container

Abstract

A container (10) for holding a primary sharps object includes a cushioned layer (20) having a preformed cut (25) configured to receive and hold the primary sharps object therein.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container. In particular, the present invention relates to a container for receiving, holding, and / or storing sharps. By way of further example, the present invention relates to a needle or sharps counter and a blade remover, provided separately or together in one container. [Background technology]

[0002] The following references and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and should not be construed as, statements or acknowledgements of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following discussion of the prior art does not relate to what is generally or well-known by those skilled in the art, but is merely an aid in the understanding of the inventive steps of the present invention, of which the identification of relevant prior art proposals is merely a part, and the identification of what the prior art proposes in the present invention is merely a part of the description.

[0003] Containers such as needle counters are commonly used by scrub nurses during surgical procedures to count and organize sharps, such as sutures. At the end of the procedure, the needle counter can be closed and placed directly into a sharps container. However, needles are often not placed into the container in a manner that allows for safe handling.

[0004] Additionally, during surgical procedures, nurses are often required to remove the blade from the scalpel handle by positioning the blade away from the body, grasping the blade with an instrument such as a needle holder or artery forceps, and then pulling the blade downward, away from the body, to remove it from the handle.

[0005] Current methods for storing sharps after removal can be harmful to medical personnel due to the risk of needlestick injuries from handling the sharps and objects not properly contained in sharps containers. Furthermore, if not counted correctly, there is a risk that sharps will be inadvertently left inside the patient during surgery, which can often have fatal consequences. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide a container which may alleviate the aforementioned shortcomings and disadvantages, or at least provide a useful alternative. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided herein a container or needle counter for holding a primary sharps object, the container including a cushioned layer having a pre-formed cut-out configured to receive and hold a primary sharps object therein.

[0008] According to one example, the pre-formed cut includes a marker on or near the cut itself.

[0009] According to yet another example, the indicia may be either or a combination of alphanumeric indicia and marks that at least partially surround the discontinuity.

[0010] In one example, the marker is a border surrounding the discontinuity.

[0011] In a further example, the alphanumeric indicia is a number portion of a group of serial numbers that allows for counting the number of primary sharps held within the container.

[0012] According to yet another example, the container has a plurality of preformed cuts, each of the plurality of preformed cuts being formed across the width of the cushioning layer.

[0013] In one form, the container has a plurality of preformed cuts formed along the length of the container.

[0014] In yet another example, the plurality of preformed cuts are spaced equidistant from one another along the width and length of the cushioning layer.

[0015] In one form, in the open configuration, the interior of the container has a first side including a cushioning layer and a second side having a magnetic layer.

[0016] According to another aspect, the magnetic layer has one or more ridges or undulations configured to magnetically hold the secondary sharps at an angle.

[0017] In another example, the container includes a blade remover that safely removes a blade from a scalpel or knife contained within the blade remover.

[0018] In one further example, the primary sharp object may be any one or combination of one or more sutures, one or more blades, and one or more needles.

[0019] According to another aspect, provided herein is a container for holding a sharp object, the container including a magnetic layer, the magnetic layer having one or more undulations, the one or more undulations configured to magnetically hold the sharp object at an angle.

[0020] According to one example, the magnetic layer is formed on an inner surface of the container.

[0021] In another aspect, provided herein is a container for holding a sharp object, the container including a blade remover, a scalpel or knife placed in the blade remover to safely remove a blade from the scalpel or knife.

[0022] In another aspect, provided herein is a blade remover for removing a blade from a scalpel or knife, wherein the blade remover safely removes the blade from the scalpel or knife when the scalpel or knife is retracted therein.

[0023] According to one example, the blade remover includes a prong configured to hook onto a scalpel or knife blade, thereby removing the blade from the scalpel or knife.

[0024] In yet another example, the blade remover includes a rear surface, an outwardly facing surface formed by a body of a projection, and a cavity formed between the rear surface and the outwardly facing surface, the projection having a resilient hooked leg extending from the body of the projection toward the rear surface and biased toward the rear surface, such that when a scalpel is received within the cavity, the resilient hooked leg bends to allow the blade to pass through the cavity and the resilient hooked leg engages the blade to restrict rearward movement through the cavity to allow the blade to be released from the scalpel.

