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 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 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: The present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical waste system for treating a residual pharmaceutical composition disposed in a pharmaceutical dispenser. The pharmaceutical waste system 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 for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. A microphone, an amplifier and a speaker are mounted to the helmet. Speech of the individual wearing the personal protection system is picked up by the microphone and amplified speech is broadcast by the speaker. The speaker is outwardly directed so as to broadcast the speech out through the hood or toga covering the helmet.

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: An exemplary method for managing surgical sponges in an operating room during a surgical procedure is provided. The method includes providing a first surgical sponge and a second surgical sponge. The first surgical sponge includes a first optically-scannable element, a first human-readable element, and a first detecting element, which includes a first set of unique identification information. The second surgical sponge includes a second optically-scannable element, a second human-readable element, and a second detecting element, which include a second set of unique identification information. The first and second sets of unique identification information are different from one another. The method further includes counting-in the first and second surgical sponges by optically-scanning.

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 is provided for creating a sterile barrier between a user and an external environment. The personal protection system includes a head unit having a ventilation unit with a fan for distributing air to the user. The personal protection system also provides a protective covering draped over the head unit. The protective covering includes a flaccid shroud and a transparent face shield mounted to the flaccid shroud. The face shield is mounted to the head unit using a plurality of mounting elements. The face shield is mounted such that a top portion of the face shield has a larger radius of curvature when mounted that a bottom portion of the face shield. This reduces the glare directed toward the user. A control panel for the ventilation unit is also provided on a chin bar of the head unit for easy access by the user.

Abstract: A personal protection system is provided for creating a sterile barrier between a user and an external environment. The personal protection system includes a head unit having a ventilation unit with a fan for distributing air to the user. The personal protection system also provides a protective covering draped over the head unit. The protective covering includes a flaccid shroud and a transparent face shield mounted to the flaccid shroud. The face shield is mounted to the head unit using a plurality of mounting elements. The face shield is mounted such that a top portion of the face shield has a larger radius of curvature when mounted that a bottom portion of the face shield. This reduces the glare directed toward the user. A control panel for the ventilation unit is also provided on a chin bar of the head unit for easy access by the user.