Tray system for transfer, counting, storage and disposal of surgical instruments

A container for safe handling and exchange of surgical instruments during a medical procedure, the container having an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:

• a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall, a bottom wall, and a top edge opposite the bottom wall, the top edge forming a perimeter that defines a top opening into the container, the first and second side walls, first and second end walls and bottom wall collectively defining a receptacle configured to receive at least one surgical instrument through the top opening;
• the receptacle comprising:
• a first longitudinal recess for storing a first surgical instrument in a partially shielded position, the first longitudinal recess comprising:
• a first finger well comprising a pair of opposing side surfaces and a bottom surface, the side surfaces spaced apart from one another to define an enlarged first width;
• a first instrument slot intersecting a portion of the first finger well, the first instrument slot comprising a first support surface that is elevated above the bottom surface of the first finger well;
• and
• a first protective guard surrounding at least a portion of the first instrument slot, the first protective guard defining a reduced second width that is less than the first width of the finger well, the first protective guard configured to shield one or more sections of a first surgical instrument from a user's fingers when the first surgical instrument is deposited into the first instrument slot;
• and
• a second longitudinal recess for storing a second surgical instrument in a partially shielded position in the receptacle above the first longitudinal recess, the second longitudinal recess comprising:
• a second finger well comprising a pair of opposing side surfaces and a bottom surface;
• a second instrument slot intersecting a portion of the first finger well, the second instrument slot comprising a support surface that is elevated above the bottom surface of the second finger well;
• and
• a second protective guard surrounding at least a portion of the second instrument slot, the second protective guard defining a protective recess configured to shield one or more sections of a second surgical instrument from a user's fingers when the second surgical instrument is deposited into the second instrument slot.