[0025] In a further example, the blade remover includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion, the first protrusion and the second protrusion being spaced from one another forming a channel therebetween.

[0026] In another example, the first and second protrusions each have a respective first and second hooked leg.

[0027] In yet another example, one of the first hooked leg and the second hooked leg is shorter than the other.

[0028] By way of further example, the first and second protrusions enable the blade to pass through a space formed between the first and second hooked legs and the rear surface, thereby enabling the blade to pass through the cavity.

[0029] In another example, when the blade passes the first and second hooked legs, the first and second hooked legs snap back towards the rear surface.

[0030] According to yet another example, the scalpel or knife handle is pulled through the channel causing the blade to catch on the first and second hooked legs and be disengaged / removed from the scalpel or knife handle.

[0031] According to one example, the container includes a clip configured to connect or attach the container to a surface.

[0032] According to another example, the surface is a surgical table.

[0033] It will be understood that any combination of the features, elements, and examples described herein is possible.

[0034] The invention can be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container described herein. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the exemplary container of FIG. 1A. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the exemplary container of FIG. 1A. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the exemplary container of FIG. 1A. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section AA of the container of FIG. [Figure 2A] and [Figure 2B] 1 is a photographic image showing an example of a container as described herein. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cushion member described herein. [Figure 4A] and [Figure 4B] 1 is a photographic image showing an example of a container as described herein. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of one example of a blade remover described herein. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the exemplary blade remover of FIG. 5A cut in half. [Figure 6A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of one example of a blade remover described herein. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the exemplary blade remover of FIG. 6A cut in half. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of the exemplary blade remover of FIG. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a front view of the exemplary blade remover of FIG. [Figure 6E] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of the exemplary blade remover of FIG. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of an example of a blade remover. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram illustrating a front perspective view of the exemplary blade remover of FIG. [Figure 7C] , [Figure 7E] , [Figure 7G] , [Figure 7I] , [Figure 7K] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the blade remover in use. [Figure 7D] , [Figure 7F] , [Figure 7H] , [Figure 7J] , [Figure 7L] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a front perspective view of the blade remover in use. [Figure 8] 11 is a photographic image showing another example of a blade remover formed as part of the container. [Figure 9A] and [Figure 9B] 13 is a schematic diagram of another example of a container having a blade remover on an upper portion of the container in a closed configuration. [Figure 10] FIG. 9C is a schematic diagram of the container of FIGS. 9A and 9B in an open configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] An example of a container 10, such as a container for storing sharps, is shown in the figures and described in more detail below.

[0037] 1A-3 show an example of a container 10 for holding (storing or receiving) a primary sharp object 15. By way of example, the primary sharp object may be a needle, suture, and / or blade. In this particular example, the container 10 includes a cushioning layer 20, such as, for example, a foam layer.

[0038] Typically, the cushioning layer 20 has a slit or cut 25 that may be preformed in the cushioning layer 20 such that the cut 25 is configured to receive and retain the primary sharp object 15 therein.

[0039] According to one example, the cut 25 may include an indicia, marking, or identifier 30A or 30B at or near the cut itself. Thus, for example, the indicia 30A / 30B may be any one or combination of alphanumeric indicia and / or marks that at least partially surround the cut 25 that may be used to visually highlight where the cut is located in the cushioning layer 20. It will be appreciated that the indicia 30A / 30B may make the cut 25 more visually identifiable, thus facilitating viewing of where the slit / cut is located in the cushioning layer 20 and thereby facilitating placement of a particular sharp object 15 at least partially through the cut 25.

[0040] It will be appreciated that any form of indicia, typically visual, may be used. In the example shown herein, alphanumeric indicia near a portion of the slits may be used to allow medical personnel to identify the number of sharps placed within the cushioning layer 20. This may assist during a surgical procedure in determining, for example, that all sutures have been counted. It is noted that in the illustrated example, serial numbers such as numbers 1-20 are provided on or near the slits themselves to allow for counting the number of sharps held within the container, however, it will be appreciated that any indicia may be used to count the number of sutures or sharps contained therein.

