Abstract: A suture needle holder includes a hollow holder portion which is preferably molded from a clear plastic, and a base portion coupled to a lower portion of the holder portion. A lower side of the base portion is provided with an adhesive. The holder portion is provided with at least one needle park which can be integrally molded with the holder portion. The holder portion also includes an opening through which used suture needles can be disposed into the hollow holder portion. The surgeon is able to see into the clear holder portion and make an accurate count of how many suture needles have been used. The adhesive on the base member enables the holder to be positioned on the surgical drape and prevents unintentional movement of the holder, and further facilitates single-handed use of the holder. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow holder portion is shaped like a hexagonal frustum and includes a needle park on each of its six sloped faces.

Abstract: Suture dispensers for retaining armed sutures are disclosed. The dispenser disclosed is comprised of two flat panels of material that each have a central opening. A needle park is provided so that the needle is visible in and accessible though the central openings. In preferred embodiments, the needle park is made of a thin sheet of clear material. Several alternate needle park designs are also disclosed. The two panels are preferably locked together using edge locks in the form of corresponding slits and tabs formed on the panels themselves. In addition to being inexpensive, easy to manufacture and easy to fill, the disclosed dispensers is much thinner than current designs and thus requires less storage and shipping space. Methods of loading dispensers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A folder package for a suture anchor. The package has a base panel foldably connected to a connecting panel. A cover panel is foldably connected to the connecting panel. First and second end connecting panels are foldably connected to the cover panel. A needle park member is mounted to the base panel to retain surgical needles and optionally retain the suture anchor. A handle cover panel having opposed sides is foldably connected to the base panel. A connecting panel having opposed major and opposed minor sides is foldably connected along a first major side to an opposite side of the handle cover panel, and a tab member is foldably connected to the second major side of the connecting panel. The base panel has a tab member formed by a U-shaped slit for retaining the needle park member. The base panel also has L-shaped slits forming L-shaped members for retaining a shaft of a suture anchor applicator.

Abstract: A folder package for surgical sutures. The package has a base panel, a foldably connected cover panel, a foldably connected closure panel, a foldably connected end panel, and a ramp structure. The package also has at least one needle/suture park mounted to the base panel. The ramp structure is mounted adjacent to the needle/suture park and allows sutures to pass over the park without getting hung-up on or in the park.

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 package for surgical sutures and needles. The package has an elongated retention panel with a needle park and a plurality of openings in the retention panel to receive winding pins for winding a suture onto the retention panel. The package also has a foldably connected second retention panel and first and second ancillary retention panels.

Abstract: Suture dispensers for retaining armed sutures are disclosed. The dispenser disclosed is comprised of two flat panels of material that each have a central opening. A needle park is provided so that the needle is visible in and accessible though the central openings. In preferred embodiments, the needle park is made of a thin sheet of clear material. Several alternate needle park designs are also disclosed. The two panels are preferably locked together using edge locks in the form of corresponding slits and tabs formed on the panels themselves. In addition to being inexpensive, easy to manufacture and easy to fill, the disclosed dispensers is much thinner than current designs and thus requires less storage and shipping space. Methods of loading dispensers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A suture package is provided having a body portion defining an inner cavity and a cover plate affixed to the body for retention of a coiled length of suture therebetween and having an exit area configured to prevent kinking of the coils of suture upon removal of the suture from the package. A loading unit for use with a surgical suturing apparatus is provided having a body portion defining an inner cavity, a cover plate affixed to the body portion for retention of a coiled length of suture therebetween and having an exit area configured to prevent kinking of the coils of the suture upon removal, and a mounting member positioned on the body portion and configured to releasably hold a surgical needle.

