Surgical suture abstract
A packaging for surgical suture material has a base sheet from
which a wall extends in a spiral manner, the wall defining a thread
duct. The thread duct opens at its first end into a thread-removal
area. A cover is located above the thread duct. The spiral wall
is provided on its outward-facing side with thread-deflector protrusions
spaced apart from one another in the course of the thread duct.
Surgical suture claims
We claim:
1. A package for surgical suture material, having a base sheet
(1) and a spiral wall extending from said base sheet, said wall
defining a thread duct (5) which opens at its first end (6) into
a thread-removal area (7), and having a cover (9) for the thread
duct (5), the wall (3) being provided on its outward-facing side
(10) with thread-deflector protrusions (12) spaced apart from one
another in the course of the thread duct (5) wherein said cover
(9) has a lip (14) matched to the course of the wall (3), which
lip rests against the outward-facing side (10) of the wall (3) in
the thread duct (5) and is provided in the region of the thread-deflector
protrusions (12) with recesses (15) into which the thread-deflector
protrusions (12) project.
2. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised in that, parallel to the lip (14), the cover (9) has
a second lip (16) which rests against the inward-facing side (17)
of the wall (3) in the thread duct (5).
3. The package for surgical suture material according to claim
1 characterised in that the thread-deflector protrusions (12) have
a wedge, configuration, wherein each protrusion has an object and
a wedge angle, wherein the apex of the wedge angle in question points
towards the first end (6) of the thread duct (5).
4. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised in that, in the course of the threat duct (5), the
transitions between the base sheet (1) and the wall (3) and/or the
transitions between the wall (3) and the cover (9) are of rounded
design.
5. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised in that the base sheet (1) and the cover (9) has an
opening (38) in the region of the second end (8) of the thread duct
(5).
6. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised in that the thread-removal area (7) is arranged in
the zone surrounded by the thread duct (5).
7. Packaging according to claim 6 characterised in that the cover
(9) at least partially leaves open access to the thread-removal
area (7).
8. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised in that, in the thread-removal area (7), a wedge-shaped
ramp (40) is arranged at the base sheet (1), which ramp is preferably
designed in one piece with the base sheet (1) and preferably has
a thread holder (42 43) assigned to it.
9. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 8
characterised in that a tongue (41) starting from the cover (9)
projects into a recess arranged at the ramp (40).
10. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised in that, in the thread-removal area (7), a mounting
(20) for holding one or more surgical needles (30-33) is arranged
at the base sheet (1), which mounting is formed in one piece with
the base sheet (1).
11. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 10
characterised in that a supporting strip (26) for at least one surgical
needle (30-33) is arranged at the base sheet (1), which strip is
preferably formed in one piece with the base sheet (1).
12. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised in that the thread duct (5) is designed to house several
surgical threads (34 35; 46 47).
13. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised in that the base sheet (1) and the wall (3) are designed
integral with each other.
14. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 14
characterised in that the cover (9) and the wall (3) are connected
to each other by means of catches and/or protrusions (18), preferably
shaped like rivets, engaging in recesses.
15. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised in that a top layer (50) is provided over the thread-removal
area (7).
16. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised in that an outer envelope (60 62) guaranteeing sterility
is provided for the packaging.
17. Packaging for surgical suture material according to claim 1
characterised by surgical suture material (30-33 34 35; 46 47)
contained in the packaging.
18. A package for surgical suture material, comprising a base sheet,
and a spiral wall extending from said base sheet, said wall defining
a thread duct (5) which opens at its first end (6) into a thread-removal
area (7), and having a cover (9) for the thread duct (5), the wall
(3) being provided on its outward-facing side (10) with thread-deflector
protrusions (12) spaced apart from one another in the course of
the thread duct (5), wherein said cover (9) has a lip (14) matched
to the course of the wall (3), which lip rests against the outward-facing
side (10) of the wall (3) in the thread duct (5) and is provided
in the region of the thread-deflector protrusions (12) with recesses
(15) into which the thread-deflector protrusions (12) project, wherein
parallel to the lip (14), the cover (9) has a second lip (16) which
rests against the inward-facing side (17) of the wall (3) in the
thread duct (5), and the thread-deflector protrusions (12) have
a wedge configuration wherein each protrusion has an apex and a
wedge angle, and wherein the apex of the wedge angle in question
points towards the first end (6) of the thread duct (5).
Surgical suture description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a packaging (package container) for surgical
suture material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A packaging for surgical suture material is known from DE-AS 1
466 808 and from U.S. Pat. No. 3338401 which is parallel to it,
in which a wall extending like a spiral rises from a base sheet.
