Abstract: A process for manufacturing wire or needles having a taper point. Needle or wire blanks are cut from a roll of wire and mounted to a carrier strip. The carrier strip and needles are moved through a succession of forming and trimming and grinding stations. The blanks are preferably rotated in the strip while being ground.

Abstract: Absorbable polymers and blends of poly(alkylene diglycolate)s and aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers such as lactide, glycolide, e-caprolactone, p-dioxanone, and trimethylene carbonate are described. The polymers and blends exhibit a broad range of properties, useful in a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: Absorbable biocompatible polymer blends useful to manufacture medical devices. The blends have a first major phase including polymers such as poly(lactide homopolymers and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers and combination thereof. The blends have a second minor phase include copolymers of poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone-co-p-dioxanone).

Abstract: Absorbable, segmented copolymers of aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers lactide, and p-dioxanone are described. The segmented copolymers exhibit a broad range of properties, especially high strength and long elongations. This unique elastomeric behavior makes the copolymers of the present invention useful in a variety of medical device applications, especially adhesion prevention barriers and hemostatic devices.

Abstract: Absorbable, segmented copolymers of aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers glycolide, and p-dioxanone are described. The segmented copolymers exhibit a broad range of properties, especially high strength and stiffness, and fast absorption rates and breaking strength retention (BSR) profiles, useful in a variety of medical devices. Most importantly, for suture applications where Vicryl.RTM.-like polyglcolide-polylactide sutures with excellent tensile properties, but shorter BSR profiles than Vicryl.RTM. are needed. The copolymers of the present invention have such properties, making them useful in plastic surgery where faster absorption times would lead to less tissue scarring.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing surgical needles from solid, cylindrical needle blanks. A plurality of needle blanks are cut from a roll of wire and mounted to a flat carrier strip. The carrier strip then indexes each needle blank to a grinding station where an orbital grinding means grinds the distal end of each needle blank into a taper point while the needle blanks are held fixed in the carrier strip.

Abstract: A suture package having a base member, an upwardly extending outer wall about the periphery of the base member, a plurality of grooves in the base member for receiving a suture, and a top lid member. The package has a central needle park and a discharge opening in the lid member for removing a needle and suture from the package. The package may alternatively have spoke members and rib members extending up from the base member containing grooves which form a suture channel for receiving a suture.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing blunt tip surgical needles. Taper point needles having conventional piercing tips are placed into a vessel containing a grinding media. The needles are maintained in the vessel for a sufficient amount of time to convert the piercing point into a blunt tip.

Abstract: A package with surgical suture material contains a needle-holding section (6) and two thread-holding sections (7) connected thereto. Closure plates (35, 36) are attached to the long edges of the needle-holding section (6). Arranged at the lower short edge (5) of the lower thread-holding section (7) is a cover plate (37) which likewise has closure plates (38, 39) at its long edges. A thread holder (15) and a needle holder (16) are provided on the needle-holding section (6). Arranged on the thread-holding sections (7) are in each case two thread holders (15). Several needle-thread combinations (20, 21) or individual threads (21) are held by this needle holder (16) and the thread holders (15). The individual sections (6, 7) are folded in such a way that in each case they lie against one another. The closure plates (35, 36) serve to safeguard the folded arrangement of the sections (6, 7) against unfolding.

Abstract: A folder package for a electrosurgical scissors. The package has a base panel having a pair of substantially opposed major sides and a pair of substantially opposed minor sides. Foldably connected to a top minor side of the base panel is a scissors retention panel. The scissors retention panel is preferably foldably connected along a crushed fold line. The scissors retention panel has a base or bottom section, and an intermediate middle section and a top. The scissors retaining panel has a pair of opposed outwardly extending tab panels. Each tab panel has a pair of crushed fold lines contained therein. Extending from the top of the scissor retaining panel is a tab member. The tab has a U-shaped slit forming a retention tab and an opening. An additional slit at the end of the tab member intersects the U-shaped slit and divides the end of the tab member adjacent to the top of the U-shaped slit into opposed L-shaped members.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading ligating clips into ligating clip cartridges. The apparatus has a frame and a rotatable indexing table mounted to the frame. A plurality of nest members for holding cartridges and cartridge components is mounted to the outer periphery of the indexing table. The nest are rotated and indexed to a plurality of work stations located proximately on or about the frame. Components are loaded into the nest members at the work stations to form assembled cartridges loaded with ligating clips. One work station removes the assembled cartridges from the nest members.