Abstract: A rhombus-shaped toothpick holder for connected triangular toothpicks in a way that avoids toothpicks accidentally exiting the holder and poking someone is defined by a rear surface, four connected walls and a front bottom cover member that opens outwardly for insertion of the toothpicks and snaps closed. The front surface of the connected toothpicks inside the holder is smooth for the display of a logo on it except for spaces between the toothpicks at or near its top whereas the back of the connected triangular toothpicks appear accordion-like. The inside surface of the holder's rear surface has an identical logo displayed thereon so that as toothpicks having portions of the logo are dispensed the logo remains visible and whole. Alignment markers keep the logos aligned. To fit into spaces between the toothpicks and thereby prevent their movement, ribs of gradually increasing height are provided at a lower end of the inside rear surface at an area corresponding to that of the cover member.

Abstract: A suture needle protector for holding needles during surgical operations includes a cover attached to a base by a hinge to allow selective opening and closing of the cover with respect to the base. The suture needle is held within the protector temporarily, such as during tying off of a suture knot. A flexible elastic strap may be attached to the base to allow the protector to be mounted on the finger of the surgeon where the protector is conveniently available at a known location. A magnetic plate may be mounted within the base to help draw a surgical needle to the base and hold it in place when the cover is open. The cover is releasably held to the base by mating hook and lip structures on the cover and base to provide a snap connection. When the surgeon wishes to open the cover, pulling the cover from the base disengages the snap connectors.

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 surgical needle discard container which includes a plurality of needle receiving compartments defined therein. A lid is rotatably attached to one end of the container to block access to compartments not in use. An aperture defined in the lid provides access to one of the compartments. The aperture is selectively aligned with each compartment as the lid is rotated relative to the container by an advancing mechanism. A cutting device associated with the lid and container severs the portion of a suture that extends beyond the end of the container from a needle disposed in one of the compartments by rotating the lid relative to the container.

Abstract: A package for retaining at least one ligature comprising a circular plate having a circular recessed base in the central portion thereof and a raised outer perimeter forming an inner wall that extends from and is substantially perpendicular to the base and an upper ring that extends from the inner wall and is substantially perpendicular to the inner wall and extends away from the base; and a flange member having a lower ring with an outer edge and an inner edge, extending from the outer edge is an outer wall which is substantially perpendicular to the lower ring, the outer wall having a top, extending form the top is an outer member that is substantially perpendicularly to the outer wall and extends away from the lower ring wherein the inner wall of the circular plate fits inside the inner edge of the lower ring and is adjacent thereto and the combination of the inner wall, lower ring, the outer wall and the upper ring defines a channel suitable for retaining a ligature said channel having an aperture for rec

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: A suture retainer for storing at least one suture having a needle attached thereto comprises a molded base panel having a passageway formed therein for accommodating a suture portion, a cover sheet affixed to the molded base panel to enclose the passageway and at least one needle holding park integrally formed with the molded base panel and extending through at least one opening formed in the cover sheet. The needle holding park defines a groove dimensioned and configured to receive a suture needle and frictionally engage the outer surfaces of the needle to secure the needle to the retainer.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable sutures are filled with a stabilizing agent, preferably a mixture of glycerol and calcium lactate, and inserted into a retainer having a narrow convoluted passageway. The retainer is inserted into an open foil pouch with a package stabilizing element, such as a paper sheet filled with stabilizing agent. The package containing the suture, retainer and package stabilizing element is sterilized, aerated, equilibrated to a relatively high moisture level, and sealed. Long lengths of suture and doubled-over and tripled-over suture may be withdrawn from the retainer with low force without damaging the suture. Bends and kinks in the suture are prevented so as to provide a synthetic absorbable suture having highly desirable out of package hand and feel. The suture as removed from the package exhibits improved tissue drag characteristics.

Abstract: A receptacle for storage and display of needles has a flat rear panel of cardboard and a flat front panel of light-transmitting plastic material. Each panel has a first section and a second section, and the first sections are bonded to each other except to define a first chamber with parallel pockets for first portions of needles. The second sections are separably bonded to each other and define a second chamber for second portions of needles. The second section of the rear panel has a first leaf which can be pivoted away from the second section of the front panel, and a second leaf which can be pivoted relative to the first leaf and carries a tongue at the junction of the two leaves. The second section of the front panel has a first flap which can be pivoted away from the rear panel and away from the second portions of the needles so that such second portions become accessible upon pivoting of the first flap and the first leaf away from each other and away from the needles.

