Abstract: Systems and methods for managing surgical sponges. A dispenser assembly coupled to a main support includes an internal or first storage location to removably receive a carton of sponge sorters, and an external or second storage location to removably support a carton of surgical draping. At least one arm may be supported on the housing and movable between an undeployed position and a deployed position. The arm may include weighing means to measure a weight of the surgical sponge being disposed in a sponge sorter supported by the arm. The arm may be a cantilever and abeam load cell may be disposed within a channel of a beam. A processor may determine fluid weight based on measured weight and dry weight correlated with the surgical sponge being counted out as detected with a data reader. The processor may estimate blood loss to be displayed on a display.

Abstract: In order to mold structural components where a resin is introduced into a mold containing a fibrous preform 24, the mold or tool halves 10, 12 are made as shells and have individually controllable heating circuits 34, 38, 52 around the mold surface. Different parts of the mold can therefore be held at different temperatures in order to ensure adequate resin flow to wet the whole of the preform.