Abstract: A package is described for use with hypodermic needles that assures sterility of the needle prior to use and prevents inadvertent access to the needle after use. In a preferred embodiment a needle housing is hingedly attached to a base so that the housing may be moved from a first position covering the sterile needle to a second position exposing the needle for use to a third position covering the used needle. A hook like protrusion projects from the inside wall of the housing and is biased, in a non-engaging relationship, against the needle prior to use of the needle. When the housing is moved from the second to the third housing position the hook like protrusion engages the needle to prevent movement of the housing and further use of the needle.

Abstract: A series of wall units are provided, each including a pivoted, lockable panel and each including an upper opening in which the edges of a basket supporting the top surface of a thermoplastic liner. This top surface includes a convolved opening through which medical debris is collected onto a thick thermoplastic bottom insert, the liner being periodically removed from the basket and heated in the course of sterilization to melt the top and bottom surfaces around the debris.

Abstract: A shipping and storing support having recesses so constructed and arranged to ship and store selectively a plurality of articles having varying dimensions, the recesses having a plurality of internal contours for selectively receiving the articles to be retained therein by a frictional fit and wherein the plurality of internal contours of the recesses have substantially the same contour as a portion of the plurality of different sized articles adapted to be received frictionally in said recesses.

Abstract: A surgical instrument storage and transporting assembly which facilitates the sterilization, storage, protection, handling and presentment during surgery of a variety of surgical instruments and devices. An outer box-like enclosure having a removable top, contains a wire basket in which are placed a plurality of instrument carrying modules. The individual modules are provided with an instrument gripping member which positively, but releasably, holds the instruments in a first predetermined order and orientation when being stored in the box-like enclosure, but which permits placement of the instruments in the same order, but in a second orientation to facilitate the location and selection of given instruments during the course of a surgical procedure when the modules have been removed from the basket and placed on the surgical stand.

Abstract: Holding stand for surgical instruments which has a comb bar having receiving recesses for instrument shafts. To secure or release simultaneously all of the instrument shafts in the associated receiving recesses, a locking bar is allocated to the comb bar, which locking bar is arranged adjacent and parallel to the comb bar and can be moved relative to the comb bar in the longitudinal direction and, at each receiving recess of the comb bar, has a locking lug which, as a result of the displacement, can be pushed over the instrument shaft or removed from the latter, which instrument shaft is located in the receiving recess.

Abstract: A waste management system, including, a module forming a hollow cover having an open base and with the module including a passageway for receiving medical waste from the exterior to the interior. A disposable container is received within the open base of the module to have the container enclosed by the module. The module is locked in position on a wall mount which fully encloses the disposable container. A key plate is provided for disposition between the locking wall mount and the module to unlock the module from the wall mount and with the key plate locked across the open base of the module in substitution of the wall mount. A cart houses a large waste box and includes an opening into the interior of the cart for providing access to the waste box. The cart includes a cover structure disposed around the opening in the cart and with the cover structure including a cover plate over the opening.

Abstract: A disposable surgical implement collector wherein a lamination of sponge plastic is provided at intervals with a series of spaced ribs, the ribs and adjacent portions of the lamination being depressed at intervals to form clearly marked channels dividing the ribs into a series of embossments which are numbered; each embossment adapted to receive a surgical needle or other small disposable surgical instrument; the sponge plastic lamination being bonded to a relatively rigid lamination provided with fold lines so that the complementary sections of the needle collector thus formed may enclosed the surgical instruments for disposal; the collector being provided with means for maintaining the collector in a folded condition.In one embodiment, each rib is folded upon itself in opposite lateral direction to confront adjacent portions of the laminations.

Abstract: An illuminated surgical tray apparatus for the facilitated viewing and selection of thin fibrous surgical materials, such as sutures and related instruments, during a surgical procedure. The apparatus includes a light source, viewing lens and optically colored contrasting disclosure field or background for enhancing the visibility of the objects positioned within the interior of the apparatus. The surgical tray apparatus further possesses a substantially air, water and steam-tight, fireproof light construction, together with curved edges and corners to facilitate sterilization of the overall device and shrink wrapping thereof to maintain its sterilized nature.