Abstract: A retainer for a suture reel dispenser includes three panels interconnected to each other by partial double perforated lines. The retainer in a folded condition forms a pocket to receive the suture reel dispenser. One panel, namely, the reel panel includes at least one reel engaging tab which engages the receptacle of the reel dispenser to restrict movement of the reel dispenser relative to the retainer to thereby prevent accidental removal from the retainer.

Abstract: A retainer package is provided for receiving, and maintaining for ready removal, at least one resilient surgical suture in a coiled configuration. The package includes a plurality of interconnected panels which may be folded upon one another to form a means for housing the resilient sutures. The package is formed with a loading port defining a radially unobstructed passageway for receiving the resilient sutures coils. Structure may be associated with the package for securely maintaining surgical needles for ready removal.

Abstract: A suture package for storing a plurality of sutures is disclosed. The package includes a plurality of panel members foldably connected to each other and arranged to fold onto each other to form a plurality of suture compartments for storing an individual suture therein. The package also includes an enclosure card defining at least two card portions. One of the card portions of the enclosure card includes a plurality of tabs and apertures for securing the needled ends of the sutures. The card portions are adapted to fold onto each other to define a compartment to accommodate the folded suture panel members.

Abstract: A foldable package for a temporary cardiac pacing wire is disclosed. The package has a plurality of panels connected along fold lines as well as holes and tab pockets for mounting surgical needles and electrode needles. The package also has tabs and tab pockets for locking the package.

Abstract: A multi-panel suture retainer provides ready access to, and removal of, a quantity of stored combined surgical needle-suture devices.

Abstract: A needle shield for use in conjunction with a suture package includes foldable panels of puncture-resistant material bendable at perforated fold lines to wrap around a needled suture retainer. A tabbed locking means secures the needle shield in a closed configuration. The needle retainer and shield are loaded into an outer envelope and sterilized to provide a sterile packaged suture. A method of assembling the package is disclosed wherein a needled suture is loaded into the retainer, the needle shield is folded around the retainer, and the needle retainer and needle shield are loaded into and sealed within an outer envelope.

Abstract: A suture package is disclosed which is formed of a plurality of panels foldably connected to each other and arranged to fold upon each other to form a suture compartment between pairs of adjacent panels. A generally planar insert member includes portions cut out and lifted from the plane of the insert, respective pluralities of the cut portions being dimensioned and positioned to engage respective portions of a plurality of suture needles positioned thereon to retain the needles in respective fixed spaced positions within the package such that the needles are positioned in one needle compartment and individual flexible suture portions connected to the needles are respectively positioned in individual compartments formed by the remaining adjacent folded panels. In one embodiment portions of certain panels are cut away to reduce the girth of the folded package when loaded. Such portions may either be circular cut-outs or may be provided by dimensioning the length of certain panels less than the others.

Abstract: A packing and storing receptacle includes a bottom panel and a top panel superposed on the bottom panel and defining a pouch therewith for receiving at least a longitudinal part of the contents. The bottom and top panels are formed by a single, flexible sheet and are separated from one another by a transverse folding edge defining an end of the receptacle. The top panel has a terminal edge remote from the transverse folding edge and defining, together with the bottom panel, a removal opening of the pouch. The bottom and top panels have longitudinal lateral edges extending generally perpendicularly to the transverse folding edge along the length of the receptacle. There are also provided lateral and/or transverse tabs cut out, bent out from and integrally attached to the flexible sheet for laterally guiding and positioning the contents. The longitudinal lateral edges of the bottom panel are directly and/or indirectly connected to the longitudinal lateral edges of the top panel at transversely opposite zones.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable sutures are filled with a stabilizing agent, preferably a mixture of glycerol and calcium lactate, and inserted into a retainer having a narrow convoluted passageway. The retainer is inserted into an open foil pouch with a package stabilizing element, such as a paper sheet filled with stabilizing agent. The package containing the suture, retainer and package stabilizing element is sterilized, aerated, equilibrated to a relatively high moisture level, and sealed. Long lengths of suture and doubled-over and tripled-over suture may be withdrawn from the retainer with low force without damaging the suture. Bends and kinks in the suture are prevented so as to provide a synthetic absorbable suture having highly desirable out of package hand and feel. The suture as removed from the package exhibits improved tissue drag characteristics.