[0041] Additionally, the indicia may be a border that may completely or partially surround the cut to further aid in placing the sharp object in the cushioning layer. As shown in the example of FIG. 3, the cushioning layer may have multiple preformed cuts. In these examples, each of the multiple preformed cuts is formed across the width of the cushioning layer. They may also be formed along the length of the cushioning layer / container. Additionally, as described below, the cuts may be spaced equidistant from one another along the width and length of the cushioning layer, which allows the sharp objects stored therein to be spaced apart from one another, thereby allowing the objects to be easily viewed and removed for use and / or counted.

[0042] Thus, the container 10 may be a needle counter for holding / storing one or more sharp objects, such as sutures, needles, or blades.

[0043] According to one particular example, the cushioning layer 20 is a cushioning member that may be formed from a piece, sheet, block, layer, etc. of foam, such as a foam block, which may then be attached to the interior of the container 10, and has one or more or a series of slits or cuts 25 cut into it. In a particular example, if there are multiple slits 25, they may be formed in the cushioning layer or foam layer 20 at regular intervals and extend from one side of the foam 20 to the other. As explained above, it will be appreciated that the one or more slits 25 may extend along the cushioning member along the length or width of the cushioning member 20, or even be disposed diagonally. Furthermore, the one or more slits 25 may be provided as separate slits or may be connected along the length / width of the foam as shown in FIG. 3. According to another example, the slits may be offset from the edge of the foam (e.g., 5 mm from the edge, etc.) or may extend all the way to the edge of the foam member 20.

[0044] In the illustrated example, the slits 25 are regularly spaced relative to one another, although it will be appreciated that the length of the spacing may vary between different sized needle counters / containers. For example, one foam block may have slits spaced 10-12 mm apart (such as 11.2 mm) and another foam block may have slits 9-8 mm apart (such as 9.4 mm apart). Additionally, the size of the container 10 may determine the size of the foam blocks that may be placed therein, which may in turn determine the number of slits in the layer 20. Typically, the slits should be far enough apart to allow space between them for printing numbers / images, but close enough together to efficiently utilize the space on the foam. By way of example, the slits may be provided in the range of 2 mm to 20 mm for regularly spaced slits. However, it will be appreciated that the foam may have only one slit, or several slits scattered anywhere along the foam, or several slits scattered randomly.

[0045] As a further example, the slits 25 typically do not cut completely through the foam 20 .

[0046] It will be appreciated that the use of foam slits or cuts 25 may allow for hands-free management of sutures or sharps (as an example of sharps 15) in a surgical environment. As an example, a scrub nurse may manipulate the suture 15 in the foam 20 before removing it so that they do not have to reposition the suture 15 with their fingers before passing it to the surgeon, which may reduce the risk of injury from sharps. Providing one or more slits 25 in the cushioning member 20 allows the suture to be positioned in the foam so that when removed, the suture is in a suitable position for handing and does not need to be further handled. Additionally, the foam slits 25 may allow the suture 15 to be pushed into the foam 20 without blunting the tip of the suture 15.

[0047] According to one particular example, when the container 10 is in an open configuration, such as shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1D, 2A, 2B, 4B, and 10, the interior 35 of the container 10 has a first side 40A and a second side 40B. In these examples, the first side 40A has the cushioning layer 20 and the second side 40B has the magnetic layer 45, which is described further below.

[0048] Typically, the first side 40A and the second side 40B are opposed sides formed across a hinge member 42, and when the container 10 is in a closed configuration, e.g., as shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the first side 40A and the second side 40B face each other across a connection, such as a hinge assembly. Thus, the container 10 can be hinged open to access the sharps 15 (or 65) and correspondingly closed to store and / or retain the sharps. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the cushioning layer 20 and the magnetic layer 45 can be formed on the same side within the container, not necessarily on opposed sides 40A, 40B. Thus, for example, the cushioning layer and / or the magnetic layer can be formed on the base of the container 10, such as side 40A, and side 40B can function as a lid to close the container 10 and retain one or more sharps therein.

[0049] Turning now to magnetic layer 45, as shown particularly in FIGS. 4A and 4B and 1A-1E, magnetic layer 45 may be a magnetic strip or sheet formed within container 10. As shown in FIG.

[0050] In one example, the magnetic layer 45 may be formed such that the magnetic layer 45 has one or more ridges or undulations 50 configured to magnetically hold the secondary sharps 65 at an angle.

