Abstract: An improved retainer for surgical sutures having a suture winding panel, suture holding panels, suture enclosing panel and retainer, interlocking panels. The panels of the retainer are folded to totally enclose the suture.

Abstract: A folded suture retainer for multistrand sutures providing for single strand delivery of sutures from the retainers. The retainer comprises a jacket member and an insert member disposed within the jacket member. The retainer provide separate spaces for containing individual sutures in a manner to prevent kinking of the suture and entanglement with adjacent sutures.

Abstract: An improved package for sterile surgical instruments. The package includes means for holding the instrument. The package also includes means for maintaining the instrument in a position so that moveable parts do not take a permanent set. The package is constructed to provide for ready access to the instrument while maintaining the instrument in a sterile condition.

Abstract: There is described a double sterile package for packaging medical articles in a sterile condition which can be sterilized in one ethylene oxide sterilization cycle.

Abstract: A folder retainer for surgical sutures, particularly multi panel, folded paper retainers for pluralities of coiled sutures.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting body fluid utilizes a condition of negative pressure in a chamber for drawing body fluid from an area of a wound at a relatively constant flow rate. The apparatus includes a piston assembly movable in a housing from a first to a second position under forces of atmospheric pressure acting on the piston assembly. The apparatus further comprises an assembly for enabling operation of the piston assembly including at least one cylinder and piston movable therein by pulling on a hand gripping element attached to the piston to develop a partial vacuum in the cylinder. The piston assembly includes a diaphragm which is movable for maintaining the chamber sealed except through a port adapted for receipt of a tube connecting with said wound. The evacuator apparatus may be reused by emptying body fluid from the chamber and reenabling the piston assembly.