Abstract: A needle shield for retainers enclosing suture-needle assemblies constructed of a fibrous material and foldable about at least two score lines to provide a protective device against needle damage, accidental sticking of the user's fingers, and puncture of the package within which the retainer is packaged.

Abstract: A retainer for a combined surgical needle-suture device possesses a needle shield featuring a stop element which prevents the tip of the needle from puncturing the package in which the retainer is held.

Abstract: A package for a procedure kit that defines a suture winding channel and a surgical needle and suture procedure kit. The package may contain a variety of sizes and types and lengths of sutures and needles including at least one double-armed suture. The package has a base having a central area. An inner wall extends up from the base about the periphery of the central area. An outer wall also extends from the base. The outer wall and the inner wall form the channel. At least one spacer or separator member is located in the channel for separating the channel into at least two coplanar sections. A needle park means extends from the central area for receiving and holding surgical needles. The package and kit may be overwrapped with foil or paper and inserted into a conventional thermal plastic blister pack.

Abstract: A retainer for a combined surgical needle suture device, or armed suture, possesses a cut-away region and integral slot which facilitates loading and removal of the armed suture therefrom.

Abstract: A surgical needle package counter is particularly constructed for receiving and snugly retaining an opened surgical needle package sequentially in a number of slots particularly configured and sized to receive such opened surgical needle packages. Each slot for receiving an opened surgical needle package is identified by a number with the numbers being in sequence so that an immediate total number of opened surgical needle packages stored in the counter may be observed. The surgical needle package counter may have an integral extension in which a foam filler or slab may be seated. The foam filler or slab is particularly formed to receive used surgical needles. Preferably, each used surgical needle will be received in a needle receiving zone which corresponds with the slot of the surgical needle package counter so that the number of used surgical needles can be automatically identified by the numerals which identify the surgical package slots.

Abstract: A retainer package is provided for receiving, and maintaining for ready removal, at least one resilient surgical suture in a coiled configuration. The package includes a plurality of interconnected panels which may be folded upon one another to form a means for housing the resilient sutures. The package is formed with a loading port defining a radially unobstructed passageway for receiving the resilient sutures coils. Structure may be associated with the package for securely maintaining surgical needles for ready removal.

Abstract: A pack for notions and/or other relatively small commodities has a converted blank of cardboard or other degradable material and a light-transmitting plastic cover which is separably connected to a container of the converted blank. The converted blank further comprises a plate-like carrier having an opening so that it can be slipped onto a rail or an analogous support in a self-service store, in a workshop or at home. The plane of the carrier is located between the plane of a bottom wall of the container and the plane of a top wall of the cover. The sidewalls of the container forming part of the converted blank are removably confined between the lateral walls of the cover, and the top wall of the cover then overlies the open top of the container. The carrier can be separated from the container to reduce the space requirements of the remaining parts (container and cover) of the pack in a small area. The container can be withdrawn from and reinserted into the cover.

Abstract: A suture package for a suture with attached needle The package allows for removal of the needle and attached suture from the package with a forceps without the user having to touch either the needle or the suture.