This wall defines a spiral-like thread duct which opens at its first
end into a thread-removal area. A cover is provided for the thread
duct. In order to remove surgical suture material, e.g. a surgical
thread or a surgical thread to one end of which a surgical needle
is secured, from the packaging, the end of the thread projecting
into the thread-removal area or the surgical needle is grasped and
the thread is then drawn out of the thread duct through the first
end of the thread duct.
A drawback in the case of the previously known packaging for surgical
suture material is that, when the surgical suture material is being
removed, the thread can pull tight in the thread duct, in which
it is guided over several spiral turns. Furthermore, in the attempt
to remove it from the packaging, the thread can move inside the
thread duct into the border area between the wall extending like
a spiral and the cover, where a gap is frequently formed because
of the production process. The thread can jam there, which makes
the further removal of the surgical suture material much more difficult.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to further develop a packaging for
surgical suture material of the type described above in such a way
that surgical suture material situated in the packaging can be removed
without problems.
This object is achieved by a packaging for surgical suture material
having the features of claim 1. Advantageous designs are given in
the dependent claims.
The packaging according to the invention for surgical suture material
has a base sheet from which a wall extending like a spiral rises.
The wall extending like a spiral defines a spiral-like thread duct
which opens at its first end into a thread-removal area. A cover
is provided for the thread duct. The wall is provided on its outward-facing
side with thread-deflector protrusions which are spaced apart from
one another along the course of the thread duct.
The effect of the thread-deflector protrusions is that a surgical
thread, when it is to be drawn from the thread duct upon the removal
of the surgical suture material, is not pressed over the whole length
of its section situated in the thread duct against the outward-facing
side of the wall, as would otherwise be the case per se as a result
of the forces occurring when the thread is pulled through a spiral-like
thread duct ("capstan effect"), but is repeatedly guided
away from the outward-facing side of the wall by the thread-deflector
protrusions. The frictional forces occurring when the thread is
being removed are thereby greatly reduced, the thread has less of
a tendency to wander into the border area between the wall and the
cover, and the surgical suture material can be removed from the
packaging without problems.
In a preferred version, the cover has a lip which is matched to
the course of the wall and which rests against the outward-facing
side of the wall in the thread duct and is provided in the region
of the thread-deflector protrusions with recesses into which the
thread-deflector protrusions project. With such a design, the thread-deflector
protrusions completely prevent a thread from becoming caught between
the lip and the wall when surgical suture material is removed. The
transition zone between the wall and the cover can therefore cause
no problems whatsoever when surgical threads are drawn out of the
thread duct. Parallel to the lip, the cover preferably has a second
lip which rests against the inward-facing side of the wall in the
thread duct. In this case, both lips fix the wall against the cover,
as a result of which the stability of the packaging is increased
and a seal is effected between the wall and the cover.
The thread-deflector protrusions can have a wedge-like design,
in which case the apex of the wedge angle in question points towards
the first end of the thread duct. This design makes it easy to fill
the packaging with surgical suture material if surgical threads
are introduced into the thread duct via the first end of the thread
duct, as the ends of the surgical threads can slide problem-free
along thread-deflector protrusions which are shaped in this way.
In a preferred version, frictional forces are also reduced when
the surgical suture material is removed if, along the course of
the thread duct, the transitions between the base sheet and the
wall and/or the transitions between the wall and the cover are of
rounded design.
The base sheet and/or the cover preferably have an opening in the
region of the second end of the thread duct. When the surgical suture
material is packed into the packaging, the base sheet with the wall
extending like a spiral and the cover already being firmly connected
to each other, a negative pressure is applied to this opening. The
thread ends which are not to come to rest in the thread-removal
area are introduced into the thread duct via the first end of the
thread duct, and sucked into the thread duct by the negative pressure.
In this way, the surgical threads can be introduced into the thread
duct quickly, reliably and without becoming tangled in the process.
In a preferred version, the thread-removal area is arranged in
the zone surrounded by the thread duct, the cover preferably leaving
the thread-removal area at least partly exposed. In other words,
the thread-removal area is situated in the central section of the
packaging, and the thread-removal area is preferably freely accessible
without hindrance through the cover. With this geometry, the spiral-like
thread duct has smaller radii in the vicinity of its first end,
that is in the
vicinity of the thread-removal area, than in the vicinity of its
second end. This brings about a better thread run when the threads
are being drawn out, but also when the packaging is being packed
with surgical suture material. The greater the radii of the thread
duct, the smaller the so-called thread memory effect, i.e. the tendency
of a surgical thread, after it has been removed from the packaging,
to reassume the position which it had inside the packaging.
