Laparotomy sponge package and counter

• US 3,948,390 A
• Filed: 10/18/1974
• Issued: 04/06/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John G. Ferreri
• Original Assignee: John G. Ferreri
• Inventors: Ferreri, John G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixson, Jr., William T.
• Application Number:
  US05/516,018
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 206/370, 206/363, 206/362, 206/361, 206/72, 206/73, 206/438, 206/464, 206/45.14, 206/459, 128/296
• US Class Current: 206/370
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0804 Counting number of instruments used; Instrument detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/37 for absorbent articles, e.g. bandages, garments, swabs or towels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/44 with radio-opaque material or signalling means for residual material

Abstract

A surgical sponge package and counter especially adapted for laparotomy sponges. A bowl-shaped container, having a lip formed around the open end thereof adapted to cooperate with a sheet for sealing the container, has a number of sponges and a sponge-counting card packaged therein. The card has a number of numbered slits formed in one edge thereof, the number of slits corresponding to the number of sponges packaged in the container. The card is placed with the slit edge on top in means formed on the container for supporting the card when it is desired to use the device for sponge counting. Sponges may be directly inserted into the slits in the card, or the slits may receive cords attached to the sponges while the sponges themselves are contained within the container.

Claims

1. A sponge package for packaging and counting sponges comprising

a. a generally bowl-shaped container having a lip portion formed around the open top thereof,

b. detachable means for insuring the sterility of sponges packaged in said container for detachably cooperating with said container lip portion,

c. a number of surgical sponges loosely lying in said container,

d. a card-like member contained within said container and disposed in a generally flat position and distinct from said sponges said member having an edge thereof having a number of slits formed therein corresponding to the number of sponges disposed in said containers, and

e. means formed on said container for supporting said card-like member in an upright position extending upwardly from said container past the top thereof, after said means for insuring the sterility of sponges packaged in said container are detached from said container, so that said card-like member may have sponges operatively disposed in the slits formed therein to provide a clear visual indication of the number of sponges disposed therein.

2. A package as recited in claim 1 wherein said means formed on said container for supporting said card-like member comprises a pair of slits formed in opposed portions of said container lip, each of said slits having a width slightly greater than the thickness of the portion of said card-like member to be held thereby.

3. A package as recited in claim 1 wherein consecutive slits formed in an edge of said card-like member are of different length.

4. A package as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of indicia are formed on said card-like member, one indicia being formed directly below each of said slits.

5. A package as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said slits formed in said edge of said card-like member has side portions angled toward each other and an enlarged portion at the bottom thereof for holding a sponge therein.