Winding fixture for surgical suture package

A method of winding a surgical suture into a surgical suture package having a grooved winding channel, said method comprising:

• A) mounting a suture package to a winding fixture, wherein the suture package comprises an oval package having a top and a bottom, and a suture winding channel on the top for receiving a surgical suture, and wherein said winding fixture comprises:
• a base plate having a top and a bottom;
• a pivot shaft fixedly mounted to the top of the base plate;
• a cam housing frame means rotatably mounted to the shaft;
• cam means rotatably mounted in said cam housing frame means;
• a plurality of winding pins slidably mounted in the cam housing frame means, and moveable with respect to the cam housing frame mean when engaged by the cam means;
• gear means mounted to the cam means and shaft for rotating the cam means;
• package support means mounted to the cam housing frame means for receiving a suture package, wherein said suture package comprises a winding channel for receiving a suture;
• winding funnel means mounted to the package support means;
• and,
• means mounted to the package support means for aligning the winding funnel means with the package support means,
• B) mounting a first end of a surgical suture to the package;
• and,
• C) rotating the fixture a sufficient number of times to effectively wind the entire suture into the winding channel such that the suture is wound into a series of concentric coils.