Abstract: A retainer and method of producing a retainer which cooperates with either a magnetic or non-magnetic surgical drape to hold instruments during surgical operations. A rectangular tray includes a wall which extends from the periphery of a base portion. The polypropylene base portion is thermally bonded to a thermoplastic rubber retainer to sandwich magnetic elements therebetween. The magnetic elements are magnetically attracted to a magnetic drape and thereby secure the retainer in any orientation with respect to the drape. The method including vacuum forming a thermoplastic shell over a tray configured mold to sandwich a magnetic element between the thermoplastic shell and a retainer.

Abstract: A retainer and method of producing a retainer which cooperates with either a magnetic or non-magnetic surgical drape to hold instruments during surgical operations. A rectangular tray includes a wall which extends from the periphery of a base portion. The polypropylene base portion is thermally bonded to a thermoplastic rubber retainer to sandwich magnetic elements therebetween. The magnetic elements are magnetically attracted to a magnetic drape and thereby secure the retainer in any orientation with respect to the drape. The method including vacuum forming a thermoplastic shell over a tray configured mold to sandwich a magnetic element between the thermoplastic shell and a retainer.

Abstract: A reusable, flexible surgical drape which is laid over a patient adjacent the surgical field and which retains surgical instruments thereon to facilitate access to the instruments. A plurality of magnets are embedded in the drape so as to retain magnetizable instruments placed on the drape by means of magnetic force. A non-magnetized portion is provided in the center of the drape for storage of non-magnetizable instruments. A plurality of filaments extend upwardly from the nonmagnetic portion and aid in retaining the instruments in place. To prevent instruments from falling off the drape, the periphery of the drape is deformable to a non-planar orientation. A reusable pouch in which additional instruments are stored is removably secured to the drape. Ribs are provided on the interior of the pouch to maintain the walls of the pouch in a spaced relationship, and perforations are provided through the walls to permit sterilization of the pouch in an autoclave.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular case having an open end is removably secured to a vertical post which forms part of the frame surrounding a vehicle windshield. A substantially opaque shade is formed from a series of hexagonal cells which are collapsible to that the shade can be folded into a compact shape within the case. One edge of the shade is secured to the interior of the case, and the other edge of the shade is attached to a cover plate which encloses the open end of the case when the shade is folded. The shade is opened to an expanded position by drawing the cover plate across the windshield so that the shade extends through the open end of the case. The cover plate is removably attached to a post on the opposite end of the windshield, and maintains the shade in a position to block sunlight from entering the windshield.

Abstract: A control lever for an automobile which is used to replace original equipment levers without requiring the removal of the dashboard. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a fork-shaped insert member slidable within a lever body, the insert having a pair of tines which are passed through a slot in the dashboard to engage a rotor plate behind the dashboard. By passing a screw through the lever body and threading it into the insert member from the front of the dashboard, the lever body and insert members are drawn together to clamp onto the rotor plate, securing the lever in place. Lateral movement of the lever within the slot will rotate the rotor plate, in order to select a desired function. Also disclosed is a method of replacing a climate control lever without removing the dashboard.

Abstract: A surgical instrument container has a top and bottom whose opposing surfaces are bordered by sidewalls and articulately connected to form an enclosed box. A planar substrate having upper and lower surfaces adapted to receive surgical instruments is pivotally mounted between the top and bottom. When the box is open, the substrate can be pivoted between the top and bottom to provide easy access to both upper and lower substrate surfaces. The substrate is positioned within the sidewalls of the top and bottom surfaces to effect enclosure of the substrate when the box is closed and thereby prevent retained surgical instruments from protruding through or falling out of the box. The substrate may be a porous foam or magnetic material or combination of each. The box may be mechanically or magnetically latched. The box may be composed of transparent material to permit visual inspection of the retained instruments when the box is closed.

Abstract: A disposable collector for surgical implements which utilizes a pair of sponge plastic pads movable between a coplanar position to receive surgical implements, such as semicircular-shaped surgical needles and a folded position with their peripheral or frame portions in mutual contact to form an enclosure having depressed areas defining rows and columns of implement receiving elements, bordered by areas of depressions.In one embodiment the implement receiving elements are completely surrounded by depressed portions; in another embodiment a pair of crescent-shaped depressed portions extend in opposite directions from the implement receiving elements.

Abstract: A medical tube holder and its method of use are disclosed. The holder has a backing element having front and back faces, a portion of the back face having means to adhere to a substrate. The element has an elongate elastic strip having a free end and an end attached to the element suitable for wrapping around tubing to form a loop within which the tubing is held. Members possessing a mutual magnetic attraction are mounted on the front surface of the element for mutual engagement when the element is folded. After the tube is positioned within the loop, the free end of the strip is pulled to tighten the loop and is then positioned between the magnetic members. When the element is folded, the strip is held between the magnetic members to lock the tube within the loop.

Abstract: A surgical blade remover is disclosed wherein a surgical blade is easily and effectively removed from the tang of a handle. The device is provided with two members which are spaced to form a channel sized to permit the tang to be positioned between them while the blade rests on the upper surfaces of the members. The channel between the members at their lower portions widens to permit the handle to enter the channel sufficiently that the heel of the blade can abut a projection which extends upward from each surface of the members. The handle enters this widened lower portion of the channel while the blade rests against the upper surfaces of the members thereby releasing the heel of the blade from the tang. The blade can then be removed from the handle by pulling the handle out of the channel because the projections prevent the blade from moving with the handle.

Abstract: A surgical instrument tip protector has a cushioned foam base member for receiving a surgical instrument positioned thereon and a cover member which overlies a lower portion of said base and is peripherally bonded to said base to form an open-ended pocket to protect the instrument tip. The cover is a single integrally formed material comprising a foam portion which is essentially opaque and a non-porous portion which is essentially transparent located to permit the visual inspection of said instrument tip. The cover is formed by providing a single piece of foam and applying heat and pressure to a predetermined area to form the non-porous transparent portion.

Abstract: A surgical blade remover is disclosed having an essentially wedge-shaped support member which tapers from its front side to its back side. The support has one or more mutually parallel latitudinal slots open at one end and along their length extending from the front side of the support into its interior. The slots are sized to receive the tang of the blade holder while preventing the blade itself from passing therethrough. The surface of the support member bordering each slot is covered with an adhesive which holds the blade in place as the blade holder is pivoted downward in the slot away from the blade. When the hilt of the blade becomes detached from the holder, as a result of this pivoting action, the holder is withdrawn from the slot. The blade remains affixed to the adhesive on the support and is retained for its disposal.

Abstract: A cleaner for cauterizing implements, involving a mounting member one side of which is adapted to be secured by pressure sensitive adhesive to a surgical towel or drape and the other side being provided with upstanding parallel backing strips between which is a pair of mutually adhering flat magnet elements. The magnet elements and backing strips are covered by an abrasive material so that a cauterizing knife or forcep may be inserted between the magnet elements or wiped against the exposed surfaces.

Abstract: A receiver for disposable surgical implements, principally surgical needles, including a pair of foldably connected pads, each having a penetrable top lamination and a penetration resisting bottom lamination. The top lamination of one embodiment is provided with a coating which is essentially non-adhesive when exposed to receive surgical implements to permit placement and penetration therein of the top lamination only as well as subsequent removal; but which is co-adhesive with the coating on the other pad, when the two pads are folded into mutual pressure contact, thereby to secure surgical implements between the pads for disposal. In another embodiment, an adhesive coating is applied on one pad and is initially covered while the other pad is used to receive and removably retain surgical implements; the cover being removed and the adhesive coated pad pressed over the other pad and the surgical implements thereon to permit disposal.