Packaging For Surgical Sutures

Abstract

A surgical suture package for storing at least one surgical suture includes an outer jacket having a plurality of panels foldably connected to each other and adapted to fold upon each other to form an inner pocket and an inner retainer for positioning within the pocket of the outer jacket. The inner retainer includes a row of support panels having a main support panel for supporting the at least one suture, and a pair of side support panels foldably connected to the main support panel along respective opposed major sides of the main support panel. The side support panels are adapted to be folded onto the main support panel to at least partially enclose the at least one suture. A cover panel is foldably connected to the main support panel along a minor side of the main support panel, and is adapted to be folded onto the support panels. A row of closure panels including a main closure panel is foldably connected to the main support panel along a second minor side of the main closure panel, and a pair of side closure panels is foldably connected to the main closure panel along respective opposed major sides of the main closure panel. The main closure panel is adapted to be folded along the second minor side of the main support panel onto the main support panel and the side closure panels are adapted to be folded along the major sides of the main closure panel to at least partially enclose the support and cover panels.

1 . A suture package for a plurality of surgical needled sutures, which comprises:
 a first row including a plurality of support panels, the support panels including a main support panel for supporting a plurality of needled sutures, and a pair of side support panels foldably connected to the main support panel along respective opposed major sides of the main support panel, whereby the side support panels are adapted to be folded onto the main support panel to at least partially enclose the sutures;   a second row including a cover panel, the cover panel foldably connected to the main support panel along a first minor side of the main support panel, whereby the cover panel is adapted to be folded onto the support panels; and   a suture clip attachable to each of the suture end portions to permit concurrent removal of the sutures from the support panels.   
   
   
       2 . The suture package according to claim  14  including a third row having a plurality of closure panels, the closure panels including a main closure panel foldably connected to the main support panel along a second minor side of the main closure panel, and a pair of side closure panels foldably connected to the main closure panel along respective opposed major sides of the main closure panel, whereby the main closure panel is adapted to be folded along the second minor side of the main support panel onto the cover panel and the side closure panels are adapted to be folded along the major sides of the main closure panel to at least partially enclose the support and cover panels. 
   
   
       3 . The suture package according to  claim 2  wherein the suture clip is attachable to the suture end portions proximal of the needles. 
   
   
       4 . The suture package according to  claim 1  including an outer jacket, the outer jacket having at least two outer panels foldably connected to each other and adapted to fold upon each other to form an inner pocket, the inner pocket adapted to at least partially accommodate the support, cover and closure panels in a folded condition thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The suture package according to  claim 4  wherein the outer jacket includes three panels. 
   
   
       6 . A method of packaging at least one suture, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an inner retainer member including:
 a row of support panels having a main support panel and a pair of side support panels foldably connected to the main support panel along respective opposed major edges of the main support panel; and 
 a cover panel foldably connected to the main support panel along a minor edge of the main support panel; 
   placing a plurality of sutures on the main support panel of the row of support panels;   attaching a suture clip to each suture end portion of the sutures;   folding the side support panels along the major edges onto the main support panel to at least partially enclose the sutures;   folding the cover panel along the minor edge of the main support panel whereby the cover panel at least partially covers the support panels; and   positioning the suture end portions and the suture clip adjacent a rear side of the support panel such that the suture end portions and the suture clip are accessible.   
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the inner retainer member includes a row of closure panels, the closure panels including a main closure panel foldably connected to the main support panel along a second minor edge of the main closure panel, and a pair of side closure panels foldably connected to the main closure panel along respective opposed major edges of the main closure panel and further including the step of folding the main closure panel along the second minor edge of the main support panel onto the main support panel and folding the side closure panels along the major edges of the main closure panel to at least partially enclose the support and cover panels. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the step of placing includes winding a plurality of sutures on the main support panel. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 6  further including the step of providing an outer jacket, the outer jacket including a plurality of outer panels foldably connected to each other to define a pocket and further including the step of positioning the inner retainer member in a folded condition within the pocket of the outer jacket.