Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing and containing a blade from a round scalpel handle comprising a sharps container having a wall portion that defines one side of a containment volume; a slot of a first type having a length and width dimensioned to receive a blade mounted around scalpel handle and prevent its rotation, the slot of the first type formed through the wall portion of the sharps container which slot allows rotation of the handle so the blade becomes disengaged from the handle and disposed in the containment volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing and containing a blade from a round scalpel handle comprising a sharps container having a wall portion that defines one side of a containment volume; a slot of a first type having a length and width dimensioned to receive a blade mounted around scalpel handle and prevent its rotation, the slot of the first type formed through the wall portion of the sharps container which slot allows rotation of the handle so the blade becomes disengaged from the handle and disposed in the containment volume.

Abstract: A scalpel handle includes a sliding shield to block the blade tip or surround the blade when the scalpel is not in use. The shield is advantageously slidable from an extended position to a withdrawn position, wherein the shield is substantially within the handle. Consequently, the user's hand grasps only onto the handle, and not the shield. This helps to provide a more solid feel, similar to a conventional scalpel handle. When in the withdrawn position, the shield avoids interfering with cutting or puncturing blade movements.

Abstract: A flag for labeling drugs or medications provided in a medication cup, for use in the operating room, has a cup section with an adhesive back surface peelably attached to a backing sheet. A flag section is attached to the cup section of the flag at a bend line. A flag strip also having an adhesive back surface is supplied on the backing sheet. Multiple flags of different colors are preferably provided in a kit. A flag is attached to each cup. The flag section is labeled with a marker or a preprinted label, to indicate the content of the cup. The flag section is folded down so that it partially overlies the open top end of the cup. The syringe strip is adhered to a syringe used to draw medication out of the cup for administration to the patient. The flag and syringe strip provide a visual link or connection between each syringe and the contents of each cup. The risk of administering the wrong drug to a patient is reduced.

Abstract: A transfer tray for safely holding and passing surgical instruments. The tray has ribs which provide grasping openings. Protrusions project inwardly, to hold the instrument away from the tray sidewalls. This allows the instrument to be easily picked up. Finger recesses are formed on the bottom of the tray to allow the tray to be easily grasped and held from below. The tray sidewalls surround the instrument held in the tray and shield the sharp edges or point of the instrument, helping to avoid blade/needle stick accidents during surgery. An adhesive or magnetic strip or element on the bottom of the tray may be used to hold the tray to a surgical drape or other surface. An extendible transfer tray has a first section telescopically engaged to a second section, allowing the tray to be extended to a desired length.

Abstract: A flag for labeling drugs or medications provided in a medication cup, for use in the operating room, has a cup section with an adhesive back surface peelably attached to a backing sheet. A flag section is attached to the cup section of the flag at a bend line. A flag strip also having an adhesive back surface is supplied on the backing sheet. Multiple flags of different colors are preferably provided in a kit. A flag is attached to each cup. The flag section is labeled with a marker or a preprinted label, to indicate the content of the cup. The flag section is folded down so that it partially overlies the open top end of the cup. The syringe strip is adhered to a syringe used to draw medication out of the cup for administration to the patient. The flag and syringe strip provide a visual link or connection between each syringe and the contents of each cup. The risk of administering the wrong drug to a patient is reduced.

Abstract: A flag for labeling medications provided in a medication cup, for use in the sterile field operating room, has a cup section with an adhesive back surface peelably attached to a backing sheet. A flag section is attached to the cup section of the flag at a bend line. A flag strip also having an adhesive back surface is supplied on the backing sheet. Multiple flags of different colors are preferably provided in a kit. A flag is attached to each cup. The flag section is labeled with a marker or a preprinted label, to indicate the content of the cup. The flag section is folded down so that it partially overlies the open top end of the cup. The syringe strip is adhered to a syringe used to draw medication out of the cup for administration to the patient. The flag and syringe strip provide a visual link or connection between each syringe and the contents of each cup. The risk of administering the wrong medication to a patient during surgery is reduced.

Abstract: A flag for labeling drugs or medications provided in a medication cup, for use in the operating room, has a cup section with an adhesive back surface peelably attached to a backing sheet. A flag section is attached to the cup section of the flag at a bend line. A flag strip also having an adhesive back surface is supplied on the backing sheet. Multiple flags of different colors are preferably provided in a kit. A flag is attached to each cup. The flag section is labeled with a marker or a preprinted label, to indicate the content of the cup. The flag section is folded down so that it partially overlies the open top end of the cup. The syringe strip is adhered to a syringe used to draw medication out of the cup for administration to the patient. The flag and syringe strip provide a visual link or connection between each syringe and the contents of each cup. The risk of administering the wrong drug to a patient is reduced.

Abstract: A disposable scalpel has a blade attached to a handle. The scalpel is weighted, so that although it is disposable, it has a weight similar to the weight of a conventional, nondisposable metal scalpel. The scalpel may be weighted by one or more solid metal slugs within the handle, by particles of weight material within the handle, or by manufacturing the handle including weight materials, such as molded plastics including weighted filler, such as a metal powder. A shield assembly is slidable within the handle from an extended position, where the shield blocks access to the blade, to a retracted position, where the shield is substantially within the handle, and the blade is fully exposed. A locking mechanism locks the shield into the extended and retracted positions.

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 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: A medical instrument holder and sharps disposal device is disclosed wherein a pair of plastic container body halves are provided to be manipulated between opened and closed positions by associated hinge means and a mechanical lock. A medical instrument rest in the form of a one piece molded plastic insert is provided on one of the body halves for positioning medical instruments thereon when the container is in its open position. A cushion of reticulated foam material is provided to receive and envelope the tips of sharps associated with the instruments laid upon the rest. Sharps removal means are provided for assisting in the release of medical instrument sharps from the associated medical instruments. A magnetic means is also provided within one of the container body halves for receiving and holding such removed sharps to facilitate the counting a subsequent disposal thereof within the container when a medical operation has been completed and the sharps and container are to be discarded.

Abstract: A sterilizable multi-part handle for attachment to a handle receiving fitting of a hospital surgery room light fixture is made of light weight, inexpensive molded plastic parts which are disposable after use, the handle including a handle body having a body grip portion and a threaded head portion to engage the fixture fitting and a disc separate from the handle which is provided with a central aperture via which the disc is assembled to the handle in a snap on fit connection between the handle body and disc. The exemplary connecting means includes a plurality of detents provided on the inner periphery of the disc aperture which snap into and seat within a disc receiving groove provided in the handle body head portion adjacent a disc seating flange against which the disc seats when the handle is turned into tight engagement with the associated light fixture fitting.