Abstract: An umbilical cord blood extractor broadly includes means for receiving the cord, means for squeezing the cord, and preferably means for collecting the blood from the cord. In a preferred embodiment, the umbilical cord blood extractor includes a lower tray for receiving the cord and an upper lid for squeezing the cord, each having a hinged end and a free end. The lower tray and upper lid are connected by a live hinge at their respective hinged ends. The lower tray is further provided with a longitudinal trough and a distal blood reservoir for collecting blood. The trough is closed at its proximal end and opens into the reservoir at its distal end. The lower tray is preferably provided with lateral longitudinal legs which preferably taper in height. A blood collection needle is preferably provided in the lower tray at a lower portion of the reservoir.

Abstract: A containment tray includes a contoured cradle having a floor surface and a drain portion, an entrance portion, a support portion situated between the entrance portion and the cradle, a raised rim, and a lower rim. The raised rim is provided around the cradle and support portion and provides splash protection from the fluids which drain into the cradle and a surface upon which a physician may stably rest his hands when performing surgery on a head or other body appendage held within the cradle. The lower rim provides stability for the containment tray as it rests on a surface. One preferred aspect of the containment tray is that the containment tray is made from a substantially transparent material, thereby not inhibiting the ability of a physician to view a wound or surgical site. Another preferred aspect is that the cradle is sloped toward the drain portion to facilitate drainage. A non-permeable closed cell foam may also be provided on the floor surface of the cradle.

Abstract: A microsurgical scalpel assembly including an elongate scalpel handle and a scalpel blade affixed at one end of the scalpel handle and a shield releasably affixed to the one end of the scalpel handle and extending away from the handle to operably surround the scalpel blade to isolate sharp surfaces of the scalpel blade from a surgeon and to protect the blade from damage during a re-sterilization autoclave procedure.

Abstract: A suture needle holder includes a hollow holder portion which is preferably molded from a clear plastic, and a base portion coupled to a lower portion of the holder portion. A lower side of the base portion is provided with an adhesive. The holder portion is provided with at least one needle park which can be integrally molded with the holder portion. The holder portion also includes an opening through which used suture needles can be disposed into the hollow holder portion. The surgeon is able to see into the clear holder portion and make an accurate count of how many suture needles have been used. The adhesive on the base member enables the holder to be positioned on the surgical drape and prevents unintentional movement of the holder, and further facilitates single-handed use of the holder. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow holder portion is shaped like a hexagonal frustum and includes a needle park on each of its six sloped faces.

Abstract: A collection tray for use in pelvic procedures includes a single piece molded plastic tray having a planar portion, a basin portion, and a live hinge therebetween. The basin portion is preferably provided with a central drain which is adapted to be coupled to a vacuum line. The basin portion is preferably provided with one or more clip structures for holding an irrigation fluid tube so that irrigation fluid may be easily directed toward the site of the procedure. The tray is preferably manufactured by vacuum forming techniques and the outer edge of the basin portion is preferably rolled down to provide a smooth edge and enhanced structural support. A kit containing the tray includes a fluid collection system and an irrigation system having an articulatable nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method which detects breaks and irregularities in a sealing arrangement, especially in heat-sealed, sterile packages by providing a standardized verification bar on the package adjacent a color coded sealing area. The verification bar may indicate examples of a proper seal, an underseal, and an overseal, as well as common seal problems such as bubbles, hairline voids and regular coextensive voids. The package which is especially useful as a sterilization pouch can be visually inspected both by the user of the package contents just prior to use and by the vendor of articles in the packages post assembly of the article into the sealed and sterilized package.

Abstract: An ophthalmic instrument for removing foreign objects from an ocular surface includes a multi-purpose tool head attached at an angle to the end of a handle. The generally flat tool head includes a main body and an upwardly angled distal tip. A pair of side scoops are arranged on the sides of the main body, and an omnidirectional plane is arranged between the side scoops. A V-shaped notch with a sharply beveled front edge is arranged on one side of the main body. The upturned distal tip is usable for prying out partially embedded objects. The V-shaped notch is usable for securely engaging both sides of an object and gently rocking it loose. The side scoops and the plane are usable for scooping or rocking loose objects. A graduated scale is provided on the tool head for measuring the size of the foreign objects. Accordingly, the present ophthalmic instrument provides several tools for removing foreign objects of different sizes, shapes, and consistencies.

Abstract: An infant identification and security system includes an umbilical cord clamp for being attached to the umbilical cord of an infant, a wristband for being worn on the infant's mother, a pair of information storage modules attached to the clamp and wristband, and a compatible terminal for reading and writing information to the storage modules. The modules contain distinctive identification information that is readable only by the terminal, and only after a predetermined password is entered into the terminal. A person wishing to carry the infant from a maternity ward is given permission to do so only after the identification information in her module is checked by hospital personnel for correspondence with the information in the infant's module. A pair of triggering elements are attached to the umbilical cord clamp for triggering a compatible alarm system when the infant is taken from the maternity ward.

Abstract: A handle sleeve for facilitating the use of ophthalmic and micro-surgical instruments such as scalpels includes a flexible tube which can be removably attached to the instrument handle. The sleeve preferably has a knurling pattern or a plurality of ridges disposed on its outside surface, to improve traction and tactile feel. The sleeve provides a superior gripping surface and significantly reduces the force necessary for the surgeon to maintain dynamic control of the instrument during surgical procedures, and also reduces stress associated with repetitive movement injury and cumulative trauma disorder.

Abstract: A scalpel includes a circular blade rotatably attached to one end of a handle. A circular depth guard having a diameter smaller than that of the blade is rigidly and coaxially connected thereto. The depth guard includes tractional knurls arranged around a rim thereof. Pressing the blade into a piece of tissue causes penetration thereinto until the depth guard engages the tissue. Pulling the scalpel along the tissue causes the depth guard to roll along thereon and rotate the blade, which makes a cut with a rolling motion that minimizes tissue adhesion and dragging for a smooth and even incision. The depth guard ensures that the blade cuts at a precisely known and perfectly even depth. The tractional knurls ensure reliable rotation of the depth guard and the blade even on wet and slippery tissue. In a second embodiment, a rotary depth guard is attached to a fixed blade. In both a third and a fourth embodiment, a circular rotary blade and a circular rotary depth guard are eccentrically mounted.