PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely count suture needles while overcoming difficulty in handling a suture needle when the hold of the suture needle by a needle holder is released.SOLUTION: The suture needle counting method is used for counting used surgical suture needles. Suture needles are counted when the needle holder holding the suture needles passes through a prescribed counting region. Then, the hold is released to drop the suture needles into a storage case, and the needle holder is removed from within the counting region. An object to be counted is not the suture needle but the needle holder holding the suture needle. Handling of suture needles is easy because only release of the hold after counting is required, and in addition, suture needles can be securely counted.COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&INPIT【課題】持針器による把持を解除するときの縫合針の取り扱いの困難さを克服しながら、確実な縫合針計数を行えるようにする。【解決手段】使用済みの手術用縫合針を計数する縫合針計数方法であって、縫合針を把持した持針器を、所定の計数領域内を通過させたときに計数し、把持解除して縫合針を収納容器内に落下させ、前記持針器を前記計数領域内から退去させるようにする。縫合針を計数対象とせず、それを把持した持針器を計数する。縫合針は計数後に把持解除するだけでよいので、取り扱いが簡単であるし確実に計数できる。【選択図】図1
