Abstract: A disposable sterile cover for a contoured handle of a surgical lighting fixture, which is formed from a thin-walled flexible material and shaped to match the configuration of the contoured handle. The sterile disposable cover is fitted around the contoured handle in order to prevent the hands of surgical personnel from directly touching the handle when moving and/or focusing the lighting fixture during surgery. The cover includes a flange portion and an elongated, cylindrically-shaped, hollow grip portion. The grip portion has a plurality of elongated expandable channels formed therein, which facilitate fitting the cover over the contoured handle. The disposable cover may be used with contoured handles having different configurations. In an alternative embodiment, a length of tape, having pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto, is attached to the disposable cover, and may be wrapped around the cover for the purpose of securing the cover to the handle.

Abstract: A novel manufacturing technique for strengthening integrally molded handles on a membranous or thin-film article against tearing, by integrally molding the peripheries of the handles and adjacent rim regions of the article in a mold which provides a three-dimensional curvilinear pre-bias against the stress-pattern engendered by lifting of masses carried by the article.

Abstract: A terrestrial wall mounted medical waste disposal container having a flexibly pivoted top closure lid is shown. The container includes a lid mount which is fitted in a sealing manner upon the top of the container, and a flexible lid which is attached to the lid mount. The lid mount has a recessed top face which abuts and slopes toward an entrance aperture in the top face of the mount. The flexible lid is divided into two portions by a living hinge. The larger and outer portion of the lid is pivotable along the hinge. In the lid's extreme opened position it lies flat on the recessed top face of the lid mount and so also slopes toward the entrance aperture; in this maximally extended position the lid's outer edge comes sufficiently close to the wall that it is impossible to deposit a waste item accidentally behind the lid or the container.

Abstract: A pad cover for a Wilson Spinal Surgery Frame includes a first section spaced apart from a second section, and joined to the second section by a bridge. The first and second sections are foam rubber and substantially rectangular. The pad cover is preferably attached to the Wilson Frame using Velcro hook and loop tape. The pad cover may be provided in a kit which also includes a kneeling pad and attachment tape strips. The pad cover increases patient comfort by cushioning the patient's torso and by avoiding having the patient rest on tape or other uncomfortable surfaces.

Abstract: A safety catheter includes a pivoted cam and gripping wheel within a housing. As the catheter needle is withdrawn from the catheter the needle point is captured and locked within the housing, reducing the risk of needlestick injuries. When locked, the cam prevents the needle tip from being pushed out of the bottom of the housing, and the gripping wheel prevents the needle from being pulled out of the top of the housing. The sharp needle point is automatically covered and safely contained in the housing as it is withdrawn from the catheter.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel has a retractable sleeve. An elongated handle with a contoured grip portion is releasably attached to a blade holder securing a surgical blade. The blade holder is secured to the handle by a hook and groove assembly and a male to female connection. The sleeve slides between an extended position and a retracted position on the handle and blade holder. The extended position of the sleeve covers the blade thereby protecting operating room personnel. An arch on the sleeve contacts the hook and disengages the hook out of the groove to facilitate removal of the blade holder.

Abstract: A novel manufacturing technique for strengthening integrally molded handles on a membranous or thin-film article against tearing, by integrally molding the peripheries of the handles and adjacent rim regions of the article in a mold which provides a three-dimensional curvilinear pre-bias against the stress-pattern engendered by lifting of masses carried by the article.

Abstract: A lighting fixture handle and adapter assembly for attaching a handle to a lighting fixture. The handle includes an elongate member and a shield having a central portion and two hinged side portions movable between a folded position and a use position in which the side portions are substantially aligned with the sides of the central portion. At least one of the handle and adapter includes a biasing element for biasing the shield in such a manner that side portions arranged in the folded position will be repositioned to the use position when the handle and the adapter are secured to one another.

Abstract: A terrestrial wall mounted medical waste disposal container having a flexibly pivoted top closure lid is shown. The container includes a lid mount which is fitted in a sealing manner upon the top of the container, and a flexible lid which is attached to the lid mount. The lid mount has a recessed top face which abuts and slopes toward an entrance aperture in the top face of the mount. The flexible lid is divided into two portions by a living hinge. The larger and outer portion of the lid is pivotable along the hinge. In the lid's extreme opened position it lies flat on the recessed top face of the lid mount and so also slopes toward the entrance aperture; in this maximally extended position the lid's outer edge comes sufficiently close to the wall that it is impossible to deposit a waste item accidentally behind the lid or the container.

Abstract: A body, which may have a tubular or dome-like shape with an open top and bottom, has a wall with one or more elongated slots extending along the wall from the top toward the bottom. A cauterizer blade may be drawn through a slot in any suitable orientation to wipe debris from the blade. A mounting, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, may be used to attach the body to a surgical drape. A slot may have two parallel inner edges for wiping or scraping the cauterizer blade. The distance between the inner edges defines the slot width, which should be approximately equal to the width of the cauterizer blade to be cleaned. The sides of the slot may be beveled to form chisel-like inner edges that enhance the wiping action. At the top of the body the slot may also have a "V"-shaped notch to guide the cauterizer blade into the slot. The adhesive sheet may be attached to the open bottom of the dome-shaped body.