Abstract: A suture package is disclosed which is formed of a plurality of panels foldably connected to each other and arranged to fold upon each other to form a suture compartment between pairs of adjacent panels. A generally planar insert member includes portions cut out and lifted from the plane of the insert, respective pluralities of the cut portions being dimensioned and positioned to engage respective portions of a plurality of suture needles positioned thereon to retain the needles in respective fixed spaced positions within the package such that the needles are positioned in one needle compartment and individual flexible suture portions connected to the needles are respectively positioned in individual compartments formed by the remaining adjacent folded panels. In one embodiment portions of certain panels are cut away to reduce the girth of the folded package when loaded. Such portions may either be circular cut-outs or may be provided by dimensioning the length of certain panels less than the others.

Abstract: A suture material pack for surgical suture material comprises. The pack includes a folding card (10) with a base plate (11) and a pair of cover plates (13, 14) adjoining the same in the longitudinal direction. Projecting to one side from the base plate (11), there is a first holding plate (22) over which a second holding plate (27) may be folded. The holding plates enclose the suture material (35) and they are shorter than the suture material loop. During the placing of the suture material and the closing of the holding plates, the suture material loop can be held at the ends. The cover plates (13) and (14) are then folded onto the base plate and the holding plate folded thereon so that the suture material is protected. The folding card (10) is welded into a foil sheath that is torn open to take out the filament. In doing so, a flap (14a) provided at the second cover plate (14) is torn off so as to expose the filament end.

Abstract: A package for a suture and surgical needle. The package defines an oval channel for winding the suture. An inner needle park retains the needle. A wheel is rotatably mounted to one end of the package, forming one end of the suture channel. The suture package retains the suture in the channel.

Abstract: A suture package for holding needle suture combinations individually on removable insert strips. The suture package includes three folding panels, two of which releasably hold the insert strips by means of tabs, and one of which is a cover panel. At least one needle-suture combination is mounted on each strip.

Abstract: A visor attached toothpick holder adapted to be mounted on the interior sun visor of an automobile, pickup truck or similar vehicle to support a plurality of toothpicks in a convenient access position to the operator of a vehicle thereby enabling the vehicle operator to gain access to, remove and use the toothpick while maintaining full control of the vehicle and full attention to driving conditions. The toothpick holder is in the form of a receptacle having a clip thereon for securing the receptacle to an edge of a sun visor together with a resilient cap having a slit therein which receives and frictionally grips a plurality of toothpicks with one tapered end of the toothpicks projecting outwardly from the cap to provide access thereto.

Abstract: A one piece needle and suture holder is described in which a rounded channel is formed for retention of the suture. One end of the suture exits the channel toward the interior of the channel and is attached to a needle located in a needle holder in the interior of the channel. The channel is formed with an open side, to which are attached a plurality of hinged doors. After the suture is wound in the open channel, the doors are folded over the open side of the channel and are locked in place to retain the suture within the channel. In an alternative embodiment a paper cover is utilized to complete the enclosing channel. To afford ease of winding the suture the bottom of the channel is perforated for the application of a vacuum to the channel during suture winding. Also disclosed is a needle park for retaining the needle in the center of the package.

Abstract: A suture package is designed to facilitate automated loading of multiple needles and sutures into the package. The package includes a tray, for containing the needles and sutures, and a cover. The sutures are contained in a peripheral channel of the tray and an array of resilient cantilevered fingers prevent the sutures from lifting up out of the channel. Needle parks retain the needles that are attached to the sutures. In another embodiment of the invention, a package for retaining a wound suture and attached needle includes a tray for containing the needle and suture, including cover-latching elements that each have two vertical surfaces. Tabs on the removable cover each contact a surface of a corresponding latching element and have a free element that engages a shoulder of the element.

Abstract: A package is provided for receiving and retaining at least one resilient surgical suture arranged in a coil configuration. The package is formed with a loading port which defines a radially unobstructed passageway through which a resilient surgical suture coil may be loaded and thereafter caused to uncoil and expand radially outward into a retaining channel. The package may include needle park means for securely maintaining armed sutures in a manner for ready removal.