[0051] It will be appreciated that one or more ridges 50 may be formed in (i.e., integrally with) the magnetic layer 45 or on the second side 40B such that when the magnetic sheet 45 is attached to the interior side 40B of the container 10, the magnetic sheet 45 will conform to the shape of these ridges 50, thereby providing an undulating surface on the magnetic sheet 45.

[0052] Thus, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the ridges 50 on the magnetic surface 45 at least partially lift sharp objects 65, such as blades, away from the surface of the magnetic strip 45, making it easier and quicker to pick up scalpel blades 65 when they are at least partially lifted or spaced apart from the magnetic layer 45.

[0053] It will be appreciated that depending on the size of the container 10, the ridges 50 may be regularly spaced, for example 18mm to 21mm apart. The number of ridges will generally depend on how many can fit within the container 10 or on the magnetic layer 45 while still being regularly spaced apart. It will be appreciated that although multiple ridges 50 are illustrated, it is also possible to have only one, or several interspersed across the magnetic layer 45 at regular intervals.

[0054] In the illustrated examples, the container 10 has a rectangular shape, although it will be understood that any other shape of container is possible. Additionally, as particularly shown in FIG. 3, in the open configuration, the container 10 has a magnetic layer 45 on one interior surface and a cushioning layer 20 on the other, opposing interior surface. In these examples, the magnetic layer 45 and the cushioning layer 20 are contained within the interior surface of the container 10 along the entire width and length of the interior surface, although it will be understood that they may be formed shorter in the width and / or length of the interior surface of the container 10.

[0055] Thus, the container 10 can be a closable case with a combination of foam and magnetized surface therein for receiving sutures and scalpel blades. Thus, the container 10 can be a blade remover and needle counter. Alternatively, the container 10 can be a needle counter or a blade remover alone. In a further example, the container 10 can include a blade remover 60. Examples of blade removers 60 are shown in Figures 5A-10.

[0056] The blade remover 60 can enable the safe removal of a blade 65 from a scalpel or knife 70 that is housed within the blade remover 60. The blade remover 60 generally includes a protrusion 80 that is configured to engage the blade 65 of the scalpel or knife 70, thereby disengaging the blade 65 from the scalpel or knife 70.

[0057] Generally, when a user inserts scalpel 70 into blade remover 60, a cavity 78 formed in blade remover 60 receives blade 65 and a portion of handle 68 of scalpel 70. Blade remover 60 has one or more protrusions 80 or sets of protrusions 80 formed therein that bend inwardly to allow blade 65 and handle 68 to pass into / through blade remover 60. When a user pulls back on handle 68, protrusions 80 catch on blade 65, thereby pulling blade 65 from handle 68.

[0058] More specifically, referring to Figures 6A-6E, in one example, blade remover 60 includes a rear surface 72 and an outwardly facing surface 74 formed by body 82 of protrusion 80, with cavity 78 formed between rear surface 72 and outwardly facing surface 74.

[0059] In these examples, the projections 80 typically have resilient hooked legs 84 extending from the body 82 of the projections 80 toward the rear surface 72 and biased toward the rear surface 72 such that when the scalpel or knife 70 is received within the cavity 78, the resilient hooked legs 84 bend to allow the blade 65 to pass through the cavity 78 and the resilient hooked legs engage the blade 65, restricting rearward movement through the cavity 78 and allowing the blade 65 to be released from the scalpel handle 68.

[0060] It will be appreciated that the blade remover 60 may include any number of protrusions 80, i.e., one or more protrusions, or multiple protrusions 80 / sets of protrusions 80. In one particular example, the blade remover 60 includes a first protrusion 80A and a second protrusion 80B, which are typically spaced apart from one another to form a channel 85 therebetween.

[0061] Thus, each of the first and second protrusions 80A and 80B can have a respective first and second hooked leg 84A and 84B. Typically, the first and second protrusions 80A, 80B enable the blade 65 to pass through the cavity 78 by allowing the blade 65 to pass through a space formed between the first and second hooked legs 84A, 84B and the rear surface 72 when the blade 65 is pressed between them. Thus, once the blade 65 passes through the first and second hooked legs 84A, 84B, the first and second hooked legs 84A, 84B snap back toward the rear surface 72. The handle 68 of the scalpel or knife 70 is then typically pulled through the channel 85 causing the blade 65 to engage the first and second hooked legs 84A, 84B and be disengaged / removed from the handle 68 of the scalpel or knife 70.

[0062] According to one particular example, one of the first hooked leg 84A and the second hooked leg 84B may be shorter than the other. Thus, for example, as shown in particular in FIG. 6C, when the outward surface 74 faces the user, the hooked leg 84A of the left protrusion 80A is typically shorter than the hooked leg 84B of the right protrusion 80B. In this particular example, the protrusions 80 are shaped to match the shape of the blade 65. Thus, for example, the blade 65 typically has a beveled edge opposite the pointed end of the blade 65. When using the blade remover 60, the scalpel is typically inserted with the sharp side of the scalpel facing left, i.e., the taller end of the beveled edge is on the left side of the blade remover. Thus, having a shorter left protrusion means that the two protrusions may better match the shape of this beveled edge of the blade 65 and allow for a better removal of the blade 65 from the scalpel 70. However, it will be appreciated that the blade remover 60 is capable of functioning even when the protrusions 80 are formed to be associated with blades 65 that are the same length or of different shapes.

[0063] 6A-6D also show that outwardly facing surface 74 can include indicia, such as an arrow, that can help communicate to the medical professional that for this particular blade remover 60, the scalpel 70 should be pushed into the blade remover 60 in the direction of the arrow.

[0064] 7C-7L show further exemplary steps that a user may go through to remove the blade 65 from the scalpel or knife 70.

[0065] In step 1, the scalpel 70 is inserted downward into the blade remover 60 until the thicker portion of the handle 68 contacts the receiving end 62, which may be the upper portion of the blade remover 60, as shown, for example, in Figures 7C and 7D. Typically, flexible prongs or hooks 80 bend forward as the blade 65 of the scalpel 70 passes behind them.

[0066] In step 2, as shown, for example, in Figures 7E and 7F, the scalpel handle 68 is tilted forward, allowing a narrow portion of the handle 68 to pass through the central channel 85 of the blade remover 60. Meanwhile, the blade 65 is constrained within the blade remover 60, thereby bending and partially separating from the handle 68. The flexible prongs 80 are further deflected by the blade 65.

[0067] In step 3, as shown, for example, in Figures 7G and 7H, the scalpel handle 68 is pushed further downward, causing the blade 65 to pass beyond the flexible prong 80. This produces an audible sound as the prong snaps back to its original position. At the same time, the wider portion of the handle 68 reaches the bottom or discharge end 64 of the central channel 85 of the blade remover 60. This can also provide visual confirmation that the handle may now be pulled back upward through the receiving end 62.

[0068] In step 4, scalpel handle 68 is pulled upward, for example as shown in Figures 7I and 7J. Blade 65 is trapped in cavity 78 of blade remover 60 by flexible protrusion 80. Similar to a one-way valve, blade 65 can advance in one direction but cannot move back out of receiving end 62 of blade remover 60.

[0069] In step 5, as scalpel handle 68 is pulled upwardly and removed from blade remover 60, for example as shown in Figures 7K and 7L, blade 65 completely separates from handle 68 and falls through cavity 78 onto a surface below blade remover 60 (not shown in this example). Handle 68 of scalpel 70 is then correspondingly removed from top portion 62 of blade remover 60.

[0070] It will be appreciated that the blade remover 60 utilizes a push-pull action of scalpel blade removal that can be performed with one hand. Further advantages of the blade remover 60 include, but are not limited to, the following: - Provides visual confirmation of when the blade is removed, i.e., the user can pull back on the handle when the wide part of the handle reaches the bottom of the blade remover channel - Provides an audible click when the blade is removed i.e. as the blade passes over the prongs, the prongs snap back into place, which creates the sound - Can be used multiple times for removal of multiple blades, and the container can be opened to allow removal or reuse of the blades - Provides an unstable path through which the blade cannot exit the container after it has been removed, so the blade is safely contained

[0071] It will thus be appreciated that container 10 allows for safe removal of scalpel blades with a one handed motion, provides an audible and / or visual cue that a used scalpel blade has been removed, and allows for safe storage of scalpel blades immediately after they have been removed. Note that a user does not need to move the blades into a needle counter after they have been removed; they automatically adhere to an internal magnetic surface that forms beneath blade remover 60 (thereby serving as a fall path) when the container is in a closed configuration, such that as blade 65 is displaced, blade 65 typically falls to the magnetic surface below.

