Abstract: Quantifying blood loss with a medical waste collection system. A removable cartridge forms a fluid path with a cartridge receiver, and defines a detection window that is optically clear. The cartridge may include a spine extending from a head and including opposing sides that are optically clear. A sensor module includes emitters and sensors configured to detect an optical characteristic of the waste fluid. A controller may determine the volume of blood loss based on blood concentration and volume of collected waste fluid. A sensor housing may be removably coupled to the spine of the cartridge. The cartridge may define a fluid reservoir, and include an actuator for drawing the waste fluid into the fluid reservoir. A tank may define the fluid reservoir. The waste fluid may be recirculated through a removable manifold. Methods of arranging and operating the medical waste collection system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cassette for collecting a tissue sample. The cassette includes a housing configured to be removably coupled with a manifold receiver of a medical fluid collection system. The housing defines a first void space, a second void space, and an outlet opening. A catch tray is removably positionable within the first void space and includes a screen defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample. A filter element separate from the catch tray is disposed within the second void space. The housing may include a cap portion defining the first void space, and a shell portion coupled to the cap portion and defining the second void space. The cassette may be simultaneously operable in a tissue collection mode in which fluid is suctioned across the catch tray to collect the tissue sample, and a bypass mode in which the fluid is not suctioned across the catch tray.

Abstract: A waste disposal system with a waste receiver for receiving pharmaceutical waste material. A locking assembly is secured to a fixed surface and actuated from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. A lock cylinder of the locking assembly may extend forward of a front wall of a receiver body of the waste receiver to engage a locking feature of the cover in the locked configuration. A cover retention feature may prevent axial decoupling of the cover from the receiver body. The receiver body may be formed from two shells. A reaction agent is positioned within the container volume and spaced apart from a bottom wall of the receiver body. The reaction agent may be positioned within the container volume between the lock passageway and/or a solid receiver volume, and opposing sidewalls of the receiver body. A support may maintain the position of the reaction agent within the container volume.

Abstract: A waste disposal system (30) with a waste receiver (32) for receiving pharmaceutical waste material. A locking assembly (34) is secured to a fixed surface and actuated from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. A lock cylinder of the locking assembly may extend forward of a front wall (44) of a receiver body (36) of the waste receiver to engage a locking feature of a cover (82) in the locked configuration. A cover retention feature (124) may prevent axial decoupling of the cover from the receiver body. The receiver body may be formed from two shells (62,64). A reaction agent (150) is positioned within the container volume and spaced apart from a bottom wall of the receiver body. The reaction agent may be positioned within the container volume between the lock passageway (94) and/or a solid receiver volume, and opposing sidewalls of the receiver body. A support may maintain the position of the reaction agent within the container volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing surgical sponges. A dispenser assembly coupled to a main support includes an internal or first storage location to removably receive a carton of sponge sorters, and an external or second storage location to removably support a carton of surgical draping. At least one arm may be supported on the housing and movable between an undeployed position and a deployed position. The arm may include weighing means to measure a weight of the surgical sponge being disposed in a sponge sorter supported by the arm. The arm may be a cantilever and abeam load cell may be disposed within a channel of a beam. A processor may determine fluid weight based on measured weight and dry weight correlated with the surgical sponge being counted out as detected with a data reader. The processor may estimate blood loss to be displayed on a display.

Abstract: A head unit system for a head of a user, including a headpiece including a support structure shaped to be worn over the head. The headpiece including a shield mount arranged for supporting a face shield adjacent to the head of the user. A headpiece connector having a headpiece contact disposed on the headpiece and configured for electrical connection. A peripheral device capable of removable attachment to the headpiece for concurrent movement, the peripheral device having a device connector with a device contact configured for electrical connection. The device connector and the headpiece connector configured to cooperate to releasably attach the peripheral device to the headpiece in a secured configuration with the respective headpiece contact and the device contact abutting in the secured configuration so as to facilitate electrical connection between the headpiece and the peripheral device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing surgical sponges. A dispenser assembly coupled to a main support includes an internal or first storage location to removably receive a carton of sponge sorters, and an external or second storage location to removably support a carton of surgical draping. At least one arm may be supported on the housing and movable between an undeployed position and a deployed position. The arm may include weighing means to measure a weight of the surgical sponge being disposed in a sponge sorter supported by the arm. The arm may be a cantilever and abeam load cell may be disposed within a channel of a beam. A processor may determine fluid weight based on measured weight and dry weight correlated with the surgical sponge being counted out as detected with a data reader. The processor may estimate blood loss to be displayed on a display.

Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. The helmet has a chin bar that extends forward of the face of the individual wearing the system. At least one manually actuated control for regulating one aspect of operation of the system is mounted to the chin bar. Sometimes the control is a button that is depressed to control the operation of a helmet mounted fan that draws air into the hood or toga. A microphone may also be mounted to the chin bar.

Abstract: A cassette for collecting a tissue sample. The cassette includes a housing configured to be removably coupled with a manifold receiver of a medical fluid collection system. The housing defines a first void space, a second void space, and an outlet opening. A catch tray is removably positionable within the first void space and includes a screen defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample. A filter element separate from the catch tray is disposed within the second void space. The housing may include a cap portion defining the first void space, and a shell portion coupled to the cap portion and defining the second void space. The cassette may be simultaneously operable in a tissue collection mode in which fluid is suctioned across the catch tray to collect the tissue sample, and a bypass mode in which the fluid is not suctioned across the catch tray.

