GB1264001A - Packaged suture - Google Patents

Abstract

1,264,001. Suture package. ETHICON Inc. 14 Feb., 1969 [16 Feb., 1968], No. 8222/69. Heading A5R. [Also in Division B8] A surgical suture 20 comprising, e.g. polymeric monofilaments, silk, or cotton, is packaged in a configuration comprising a multiplicity of figure eight convolutions, each comprising a centrally located crossing 25 connecting successive opposed loops 26 with successive crossings 25 being superimposed and with a curved needle 23 at one end disposed to follow the direction of curvature of the configuration whereby, on withdrawing the suture from the package during surgery, the suture assumes a non tangling sinusoidal configuration, Fig. 8 (not shown), without a tendency to coil up against the needle 23. In the Fig. 3 embodiment, the suture is wound upon a jig from which it is removed and positioned upon a panel 30, with the needle 23 extending outwardly therefrom, of a blank provided with scored fold lines 35. A panel 31 is then folded over the suture 20 and the needle 23 is then drawn inwardly over a recess 36 in the panel 31 and positioned thereupon in the desired orientation. A panel 32 is then folded over the panel 31 and locked thereto by a tab 34 entering a slot 35 in the panel 32, and a panel 33 is then similarly folded and locked in position. In the Fig. 11 embodiment, the suture 20 is wound upon a blank panel 40 utilising hemispherical jig fixtures extending through apertures 43 in the panel 40 whereby the panel 40, or the jig, is retracted to permit a panel 41 to be folded over the coiled suture 20 and locked in position by a tab 45 entering a locking slot 46 when a panel 42 is folded over the needle 23, which has been positioned on the panel 41 over a notch 47 in a foreshortened end thereof. The panel 42 is locked over panel 41 by a tapered tab 48 which is folded into a locking slot defined by a rectangular opening 49, centred on the fold line between panels 40 and 41. To assist in positioning the needle 22 it is laid along a curved ridge provided by a slot 53 in panel 41 and the point of the needle 23 inserted through a hole at the end of the slot 53. To facilitate unlocking of the tab 48 and unfolding of panel 42, this is recessed at 52 to enable manual engagement of panel 41. The packaged suture may be enclosed within an outer hermetically sealed container or envelope (50), Fig. 15 (not shown), provided with a tear line (51) at one end.