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 kit for performing a medical procedure comprising, a procedure tray having a plurality of recesses to receive procedural components. The kit has a prepping tray having a plurality of recesses to receive prepping components, with the prepping tray being disposed in a side-by-side relationship with the procedure tray. The prepping tray has an outwardly directed upper transparent flange which is sufficiently large to cover the procedure tray.

Abstract: A suture organizer apparatus for use with sealed packets of surgical needles and sutures, opened packets for said needles and sutures, and used needles, the apparatus formed as a housing comprising three sections separated from each other by walls, with at least first and second compartments in each section, each compartment in said third section comprising walls defining a space with an opening and an absorbent material traversing said space, said material being impalable to cling to a needle impaled therein.

Abstract: A bag for containing articles to be sterilized is automatically sealed by means responsive to a sterilizing environment applied to the bag. One or more actuators are releasably attached to the bag to automatically close one or more valves at the appropriate point in a sterilizing cycle to result in a vacuumized sterile package.

Abstract: A surgical instrument tray has a base with a raised portion to support lever members of ring-handled surgical instruments. The base is formed to have an end portion angulating away from the base with slots formed therein sized to receive the ring handles attached to the lever members of the surgical instruments to hold the instruments in an upstanding manner. Apertures are positioned in opposite side members proximate the raised portion through which retaining members are positioned to hold the surgical instruments in the tray and to hold the working member portion of the surgical instrument separate to facilitate sterilization. The retaining members are arcuate in shape in order to apply a spring-like force to retain selectively surgical instruments in the tray and to selectively hold the lever member of the instrument apart so that the working members of the surgical instrument are separate.

Abstract: A vertically upright box-type outer enclosure includes a hinged, lockable front door permitting an upwardly open disposable jar container to be locked internally and aligned with a hole within the top of the box-type enclosure. A cylindrical drop chute fits to the hole and is barrel bolt locked in position with its lower end penetrating the top of the jar. The top of the drop chute carries a slotted needle remover plate, with the slot tapering such that a disposable sharp steel plastic needle holder frictionally fit to the lower end of a syringe barrel is inserted within the slot at its enlarged end, moved transversely within the slot such that the plastic needle holder is captured beneath the needle remover plate. The syringe body barrel is moved upwardly detaching the needle therefrom and permitting it to fall by gravity into the sharps impenetrable, jar type container. The door is periodically opened and the jar and accumulated needles removed.

Abstract: A container for medical waste products includes a receptacle and a closure member. The closure member is connected to a resiliently deformable member biasing the closure member to close the aperture to the receptacle. In one version the closure member is a cap guided by rails over the surface of the container and having a skeletal outer frame connected to the container which is distorted by opening of the aperture.There is also disclosed a device for rendering unusable a hypodermic syringe. The device may be provided as a removable insert for the container.

Abstract: This invention provides medical procedure packages comprising a pre-sterilized kit within an outer package wrap, the packages being so designed that all components of the package are sterilized using sterilization methods which are compatible with the chemical compositions of the components and their stability to such sterilization methods, and wherein the internal sterility of the package is maintained from final package sealing until the package is delivered to a sterile operating room environment.

Abstract: A container for holding sharp objects includes a bottle having a body and a rim extending upwardly from the body and defining an opening into the body. A cap is disposed upon the rim in abutting relationship to the rim near the bottom of rim. The rim and the cap define a detent relationship to hold the cap in irremovable relationship on the rim. A funnel made from a relatively soft and pliant material is disposed on the rim between the cap and the rim in sealed relationship with the cap and the rim. The funnel and the rim define a detent relationship to hold the funnel on the rim. The funnel is provided with a portion extending downwardly and inwardly into the opening in the rim at an angle to the rim. The inwardly extending portion is slitted to define a plurality of resilient leaves. The funnel abuts the rim and the cap along the side and top of the rim and the cap.

