A suture includes an outer sheath with color marks and a background visually distinguishable from the color marks. Each color mark has exposed portions of at least two colored yarns of first and second different colors. The background includes exposed portions of background yarns of a background color. The background yarns and the colored yarns are braided to each other. The first and second colors are different from the background color. The color marks are arranged in at least one row along a longitudinal direction of the suture. Each color mark is longitudinally shifted with respect to a subsequent color mark in a same row by a first shift, and the exposed portions of the colored yarns of each color mark are substantially parallel to each other and arranged in a sequence along the longitudinal direction of the suture.

Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.

Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.

Articulated instruments that include tools for disrupting and/or distracting tissue, and methods of using the same.

The present subject matter discloses a tissue removal tool for use with an endoscope. The tool comprises a loop formed by a piece of wire and movable between an open position and a closed position, and a transmitting assembly comprising: a handle; and a link having a first end attached to the handle and a second end attached to the loop, the loop portion being movable between the open and closed position by action of the handle. The loop is defined in the open position by a proximal portion and a distal portion. The widest portion of the loop is more proximal to a proximal end of the loop than the mid-point of the length of the loop is.

The present subject matter discloses a tissue removal tool for use with an endoscope. The tool comprises a loop formed by a piece of wire and movable between an open position and a closed position, and a transmitting assembly comprising: a handle; and a link having a first end attached to the handle and a second end attached to the loop, the loop portion being movable between the open and closed position by action of the handle. The loop is defined in the open position by a proximal portion and a distal portion. The widest portion of the loop is more proximal to a proximal end of the loop than the mid-point of the length of the loop is.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a braided filament including a plurality of strands each having at least one ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber and at least one polyester fiber wherein the quantity of certain types of fibers in a first strand is the same as the quantity of the same type of fibers in a second strand. In a variant, one additional strand of the braided filament is a monofilament strand. In another variant, each strand is homogeneous with respect to the other strands and is made exclusively from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers and polyester fibers such that each strand has the same distribution and quantity of fiber types.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a braided filament including a plurality of strands each having at least one ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber and at least one polyester fiber wherein the quantity of certain types of fibers in a first strand is the same as the quantity of the same type of fibers in a second strand. In a variant, one additional strand of the braided filament is a monofilament strand. In another variant, each strand is homogeneous with respect to the other strands and is made exclusively from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers and polyester fibers such that each strand has the same distribution and quantity of fiber types.

A first aid trauma kit case that provides for a means of treating specific trauma injuries related to massive bleeding and tension pneumothorax. An embodiment of the first aid trauma kit case contains as part of its architecture an easily readable format for identifying an injury location and instructions, that are integrated as part of the case, on how to apply certain specific medical devices contained within the case. An embodiment of the case also provides for a color-coded identification system for easy identification of the preferred treatment method for the suffered trauma injury. The design of the integrated instructions and the color-coded system work in tandem to provide for a quick method of identifying and treating specific types of trauma related injuries.

A first aid trauma kit case that provides for a means of treating specific trauma injuries related to massive bleeding and tension pneumothorax. An embodiment of the first aid trauma kit case contains as part of its architecture an easily readable format for identifying an injury location and instructions, that are integrated as part of the case, on how to apply certain specific medical devices contained within the case. An embodiment of the case also provides for a color-coded identification system for easy identification of the preferred treatment method for the suffered trauma injury. The design of the integrated instructions and the color-coded system work in tandem to provide for a quick method of identifying and treating specific types of trauma related injuries.