the at least one opening. The sleeve extends away from the wall to a free end for receipt of a navigation tracker therein.

Abstract: A surgical drape and method of providing a sterile surface therewith is provided. The drape is configured to cover an upper portion of a radiation shield and includes a flexible wall providing a cavity sized to receive the upper portion of the radiation shield. The flexible wall has a rear wall portion configured to cover at least in part a rear portion of the radiation shield and a front wall portion configured to cover a front portion of the radiation shield. The front wall portion extends to an upper front free edge and the rear wall portion extends to an upper rear free edge. At least one fastener is attached to at least one of the front and rear wall portions adjacent respective ones of the upper front free edge and rear free edge. The fastener is configured to releasably fix the front and rear walls to the radiation shield.

Abstract: A combined cushion and protective covering for a patient support having a patient-supporting surface comprises a central section having length and width dimensions corresponding substantially to corresponding dimensions of the support surface. Flaps which are unitary with the central section extend from the side edges of the central section a distance beyond the side edges of the support surface. The flaps are thinner than the central section so as to depend from the central section and lie alongside the patient-supporting surface. The central section and the flaps are formed simultaneously by compressing a block of cushioning material in such manner that the central section forms a pad or cushion unitarily joined at its opposite sides to the flaps. During the compression of the block to form the central pad and the flaps the external surfaces of the pad and flaps are heated to an extent sufficient to enable the surfaces of the pad and flaps to form a smooth, moisture proof skin.

Abstract: A sheet assembly adapted to occupy a position beneath a patient and an upper surface of a patient support. The assembly has overlying upper and lower pliable sheets formed of a material of low density gradient and having central sections from which upper and lower flaps extend laterally. The lower flaps may be secured to the patient support and the upper flaps may be elevated to and maintained at a level above that of the upper surface of the patient support, thereby providing a safeguard against the patient's falling off the support surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for enabling the use of a computer mouse at a sterile surgical site comprises a pouch for the accommodation of the mouse and an inlet sleeve forming an inlet passage into the pouch. The pouch and sleeve are formed of pliable, preferably transparent sterilizable material. When the mouse has been admitted to the pouch via the passage, the sleeve may be separated from the pouch and the open mouth of the latter rolled to form a seal, thereby retaining the mouse within the pouch.

Abstract: A cushioning and positioning pad has a body formed from superposed layers of resiliently compressible foam material and a reinforcing sheet embedded between adjacent layers. The reinforcing sheet is of such stiffness as to resist contraction along its length and width dimensions, but is resiliently bendable in response to the application of a force along its thickness dimension. The reinforcing sheet resists undesirable contraction lengthwise and widthwise of the pad when the latter is encapsulated in a curable coating of material which shrinks as it cures.

Abstract: A cover and patient restraint for use with a radiologic imaging table having an upper surface on which a patient may lie, the cover having a central section corresponding generally to the length and width of the patient supporting surface of the table and a width substantially greater than that of the supporting surface so the opposite sides of the cover form flaps which extend beyond and depend from the upper surface of the table to prevent the collection on the table surface of liquids. The cover includes a pad of cushioning material inboard of the flaps to enhance the comfort of a patient lying on the cover. Restraining straps are coupled to anchor strips extending longitudinally of the cover adjacent opposite sides of the pad so as to enable the straps to be placed in overlying relation to the patient in any selected one of a large number of adjusted positions. The cover is encapsulated in a pliable, washable, radiologic inert coating.

Abstract: A protective cover for removable attachment to an objective lens housing of a draped surgical microscope has a primary, annular retainer of such size as to encircle and engage the lens housing. The retainer has an external frusto-spherical surface and an internal surface capable of seating on and snugly engaging the lens housing. The retainer removably supports a transparent shield for protecting the lenses in the lens housing. A secondary annular retainer encircles the primary retainer and has an internal surface which seats on and is supported by the external surface of the primary retainer. The secondary retainer removably accommodates a second transparent shield forming a closure for the secondary retainer. The second retainer is axially, rotatably, and rockably adjustable relative to the primary retainer for minimizing the transmission of glare to the microscope.

Abstract: A sterile drape for enclosing an ophthalmoscopic lens housing projecting from a surgical microscope has a wall defining a chamber of such size as to accommodate the lens housing and supporting parts. The chamber communicates with a compartment in which the lens housing may be accommodated and supported in an appropriate position. The compartment has transparent plates at its opposite ends and the chamber wall adjacent the opening has a circular lens which may underlie a microscope. The compartment plates and the circular lens enable the image to be transmitted from a surgical site without distortion while maintaining a sterile environment at such site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for folding pliable sheet material wherein the sheet material is wound on a mandrel to form a roll which subsequently is stripped off the mandrel and transferred to a pleating station at which successive creases are formed in the roll to produce a pleated packet. During the winding of the sheet material the latter is adhered to the mandrel by the application of negative air pressure to the material via the mandrel. Following the formation of the roll, the application of negative air pressure is discontinued and positive air pressure is applied to the interior of the roll so as to facilitate stripping of the roll from the mandrel. At the pleating station the roll is creased successively to form a plurality of pleats and the direction in which the creasing proceeds is such as to facilitate the escape of air from the roll as it is pleated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for folding pliable sheet material wherein the sheet material is wound on a mandrel to form a roll which subsequently is stripped off the mandrel and transferred to a pleating station at which successive creases are formed in the roll to produce a pleated packet. During the winding of the sheet material the latter is adhered to the mandrel by the application of negative air pressure to the material via the mandrel. Following the formation of the roll, the application of negative air pressure is discontinued and positive air pressure is applied to the interior of the roll so as to facilitate stripping of the roll from the mandrel. At the pleating station the roll is creased successively to form a plurality of pleats and the direction in which the creasing proceeds is such as to facilitate the escape of air from the roll as it is pleated.

Abstract: Fluid collection apparatus comprises a body formed of flexible material defining a chamber divided by partitions into a plurality of compartments. One of the compartments is connected by an inlet to a source of fluid which, when admitted to such compartment, enables the body to erect from a collapsed condition to an erected condition. As fluid rises in the compartment to which it is admitted, it reaches the level of openings which permit fluid to flow from the inlet compartment into adjacent compartments, and thereby erect the entire body.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device which may be used to provide active forces necessary to substitute for decreased or absent muscle function in various joints of the body and to help bring deformed or spastic muscles and joints back to normal configuration. Since the device is made from relatively soft, resilient foam, the forces needed to provide assistance to various muscles are inherent within the device itself. The device contains a contoured cavity which is anatomically designed to simulate normal joint and muscle positions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device for immobilizing infants and young children during radiographic examination. The device consists of a cellular foam insert contoured with a cavity to partially envelop and restrain the child, restraining straps made from a foam and fabric combination, and a plastic base designed to support the foam insert and provide a fastening point for the restraining straps. All of the materials used in the device are radiolucent, thus showing no trace of shadows or foreign artifacts on radiographic film.