Abstract: A surgical instrument organizer for receiving a plurality of stacked instruments of the hinged type and for holding the instruments open, is characterized by a base, a pair of finger ring posts extending upwardly from the base for extension through respective finger rings of the instruments, a shaft separator extending upwardly from the base and between the shafts of the instruments and a tip separator also extending upwardly from the base and between jaws of the instrument. Upper ends of the finger ring posts and shaft separator may be fastened together to retain the instruments on the organizer and maintain the instruments, along with the tip separator, in an open condition. The organizer advantageously supports the instruments during sterilization thereof, with complete sterilization being assured since the instruments are held open, and a forward end and sides of the base extend outwardly of the instrument tips to protect the same against contact and damage.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing ear lobe holes for pierced earrings utilizes a string of absorbent material having attached thereto a firm tip. Both the string and the tip are maintained in a sealed envelope adjacent a pad of absorbent material saturated with an antiseptic fluid in contact with the string to saturate the string with the fluid. When it is desired to clean and sterilize the ear lobe hole, the package is opened and the string and tip are run through the ear lobe hole. The string both cleans the ear lobe hole and imparts the sterilizing fluid to the hole.

Abstract: A system for disposal of dangerous sharp articles and dangerous liquids, particularly those which represent the waste in certain medical procedures, includes an inner container and closure means and an outer wide mouthed, necked container whose receiving opening is closed against removal of material by a tapered, preferably conical insert which is divided into flaps and alternative covers, one to facilitate separation of syringe needles and thin barrels and the other to lock the outer container closed.

Abstract: A container for a plurality of surgical patties having a recess for receiving a number of surgical patties and a plurality of count slots for receiving locating strings attached to the patties so that each pattie may be readily counted by surgical personnel. Additional slots are provided so that the locating strings can be wound back across the pattie recess to hold the patties in the recess during shipping. Wetting fluid may be introduced into the recesses to wet the patties before they are used in the body. If a plurality of pattie recesses are used, channel recesses are provided to provide fluid communication between the pattie recesses to that wetting fluid may be distributed among the multiple recesses.

Abstract: A disposal system for syringe and needle combinations is provided. The system includes a container which is adapted to receive a lid having a flexible resilient one-way valve adapted to allow insertion of a syringe and/or needle, while preventing re-emergence of the syringe and/or the needle. The lid further includes a passive bending structure adapted to allow bending of the needle, to render the needle unusable, prior to insertion of the syringe and/or the needle into the disposal system container.

Abstract: A sterilizable support tray for medical instruments is disclosed comprising a block of sterilizable reticulated foam material having multiple parallel longitudinally-extending and laterally-extending slices which penetrate partially through the thickness of the foam block. In addition to a verticle component, at least one of the slices includes a horizontal component for defining a plane and creating a reduced cross-section partable web attaching multiple finger portions created by said slices to an unsliced base portion. The partable webs define a location and plane at which individual finger portions may be torn away from the base portion to define custom-shaped channels within which medical instruments may be positioned, stored, sterilized, and accounted for.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the safe disposal of used hypodermic needles. According to a preferred embodiment, a funnel-like member, adapted to be hand-held, functions to support a needle sheath during a needle-sheathing operation. The converging walls of such member shield the hand of the user from accidental "needle sticks". Also disclosed are needle containers which incorporate means for facilitating the sheathing of used needles prior to entering the container.

Abstract: A disposable receptacle for organizing and handling sponges contaminated during surgical procedures. The receptacle comprises a transparent bag and a pair of slightly inclined chutes from which a plurality of prongs extend generally upward. Projections which extend downwardly from the chutes are rigidly attached to inside portions of the bag so that it may be suspended between the chutes for visual observation of its contents. Each of the chutes is detachably mountable on one of the arms of a U-shaped bracket which projects horizontally from a display board. For counting purposes, only one soiled sponge is hung from each prong. Moreover, only an end portion of each soiled sponge is snagged on the prong so that the bulk of the sponge extends over the edge of the chute and downwardly into the bag. Once the prongs have been filled with sponges, the chutes are rotated into the bag. A closure tie for sealing the filled receptacle is attached to the outside of the bag.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle disposal system includes a portable disposable bottle having a cap assembly movable between an open position permitting used needles to be dropped into the bottle and a closed position locked against reopening. The cap assembly comprises a shim positioned over a bottle opening and a cap ring secured to the bottle in a position overlying the shim and rotatable between the open and closed positions, wherein the shim and cap ring have passages of predetermined shape formed off-center therein. In the open position, these off-center passages are aligned to permit dropping of used needles into the bottle which is shaped for controlled needle stacking for optimized numerical capacity. In the closed position, the off-center passages are moved out of alignment to close the bottle opening, and locking members on the cap ring and bottle are moved into locked engagement to prevent return cap ring movement toward the open position.

