Suture reel-label package

Claim 1

A reel-label surgical suture combination comprising two superimposed panels of stiff sterilizable label stock having a heat sealable facing on one side; said panels being rectangular, with rounded corners, with the superimposed rounded corners having different radii; accordion pleat folds joining the two panels on two parallel edges; an infolded panel ear strengthening the top and bottom of each said panel; cut-out tabs near the top and bottom of each panel, said tabs being heat sealed to tabs from the opposing panel, to hold said panels together; said panels each having therein a hole, said holes being in registration, and forming a spin axis substantially at the center of said panels; said tabs and said accordion pleat folds forming a suture holding groove, to frictionally hold a suture therein; said groove being effectively continuous and operatively centered towards said spin axis; at least one of said panels having therein at least one needle retaining cut-out adapted to hold the sharp end of at least one needle between panels in protective relationship; a suture wound thereon, and at least in part in, said suture holding groove; said suture having thereon an eyeless surgical needle, the point of said needle being inserted in one of said needle retaining cut-outs; and a needle protective cover adjacent to one of said panels on the side opposite the other of said panels, covering and protecting said needle; whereby the sharp portion of said needle is protected from dulling during shipment and the suture and the package are protected from being damaged by the needle during packaging and shipment.