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.

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: Apparatus and method of locating and/or counting one or more surgical articles, wherein the surgical article may comprise a surgical sponge comprising a counting element and/or detecting element. The counting element and/or detecting element may comprise an RFID tag encapsulated in a housing or pouch that is coupled to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may further comprise unique identification and/or location information relative to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may be coupled to the sponge at an attachment position and/or oriented on the surgical sponge relative to a defined set of reference lines. The attachment position and/or orientation of the RFID tag on the surgical sponge may be configured to improve the accuracy of scanning the RFID tag. A plurality of surgical articles (i.e. surgical sponges) comprising RFID tags may be packaged or bundled via a strap or within a container.

Abstract: A height-adjustable bucket or height-adjustable stand is adapted to carry a medical object. The bucket includes a receptacle for carrying the medical object, a base, and a support member coupled to the base. The bucket also includes a carrier movably coupled to the support member and for supporting the receptacle and a lifting member slidably coupled to the carrier and configured to move between a raised position and a lowered position. The lifting member includes a first end portion comprising a handle and a second end portion, and a retainer selectively coupling the carrier to the support member and configured to selectively retain the carrier in the relatively high position. The lifting member is configured to be in the lowered position when the carrier is in the relatively high position and when the carrier is in the relatively low position.

Abstract: System and method of managing one or more surgical articles, wherein the surgical article can include a surgical sponge comprising an identification element, and wherein managing can include counting, locating, or both. The identification element can be a RFID tag. The RFID tag stores unique identification information relative to the surgical sponge. The system and method for detecting RFID tags may include a hand-held RFID reader operable in a first count-in mode and in a second count-out mode; the hand-held RFID reader may be receivable in a cradle that can determine the presence of the hand-held RFID reader in the cradle; and where operation of the hand-held RFID reader in the second count-out mode is enabled when the hand-held RFID reader is present in the cradle and the second count-out mode is disabled when the hand-held RFID reader is absent from the cradle.

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: System and method of managing one or more surgical articles, wherein the surgical article can include a surgical sponge comprising an identification element, and wherein managing can include counting, locating, or both. The identification element can be a RFID tag. The RFID tag stores unique identification information relative to the surgical sponge. The system and method for detecting RFID tags may include varying the power level of the RFID interrogator to improve the accuracy of scanning the RFID tag or tags. A plurality of the RFID-tagged surgical articles (i.e., surgical sponges) may be packaged or bundled via a strap or within a container.

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. An engagement feature is moved to be disengaged from the receiver body, and the receiver body is moved away from the fixed surface to disengage the locking assembly from the cover. The cover is decoupled from the cover retention feature, and coupled with the receiver body to seal the pharmaceutical waste material. The locking assembly may be removed from a lock passageway for disposal of the waste receiver.

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: A pharmaceutical waste system for treating a residual pharmaceutical composition disposed in a pharmaceutical dispenser includes an extraction stage, a pharmaceutical dispenser coupler, and a pharmaceutical waste treatment stage. The extraction stage is in fluid communication with the pharmaceutical dispenser and is configured to extract at least a portion of the residual pharmaceutical composition from the pharmaceutical dispenser. The pharmaceutical dispenser coupler is configured to couple the pharmaceutical dispenser to the extraction stage. The pharmaceutical waste treatment stage is in fluid communication with the extraction stage and is configured to change the residual pharmaceutical waste composition extracted from the pharmaceutical dispenser in one of a chemical and physical manner. The present disclosure also provides a method of disposing of a residual pharmaceutical composition from a pharmaceutical dispenser.

Abstract: A personal protection system (30,178,290) including a helmet (32,180) to which a garment (102,236) is mounted. The helmet (32,180) includes an electrically powered assembly such as a fan (92,266,268,272). At least one button (120,134,262,264) for regulating operation of the electrically powered assembly (92,266,268,272) is mounted to the face shield (110,240) of the garment (102,236). The helmet (32,180) includes a detector (85) that is connected to and monitors the state of the button (120,134,262,264). When the button (120,134,262,264) is depressed, the detector (85) sends a signal to a controller (88) that regulates the actuation of the electrically powered assembly. The controller (88) then sets the operating state of the assembly (92,266,268,272) so that the assembly (92,266,268,272) operates in the state desired by the individual wearing the personal protection system (30,178,290) based on the depression of the control button (120,134,262,264).

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 surgical helmet system and a method of regulating the system. The system including a helmet and garment. The helmet comprising a module, a sensor, and a control processor. The control processor in communication with the module and the sensor, and is configured to selectively energize the module based on an input from the sensor. The garment comprises a face shield and is configured to be removably secured to the helmet so that the face shield is positioned forward of the helmet. The method comprises a measuring a temperature and selectively energizing the module based on the measured temperature. The method may further comprise selectively energizing the module for a time period that is proportional to a difference between a measured temperature and a desired temperature.

Abstract: A head unit system (24) for a head (22) of a user (20), including a headpiece (26) for being worn over the head (22) with a support structure (28) shaped to be worn over the head (22). A shield mount (30) attached to the support structure (28) is arranged for supporting a face shield (32) adjacent to the head (22). A headpiece connector (34) is attached to the support structure (28) and has a headpiece contact (36) configured for electrical connection. First and second peripheral devices are provided for being secured to the headpiece (26) for concurrent movement, and each respectively has a device connector (40) with a device contact (42) configured for electrical connection.

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 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. An engagement feature is moved to be disengaged from the receiver body, and the receiver body is moved away from the fixed surface to disengage the locking assembly from the cover. The cover is decoupled from the cover retention feature, and coupled with the receiver body to seal the pharmaceutical waste material. The locking assembly may be removed from a lock passageway for disposal of the waste receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of locating and/or counting one or more surgical articles, wherein the surgical article may comprise a surgical sponge comprising a counting element and/or detecting element. The counting element and/or detecting element may comprise an RFID tag encapsulated in a housing or pouch that is coupled to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may further comprise unique identification and/or location information relative to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may be coupled to the sponge at an attachment position and/or oriented on the surgical sponge relative to a defined set of reference lines. The attachment position and/or orientation of the RFID tag on the surgical sponge may be configured to improve the accuracy of scanning the RFID tag. A plurality of surgical articles (i.e. surgical sponges) comprising RFID tags may be packaged or bundled via a strap or within a container.