[0072] It will be understood that this blade remover can form a part of the container 10 separate from the cushioning layer 20 and magnetic layer 45 described herein or they can form part of the same container 10.

[0073] As shown particularly in Figures 9A, 9B and 10, the blade remover 60 in these examples is formed or incorporated into the top or top portion 75 of the container 10. However, it will be appreciated that the blade remover 60 could also be formed into one of the sides 40A / 40B of the container 10 as shown in Figure 8.

[0074] 8-10 show examples of a dual purpose container 10 that is both a blade remover and a needle counter. In these examples, when the two sides 40A and 40B are closed, they form a large cavity that can receive / hold a blade and suture.

[0075] The container 10 may also have a clasp 88 that may allow the container 10 to be opened, closed and locked. It will be understood that the features described herein may be provided in combination or separately. Thus, for example, a needle counter may include either or both of the cushioning member and magnetic layer described herein and may be provided with or separately from a blade remover. Thus, a blade remover may be provided as its own device separate from a needle counter.

[0076] By way of further example, the container 10 described herein may be sterile and provided / used in a sterile surgical field during a surgical procedure. This may allow for the blade and scalpel handle to be reused as they may remain in the sterile surgical field during a surgical procedure. As shown in particular in FIGS. 9A-10, a clip 90 on the bottom or base of the container 10 may attach the container 10 to a table 95, such as a medical / operating table or back table during a surgical procedure. The clip 90 secures the container 10 to the table 90 and stabilizes the container 10 so that the scalpel blade can be removed using only one hand.

[0077] Additionally, clip 90 allows container 10 to be secured to a surface, such as table 95, even when the table is covered, and further, container 10 can be secured to table 95 without compromising sterility, i.e., container 10 can be slid onto table 95 via clip 90 without the medical professional having to touch below the horizontal surface of the table, thereby maintaining sterility.

[0078] In this manner, the containers described herein may enable effective management of sharps during surgical situations through the use of a single container. As one example, container 10 may minimize the risk of needlestick and sharps injuries, and may further assist surgical staff in ensuring that sharps are accurately counted as they are safely removed and stored within container 10.

[0079] The term "comprise" and variations of this word such as "comprises" and "comprising" are used herein to mean the inclusion of one or more of the whole entities stated but not the exclusion of other whole entities unless the context or usage requires an exclusive interpretation of the word.

[0080] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described, and all such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the invention, the nature of which is determined from the above description.

Claims

**Claim 1** A container for holding one or more sharp objects, comprising a magnetic layer formed on an inner surface of the container, the magnetic layer having one or more raised lines or undulations configured to magnetically hold each of the one or more sharp objects at an angle, the container further comprising a cushion layer having a pre-formed cut, the cut being configured to receive and hold another sharp object therein. **Claim 2** The container according to claim 1, wherein the pre-formed cut includes a mark on or near the cut itself. **Claim 3** The mark is a. an alphanumeric mark, and b. a mark at least partially surrounding the cut, The container according to claim 2, which is either one or a combination of the above. **Claim 4** The container according to claim 3, wherein the mark is a boundary line surrounding the cut. **Claim 5** The container according to claim 3, wherein the alphanumeric mark is a number part of a series of consecutive numbers that enables counting the number of sharp objects held in the container. **Claim 6** The container according to claim 1, having a plurality of pre-formed cuts, each of the plurality of pre-formed cuts being formed across the width of the cushion layer. **Claim 7** The container according to claim 1, having a plurality of pre-formed cuts formed along the length of the container. **Claim 8** The container according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of pre-formed cuts are spaced equidistant from each other along the width and length of the cushion layer. **Claim 9** In an open configuration, the interior of the container has a first side including the cushion layer and a second side having the magnetic layer. The container according to claim 1. **Claim 10** The container according to claim 1, including a blade remover, wherein a surgical scalpel or knife placed in the blade remover safely removes the blade from the surgical scalpel or knife. **Claim 11** The sharp object can be any one or a combination of one or more sutures, one or more blades, and one or more needles. The container according to claim 1. **Claim 12** The container according to claim 1, including a clip configured to connect or attach the container to a surface. **Claim 13** The container according to claim 12, wherein the surface is an operating table.

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