Multi-panel folder for surgical sutures

Claim 1

A folded elongated folder for a surgical suture comprising: a first panel foldably connected to a second panel along a major edge thereof and a third panel foldably connected along a major edge to said second panel along the opposite major edge of said second panel; said first panel having optionally chamfered upper corners, a generally U-shaped notch disposed in the center of the upper edge, means for locking said first panel to said third panel when folded, a fold line near the bottom of said first panel to form a foldable flap, and a clearance notch disposed at the lower corner of said first panel adjacent said second panel; said second panel having optionally chamfered upper corners, a generally U-shaped notch disposed in the center of the upper edge, integral incised means for holding a needle in place disposed on each side adjacent said notch, an optional folder-loading registration aperture disposed below and to the left of said needle holding means adjacent the fold line connecting said first and second panels, and means for locking said second panel with said third panel; said third panel optionally having a chamfered corner at the fold line between said third panel and the second panel, the major edge opposite said fold line having a contour to avoid overlapping the upper edge generally U-shaped notches of said first and second panels, and means for locking said third panel with said second panel; said folder when folded with said foldable flap disposed at the bottom of said first panel inwardly folded, said first panel folded to cover said second panel adapted to hold in place a surgical suture disposed thereon and to retain in place any needles attached thereto, said third panel folded to cover said first panel, and said third panel interlocked with said first and second panels at said interlocking means thereon to provide for the dispensing of said suture without opening said folder.