Abstract: A surgical blade remover for separating a surgical or scalpel blade from a handle or holder includes a single "vee" shaped slot or notch in a vertical standing plate for engaging the rear portion of the surgical blade upon the downward movement into the vee slot of the blade and the tang portion of the blade holder holding the blade, thereby wedging a portion of the blade against the sides of the vee forming the blade to be lifted off of the tang and ejected therefrom as the tang is moved further downwardly and withdrawn rearwardly out of the vee slot in a horizontal motion.

Abstract: A disposable container for used items of medical equipment such as hypodermic needles, has an entry chute in its upper wall and an internal self-closing door flap which will swing downwards to allow an object to enter and swing upwards under gravity to close the chute. When the container is full a locking probe is inserted through a hole in the top wall, where it is locked by barbs and presses down a lever attached to the door to hold the door positively closed without any risk of accidental opening.

Abstract: A portable dispenser and container apparatus for dental supplies and tools is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongated multicompartmented container having spaced transverse partitions which define a plurality of frontally open compartments for dental supplies and instruments. A horizontal top wall for the interior group of compartments is provided with a multiplicity of openings of various diameters for receiving the shanks of dental burs or other rod-like dental instruments. The end compartments are open at the top to provide easy access to various longer instruments and supplies as well as jars of dental treatment liquids. A hinged door is mounted over the opening to one of the compartments, the door serving to house a dental supply dispenser such as a cotton pellet dispenser. The apparatus may be semipermanently mounted on a dental office tray if desired. The present apparatus provides quick and convenient access to a wide variety of dental instruments and equipment.

Abstract: A sponge counter includes a plurality of connected transparent flexible expandable open-topped plastic sponge-receiving bags which are mounted on a support which in turn can be hung from the edge of a kick bucket or the like. The bags are positioned close to the mouth of the kick bucket to provide high visibility of sponges placed therein. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the bags are interconnected in accordian-like fashion and the bag support is slotted to slip down over the kick bucket rim so that the counter assembly and bags extend radially out from the bucket wall. The slot is oriented so that the hanging counter assembly is positioned horizontally. The assembly is collapsible for easy disposal.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling soiled surgical sponges is provided, where at least one or two arrays of pouches are formed along the length of a strip of thermoplastic material, where the pouches are oriented so as to be contiguous one to another at adjoining sides, or an adjoining top or bottom, or both. Each of the pouches may be provided with a flap to close the pouch, whereby the risk of contamination is reduced. The thermoplastic strip having the array of pouches is adapted for suspension along its top edge, and may thereby be associated with an operating room kick bucket directly, or indirectly, or with a holding frame, and also with a weighing scale, whereby soiled surgical sponges may be counted, weighed and disposed of with a minimum of handling.

Abstract: An organizer for a medical procedure comprising, a syringe having a hollow barrel, and an elongated cap releasably attached to a distal portion of the syringe. The organizer has a tray having an upper wall, and a syringe recess in the upper wall shaped to releasably receive a distal end of the cap with the syringe in an upright position.

Abstract: A disposable surgical instrument container has a foam block platform suitable for receiving portions of surgical instruments embedded therein and numeral indicia thereon to facilitate counting of such instruments, a magnetic strip to facilitate locating magnetic instruments thereon and a one piece sheet member having a plurality of panels divided by crease lines to facilitate folding of the panels into a folded vertically stacked configuration beneath the foam block platform to serve as a base for the platform and alternatively to be folded up about the platform in a container configuration for disposal of the platform and surgical instruments thereon. The foam block platform is of sufficient thickness to receive surgical instruments embedded therein and the panels are of sufficient width to extend upwardly over the platform when in folded up configuration to provide a surgical instrument containing chamber over an upper surface of the platform.

