Abstract: Natural or synthetic rubber surgical elements such as tubing, catheters, drains and gloves are "lubricated" so as to prevent sticking during storage, and permit easier emplacement, such as putting on the gloves by a surgeon or nurse, by applying to the surface of the rubber elementA finely divided biodegradable powder consisting essentially ofAn enzymatically degradable form of poly(N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) selected from the group consisting ofPoly[N-acetyl-6-O-(carboxymethyl)-D-glucosamine],Poly[N-acetyl-6-O-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-D-glucosamine],Poly[N-acetyl-6-O-(ethyl)-D-glucosamine], andPoly(N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) itselfThis powder is readily absorbed by living tissue without deleterious tissue reaction, thus minimizing tissue reaction from the transfer of the powder from the element such as a glove to internal sites in a subject. The gloves may be packaged in a strippable laminate package. The polymers are derived from chitin.

Abstract: A surgical suture label having a cut needle cover is disclosed which permits direct dispensing of the suture. An envelope having a tearing notch and a tear angle guideline across the face of the envelope is also disclosed. When the envelope is torn from the tear notch along the guideline, the suture in the label is exposed for direct dispensing.

Abstract: An instrument tray and basin for use in soaking, rinsing, and draining urological instruments and other instruments prior to use, and for supporting such instruments during transit and storage. The plastic tray is generally rectangular and compartmented, and has openings or perforations through its bottom wall. The basin is substantially deeper than the tray which it receives and is dimensioned so that when the tray is oriented in one direction it may rest on the bottom of the basin, with the soak solution in the basin covering all of the instruments carried by the tray, and when oriented in a second position at right angles to the first it may be suspended by the basin with the tray's apertured bottom wall above the liquid level. Support shoulders are provided for suspending the tray in its second position, and stop means limit the extent of relative lateral movement of the tray in either of its positions.

Abstract: Sterilizing apparatus and method for dental and surgical tools. A main sterilizing chamber is provided with a cover having heating means and capsule-supporting means, which may comprise a plurality of removable trays, each one of which has a capsule-supporting basket. A plurality of tool-holding capsules are removably mounted in the capsule-supporting means and a normally solid petroleum product that is liquid at sterilizing temperatures surrounds and covers the capsules. The same kind of material is within each capsule in contact with the tool. The capsules are hermetically sealed by removable closures, and they include a tool-support structure inside. The tools are placed in the capsules and the capsules into the container, usually by means of the trays and basket, and then the sterilizer is heated for the necessary time at the necessary temperature to obtain sterilization, the heat acting through the medium of the normally solid petroleum product.

Abstract: Sterilant package including a polyacetal, which contains oxymethylene groups and stabilizing groups therefor, such as oxyethylene groups, which has been irradiated to effect chain cleavage, without depolymerization, whereby upon subsequent heating, the polyacetal is depolymerized with increased release of formaldehyde sterilizing gas.

Abstract: The combination of an intrauterine device and a package therefor, said package having an elongated strip of material, means on the strip for supporting the device and an identification record detachably secured to said strip.

Abstract: A prosthetic device is packaged for surgical use by detachably coupling a support to the device, cleaning substantially all of the foreign material from the device, and encapsulating the thusly cleaned device in an openable capsule with the support extending therethrough. The encapsulated device and support attached thereto are further encased in a bag or other like protective device and this packaged assembly is further encased in a box. Sterilization of the whole is effected by means of radiation. In use, the bagged device is subsequently removed from the box and delivered to an operating room or other antiseptic environment whereat the bag is removed and the device handled by means of the support attached thereto. A solution containing, for example, heparin and an antibiotic is injected into the capsule for treating the prosthetic device. Afterwards, the capsule is opened and the prosthetic device is juxtaposed to an installation zone by means of the support.

Abstract: A holder for a urological or other similar telescope having in its preferred embodiment a solid, plastic, rectangular body with cushioned ends, a lifting handle at one end, a lengthwise instrument recess shaped to hold the telescope, and retaining fingers pivotally mounted on the upper surface of the holder body, the retaining fingers pivoting to open and close the instrument recess.In the alternate embodiment, instead of retaining fingers, a transversely sliding retainer block is used. The block has an angled slot which aligns with the top of the instrument recess in the open position and aligns with the bottom of the recess in the closed position.

Abstract: A cap is provided for telescoping over the puncturable seal of a medicament vial and particularly a unit dose medicament vial. The cap includes a center outwardly projecting tubular extension including outer end circumferentially spaced inwardly projecting abutments. A needle structure including a generally cylindrical body is slidingly received within the tubular extension of the cap and includes a diametrically reduced sharpened tubular needle extension on its inner end opposing and for piercing the puncturable seal of the associated vial upon movement of the needle structure inwardly of the tubular extension or mounting portion of the cap.

Abstract: A container for surgical instruments or other articles has a body. One end of the body is closed by a cap. A sealing band seals the cap and the body together in a sterile manner. A welded sealing area is formed by welding together overlying portions of the band whereby a visible blemished area is produced when the seal at the welded area is broken.

Abstract: A package for sterilizing implements at a remote time and location is provided which package is formed of at least two compartments separated by a thin semi-permeable wall. The first compartment is provided to receive an implement to be sterilized therein with the second sealed compartment being provided with a substrate having a thermally-activated or releasable sterilizing gas bonded thereto. Upon release, the sterilizing gas permeates the thin semi-permeable wall to effect sterilization of the implement.

Abstract: The safety cap of the present invention is for use with a medicament vial having a puncturable seal. The cap includes a cylindrical extension provided with a shape-retentive but slightly expandable cylindrical body slidable therein having a diametrically reduced sharpened tubular needle extension on its inner end for piercing the seal. The body includes first and second portions of slightly different diameters, with the portion of smaller diameter outermost, and an inwardly tapering center portion, thus defining two shoulders for cooperating with an inwardly projecting lip on the outer end of the cylindrical extension to resiliently resist inward movement of the body and to prevent outward withdrawal of the body after it has been pressed inwardly to puncture the seal.

Abstract: A disposable cauterizing (electro-surgical) instrument (pencil) is packaged in sterile condition in a sealed envelope. The instrument has a reversible electrode having a narrow needle at one end and a broad flat blade at the other. The handle has an electrical connector consisting of two flat leaves which will accept either end of the electrode and establish electrical contact therewith, the opposite end extending out of the handle in working position. The holder has a sheath which receives the electrode and handle and has a flange which has two slits for attachment of the instrument cord to the holder, a hole to hang, clamp or pin the tab to a drape or other available support and electrode cleaners of two types. One type cleaner is an upstanding boss formed with a V-shaped notch. The other cleaner is a broad tab surface hinged to the flange formed with serrations or abrasive surface.