US3779375A

US3779375A - Suture package

Info

Publication number: US3779375A
Application number: US00227183A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Foster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-02-17
Filing date: 1972-02-17
Publication date: 1973-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-18

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.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Foster 1451 Dec. 18, 1973 1 1 SUTURE PACKAGE [76] Inventor: Alliene Caraway Foster, 3016 Kingston, Dallas, Tex. 7521 1 22 Filed: Feb. 17, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 227,183

Primary Examiner--Leonard Summer AttorneyCecil L. Wood et a1.

[57] 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.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SUTURE PACKAGE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a package for the marketing and storing of suture devices consisting of preassembled needles and threads, and to a method for packaging such suture devices. The carrier of the invention is an improvement of the suture carrier described in the Gordon E. Caraway U.S. Pat. No. 2,671,556.

The invention seeks to provide a convenient medium for assembling suture devices in a convenient package, which may be done by automatic means under sterile conditions with the suture devices and package materials being presterilized, and with the assembled suture packages then being placed in presterilized envelopes which are sealed to maintain the sterile character of the suture devices. The sterility is then maintained during the marketing functions of bulk packing for shipping to remote locations, the storing of the suture devices by wholesaling and retailing outlets, and the storing of the devices by users such as hospitals, clinics or offices of physicians. The suture devices which may be marketed in a variety of thread lengths and with a variety of types of needles are then readily available in sterile form for immediate use as needed by the physician. When sutures are needed for a particular procedure, a package is selected containing the needle type and thread length desired; and, when open, the individual sutures are readilyremoved from the package for immediate use. Unless the opened package is maintained under sterile conditions, the unused suture devices in the package should be discarded after the completion of the procedure.

This packaging arrangement takes advantage of the desired preassembly of suture needle and thread and provides for the packaging of this combination suture needle and thread for the most convenient use by the ultimate users, as well as for convenient handling during shipping and storage of the suture devices.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved package for an assembled needle and thread suture device for the shipping and storing of suture devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide such an improved package which facilitates the assembly of the sutures devices to the package under sterile conditions and which facilitates the removal of the suture devices from the package by the users for immediate use.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method for packaging preassembled needle and thread suture devices for shipping and use.

These objects are accomplished in a carrier web of resilient flexible material provided with a puncture resistant marginal support strip at one end. The web portion is provided with parallel side-by-side rows of tabs formed from cutouts in the web material with the tabs being hinged to the remainder of the web along hinge axes parallel to the rows. The tabs are adapted to be displaced from the plane of the web to receive the extended threads of the suture devices on the web aligned with the cutout openings so that the tabs may then be replaced in the cutout openings to confine respective suture threads at longitudinally spaced intervals whereby they may be readily withdrawn longitudinally.

A method according to the invention includes 'forming in a flexible web tabs of web material by partially punching cutouts in parallel side-by-side rows with the p cutouts being hinged at respective sides of the cutout openings; displacing the cutouts from the plane of the web and placing suture device threads over the rows of cutout openings; then replacing the cutouts within the openings to confine the threads; and confining the needles at the end of the web by means of an adhesive strip. I

The novel features and the advantages of the invention, as well as additional objects thereof, will be understood more fully from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. I is a broken plan view of a suture package, according to the invention, in unfolded condition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side edge view of the lower end portion of the package as seen in FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the plane 3-3 of FIG. ll;

FIG. d is a diagrammatic illustration of the formation of a cutout tab in the web material by means of a punch;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the displacing of the tab from a web plane and laying a suture thread over the web cutout opening;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the replacement of the tab within the tab cutout opening to confine the suture thread; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the web illustrating the confining of a suture thread by a tab.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing are general overall views of a carrier 10 for suture devices 11. The suture devices per se are not a part of the present invention, and are in the form of preassembled needles l2 and threads 13 the threads being of a desired predetermined length. The needles illustrated are curved; however it will be understood that the needles may be straight needles or have any other desired shape. The ends of the needles to be attached to the threads 13 have a configuration which is swaged or clamped around the threads to provide a permanent assembly of the needle and thread.

The carrier 10 is illustrated as an elongated web 141 which may be fabricated of paper or other suitable flexible resilient material. The web terminates at one end in a transverse support strip 15 of cardboard or other suitable material which is heavy enough or sufficiently resistant to puncture to provide a protective support for the needles 12, with the needles being secured to the strip by means of a transparent overlay 16. The overlay being sufficiently transparent to permit observation of the needlesby the merchandiser or user to ascertain the size and'configuration of the needles. The overlay may be secured with a pressure sensitive adhesive for example which permits ready removal for use.

The suture devices 1111 are manufactured in a predetermined length; and the length of the carrier 10 is preselected to accommodate the desired suture length. It iscontemplated-that the carriers 10 after having the suture devices assembled therewith as will be described, will be, folded in anappropriatemanner and placed in a-suitable sealed envelope. It is further contemplated that this packaging would be accomplished under sterile conditions so'that the carrier and suture devices may be enclosed in a sterile envelope 9 to maintain sterility until the envelope is ultimately opened to be used by a physician or other technician. Such enclosing envelope may be fabricated from any suitable material capable of being sealed and of completely sealing the enclosed materials from the atmosphere; and such envelope may be, entirely transparent, as illustrated, or may include a transparent window visually exposing the needles 12 to assist in identifying the needle size and configuration by the user before opening the sterile package.