Abstract: A suture and surgical accessory rack includes a frame and bag-like disposable member supported in an upright manner on the frame. The bag-like member has a generally vertically-disposed front panel having secured thereto a multiplicity of first pockets, each configured and dimensioned for partial receipt therein of a suture-containing package, a needle count board including at least one numbered row to which used needles may be secured, and a surgical tie holder including a generally, horizontally-disposed wall member projecting outwardly from the front panel having a multiplicity of parallel, vertically-extending slits formed therein in which surgical ties may be individually inserted. The rack is intended for use by nurses during surgical procedures and it affords easy and facile access to various surgical accessories, monitors the number of needles and blades used and allows easy disposal in a safe manner.

Abstract: A parenteral needle receptacle including a base, a case releasably mounted on the base, and a block releasably retained therebetween. The case includes an opening through which needles can be inserted into the block. In the preferred embodiment, magnets are secured within or on the base so that the receptacle can be mounted on a ferrous surface. An alternative embodiment of the receptacle includes a small, single-use case, a needle-receiving block positioned therein, and two-sided adhesive tape secured to the case so that the case can be mounted on an object.

Abstract: A novel dental kit is provided which contains all of the necessary implements, instruments, medicaments and supplies for performing root canal therapy. The kit comprises a housing having a pair of spaced rails for supporting a plurality of hand held dental instruments in an openly accessible position. In addition, a plurality of holder assemblies are mounted to the housing and each holder assembly contains a single type of tooth working implements and maintains them in an openly accessible position. Preferably two reservoirs are formed in the housing, one for holding a sterile liquid, such as alcohol and the other for holding an irrigatory fluid. A pump is also mounted to the housing for pumping the sterile fluid to either an accessory or a main well.

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 device for storing sterile instruments and memorizing the count thereof. A main frame includes a plurality of juxtaposed boots, individually and selectively rotatable from open to closed positions. Each open boot stores the handle of an instrument and a rotatable cover plate is locked into position overlaying open and closed boots to apply holding contact pressure against instrument handles inserted in open boots. The number of open boots indicates the number of instruments selected to be stored by the device.

Abstract: Package for dispensing nipple markers for use in X-ray technology comprising a roll of base tape having successive pads releasably adhered thereto, each pad containing a lead disc for placing over the nipple of an X-ray patient. The roll is contained in a surrounding package and dispensable through a slit therein. The tape is severable to remove the pads for use.

Abstract: This plate for packaging dental root-canal instruments comprises a support formed with recesses adapted to receive the instruments and a protection cover which is a slide fit on the plate. The recesses consist of parallel elongated cavities extending at a short distance from, and at right angles to a longitudinal edge of the support, and comprise each an extension in the form of a neck towards the opposite longitudinal edge. The support also comprises a flat central area somewhat recessed in relation to the bottoms of the necks in order to facilitate the gripping of the instruments' shanks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage container for pre-sterilized surgical implements. The container is comprised of a bottom assembly containing at least one cavity for receiving a surgical implement such as a drill bit, pin or wire and a lid portion which is heat sealed onto the bottom assembly such that it acts as a sterile barrier in containing the product.The invention utilizes a plurality of areas spaced apart longitudinally in the cavity for selectively placing protective plugs at each end of the implement such that one packaging cavity may be used for various lengths of implements. The protective plugs prevent the implement from penetrating the ends of the cavity which would break the sterile barrier.

Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of a holder for receiving contaminated sutures, needles, sharps and other surgical instruments used during surgical operations, a reusable holder to enable an accurate method of counting the needles used during the surgery is disclosed. The holder includes a tray, a numbered adhesive strip mounted on the tray for receiving the sutures, needles and sharps and a gathering block for pressing the adhesive strip and the surgical instruments retained thereby into an accordion-like, fan-folded package for disposal. The holder is autoclavable and may be sterilized along with the other surgical instruments in the hospital autoclave. A retractable work surface which may be used in conjunction with the holder is also disclosed. The work surface is provided with a magnetic strip for organizing sutures, needles, sharps and other surgical instruments thereon.