Abstract: An easy loading suture package contains sutures in a channel near the periphery of the package. Resilient cantilevered fingers extend most of the way across the channel to prevent any part of the suture from coming up out of the channel either during or after loading of the suture into the package. A needle park retains a needle attached to one end of the suture. The package lends itself to fabrication by molding and is adapted for automated loading and convenient, reliable dispensing.

Abstract: A needle park for a package that holds one or more surgical needles and sutures has a generally planar base. A cantilevered arm, fixed at one end and free at its other end, extends above and parallel to the base. A needle is introduced between the free end of the arm and the base and held between the arm and base. A nib that extends from the free end of the arm toward the base secures the needle. The needle park may be molded as part of a one-piece needle and suture package and is well adapted for automatic loading.

Abstract: A needle park for a package that holds one or more surgical needles and sutures has a generally planar base and two collinear walls that are perpendicular to the base. A cutout near one end of the first wall separates an end section of the wall from the base and separates all but a top segment of the end section from the rest of the wall. The second wall is separated from the end section by a gap. The end section and top segment of the first wall form a hinge that permits a needle to be held in the gap between the walls. In an alternative embodiment, both walls have cutouts and resultant hinges, thus permitting the needle park to hold needles of larger diameter. Preferably, the material of the needle park is a moldable thermoplastic. The needle park is inexpensive to fabricate and permits a needle in a broad range of diameters to be held simply and securely.

Abstract: A pack for arrays of needles has a plate-like carrier with a hinge between its upper and lower sections, and a cover which overlies the front side of the carrier and has upper and lower sections connected to each other by a hinge. The lower sections are permanently bonded to each other around a field of parallel pockets for needles in one of the lower sections, and the upper sections are separably connected to each other to permit pivoting of such upper sections relative to each other in order to expose the needles. The upper sections can be recoupled to each other, and at least those portions of the cover which are adjacent the needles consist of a light-transmitting plastic material.

Abstract: A one piece needle and suture holder is described in which a rounded channel is formed for retention of the suture. One end of the suture exits the channel toward the interior of the channel and is attached to a needle located in a needle holder in the interior of the channel. The channel is formed with an open side, to which are attached a plurality of hinged doors. After the suture is wound in the open channel, the doors are folded over the open side of the channel and are locked in place to retain the suture within the channel. In an alternative embodiment a paper cover is utilized to complete the enclosing channel. To afford ease of winding the suture the bottom of the channel is perforated for the application of a vacuum to the channel during suture winding. Also disclosed is a needle park for retaining the needle in the center of the package.

Abstract: An oval wrap suture package that permits sutures to be dispensed with less likelihood of suture binding is provided. In one embodiment, the package has a suture winding channel with semicircular end sections whose radii are unequal. In another embodiment of the invention, the suture package is molded from a polymeric resin mixture that includes at least 4% oleamide.

Abstract: A one piece needle and suture holder is described in which a rounded channel is formed for retention of the suture. One end of the suture exits the channel toward the interior of the channel and is attached to a needle located in a needle holder in the interior of the channel. The channel is formed with an open side, to which are attached a plurality of hinged doors. After the suture is wound in the open channel, the doors are folded over the open side of the channel and are locked in place to retain the suture within the channel. In an alternative embodiment a paper cover is utilized to complete the enclosing channel. To afford ease of winding the suture the bottom of the channel is perforated for the application of a vacuum to the channel during suture winding. Also disclosed is a needle park for retaining the needle in the center of the package.

Abstract: A storage receptacle for drill bits having collars thereon, comprises an elongate tubular body having a longitudinal passage therein. The body has at least one end open through which drill bits can pass into the passage. The open end is provided with a closure device. The body has internally on each side defining the sides of the passage an inwardly-directed channel longitudinally thereof. The channels are mutually opposed and are adapted to receive and hold collars of the drill bits from axial movement while permitting movement along the passage with at least the point and cutting edges of the drill bits held spaced from the internal sides of the body.