In the illustrated package, four suture devices 11 are secured to the web 14 in parallel side-by-side relation, with the suture threads 13 being extended in a linear manner and secured to the web 14 by longitudinally spaced tabs 17, these tabs being identified in FIG. 1 by the

reference numbers

17a, 17b, 17c and 17d to identify four rows a b c and d of tabs formed in the web 14. These rows are parallel to each other and to the side edges of the web. As seen in the drawings the tabs are formed from the web material by a circular punch for example having one segment of the cutting edge removed so that a horseshoe shaped cut is formed to provide a tab which is integrally hinged to the remainder of the web at one side. As best seen in FIG. 1 all the tabs 17 are formed with the integral hinge at the left side, thereby defining hinge axes which are parallel to the rows and parallel to the side edges of the web.

The tabs may be referred to as cutouts formed from cutout openings in the web, and the web material and tabs are sufficiently resilient and flexible so that when the tabs are deflected from the plane of the web they will tend to return to that plane. Also, the web material should be of sufficient body or stiffness so that when the tabs are replaced within the cutout openings they will tend to be retained within the openings due to the frictional engagement of the tab edges and cutout opening edges.

For assemblying the suture devices 11 to the carrier 10, all the tabs of a single row, such as the tabs 17d, for example, will be displaced from the plane of the web to a common plane probably perpendicular to the web. With the tabs 17d so displaced, the thread 13 of a suture device is extended to a linear condition and laid over the exposed cut-out openings 18d, and while the thread is maintained in this position the tabs 17d are replaced within the respective openings 18d to retain the suture thread in the manner best seen in FIG. 7.

For a carrier of given capacity, such as a four suture device carrier illustrated in FIG. 1, preferrably all of the tabs 17a through 17d would be displaced simultaneously, the four suture devices would be placed simultaneously over the respective cutout openings with the needles 12 being placed over the support strip 15, and all of these tabs would then be replaced in the web plane to secure the suture threads. The transparent overlay 16 would then be placed to secure the suture needles 12 to the carrier.

FIGS. 4, and 6 of the drawing are illustrative of several steps of a preferred method for forming the package as partially described above. For the fabrication of such packages the steps include first, providing carriers of desired length through the attachment of the puncture resistant strip to the web 14. The tabs may then be formed in the web 14 by placing the web in suitable relation to a dye plate 20 and set of punches 21 with the punches 21 having, for example, horseshoe shapedcutting edges which coact with circular apertures in the dye plate 20, as best illustrated in FIG. 4.

For the assembly of the suture devices to the carrier, the carrier may be placed in appropraite apparatus having fingers 23 corresponding to the location of the tabs 17 which extend upwardly through the plane of the web to displace the tabs 17 as indicated in FIG. 5. In this condition, the suture threads 13 are laid over the cutout openings 18, for example along one side of a row of fingers 23 on the opposite side from the displaced tabs 17. When the fingers 23 are then withdrawn from the web openings, in the direction opposite the arrow in FIG. 5, the tab through the inherent resiliency of the web material will return to a position overlying the cutout openings 18 and threads 13.

The next step is to replace the tabs 17 within the cutout openings 18; and this may be done by fingers 24 which move downwardly in the direction of the arrow as seen in FIG. 6, and have a cylindrically concave end surface 25 to engage the upper surface of the tab 17 and urge at least a portion of the tab through the cutout opening. As mentioned above, the tab will be retained within the opening due to the inherent characteristics of the web material to retain the suture threads in a generally linear condition along the web surface.

The next step would be to place transparent overlay 16 over the support strip 15 to secure the needles 12 against displacement during the subsequent handling of the carriers. Following this the carrier 10 may be suitably folded, if desired, and placed in an enclosing envelope 9 to maintain sterility of the suture devices until they are ready to be used.

In use, the overlay 16 is readily removed from the support strip 15 to expose the needles 12; and the suture devices are readily withdrawn from the carrier for immediate use.

What has been described is a novel and convenient package and method of packaging for suture devices consisting of preassembled needles and threads. The need for such preassembled suture devices is satisfied in a package and method which facilitates the manufacturer and assembly of the suture package, provides upmost protection for the suture devices during the subsequent handling of the packages such as processing for shipment, shipment, and storage of the suture devices particularly at the point of use. The packages are most convenient for the ultimate user, providing for ready identification of the suture devices as to size and configuration of the suture needle, and providing for ready removal of the selected suture device from the package for most economic use by the physician or other techniclan.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 said thread securing means comprising parallel rows of spaced tabs 4. The combination, set forth in claim 3 wherein said tabs are formed from incomplete circular cuts having an extent of about 270.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 one of said strips being transparent to visually expose the suture needles.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

. The combination set forth in claim l 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 atmo-

Claims

1. 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.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 said thread securing means comprising parallel rows of spaced tabs

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said tabs are formed from incomplete circular cuts having an extent of about 270*.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.