Abstract: A head unit system for a head of a user, including a headpiece including a support structure shaped to be worn over the head. A shield mount attached to the support structure is arranged for supporting a face shield adjacent to the head. A headpiece connector is attached to the support structure and has a headpiece contact configured for electrical connection. A peripheral device provided for being secured to the headpiece for concurrent movement, the peripheral device having a device connector with a device contact configured for electrical connection. The device connector and the headpiece connector cooperate to releasably attach the peripheral device to the headpiece in a secured configuration with the respective headpiece contact and the device contact abutting in the secured configuration so as to facilitate electrical connection between the headpiece and the peripheral device.

Abstract: A waste disposal system for receiving pharmaceutical waste material including at least one of a solid phase pharmaceutical waste material and a liquid phase pharmaceutical waste material is provided. The waste receiver includes a receiver body defining an opening. The waster receiver further includes an inner surface defining a container volume in fluid communication with the opening, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The outer surface defines a lock passageway separate from the opening. The system further includes a bracket adapted to be secured to a fixed surface and a locking assembly coupled to the bracket and adapted to releasably secure the waste receiver to the fixed surface. The locking assembly includes a lock housing sized to be removably positioned at least partially within the lock passageway.

Abstract: A surgical protection system to define a barrier between the user and the external environment. The surgical protection system comprising a helmet assembly, a hood and a transparent face shield. The helmet including a shell, a face frame coupled to the shell, a static tab, a first fastener disposed on the face frame; and a fan mounted to the shell and configured to circulate air about the user. The hood may include a first material defining an opening. The shield may be formed from flexible material and disposed within the opening of the hood. The shield may further include a tab extending from a top portion of the shield and define an opening configured to receive the static tab of the helmet to align the shield to the helmet. The first fastener disposed on the face frame may be configured to facilitate removable attachment of the shield to the helmet.

Abstract: Quantifying blood loss with a medical waste collection system including a receiver with which a manifold is removably coupled. The manifold and/or the medical waste collection system is coupled with a fluid characterization module having a sensor assembly to detect a characteristic indicative of a blood concentration within fluid. The sensor assembly may include emitters, and sensors to detect light transmitted and scattered by the fluid in a suction path or a detection window. A first emitter may be a visible-light LED, and a second emitter an infrared LED. A fluid director may provide a tortuous path within the manifold and facilitate separation of gas and liquid within the fluid. Quantifying the blood loss volume may include determining the blood concentration within the fluid, and determining a volume of the collected fluid. Gain of the sensors may be adjusted based on the transmissivity of the collected fluid.

Abstract: A waste receiver for receiving pharmaceutical waste material and adapted to be releasably secured to a fixed surface is disclosed. The waste receiver comprises a receiver body with a fluid absorber and a chemical composition disposed within the receiver body. The receiver body defines an opening for receiving the pharmaceutical waste material and comprises an inner surface defining a container volume in fluid communication with the opening, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface with the outer surface defining a lock passageway through the receiver body and a keyway comprising a portion of the lock passageway. The lock passageway is adapted to receive a locking assembly and the keyway is adapted to receive an engagement feature of the locking assembly to releasably secure the waste receiver to the locking assembly in a single orientation. The waste receiver also comprises a cover adapted to be coupled with the receiver body.

Abstract: A collapsible detection antenna to detect electromagnetic tags of surgical articles in an operating room includes an antenna assembly configured to detect the electromagnetic tags. The antenna assembly is configured to move between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the antenna assembly forms an antenna loop configured to detect the electromagnetic tags. The antenna assembly has a greater detection range in the deployed configuration than in the collapsed configuration. The deployed configuration corresponds to a tuned shape of the antenna assembly sufficient to detect the electromagnetic tags in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A surgical protection system to define a barrier between the user and the external environment. The surgical protection system comprising a helmet assembly, a hood and a transparent face shield. The helmet including a shell, a face frame coupled to the shell, a static tab, a first fastener disposed on the face frame; and a fan mounted to the shell and configured to circulate air about the user. The hood may include a first material defining an opening. The shield may be formed from flexible material and disposed within the opening of the hood. The shield may further include a tab extending from a top portion of the shield and define an opening configured to receive the static tab of the helmet to align the shield to the helmet. The first fastener disposed on the face frame may be configured to facilitate removable attachment of the shield to the helmet.

Abstract: A collapsible detection antenna (10) to detect electromagnetic tags (12) of surgical articles (14) in an operating room (16) includes an antenna assembly (18) configured to detect the electromagnetic tags (12). The antenna assembly (18) is configured to move between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the antenna assembly forms an antenna loop (20) configured to detect the electromagnetic tags (12). The antenna assembly (18) has a greater detection range in the deployed configuration than in the collapsed configuration. The deployed configuration corresponds to a tuned shape of the antenna assembly (18) sufficient to detect the electromagnetic tags (12) in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system may include a head unit over which surgical garment such as a hood or a toga may be suspended over. The surgical garment may include a sterile material and a shield configured to be disposed in front of the wearers face when disposed over the head unit. The shield may comprise an anti-reflective coating configured to reduce the glare observed by the individual through said shield. The head unit may comprises a light assembly that is disposed on the wearers side of the surgical garment, and an inner surface of said surgical garment may comprise a light reflective material configured to reduce the amount of light emitted from said light assembly that is reflected back toward the individual.

Abstract: A height-adjustable kick bucket is disclosed. The kick bucket includes a receptacle, a base having one or more wheels, a support member that is extendable between a first length and a second length such that a height of the receptacle is adjustable between a minimum height and a maximum height, and a pedal movable between a first position when the receptacle is at a maximum height of the receptacle and a second position when the receptacle is at a minimum height. Additionally, a distance between the minimum height and the maximum height of the receptacle is at least twice as large as the pedal stroke.