US3779375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suture package
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-17
•
Granted: 1973-12-18
•
Expires: 1992-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A carrier for suture devices, which consist of preassembled suture needles and threads, includes an elongated web of paper or other material having an end strip of heavy paper or cardboard resistant to needle puncture. Parallel side-by-side rows of tabs are formed in the web by cutouts from the web material which remain attached along one side of the cutout opening to form a hinge. These tabs are lifted or displaced to receive and confine the extended thread of the suture device with the suture needle overlying the heavy end portion; and the tabs are then replaced within the cutout openings to retain and confine the suture threads in side-by-side parallel alignment at longitudinally spaced intervals. A transparent adhesive strip is placed over the needles on the heavier end strip to confine the needles and provide immediate visual identification of the type and size of needle. The packaging method includes: providing the web and heavy base; forming the tabs as above described; displacing the tabs while laying the extended suture threads over the web and replacing the tabs to confine the suture threads.
Inventors
- 👤 A Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06114; A61B17/06133; A61B2017/06142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A carrier for suture devices for surgical use comprising, in combination an elongated web of thin flexible material having a predetermined length and width; a first relatively narrow strip of puncture resistant material secured to said web at one end, the length of said strip corresponding to the width of said web; a plurality of suture devices, each comprising a suture needle and a preattached length of thread; each suture device having a length corresponding generally to the length of the carrier web and attached strip; means in said web for securing the threads of said suture devices thereto in parallel relation lengthwise of the web, with the suture needles overlying said puncture resistant strip; said thread securing means permitting ready removal of the suture devices by pulling the devices longitudinally relative to the web; a second puncture resistant strip secured to and overlying said suture needles on said first puncture resistant strip for confining said suture needles, and being readily removable to expose the needles for use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A carrier for suture devices for surgical use comprising, in combination an elongated web of thin flexible material having a predetermined length and width; a first relatively narrow strip of puncture resistant material secured to said web at one end, the length of said strip corresponding to the width of said web; a plurality of suture devices, each comprising a suture needle and a preattached length of thread; each suture device having a length corresponding generally to the length of the carrier web and attached strip; means in said web for securing the threads of said suture devices thereto in parallel relation lengthwise of the web, with the suture needles overlying said puncture resistant strip; said thread securing means permitting ready removal of the suture devices by pulling the devices longitudinally relative to the web; a second puncture resistant strip secured to and overlying said suture needles on said first puncture resistant strip for confining said suture needles, and being readily removable to expose the needles for use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 said thread securing means comprising means arranged in parallel rows along the length thereof for permitting interweaving of the suture threads in the web in parallel side-by-side relation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 said thread securing means comprising parallel rows of spaced tabs
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said tabs are formed from incomplete circular cuts having an extent of about 270*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 one of said strips being transparent to visually expose the suture needles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said second strip is transparent and is secured to said first strip by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive, whereby said second strip is readily removed from the first strip to release said suture devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination set forth in claim 5 a sealed envelope completely enclosing said web, said envelope including a transparent portion overlying said transparent strip, whereby said suture needles are visibly exposed from the exterior of the enclosing envelope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 said web having the characteristic of relative stiffness and resistance to bending; a plurality of parallel side-by-side rows of hinged tabs formed from punched cutouts in said web; said tabs being attached to the remainder of the web along hinge axes parallel to said rows; said web tabs being adapted to be displaced temporarily from the plane of the web to permit the laying of extended suture device threads over the cutouts of the respective rows and, due to the bend resistance characteristic, tending to return to the plane of the web; said tabs being replaced within the web cutout openings and, due to the stiffness characteristic, being reengaged frictionally to define fasteners for laterally and longitudinally confining the suture threads on the web.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 a sealed envelope completely enclosing said web, said suture devices, and said puncture resistant strips, fabricated of a material to maintain the enclosed materials sealed from the ambient atmosphere.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |