Suture packaging
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsDavid Kirsch, Guido Pedros
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suture package for retaining a barbed suture is provided. The suture package includes a suture retaining member including an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall is radially spaced from the outer wall and defines a suture retaining area therebetween. The inner wall defines a needle retaining area and includes at least one opening therein to permit reception of at least one suture therethrough. The outer wall includes a plurality of inwardly extending tabs configured to engage a cover. The suture package further includes a cover configured to be received within the outer wall of the suture retaining member and to selectively engage the inwardly extending tabs formed thereon.
Claims13
A method of unloading a suture from a suture package, the suture including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and the suture package including a suture retaining member and a cover, the suture retaining member having a base, an outer wall, and an inner wall, the outer wall extending about a perimeter of the base defining a first wall of a suture retaining area, the inner wall being formed from a plurality of protrusions extending from the base and radially spaced inwardly from the outer wall and defining the suture retaining area therebetween, the inner wall defining a needle retaining area and including at least one opening to permit passage of the first end portion of the suture therethrough, wherein the second end portion of the suture is secured in a slot defined in at least one of the protrusions, the method comprising the steps of:
- separating the cover from the suture retaining member;
- and
- removing the second end portion of the suture from the slot defined in at least one of the protrusions and the first end portion of the suture from the needle retaining area and the opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.