US3630202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for handling surgical sponges
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-10-03
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1989-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A system for handling surgical sponges in order to assure removal of those used during a surgical operation without the necessity of counting includes a line such as a flexible thin steel or nylon wire to which a plurality of sponges are serially coupled. A portion of the line is at all times held exterior to the incision, the sponges themselves being captive on the line. Sufficient line slack is available to permit a surgeon to utilize and manipulate the sponges within the incision without separation of the sponges from the line. Removal of all of the sponges used in the surgery is assured by tracing the location of the sponges from the exterior portion of the line and removing them with the line prior to closure.
Inventors
- 👤 Sidney Robert Small
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/44; A61F15/00; A61F15/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of handling surgical sponges in order to assure removal of all those used during a surgical operation without the necessity of counting, comprising the steps of: a. holding the two end portions of a line on which the sponges have been serially coupled for sliding movement on said line, exterior of the surgical incision at all times; b. providing sufficient slack in said line to permit utilization of sponges witHin the incision without any uncoupling of the sponges from the line; and c. withdrawing all of the sponges in the incision on the line by tracing from the line exterior of said incision the location of each sponge prior to closure of said incision.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of handling surgical sponges in order to assure removal of all those used during a surgical operation without the necessity of counting, comprising the steps of: a. holding the two end portions of a line on which the sponges have been serially coupled for sliding movement on said line, exterior of the surgical incision at all times; b. providing sufficient slack in said line to permit utilization of sponges witHin the incision without any uncoupling of the sponges from the line; and c. withdrawing all of the sponges in the incision on the line by tracing from the line exterior of said incision the location of each sponge prior to closure of said incision.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
136 words
A means for facilitating the handling of surgical sponges in order to assure removal of all those used in an operation without the necessity of counting, comprising: a. a line; b. a plurality of surgical sponges serially coupled for sliding movement on said line in a manner to prevent separation from said line; and c. means for retaining at least one end portion of said line exterior of a surgical incision during an operation and means for retaining the sponges on the other end portion, said line having sufficient slack to permit manipulation of the sponges thereon within said incision whereby the location of all sponges may be traced from the one end portion of said line exterior of said incision and removed to thereby assure removal of all sponges from said incision prior to closure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
136 words
A means for facilitating the handling of surgical sponges in order to assure removal of all those used in an operation without the necessity of counting, comprising: a. a line; b. a plurality of surgical sponges serially coupled for sliding movement on said line in a manner to prevent separation from said line; and c. means for retaining at least one end portion of said line exterior of a surgical incision during an operation and means for retaining the sponges on the other end portion, said line having sufficient slack to permit manipulation of the sponges thereon within said incision whereby the location of all sponges may be traced from the one end portion of said line exterior of said incision and removed to thereby assure removal of all sponges from said incision prior to closure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
the other end of said line being anchored to said cover so that said sponges are captured on said line, d. said line having sufficient slack that said cover may be removed and thereafter sponges successively removed from said container and manipulated in a surgical incision, with said container and cover remaining exterior of said incision, whereby all sponges may be retrieved from said incision by tracing their location from the anchored ends of said line before closure of said incision.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
the other end of said line being anchored to said cover so that said sponges are captured on said line, d. said line having sufficient slack that said cover may be removed and thereafter sponges successively removed from said container and manipulated in a surgical incision, with said container and cover remaining exterior of said incision, whereby all sponges may be retrieved from said incision by tracing their location from the anchored ends of said line before closure of said incision.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A packaging means for facilitating the handling of surgical sponges in order to assure removal of all those used in an operation without the necessity of counting, comprising: a. a container having a cover; b. a plurality of surgical sponges in said container; and, c. a line in said container passing through each of said sponges so that said sponges are serially coupled to said line,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A packaging means for facilitating the handling of surgical sponges in order to assure removal of all those used in an operation without the necessity of counting, comprising: a. a container having a cover; b. a plurality of surgical sponges in said container; and, c. a line in said container passing through each of said sponges so that said sponges are serially coupled to said line,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The subject matter of claim 3, in which said sponges are individually slidable on said line to facilitate manipulation thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |