US4244369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical sponge with visually detectable element
Assignee: Kendall Co
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Filing: 1979-02-26
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Granted: 1981-01-13
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Expires: 1999-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of an absorbent material, and an elongated visually detectable element at least partially located on an outer surface of the sheet, with the element being non-wettable and of a color which contrasts with the color of blood to significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when saturated by body fluids.
Inventors
- 👤 James D. McAvinn
- 👤 Herbert G. Canty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/44; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3937
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A surgical sponge, comprising: a sheet of an absorbent material comprising a multiple ply absorbent gauze; and an elongated visually detectable element having a portion at least partially located on an outer surface of said sheet, said element being substantially non-radiopaque to X-rays and comprising an inner layer of a highly reflective material, and an outer layer at least substantially covering the inner layer, said outer layer comprising (a) transparent material means for defining a nonwettable outer surface of the element, said outer surface having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees in the presence of blood whereby in the presence of blood, at least portions of said element are not occluded by blood and thus remain highly visible, said non-wettable element having a color which contrasts with the color of blood to further significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when said sponge is saturated by body fluids, said outer portion extending a substantial distance along the outer surface of the sheet and being permanently affixed to the sheet throughout its length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A surgical sponge, comprising: a sheet of an absorbent material comprising a multiple ply absorbent gauze; and an elongated visually detectable element having a portion at least partially located on an outer surface of said sheet, said element being substantially non-radiopaque to X-rays and comprising an inner layer of a highly reflective material, and an outer layer at least substantially covering the inner layer, said outer layer comprising (a) transparent material means for defining a nonwettable outer surface of the element, said outer surface having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees in the presence of blood whereby in the presence of blood, at least portions of said element are not occluded by blood and thus remain highly visible, said non-wettable element having a color which contrasts with the color of blood to further significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when said sponge is saturated by body fluids, said outer portion extending a substantial distance along the outer surface of the sheet and being permanently affixed to the sheet throughout its length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sponge of claim 1 including a separate radiopaque element located on said sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sponge of claim 1 wherein said sheet comprises a multiple-ply absorbent gauze.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The sponge of claim 1 wherein said element includes a central layer, in which said outer layer comprises a pair of transparent films on opposed sides of the central layer, and in which said inner layer comprises a highly reflective adhesive bonding the films on opposed surfaces of the central layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The sponge of claim 1 wherein said inner layer comprises, a central layer of a highly reflective metallic material, in which the outer layer comprises a pair of outer films of a transparent material on opposed sides of said central layer, and in which the element includes a transparent adhesive bonding said outer films on opposed surfaces of the central layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sponge of claim 5 wherein said adhesive contains a coloring material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sponge of claim 1 wherein said element is relatively narrow and comprises a thread in a stitching pattern sewn onto said sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sponge of claim 1 wherein said element defines a pattern on the surface of said sheet extending substantially throughout the width and length of the sponge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sponge of claim 1 wherein said element is secured on an outer surface of said sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sponge of claim 1 wherein said sheet comprises a fabric having a plurality of absorbent yarns and said element is an integral part of the fabric structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sponge of claim 10 wherein said element is woven into said fabric with said absorbent yarns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sponge of claim 1, further comprising an elongate radiopaque ribbon, said elongated visually detectable element being wound about said elongate radiopaque ribbon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
173 words
A surgical sponge, comprising: a sheet of an absorbent material comprising a multiple ply absorbent gauze; and an elongated visually detectable element having a portion at least partially located on an outer surface of said sheet, said element being substantially non-radiopaque to X-rays and comprising an inner layer of a fluorescent material, and an outer layer at least substantially covering the inner layer, said outer layer comprising transparent material means for defining a non-wettable outer surface of the element, said outer surface having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees in the presence of blood whereby in the presence of blood, at least portions of said element are not occluded by blood and thus remain highly visible, said fluorescent material inner layer contrasting with the color of blood to further significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when said sponge is saturated by body fluids, said outer portion extending a substantial distance along the outer surface of the sheet and being permanently affixed to the sheet throughout its length.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
173 words
A surgical sponge, comprising: a sheet of an absorbent material comprising a multiple ply absorbent gauze; and an elongated visually detectable element having a portion at least partially located on an outer surface of said sheet, said element being substantially non-radiopaque to X-rays and comprising an inner layer of a fluorescent material, and an outer layer at least substantially covering the inner layer, said outer layer comprising transparent material means for defining a non-wettable outer surface of the element, said outer surface having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees in the presence of blood whereby in the presence of blood, at least portions of said element are not occluded by blood and thus remain highly visible, said fluorescent material inner layer contrasting with the color of blood to further significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when said sponge is saturated by body fluids, said outer portion extending a substantial distance along the outer surface of the sheet and being permanently affixed to the sheet throughout its length.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sponge of claim 13, further comprising an elongated ribbon of radiopaque material, and in which an elongated yarn of said fluorescent material is wound about an outer surface of said ribbon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sponge of claim 13, further comprising a separate radiopaque element located on said sheet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
172 words
A surgical sponge, comprising: a sheet of an absorbent material comprising a multiple ply absorbent gauze; and an elongated visually detectable element having a portion at least partially located on an outer surface of said sheet, said element being substantially non-radiopaque to X-rays and comprising an inner layer of phosphorescent material, and an outer layer at least substantially covering the inner layer, said outer layer comprising transparent material means for defining a non-wettable outer surface of the element, said outer surface having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees in the presence of blood whereby in the presence of blood, at least portions of said elements are not occluded by blood and thus remain highly visible, said phosphorescent material inner layer contrasting with the color of blood to further significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when said sponge is saturated by body fluids, said outer portion extending a substantial distance along the outer surface of the sheet and being permanently affixed to the sheet throughout its length.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
172 words
A surgical sponge, comprising: a sheet of an absorbent material comprising a multiple ply absorbent gauze; and an elongated visually detectable element having a portion at least partially located on an outer surface of said sheet, said element being substantially non-radiopaque to X-rays and comprising an inner layer of phosphorescent material, and an outer layer at least substantially covering the inner layer, said outer layer comprising transparent material means for defining a non-wettable outer surface of the element, said outer surface having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees in the presence of blood whereby in the presence of blood, at least portions of said elements are not occluded by blood and thus remain highly visible, said phosphorescent material inner layer contrasting with the color of blood to further significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when said sponge is saturated by body fluids, said outer portion extending a substantial distance along the outer surface of the sheet and being permanently affixed to the sheet throughout its length.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sponge of claim 16, further comprising an elongated ribbon of radiopaque material, and in which an elongated yarn of said phosphorescent material is wound about an outer surface of said ribbon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sponge of claim 16, further comprising a separate radiopaque element located on said sheet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
172 words
A surgical sponge, comprising: a sheet of an absorbent material comprising a multiple ply absorbent gauze; and an elongated visually detectable element having a portion at least partially located on an outer surface of said sheet, said element being substantially non-radiopaque to X-rays and comprising an inner layer of iridescent material, and an outer layer at least substantially covering the inner layer, said outer layer comprising transparent material means for defining a non-wettable outer surface of the element, said outer surface having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees in the presence of blood whereby in the presence of blood, at least portions of said element are not occluded by blood and thus remain highly visible, said iridescent material inner layer contrasting with the color of blood to further significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when said sponge is saturated by body fluids, said outer portion extending a substantial distance along the outer surface of the sheet and being permanently affixed to the sheet throughout its length.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
172 words
A surgical sponge, comprising: a sheet of an absorbent material comprising a multiple ply absorbent gauze; and an elongated visually detectable element having a portion at least partially located on an outer surface of said sheet, said element being substantially non-radiopaque to X-rays and comprising an inner layer of iridescent material, and an outer layer at least substantially covering the inner layer, said outer layer comprising transparent material means for defining a non-wettable outer surface of the element, said outer surface having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees in the presence of blood whereby in the presence of blood, at least portions of said element are not occluded by blood and thus remain highly visible, said iridescent material inner layer contrasting with the color of blood to further significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when said sponge is saturated by body fluids, said outer portion extending a substantial distance along the outer surface of the sheet and being permanently affixed to the sheet throughout its length.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sponge of claim 19, further comprising an elongted ribbon of radiopaque material, and in which an elongated yarn of said iridescent material is wound about an outer surface of said ribbon.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sponge of claim 19, further comprising a separate radiopaque element located on said sheet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
171 words
A surgical sponge, comprising: a sheet of an absorbent, nonwoven material; and an elongated visually detectable element having a portion at least partially located on an outer surface of said sheet, said element being substantially non-radiopaque to X-rays and comprising an inner layer of a highly reflective material, and an outer layer at least substantially covering the inner layer, said outer layer comprising transparent material means for defining a non-wettable outer surface of the element, said outer surface having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees in the presence of blood whereby in the presence of blood, at least portions of said element are not occluded by blood and thus remain highly visible, said non-wettable element having a color which contrasts with the color of blood to further significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when said sponge is saturated by body fluids, said outer portion extending a substantial distance along the outer surface of the sheet and being permanently affixed to the sheet throughout its ength.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
171 words
A surgical sponge, comprising: a sheet of an absorbent, nonwoven material; and an elongated visually detectable element having a portion at least partially located on an outer surface of said sheet, said element being substantially non-radiopaque to X-rays and comprising an inner layer of a highly reflective material, and an outer layer at least substantially covering the inner layer, said outer layer comprising transparent material means for defining a non-wettable outer surface of the element, said outer surface having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees in the presence of blood whereby in the presence of blood, at least portions of said element are not occluded by blood and thus remain highly visible, said non-wettable element having a color which contrasts with the color of blood to further significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when said sponge is saturated by body fluids, said outer portion extending a substantial distance along the outer surface of the sheet and being permanently affixed to the sheet throughout its ength.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-13 | 1984-07-14 | 1985-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-13 | 1988-07-14 | 1989-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-13 | 1992-07-14 | 1993-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |