US5127518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Package for surgical sutures
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
•
Filing: 1991-05-09
•
Granted: 1992-07-07
•
Expires: 2011-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A package for surgical sutures and suture-needle assemblies which includes a series of panels foldable about each other to enclose the sutures in an unfolded and elongated condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry A. Holzwarth
- 👤 Christopher M. Scanlon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06114; A61B17/06133; A61B17/06138; A61B2017/06142; A61B2017/06147; A61B50/00; A61B2050/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A package for surgical sutures and suture needle assemblies comprising three interconnected panels, a first panel serving as a suture retaining panel, a second panel connected to said first panel and serving as a front cover, and a third panel connected to said second panel and serving as a back cover, wherein said first panel includes an elongated tubular member for retaining said sutures in said tubular member in an elongated and unfolded condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A package for surgical sutures and suture needle assemblies comprising three interconnected panels, a first panel serving as a suture retaining panel, a second panel connected to said first panel and serving as a front cover, and a third panel connected to said second panel and serving as a back cover, wherein said first panel includes an elongated tubular member for retaining said sutures in said tubular member in an elongated and unfolded condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A package according to claim 1, wherein said first panel includes means for retaining said tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A package according to claim 2, wherein said means for retaining said tubular member comprises at least one die cut in said panel which is foldable to grasp said tubular member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A package according to claim 2, wherein said means for retaining said tubular member comprises adhesives.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A package according to claim 1 wherein said first panel includes means for retaining needles of said suture needle assemblies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A package according to claim 1, wherein said third panel is provided with an extension panel at a first end of said package, said panel being foldable over said package to provide a top for said package, and further including means for securing said panel to said second panel to maintain said package in the closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A package according to claim 1, wherein said third panel includes means for holding said package in the fully folded and closed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A package according to claim 7, wherein said holding means cooperates with at least said first panel to hold said package in the closed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A package according to claim 7, wherein said holding means comprises at least one tab which interlocks with at least one corresponding slot on said first panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A package according to claim 9, wherein said at least one tab extends outwardly from a longitudinal edge of said third panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A package according to claim 9, wherein said at least one tab comprises an inwardly directed die-cut forming an edge which engages said at least one slot on said first panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A package according to claim 7, wherein said holding means comprises an adhesive strip which secures said third panel to said first panel to hold said package in the closed position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A package according to claim 5, wherein said needle retaining means comprises an adhesive-backed foam needle park, said park being positioned so as to overlap an edge of said first panel to adhere to said third panel when said package is in the closed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A package according to claim 1, wherein said tubular member comprises a plastic tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
115 words
A package for surgical sutures and suture needle assemblies comprising three interconnected panels, a first panel serving as a suture retaining panel, a second panel connected to said first panel and serving as a front cover, and a third panel connected to said second panel and serving as a back cover; and means for retaining said suture in an elongated and unfolded condition in said package positioned on said first panel; wherein said second panel includes needle display means at a first end of said package, said second panel further including an extension panel at a second end of said package which is foldable over said second panel to provide a bottom for said package.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
115 words
A package for surgical sutures and suture needle assemblies comprising three interconnected panels, a first panel serving as a suture retaining panel, a second panel connected to said first panel and serving as a front cover, and a third panel connected to said second panel and serving as a back cover; and means for retaining said suture in an elongated and unfolded condition in said package positioned on said first panel; wherein said second panel includes needle display means at a first end of said package, said second panel further including an extension panel at a second end of said package which is foldable over said second panel to provide a bottom for said package.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
A package according to claim 15, wherein said third panel is provided with an extension panel at a first end of said package, said panel being foldable over said package to provide a top for said package, and further including means for securing said panel to said second panel to maintain said package in the closed position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A package according to claim 15, wherein said needle display means comprises at least one flap member on said second panel which is pivotable away from said needles to display said needles in said package when said package is in a closed position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A package according to claim 17, wherein said flap member engages said first panel to hold said needles of said suture needle assemblies.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
A package for surgical suture and suture-needle assemblies comprising three interconnected panels, a first panel serving as a suture and needle retaining panel, a second panel connected to said first panel and serving as a front cover, and a third panel connected to said second panel and serving as a back cover, wherein said first panel includes means for holding said suture and needle assemblies in an unfolded condition, said second panel includes needle display means at a first end of said package and a fold over extension panel at a second end of said package, said third panel includes a fold over extension panel at said first end of said package, and said third panel further includes holding means which cooperates with at least said first panel for holding said package in a fully folded and closed position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
139 words
A package for surgical suture and suture-needle assemblies comprising three interconnected panels, a first panel serving as a suture and needle retaining panel, a second panel connected to said first panel and serving as a front cover, and a third panel connected to said second panel and serving as a back cover, wherein said first panel includes means for holding said suture and needle assemblies in an unfolded condition, said second panel includes needle display means at a first end of said package and a fold over extension panel at a second end of said package, said third panel includes a fold over extension panel at said first end of said package, and said third panel further includes holding means which cooperates with at least said first panel for holding said package in a fully folded and closed position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A package according to claim 19, wherein said means for holding said sutures includes an elongated tubular member for holding said sutures therein in an elongated and unfolded condition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A package according to claim 20, wherein said tubular member is secured to said first panel by engagement with a series of die cuts in said first panel which grasp said tubular member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
A package according to claim 19, wherein said holding means on said third panel comprises a series of tabs which engage corresponding slots on at least said first panel to hold said package closed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
A package according to claim 22, wherein said series of tabs extend outwardly from a longitudinal edge of said third panel to engage said slots on said first panel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
A package according to claim 22, wherein said series of tabs comprise a series of inwardly directed die-cuts forming edges which engage said slots on said first panel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A package according to claim 19, wherein said holding means comprises a strip of adhesive material on said third panel which engages said first panel to hold said package closed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
A package according to claim 19, wherein said first panel includes means for securing needles of said suture needle assemblies.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A package according to claim 19, wherein said needle display means comprises a pair of flaps which fold away from said second panel to display said needles.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
A package according to claim 19, wherein said needle display means comprises a flap member which engages a slit in said first panel to hold said needles in place.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of loading sutures into a surgical suture package, said package having three interconnected panels joined by longitudinal scored lines, said method comprising: placing at least one suture in an elongated tubular member; securing said tubular member to a first panel of said package; folding said first panel having said tubular member containing said at least one suture over a second panel of said package; folding a third panel over said first panel; and securing said third panel to said first panel to maintain said package in a fully folded and closed condition.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of loading sutures into a surgical suture package, said package having three interconnected panels joined by longitudinal scored lines, said method comprising: placing at least one suture in an elongated tubular member; securing said tubular member to a first panel of said package; folding said first panel having said tubular member containing said at least one suture over a second panel of said package; folding a third panel over said first panel; and securing said third panel to said first panel to maintain said package in a fully folded and closed condition.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said second panel further includes a flap member, said method further comprising the step of folding said flap member over said first panel after said first panel is folded over said second panel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said third panel includes a flap member, said method further including the step of folding said flap member over said second and first panel and securing said flap to said second panel after said third panel is folded over said first panel and secured thereto.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said step of securing said tubular member to said first panel comprises positioning said tubular member within a plurality of overlapping die-cut flaps to secure said tubular member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein a plurality of sutures are positioned in said tubular member, said sutures having needles attached to one end, said method further comprising the step of securing said needles to said package after said tubular member is secured to said first panel.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said needles are secured to a foam needle retaining member which is secured to said first panel.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said second panel includes at least one pivotable flap member adjacent said needles, said method further comprising folding said flap member over said needles and securing said flap member in a slot in said first panel to secure said needles to said package.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
246 words
A method for packaging surgical suture-needle assemblies, said package including three interconnected panels, a first panel serving as a suture and needle retaining panel, a second panel connected to said first panel and serving as a front cover, and a third panel connected to said second panel and serving as a back cover, said first panel including a tubular member for holding said suture and needle assemblies in an unfolded condition, said second panel including needle display means at a first end of said package and a fold over extension panel at a second end of said package, said third panel including a fold over extension panel at said first end of said package, and said third panel further including holding means which cooperates with at least said first panel for holding said package in a fully folded and closed position, said method comprising: placing at least one suture-needle assembly in said elongated tubular member; securing said elongated tubular member to said first panel; securing said needles to said first panel; folding said first panel over said second panel; folding said second panel fold over extension panel over said first panel; folding said third panel over said first panel; securing said third panel to at least said first panel to maintain said package in a closed condition; and folding said third panel fold over extension panel over said first and second panel and securing said extension panel to said second panel to fully close said package.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
246 words
A method for packaging surgical suture-needle assemblies, said package including three interconnected panels, a first panel serving as a suture and needle retaining panel, a second panel connected to said first panel and serving as a front cover, and a third panel connected to said second panel and serving as a back cover, said first panel including a tubular member for holding said suture and needle assemblies in an unfolded condition, said second panel including needle display means at a first end of said package and a fold over extension panel at a second end of said package, said third panel including a fold over extension panel at said first end of said package, and said third panel further including holding means which cooperates with at least said first panel for holding said package in a fully folded and closed position, said method comprising: placing at least one suture-needle assembly in said elongated tubular member; securing said elongated tubular member to said first panel; securing said needles to said first panel; folding said first panel over said second panel; folding said second panel fold over extension panel over said first panel; folding said third panel over said first panel; securing said third panel to at least said first panel to maintain said package in a closed condition; and folding said third panel fold over extension panel over said first and second panel and securing said extension panel to said second panel to fully close said package.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 36, wherein said step of securing said needles to said first panel comprises positioning said needles in a foam needle park secured to said first panel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 36, wherein said needle display means includes at least one flap member pivotable from said second panel, said method further comprising the step of folding said flap member over said needles and engaging said flap member in a slot in said first panel to secure said needles to said first panel.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of removing a surgical suture-needle assembly from a package, said package including three interconnected panels, a first panel having said suture needle assembly secured thereto in an elongated tubular member, said needle assembly being secured in a foam needle park on said first panel, said first panel being folded over a second panel, said second panel having at least one flap member forming needle display means at a first end and an extension panel folded over said first panel at a second end, and a third panel folded over said first panel and secured thereto to maintain said package in a fully closed position, said third panel including a fold over extension panel at said first end which is folded over said first and second panels and secured to said second panel; said method comprising: opening said package by unfolding said third panel extension panel to reveal said needle display means; unfolding said flap member of said needle display means to reveal said needle; grasping said needle; and removing said suture-needle assembly from said package by sliding said assembly out of said elongated tubular member; wherein said suture is maintained in an unfolded condition by said tubular member.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of removing a surgical suture-needle assembly from a package, said package including three interconnected panels, a first panel having said suture needle assembly secured thereto in an elongated tubular member, said needle assembly being secured in a foam needle park on said first panel, said first panel being folded over a second panel, said second panel having at least one flap member forming needle display means at a first end and an extension panel folded over said first panel at a second end, and a third panel folded over said first panel and secured thereto to maintain said package in a fully closed position, said third panel including a fold over extension panel at said first end which is folded over said first and second panels and secured to said second panel; said method comprising: opening said package by unfolding said third panel extension panel to reveal said needle display means; unfolding said flap member of said needle display means to reveal said needle; grasping said needle; and removing said suture-needle assembly from said package by sliding said assembly out of said elongated tubular member; wherein said suture is maintained in an unfolded condition by said tubular member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-07 | 1996-01-06 | 1996-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-07 | 2000-01-06 | 2000-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-07 | 2004-01-06 | 2004-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |