One variation of a method for monitoring needle consumption in a surgical space during a surgery includes: accessing a sequence of images captured by a camera facing an inventory field within the surgical space; scanning the sequence of images for needle packages and needles; in response to detecting entry of a needle package into the surgical space in a first image, logging entry of the needle package, labeled as sterile, into the inventory field at a first time and incrementing a sterile packaged needle counter for the needle package according to a first quantity of sterile needles associated with a type of the needle package; and, in response to detecting removal of a first needle from the inventory field in a second image, incrementing a deployed needle counter at a second time succeeding the first time and decrementing the sterile packaged needle counter.

The present invention provides a storage system for so called “sharps”, in particular but not limited to needles, used in surgical and medical procedures and comprising a body defining a first storage area for one or more packaged sharps; a second storage area for one or more empty sharps packages; and a third storage area for securing one or more used sharps.

A device configured to receive and safely store a plurality of used needle-containing medical apparatus such as syringes, IV catheter introducers, bodily fluid collection devices and blood collection tube holders and to dispense a sterile medical apparatus having the same or a similar shape, size and configuration as that deposited into the device.

A storage device (30) for storing a pen needle assembly (10) includes a housing (30) having first wells (44) with a dimension for receiving the pen needle assembly and second wells (46) for receiving an inner shield (24) of the pen needle assembly. The second wells (46) have a diameter less than a diameter of the first wells (44). An ejector (40) in the housing (34) can be actuated to eject the used needle hub (16) and outer covers (22) from the first well (44) and the inner shield (24) from the second well (46) for disposal. A method of coupling a pen needle delivery device to a needle hub positions a needle hub assembly (18) in the first well (44) and inserts the coupling end of the delivery device (10) into the first well (44) and is coupled to the needle hub. The needle hub is pulled from the outer cover (22). The inner shield (24) is inserted into the second well (46) to remove the inner shield from the needle hub.

Induction heating from an induction coil (108) is used to separate a metal medical sharp (144) from its holder (142) by applying a high-frequency oscillating magnetic field that excites eddy currents and resistance heating in the sharp. The heated metal sharp melts the adhesive or plastic securing the sharp to its holder. The use of induction heating is advantageous in that it does not require direct contact between the electrical circuit and the sharp or its holder. The heating can also act to sterilize the sharp and thereby render it less hazardous at the same time that it separates the sharp from its holder. The induction coil can have a stepped or conical shape to concentrate the RF energy at the interface between the metal sharp and its holder.

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.

Disclosed is a waste container comprising a port in communication with a tube where the port is configured to receive a fluid from an implement and the tube is configured to direct the fluid from the implement toward an absorbent material within the waste container.

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.

A container (10) for storing new and used pen needles (20,30), the container (10) comprising a housing (12) including a first compartment (50) configured to store one or mom new pen needles (20), and a second compartment (52) configured to store one or more used pen needles (30), wherein the first and second compartments (50,52) are inversely adjustable in size to accommodate various combinations of new and used pen needles (20, 30).

Methods of assembling a manifold for a medical waste collection system. A flapper valve unit is secured to a head of a cap. A filter element is positioned within a shell. Basket hands of the filter element are fitted between first pairs of ribs of the cap skirt. Fingers of the shell are fitted between second pairs of ribs of the cap skirt. The cap is secured to the shell to cover an open distal end of the shell. A drip stop is secured to the proximal end base of the shell to seat within the outlet opening. Ears may be fitted through holes defined by the flapper valve unit and cap holes defined by the cap so as to snap lock to the head of the cap. The hub of the flapper valve unit may be compressed with the ears snap locked to the head of the cap.