Device for packaging and folding a flexible material part, in particular a parietal reinforcement

Abstract

The invention concerns a device comprising: a packaging box for the flexible material part, dimensioned to hold said part flat; folding means for folding said part without direct handling, and a reception tube for receiving said folded flexible material part. The invention is characterized in that the reception tube is not longitudinally slit, and the folding means comprise; a traction suture connected to the flexible material part, which passes through the tube, and, walls forming a funnel whereof the base emerges proximate to the opening of the tube through which the flexible material part is designed to be inserted into said tube, said funnel being designed, when a traction is exerted on the traction suture, to gradually fold down the zones of the part located laterally relative to the tube towards the zone of the part located opposite the opening of said tube, to enable the part to be inserted into the tube.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
   
   
       37 . A package for a flexible material, comprising:
 a base adapted to receive a flexible material in an unfolded configuration;   a tubular member having a proximal opening, a distal opening and a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen being configured to receive the flexible material in a folded configuration, said tubular member being disposed in a tray; and   a folding mechanism formed in the tray, the folding mechanism configured to fold the flexible material prior to introduction into the tubular member.   
   
   
       38 . The package according to  claim 37 , further including:
 a suture operatively connected to the flexible material; and   wherein the folding mechanism has a funnel configured to fold the flexible material for passage of the flexible material into the tubular member.   
   
   
       39 . The package according to  claim 38 , wherein the funnel is positioned adjacent to the distal opening of the tubular member. 
   
   
       40 . The package according to  claim 37 , further comprising a cover such that said cover and tray combine to form a compartment for the tubular member. 
   
   
       41 . The package according to  claim 37 , further comprising a suture disposed through the tubular member and extending through the proximal opening thereof. 
   
   
       42 . The package according to  claim 37 , wherein the tubular member includes a proximal gas-tight valve. 
   
   
       43 . The package according to  claim 38 , wherein the funnel comprises at least two spaced apart walls defining a gap therebetween, the gap configured to receive the flexible material. 
   
   
       44 . The package according to  claim 43 , wherein the gap has a width less than a width of the distal opening of the tubular member. 
   
   
       45 . The package according to  claim 43 , wherein the at least two spaced apart walls are formed by at least two side walls of at least two cylindrical blocks connected to the base. 
   
   
       46 . The package according to  claim 37 , wherein the tray comprises a notch positioned substantially coaxial with a longitudinal axis defined by the tubular member. 
   
   
       47 . The package according to  claim 46 , wherein the notch of the tray is substantially shaped as an inverted “V.” 
   
   
       48 . The package according to  claim 37 , further comprising a lid covering the base. 
   
   
       49 . The package according to  claim 37 , wherein tray is formed of a thermoformed synthetic material. 
   
   
       50 . A package for a flexible material, comprising:
 a base adapted to receive a flexible material in an unfolded configuration;   a tubular member having a proximal opening, a distal opening and a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen being configured to receive the flexible material in a folded configuration, said tubular member being disposed in a tray; and   a means for folding the flexible material before introduction into the tubular member, wherein the means for folding is formed in the tray.   
   
   
       51 . The package according to  claim 50 , further including:
 a suture operatively connected to the flexible material; and   wherein the means for folding includes a funnel configured to Told the flexible material for passage of the flexible material into the tubular member.   
   
   
       52 . The package according to  claim 51 , wherein the funnel is positioned adjacent to the distal opening of the tubular member. 
   
   
       53 . The package according to  claim 50 , further comprising a cover such that said cover and tray combine to form a compartment for the tubular member. 
   
   
       54 . The package according to  claim 50 , further comprising a suture disposed through the tubular member and extending through the proximal opening thereof. 
   
   
       55 . A method comprising:
 receiving a package comprising a base adapted to receive a flexible material in an unfolded configuration; a tubular member having a lumen disposed in a tray, the flexible material having a suture operatively connected thereto and extending through the lumen; and a folding mechanism formed in the tray, the folding mechanism configured to fold the flexible material prior to introduction into the tubular member; and   pulling the suture to move the flexible material into contact with the folding mechanism to introduce the flexible material into the lumen of the tubular member in a folded configuration.   
   
   
       56 . The method according to  claim 55 , further comprising the step of placing the flexible material inside a patient by pulling the suture to move the flexible material through the lumen of the tubular member until the flexible material exits the tubular member.