Abstract: A disposable sterile cover for a contoured handle of a surgical lighting fixture, which is formed from a thin-walled flexible material and shaped to match the configuration of the contoured handle. The sterile disposable cover is fitted around the contoured handle in order to prevent the hands of surgical personnel from directly touching the handle when moving and/or focusing the lighting fixture during surgery. The cover includes a flange portion and an elongated, cylindrically-shaped, hollow grip portion. The grip portion has a plurality of elongated expandable channels formed therein, which facilitate fitting the cover over the contoured handle. The disposable cover may be used with contoured handles having different configurations. In an alternative embodiment, a length of tape, having pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto, is attached to the disposable cover, and may be wrapped around the cover for the purpose of securing the cover to the handle.

Abstract: A disposable sterile cover for a contoured handle of surgical lighting fixture, which is formed from a thin-walled flexible material and shaped to match the configuration of the contoured handle. The sterile disposable cover is fitted around the contoured handle in order to prevent the hands of surgical personnel from directly touching the handle when moving and/or focusing the lighting fixture during surgery. The cover includes a flange portion and an elongated, cylindrically-shaped, hollow grip portion. The grip portion has a plurality of elongated expandable channels formed therein, which facilitate fitting the cover over the contoured handle. The disposable cover may be used with contoured handles having different configurations. In an alternative embodiment, a length of tape, having pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto, is attached to the disposable cover, and may be wrapped around the cover for the purpose of securing the cover to the handle.

Abstract: Apparatus for safely and conveniently removing a blade from a surgical scalpel, and for disposing of used blades. The preferred embodiment includes an aperture through which the blade may be inserted into a container. The aperture is defined by parallel guide walls. A first and second shoulder project from one guide wall, and a third shoulder projects from the other guide wall. An angled blade deflector is disposed in the interior of the container, behind the aperture. Insertion of the scalpel blade into the aperture and against the angled blade deflector pushes the blade against the first and second shoulders, which causes the blade to deform and separate slightly from the handle and to engage the third shoulder. This third shoulder holds the rear of the blade within the aperture, so that manual withdrawal of the handle from the aperture detaches the blade from the handle, leaving the detached blade within the container for easy disposal.

Abstract: A surgical instrument sharp end foil for receiving and trapping the free end of a surgical instruments sharp such as a syringe needle, said sharp having a restrained end opposite said free end and a longitudinal axis extending between said restrained and free ends, said foil comprising a housing having a sharps receiving portion, a gripping element for engaging the free end of the chosen sharp, a wedging element for engaging the gripping element, and a biasing element for urging the wedging element and the gripping element into engagement.

Abstract: A container lid for a medical storage-disposal container including a slide closure resistant to inadvertent movement from an open position into a fully closed and locked position. The container lid includes a top cover defining a disposal aperture and a laterally oriented depression. The slide closure contains a descending flange configured to engage the top cover depression and lock the slide closure in a fully closed position. An obstructing tab is pivotally coupled to the top cover and projects into the disposal aperture. The slide closure can only be moved into a fully closed and locked position if the obstructing tab is rotated into a non-obstructing orientation. The slide closure further includes protrusions on opposing lateral sides to require application of an affirmative force in order to displace the slide closure from a fully opened position.

Abstract: An easily assembled system for handling surgical instruments includes as components (a) a waterproof container sized to fit into a ring of a conventional surgical ring-stand; (b) a waterproof expandable wrap sized to fit over such a ring prior to insertion of the container; and (c) a flexible, pliant, porous cradle, with handles, sized to fit into the container. The floor of the cradle is porous with respect to the sterile solution used to fill the container-cradle combination and into which bloodied surgical instruments are deposited. The cradle facilitates removal of the instruments by containing them when it is lifted out of the container, during which the now murky solution drains completely out of the cradle and into the container. The handles may be strengthened against tearing by three-dimensional curvilinear molding which pre-biases the handles and adjacent portions of the rim against the stress-pattern engendered by lifting significant masses of solids and undrained liquids.

Abstract: A surgical instrument tip protector includes a flexible sheath having an open end into which the tip of a surgical instrument may be inserted. The interior surfaces of the sheath include longitudinal channels and ribs to permit the flow of steam or gases over the tip portion of the instrument, for sterilization, while the tip protector is in place. The inner surfaces of the tip protector are in frictional contact with the instrument tip portion, to prevent the tip protector from inadvertently coming off of the instrument tip. The tip protector has a substantially closed cap end including a small aperture.

Abstract: A cartridge for an implement is described for holding the implement and for permitting access by a tool to which the implement is to be mounted, the cartridge comprising a housing and a releasable block for inhibiting the implement from moving in a rearward direction out of the housing. In a specific embodiment, the cartridge is a scalpel arming cartridge for holding a scalpel blade wherein the releasable block is a rearward releasable block for inhibiting the blade from moving in a rearward direction and out of the housing.