A needle collection and counting tray for use in a clinical setting, such as an operating room, into which a user deposits used needles. The tray is then placed into a counting and identification machine the utilizes object recognition technology to identify and count the needles on the tray.

Apparatus and method of locating and/or counting one or more surgical articles, wherein the surgical article may comprise a surgical sponge comprising a counting element and/or detecting element. The counting element and/or detecting element may comprise an RFID tag encapsulated in a housing or pouch that is coupled to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may further comprise unique identification and/or location information relative to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may be coupled to the sponge at an attachment position and/or oriented on the surgical sponge relative to a defined set of reference lines. The attachment position and/or orientation of the RFID tag on the surgical sponge may be configured to improve the accuracy of scanning the RFID tag. A plurality of surgical articles (i.e. surgical sponges) comprising RFID tags may be packaged or bundled via a strap or within a container.

A sponge counting system for maintaining an inventory of articles used during a medical or surgical procedure, where, in the event an article for which the status needs to be reconciled is left in a patient, the system generates a record that the article is in a partially reconciled state and when a subsequent procedure is performed, the scanner employed during the procedure has the records of the partially reconciled articles associated with the patient.

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 method for controlling a user interface of a modular energy system. The modular energy system comprises a header module and a display screen on which the user interface is displayed. The modular energy system can detect attachment of a first module thereto, control the user interface to display one or more first user interface elements corresponding to the first module, detect attachment of a second module to the modular energy system, control the user interface to resize the one or more first user interface elements to accommodate display of one or more second user interface elements corresponding to the second module, and control the user interface to display the one or more second user interface elements. The various UI elements can correspond to the particular module type that is being connected to the modular energy system.

A method of operating a modular surgical system including a control module, a first surgical module, and a second surgical module is disclosed. The method includes detachably connecting the first surgical module to the control module by stacking the first surgical module with the control module in a stack configuration, detachably connecting the second surgical module to the first surgical module by stacking the second surgical module with the control module and the first surgical module in the stack configuration, powering up the modular surgical system, and monitoring distribution of power from a power supply of the control module to the first surgical module and the second surgical module.

Certain embodiments may relate to apparatuses and methods for performing surgical procedures. For example, a method may comprise initiating detection and tracking of at least one surgical instrument (including associated surgical material) within a surgical area. The method may further comprise performing a surgical procedure with the at least one surgical instrument and material and ending detection and tracking of the at least one surgical instrument and material within the surgical area. The method may further comprise displaying at least one indication of location status of the at least one surgical instrument.

Co-manipulation robotic systems are described herein that may be used for assisting with laparoscopic surgical procedures. The co-manipulation robotic systems allow a surgeon to use commercially-available surgical tools while providing benefits associated with surgical robotics. Advantageously, the surgical tools may be seamlessly coupled to the robot arms using a disposable coupler while the reusable portions of the robot arm remain in a sterile drape. Further, the co-manipulation robotic system may operate in multiple modes to enhance usability and safety, while allowing the surgeon to position the instrument directly with the instrument handle and further maintain the desired position of the instrument using the robot arm.

The invention is referring to a storing device and a system for tracking absorption products and their use, which comprises said storing device and a verification device for tracking the use of absorption products in terms of their number and time of use, and which alerts the user about the status of the storing device and of potentially hazardous use of the absorption products.

Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for properly using and locating object retention wands via the use of at least one sensor located on or in the wand body for determining when the wand is capable of properly scanning a target area. In one form, a proximity sensor is used. In another form a motion sensor is used. In still other forms, both a proximity sensor and motion sensor are used. In some forms, the wand system further includes an indicator for indicating whether the wand is within proper read range, speed and/or orientation of a target area so as to confirm proper use of the wand to locate retained objects before concluding a procedure. In other forms one or more of a user interface, scanner and network interface may also be used with the system. Further systems, methods and apparatus are also disclosed herein.