The subject invention provides a surgical instrument support assembly which includes an enclosure defining an opening; a light transmissive pane located at least partially across the opening and defining a support surface; and, a light source located inside the enclosure for generating light to be transmitted through the light transmissive pane. A sterilizable light transmissive surgical instrument support may be also provided to be disposed over at least a portion of the light transmissive pane. Advantageously, with the subject invention, an assembly is provided which includes a sterilized surface for supporting surgical instruments which is backlit. With this arrangement, surgical instruments may be supported and illuminated from beneath to aid a medical practitioner in identifying the surgical instruments.

The subject invention provides a surgical instrument support assembly which includes an enclosure defining an opening; a light transmissive pane located at least partially across the opening and defining a support surface; and, a light source located inside the enclosure for generating light to be transmitted through the light transmissive pane. A sterilizable light transmissive surgical instrument support may be also provided to be disposed over at least a portion of the light transmissive pane. Advantageously, with the subject invention, an assembly is provided which includes a sterilized surface for supporting surgical instruments which is backlit. With this arrangement, surgical instruments may be supported and illuminated from beneath to aid a medical practitioner in identifying the surgical instruments.

A system and method for performing a package status check are provided, including a scanner for use in a surgical field and having an antenna for emitting a radio frequency detection field, the scanner including control circuitry configured to determine a predetermined quantity of sponges corresponding to a complete pack of sponges; count a number of sponges associated with the pack with the scanner prior to use of the sponges in a surgical field; and issue an alert when a number of counted sponges does not match the predetermined quantity corresponding to the complete pack. The system and method may include the control circuitry configured to determine whether a sponge has been re-scanned or is unknown by comparing detected information with previously detected information prior.

A system and method for performing a package status check are provided, including a scanner for use in a surgical field and having an antenna for emitting a radio frequency detection field, the scanner including control circuitry configured to determine a predetermined quantity of sponges corresponding to a complete pack of sponges; count a number of sponges associated with the pack with the scanner prior to use of the sponges in a surgical field; and issue an alert when a number of counted sponges does not match the predetermined quantity corresponding to the complete pack. The system and method may include the control circuitry configured to determine whether a sponge has been re-scanned or is unknown by comparing detected information with previously detected information prior.

A medical supply cabinet includes a housing; a medical supply cabinet identifying machine readable code located on the housing; and a plurality of medical supply packages, each medical supply package containing a specific medical supply. Each medical supply package includes a discarded portion created when the medical supply package is opened. The discarded portion of the medical supply package includes a medical supply package machine readable code identifying the specific medical supply associated with the medical supply package.

A medical supply cabinet includes a housing; a medical supply cabinet identifying machine readable code located on the housing; and a plurality of medical supply packages, each medical supply package containing a specific medical supply. Each medical supply package includes a discarded portion created when the medical supply package is opened. The discarded portion of the medical supply package includes a medical supply package machine readable code identifying the specific medical supply associated with the medical supply package.

A shareable battery pack for a portable ultrasonic apparatus, a trolley, a power supply system, and a portable ultrasonic system. The trolley can be connected to the portable ultrasonic apparatus and/or the shareable battery pack to supply power so as to extend operation time. Alternatively, the trolley is used to support the portable ultrasonic apparatus and/or the shareable battery pack without supplying power to extend operation time. In an embodiment, the shareable battery pack can be removed from the trolley, and then be fixedly connected to the portable ultrasonic apparatus to form an integral unit and serve as an external battery for the portable ultrasonic apparatus. Such design enables the portable ultrasonic apparatus to have extended operation time without relying on the trolley and requires only one shareable battery pack in special situations, thereby enhancing convenience of use.

A shareable battery pack for a portable ultrasonic apparatus, a trolley, a power supply system, and a portable ultrasonic system. The trolley can be connected to the portable ultrasonic apparatus and/or the shareable battery pack to supply power so as to extend operation time. Alternatively, the trolley is used to support the portable ultrasonic apparatus and/or the shareable battery pack without supplying power to extend operation time. In an embodiment, the shareable battery pack can be removed from the trolley, and then be fixedly connected to the portable ultrasonic apparatus to form an integral unit and serve as an external battery for the portable ultrasonic apparatus. Such design enables the portable ultrasonic apparatus to have extended operation time without relying on the trolley and requires only one shareable battery pack in special situations, thereby enhancing convenience of use.

A cart for supporting one or more instruments for a computer-assisted, remote procedure can include a base and a support structure extending from the base and adjustable to different configurations, the support structure being configured to support one or more instruments to perform a remote procedure. The cart can further include a steering interface configured to be grasped by a user and a sensor mechanism configured to detect a force applied to the steering interface. The cart also can include a drive system comprising a control module operably coupled to receive an input from the sensor mechanism in response to the force applied to the steering interface and information about a configuration of the support structure, the control module operably coupled to output a movement command based on the received input from the sensor mechanism and the information about the configuration of the support structure. A driven wheel may be mounted to the base and configured to impart wheeled motion to the cart in response to the movement command.

A cart for supporting one or more instruments for a computer-assisted, remote procedure can include a base and a support structure extending from the base and adjustable to different configurations, the support structure being configured to support one or more instruments to perform a remote procedure. The cart can further include a steering interface configured to be grasped by a user and a sensor mechanism configured to detect a force applied to the steering interface. The cart also can include a drive system comprising a control module operably coupled to receive an input from the sensor mechanism in response to the force applied to the steering interface and information about a configuration of the support structure, the control module operably coupled to output a movement command based on the received input from the sensor mechanism and the information about the configuration of the support structure. A driven wheel may be mounted to the base and configured to impart wheeled motion to the cart in response to the movement command.