Abstract: A sterile package for medical devices. A double sided tape is mounted to the bottom outer side of the package. The package is contained within a sealed outer package. The double sided tape has a release liner which has a periphery larger than the periphery of the adhesive coating on the double sided tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support-wrapping for a surgical suture including a pivotally-hinged flap having the needle of the suture fixed thereto. The invention also provides packaging for a surgical suture and that includes a support-wrapping of the above-specified type.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for loading ligating clips into ligating clip cartridges. Ligating clips are fed to an inversion wheel having cavities for receiving the clips. The clips are inverted by rotating the wheel. The clips are pushed into ligating clip cartridge covers by an insertion blade. The cartridge cover is indexed by an automatic control system to receive the clips. A cartridge base is inserted into the cover after it has been loaded with clips to form the assembled cartridge.

Abstract: A thermoformed blister package for a surgical instrument. The package has a tray having at least one cavity having at least one undercut and pads for quickly releasing the instrument from the cavity and package without touching the instrument. The package also has an interlocking projection for efficiently storing packages in a dispenser container.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing wire or needles having a taper point. Needle or wire blanks are cut from a roll of wire and mounted to a carrier strip. The carrier strip and needles are moved through a succession of forming and trimming and grinding stations. The blanks are preferably rotated in the strip while being ground.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a package (100,200) made up of a plurality of folding panels (101-106), particularly suitable for retaining a surgical suture (115) wound in a non-crossed manner on pins (111) that penetrate a first retaining panel (101) and are preferably arranged along semicircular paths. Thus, even a suture (115) made of a material provided with a great elastic memory can be retained in the package (100,200) of this invention for long periods of time, without assuming an accentuated undulated shape after being taken out of the package (100,200). Further according to the present invention, the package (100,200) includes a locking device of the tongue-slot type (130,131) for keeping the package (100,200) folded and closed, the respective slot (131) being disposed in a transversely median position in said first retaining panel (101).

Abstract: A package with surgical suture material consists of a base plate (1), a cover plate (30) and a closure plate (50). The thread (20) of a needle/thread combination is placed on the base plate (1) in several coils (24), whereby it travels through a thread guide (10, 12) and whereby in the lower region of the base plate (1) the individual coils are laid spaced apart, so that the innermost coil (25) is the one nearest to the front end (21) of the thread. The needle (22) is held by a needle holder (26). Arranged in the lower region of the cover plate (30) are brake strips (32, 33) which press against the lower regions at least of the outer coils (24) of the thread (20) when the cover plate (30) is folded onto the base plate (1). In the finished folded-together state the closure plate (50) covers the cover plate (30).

Abstract: A tradesman's tool belt having integral back support. The belt has an elongated flexible member having a section sufficiently wide to effectively provide back support to a wearer. At least one tool pocket is mounted to the flexible member. Preferably, at least one tool pocket is angulated with respect to the longitudinal axis of the belt. Tools mounted in the angulated tool pockets tend to be retained therein when the tradesman is crouching, crawling or bending over and are, overall, easily accessible.

Abstract: A foldable package for an endoscopic suturing device is disclosed. The package comprises a base panel having opposed major sides and opposed minor sides. First and second package closure panels are mounted to one major side, while a mounting panel is mounted to the other major side. A retention panel is foldably connected to the mounting panel. Top and bottom tabs secure the suturing device. An optional needle park is mounted to the mounting panel.