GB1060288A - Improvements relating to surgical sponge sticks - Google Patents

Abstract

A surgical sponge stick comprises a tubular handle of resilient plastics material having a partially flattened portion with perforations through its wall at one end with porous absorbent material forming a surgical sponge (or swab) mounted on said end covering the perforations. The pastics material may be polyethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene. The porous absorbent material may be gauze or an elastomeric synthetic sponge material, e.g. polyurethane, polyethylene, or polypropylene foam. The tubular handle may contain a holder for release of an appropriate liquid, e.g. antiseptic or sterilising liquid, to the sponge. For this purpose, the liquid may be contained in a frangible container made of thin, brittle, plastics material, e.g. polystyrene, which will break when the handle is squeezed. Alternatively, a piston-plunger arrangement may be used (if Fig. 5, not shown). The sponge may be secured to the handle by stitching or by adhesive, e.g. silicone adhesive, or by friction. The handle may be connected to a source of suction, e.g. a vacuum pump or chamber, by rigid or swivel couplings (see Figs. 12 to 15, not shown). The perforations may be on one or all sides of the partially flattened portion. An impervious plastic shield may be inserted between the sponge and perforated end of the handle to prevent suction over a particular area (see Fig. 18, not shown). The sponge may be provided with a support means or framework made of appropriate metal wire or plastics material (e.g. stainless steel, polyethylene or polystyrene) so that the sponge stick may be used as a retractor (if, Figs. 6, 16, and 17, not shown).