Abstract: In a surgical procedure absorbent pads, such as sterile gauze lap pads and sponges are used to absorb blood and other fluids. It is vital that none of the pads be left in the patient after the operation. To account for each pad and be certain none are left in the patient, each pad is marked with unique human readable alphanumeric character, for example each pad in its face is printed with one number from the numbers 1,2,3 . . . 10 or more. Similarly a container has pockets, each pocket being sealed on its top and two sides and with its top open. The surface of each pocket is marked with a alphanumeric human readable character, matching the characters on the pads. During ,or after the operation, each used pad is placed in its matching pocket i.e. pad “6” is placed in pocket “6”. A visual inspection reveals if any used pad is not in its matching packet which may indicate the pad has been incorrectly retained within the patient's body.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel has a flat blade, which may have a cutting or severing edge, and an elongated ergonomic handle having distal and proximal ends and an imaginary central axis. In one preferred embodiment, of a disposable (one use) scalpel the blade is embedded in a molded plastic resin handle. The handle has a generally triangle shape in cross-section with the top face being slightly curved. The handle, near its distal end, has an enlarged finger pressure section having an indentation at its top face adapted for a finger pad to apply pressure to the scalpel handle.