Multi-strand suture package and cover-latching element

US5230424A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Marvin Alpern · Glen Ridge, US
• Jack Cascio · Bound Brook, US
• David Demarest · Parsippany, US
• Robert B. Duncan · Bound Brook, US
• Konstantin Ivanov · Edison, US
• Joseph Siernos · Whitehouse Station, US
• Martin Sobel · Flemington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 19, 1992
• Grant date: Jul 27, 1993
• Expiry date: Jun 19, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B50/33
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A suture package is designed to facilitate automated loading of multiple needles and sutures into the package. The package includes a tray, for containing the needles and sutures, and a cover. The sutures are contained in a peripheral channel of the tray and an array of resilient cantilevered fingers prevent the sutures from lifting up out of the channel. Needle parks retain the needles that are attached to the sutures. In another embodiment of the invention, a package for retaining a wound suture and attached needle includes a tray for containing the needle and suture, including cover-latching elements that each have two vertical surfaces. Tabs on the removable cover each contact a surface of a corresponding latching element and have a free element that engages a shoulder of the element.