Abstract: A case for disposing surgical blades includes an integral portion for removing the blade from a handle. The conventional blade has a key slot for receiving a inserted portion on the handle, which slides in the slot and passes through a wider portion of the slot permitting the blade to be removed from the inserted portion and handle. The blade has an edge at the rear of the slot for engaging a rear face of the inserted portion. Retaining members on the bottom wall of the case hold removed blades. The blade removing portion has a guide integral with the case for guiding the handle and its associated blade therethrough. The guide includes a slot deeper than the handle for receiving the handle and for permitting the handle to move downward. The guide also includes a shoulder positionable under the blade for supporting the rear of the blade.

Abstract: A receptacle for used expendable hypodermic needles and syringes is disclosed. The receptacle includes a container having baffles as an upper closure, there being two baffles having openings off-set from each other so that items within the container will not be contacted by a person depositing another item into the container. One of the baffles can be moved to a closed position in which it closes the openings to seal off the container, and a tab locks the baffle in the closed position.

Abstract: Apparatus for enumerative display and disposal of surgical sponges comprising a circular one piece molded plastic article adapted to be fit over the rim of a standard surgical kick bucket and a bag placed in the kick bucket. The article bears a predetermined number of notches in its upper portion for display of sponges draped over the notches, so that when each notch bears a sponge, the number of used sponges on the article is known. The article contains a number of other features including a circumferential fluid receiving portion, shoulder portions, and a tapered annular channel portion to receive a bucket handle, and tapered projections in the notch portions to improve retaining engagement of the sponges. The article is designed to be nestable for easy packaging, sterilizable, inexpensive, and disposable.

Abstract: An inexpensive, disposable tray for anesthesiological use is formed with a central compartment for receiving the patient's head, preferably on a supporting cushion, and arrangements of compartments and recesses on opposite sides of the central compartment to hold specific instruments and medications used during anesthesia in an ordered array according to the sequence in which such articles are employed. The tray is dimensioned to fit across the end of an operating table. Projections along one edge support a suction tube and a manometer.

Abstract: A holder for retaining sutures, needles and other surgical products used during surgical operations, with one form of the holder being made from sheet material and having intermediate portions folded over adjacent intermediate portions thereof to form a plurality of pockets which are adapted to receive and retain the sutures and needles. Such holder is provided with one or more detachable blocks of resilient material having indicia thereon for assisting in counting the needles carried by the blocks. The holder may be provided with a foldable easel stand. Another embodiment consists of a block of polyfoam material divided into first and second sections, with the first section having on the top wall thereof a decal with indicia thereon and with the second section having in the top wall thereof parallel slots for receiving surgical sutures, needles, etc. to hold them securely and conveniently in place.

Abstract: A stand for instruments of metal for use in the field of medicine, particularly odontology, comprising a body composed of a large number of sheets of a liquid impregnatable paper material. The sheets are arranged vertically close together so that the instruments are insertable by their operating ends between the sheets to be retained there during the sterilizing process and are thus stored easily accessible for subsequent clinical work. The sheets of paper are impregnated with a corrosion inhibitor to protect the instruments at least during a sterilizing process.

Abstract: A surgical instrument rack useful for holding, carrying, organizing, and counting a plurality of ringhandled surgical instruments. The rack is formed of autoclavable polymeric material and includes two movable or separable members which coact with each other and with the surgical instruments to secure such instruments against release in parallel side-by-side relation with the handles and jaws (or blades) of such instruments separated slightly to facilitate sterilization of their surfaces. The structural relationship of parts responsible for the retention and automatic camming of the instruments into such slightly open positions is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved medical device container and method of manufacture thereof, wherein the container is adapted to be opened manually and dispense the contents onto a sterile field without the need of manual contact. The container is a thermally formed blister package and features a tray having at least one depression which is sized and shaped to receive a sterile medical appliance, and a pliable backing sheet having at least one flexible insert affixed thereto. The backing sheet is bonded to the periphery of the tray, and the insert engages the medical device and urges it into firm contact with a portion of the depression to secure the device therein. The backing sheet is adapted to be manually peeled away from the tray and thereby pull the flexible insert out of the depression so that the medical device may fall freely onto a sterile location without the need for manual contact.