Retainer for combined surgical suture-needle device

Claim 2

A suture retainer which comprises a first panel including means for retaining a needle, a second single section panel directly connected to the first panel along a common longitudinal edge thereof and including means for at least partially covering one of the other panels, a third panel connected to the second panel and having means for winding a suture, and a fourth panel connected to the third panel and including means for folding over upon one of the other panels, wherein said second panel possesses an upper terminal sloping edge to provide exposure of at least a portion of each needle secured to the first panel in the folded condition of the retainer.

Claim 3

A suture retainer which comprises a first panel including means for retaining a needle, a second single section panel directly connected to the first panel along a common longitudinal edge thereof and including means for at least partially covering one of the other panels, a third panel connected to the second panel and having means for winding a suture, and a fourth panel connected to the third panel and including means for folding over upon one of the other panels, wherein the first panel possesses means for securing a needle component of at least one combined surgical needle-suture device to an upper region thereof, the second panel provides exposure of at least a portion of each needle secured to the first panel in the folded condition of the retainer; the third panel receives the suture component of at least one combined surgical needle-suture device, and the fourth panel folds over directly upon the second panel in the folded condition of the retainer to provide needle visibility and accessibility from the rear of the retainer.

Claim 4

A suture retainer which comprises a first panel including means for retaining a needle, a second single section panel directly connected to the first panel along a common longitudinal edge thereof and including means for at least partially covering one of the other panels, a third panel connected to the second panel and having means for winding a suture, and a fourth panel connected to the third panel and including means for folding over upon one of the other panels, wherein the first panel possesses means for securing a needle component of at least one combined surgical needle-suture device to an upper region thereof, the second panel provides exposure of at least a portion of each needle secured to the first panel in the folded condition of the retainer; the third panel receives the suture component of at least one combined surgical needle-suture device, and the fourth panel folds over directly upon the second panel in the folded condition of the retainer to provide needle visibility and accessibility from the rear of the retainer.

Claim 5

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein the margin of each of the junctures of the first and second panels, the second and third panels and the third and fourth panels possesses an indentation such that in the folded condition of the retainer, the indentations prevent the suture(s) from becoming caught between the panels when the panels are folded.

Claim 6

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein the first panel possesses a foam block for securing a needle component thereto.

Claim 7

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein the means for securing a needle component to the upper sloping edge of the first panel comprises a cut out associated with or defined upon said edge for accommodating passage of sterilizing gas therethrough.

Claim 8

The suture retainer of claim 5 wherein the first panel possesses an extension panel which folds over upon its upper sloping edge to protect each needle component secured thereto.

Claim 9

The suture retainer or claim 6 wherein the extension panel possesses at least one serration along its free edge for further securing a needle component thereto.

Claim 10

A suture retainer which comprises a first panel including means for retaining a needle, a second single section panel directly connected to the first panel along a common longitudinal edge thereof and including means for at least partially covering one of the other panels, a third panel connected to the second panel and including means for winding a suture, and a fourth panel connected to the third panel and including means for folding over upon one of the other panels, wherein the third panel possesses an extension panel which folds over upon an exposed needle or exposed needles to provide protection therefor.

Claim 11

A suture retainer which comprises a first panel including means for retaining a needle, a second single section panel directly connected to the first panel along a common longitudinal edge thereof and including means for at least partially covering one of the other panels, a third panel connected to the second panel and including means for winding a suture, and a fourth panel connected to the third panel and including means for folding over upon one of the other panels, wherein the third panel possesses an extension panel which folds over upon an exposed needle or exposed needles to provide protection therefor.

Claim 12

The suture retainer of claim 8 wherein the extension panel is connected to the third panel by means facilitating its separation therefrom.

Claim 13

The suture retainer of claim 8 wherein the extension panel is connected to the third panel by means facilitating folding of said extension panel relative to said third panel so as to provide ready needle visibility.

Claim 14

The suture retainer of claim 8 wherein the extension panel possesses convex-shaped sides such that in the folded condition of the retainer, the sides extend outwards from each side of the retainer to provide a profile which facilitates the opening of the retainer.

Claim 15

The suture retainer of claim 8 wherein the extension panel possesses a locking tab for securing said extension panel to the fourth panel in the fully closed position.

Claim 16

The suture retainer of claim 8 wherein the extension panel possesses a knurled gripping surface.

Claim 17

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein the fourth panel possesses a raised rib projecting outwardly from the reverse side of the fourth panel, such that in the folded condition of the retainer, said rib imparts a concave bend to the fourth panel which counteracts any tendency of the fourth panel to thrust away from the first panel.

Claim 18

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein the third panel possesses a fold-over extension panel for further securing a suture thread to said third panel.

Claim 19

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein the second panel possesses a trapezoidal slit and the fourth panel possesses a locking tab such that in the folded condition of the retainer, said locking tab folds back at a 180° angle upon itself and cooperates with said trapezoidal slit to lock the panels of the retainer together.

Claim 20

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein the second panel possesses an upwardly sloping ridge and the third panel possesses a triangular-shaped extension panel defined along an angled perforated line and ending in a horizontal cut line such that in the folded condition of the retainer said upwardly sloping ridge cooperates with said horizontal cut line to lock the panels together.

Claim 21

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein said third panel possesses an extension which folds over upon an exposed needle or exposed needles to provide protection therefor.

Claim 22

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein said upper sloping edge slopes upwardly from said first panel to said third panel.

Claim 23

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein said fourth panel folds over directly upon said second panel in the folded condition of the retainer.

Claim 24

The suture retainer of claim 1 wherein the upper sloping edge slopes upwardly away from the second panel to which the first panel is connected.

Claim 25

The suture retainer of claim 4 wherein said arcuate line curves upwardly in a direction away from the second panel to which the first panel is connected.

Claim 26

A suture retainer in folded condition, which comprises a first panel including means for retaining a needle, a second single section panel directly connected to the first panel along a common longitudinal edge thereof and including means for at least partially covering one of the other panels, a third panel connected to the second panel and including means for winding a suture, and a fourth panel connected to the third panel and including means for folding over upon one of the other panels, wherein in said folded condition, the first panel is folded over upon the second panel, the second and first panels are folded over upon the third panel, and the fourth panel is folded over upon the second panel, whereby a portion of each needle retained by the first panel is exposed.

Claim 27

A suture retainer in folded condition, which comprises a first panel including means for retaining a needle, a second single section panel directly connected to the first panel along a common longitudinal edge thereof and including means for at least partially covering one of the other panels, a third panel connected to the second panel and including means for winding a suture, and a fourth panel connected to the third panel and including means for folding over upon one of the other panels, wherein in said folded condition, the first panel is folded over upon the second panel, the second and first panels are folded over upon the third panel, and the fourth panel is folded over upon the second panel, whereby a portion of each needle retained by the first panel is exposed.

Claim 28

The suture retainer of claim 23 wherein the third panel possesses an extension panel which folds over upon an exposed needle or exposed needles to provide protection thereof.