Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight apparatus and method is provided for removing coagulum and other debris from the tip of cautery blades and needles during use and for holding cautery blades and needles when not in use. The cleaner comprises a pad having a lower compressible portion and an upper fibrous abrasive portion which is mounted to a hard, non-compressible base. The apparatus can be attached to a surgical drape or other accessible surface to permit cleaning using only one hand to manipulate the cauterizing instrument. Cautery tips and other sharp surgical instruments are cleaned by plunging them into, and then withdrawing them from, the abrasive pad. The pad also provides a convenient structure for holding cautery tips and other sharp surgical instrument in a point down, base up configuration when the instruments are not in use.

Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight apparatus and method is provided for removing coagulum and other debris from the tip of cautery blades and needles during use. The cleaner comprises a pad having a lower compressible portion and an upper fibrous abrasive portion which is mounted to a non-compressible base. The apparatus can be attached to a surgical drape or other accessible surface to permit cleaning using only one hand to manipulate the cauterizing instrument. The upper abrasive portion contains one or more elongated slits each of which has opposing abrasive walls and an abrasive floor. Cautery blades are cleaned by pressing the edge of a blade down between two opposing walls and drawing the blade toward the opposite end of the elongated slit. Cautery needles are cleaned by pushing them into, and then withdrawing them from, the upper abrasive portion.