BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention formed in a circular shape.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention showing the first embodiment with upturned edges.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention showing the embodiment of FIG. 3 arranged atop a disposable sheet.
FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a clamp for securing the present invention to a ring stand.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a prior art ring stand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of the invention shown in a square shape. In this embodiment, the sponge monitoring device 1 comprises twenty rods 5 arranged to provide a plurality of projections 3. The twenty rods 5 comprise a support structure for bearing the weight of used sponges. The rods 5 are arranged in sets 10 and comprise a rigid material. Preferably, the rods 5 are seventeen inches long to facilitate use of the device with a ring stand that is currently used in surgical procedures. Each set 10 includes five rods 5 that are arranged parallel to one another, as shown. Adjoining rods 5 of a set 10 are preferably separated by a one-inch gap, represented as 20 in the Figures. In the preferably embodiment, each set of five rods 5 are separated by two inches from the other set of parallel rods, represented by 15 in FIG. 1. As shown, the device of the first embodiment comprises forty projections 3 arranged about exterior edges of the device 1. The projections are arranged in eight sets such that ten projections are provided on each of the four sides of the device as shown. A central area 25 includes an opening that is preferably two inches by two inches squared. Each side of the device includes a reinforcing bar 18 that attaches to each rod 5 for providing stability to the device 1. Each end of the reinforcing bar 18 attaches to a connecting bar 17 that attaches to another reinforcing bar 18 as shown. The connecting bar 17 also provides stability and adds to the rigidity of the device 1.
The device may be provided in a re-usable manner. In this manner, the rods comprise stainless steel, metal or other material that may be placed in an autoclave for disinfecting. Otherwise, the device may be provided in a disposable form that is discarded after use. In the disposable form, the rods may comprise plastic or other rigid material.
FIG. 2 is a second embodiment of the invention 1. In this embodiment, the device 1 includes a circular base member 4 that encloses a circular opening 30. Preferably, the diameter of circular opening 30 is substantially fifteen inches. A plurality of sets of projections 7 extend outwardly from the circular opening 30 and are substantially one inch in length. A first reinforcing rod 21 intersects circular opening and divides it into two regions. A second reinforcing rod 22 is perpendicular to reinforcing rod 21 and connected at a center thereto. Preferably, the second reinforcing rod 22 further divides the circular opening 30 into four equal quadrants. The reinforcing rods 21, 22 attach at opposite ends to circular base member 4 and comprise a support structure for bearing the weight of the used sponges. As mentioned previously, the device of the second embodiment may be provided in a variety of rigid materials, both reusable and disposable. The projections 7 are provided in sets of five and extend from the ends of the device and are represented by 6. The projections are connected together to provide the circular base member 4, as shown.
FIG. 3 is a further embodiment of the invention where the first embodiment is modified to include projections that comprise an up-turned end 16. This embodiment aids the user in attaching an end of a used sponge to the device via a projection. FIG. 4 shows the device of FIG. 3 in use. The device 1 is arranged atop an impervious covering 105 which sits over a ring stand 50, shown in FIG. 6. The impervious covering 105 may comprise a plastic garbage bag. The impervious covering 105 is draped across the ring stand 50 and arranged such that a raised edge or dam 55 is created along the bottom of the ring stand 50. The dam 55 serves to prevent blood, water and other body fluids that have been absorbed by the used sponges 100 from flowing onto the floor of the operating room. In this manner, the dam 55 may be pulled upward and the body fluids may be trapped inside the impervious covering 105. A plurality of used surgical sponges 100 are displayed from projections 16. In this manner, a user easily recognizes the number of used surgical sponges in separated sets of five. A clamp 120 may be provided on each of the four sides of the device 1 for securing both the impervious covering 110 and the device 1 to the ring stand 120. The clamp 120 fits across an edge of the device and the top of the ring stand 50. In this manner, the impervious covering 105 is sandwiched between the device 1 and the ring stand 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the clamp 120 includes an arcuate region arranged between two extended regions that form opposite ends of the clamp. The clamp 120 may comprise plastic, metal or other such material.
In use, a user first realizes the size of the sponge holder and the number of sets of 5 projections on each side of the device. During an operation, an end of a surgical sponge is attached to or associated with a particular projection. A counting process is undertaken whereby the user views each projection within a set of projections to determine whether the entire set of projections have a sponge associated therewith. In this manner, the user can easily calculate the total number of used surgical sponges. If all the projections are associated with a surgical sponge then the tally of all used sponges is increased by the total number of projections. In a device of FIG. 1, the total number of used sponges would be increased by 40.
In use, a looped end of a sponge is opened to receive an end of one of the projections. A first set of projections are each associated with a used sponge. The user then continues filling the sets of holders in a systematic manner until all projections are filled or the surgery is complete. Then a count is taken of the number of filled sets of projections is undertaken by viewing the entire amount of used sponges. Bagging sponges are responsible for most of the incorrect counts because once the bag is closed, the mistake is carried on the entire case. Hanging sponges by fives avoid most counting mistakes that occur by constantly viewing and continuously counting of the sponges in their entirety to lessen the possibility of a sponge being left in a patient.
While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense. From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
Patent Application
20080029416