A wedge-shaped ramp, which is preferably designed in one piece
with the base sheet, can be arranged at the base sheet in the thread-removal
area. If there are several surgical threads in the thread duct which
are not fitted with surgical needles, the ramp makes it easier to
remove individual threads. To this end, the bundle of threads projecting
from the first end of the thread duct is rotated onto the ramp with
the thumb and moved over it. In the process, the thread bundle is
fanned out, with the result that the ends of individual threads
can be grasped without problems in order to draw the thread concerned
out of the thread duct. It is advantageous if a tongue starting
from the cover projects into a recess provided at the ramp. The
tongue prevents a surgical thread from becoming caught between the
ramp and the cover when the thread bundle fans out. A thread-holder
is preferably assigned to the ramp.
If surgical suture material which has threads fitted with surgical
needles is to be housed in the packaging, in a preferred version
a mounting for holding one or more surgical needles is arranged
in the thread-removal area at the base sheet, which mounting is
preferably designed in one piece with the base sheet. A supporting
strip for one or more surgical needles can be arranged at the base
sheet, which strip is preferably designed in one piece with the
base sheet. One or more surgical needles can be positioned ready
for use in the packaging with the help of the mounting. This makes
possible a simple and precise removal of individual needles with
threads. If the mounting is designed in one piece with the base
sheet, no additional materials need be used for the mounting, which
reduces production costs and makes for environmentally friendly
disposal. The supporting strip is preferably so arranged that it
extends essentially perpendicular to the surgical needles. A gap
relative to the top face of the base sheet is thereby maintained,
with the result that a surgical needle can be grasped without problems
in the area between the supporting strip and the mounting and removed
without slipping or tilting in the process.
As already indicated, the thread duct can be adapted to house several
surgical threads. For this purpose it should have a width and a
height which are a multiple of the thread thickness. Tests have
shown that twelve or even more threads can be contained in the thread
duct without the removal of individual threads being hampered to
any noteworthy extent by the proximity of the other threads. The
threads remaining in the thread duct essentially maintain their
original position and experience minor slippage at most. This favourable
behaviour is also brought about not least by the thread-deflector
protrusions. The surgical threads preferably lie not folded in the
thread duct, but the thread duct has an overall length which is
at least as great as the length of the housed surgical threads (e.g.
45 cm or 70 cm).
The base sheet and the wall are preferably designed integral with
each other. The cover and the wall can be connected to each other
by means of catches and/or protrusions, preferably shaped like rivets,
which engage in recesses. In a preferred version, the base sheet
with wall and the cover are each produced as an injection moulding,
wherein the injection mouldings can consist of polypropylene and/or
polyethylene. Injection mouldings can be produced cheaply and with
high precision. The use of the fewest possible different materials
likewise contributes to the reduction in production costs and also
to a reduction in environmental pollution when the packaging is
disposed of.
A top layer can be provided above the thread-removal area. The
top layer can for example be made from cardboard and be designed
to be folded back, or it can be laid on the cover and locked at
the cover with noses formed from the top layer. The top layer offers
a mechanical protection for the thread-removal area and the surgical
threads or needles and yet, if it is designed to be folded back
or removed from the thread-removal area, still permits rapid access
to the thread-removal area. A product label can be located on the
top layer or the cover.
An outer envelope, guaranteeing sterility, which can have e.g.
an aluminium foil or an aluminized foil, is preferably provided
for the packaging.
The invention is described in more detail in the following with
reference to embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 a top view, partly presented as a section, of a first version
of the packaging according to the invention for surgical suture
material,
FIG. 2 a longitudinal section through the packaging according to
FIG. 1 along the section line I--I which is drawn in staggered in
FIG. 1
FIG. 3 a section through the packaging according to FIG. 1 parallel
to the paper plane from FIG. 1 in the area designated X in FIG.
1 at the level of the arrow A from FIG. 2
FIG. 4 a section through the packaging according to FIG. 1 parallel
to the paper plane from FIG. 1 in the area designated X in FIG.
1 at the level of the arrow B from FIG. 2
FIG. 5 a top view of a second version of the packaging according
to the invention for surgical suture material, which is provided
with a mounting for holding several surgical needles, the cover
being removed,
FIG. 6 a top view of a third version of the packaging according
to the invention for surgical suture material, which is designed
for surgical threads not provided with surgical needles,
FIG. 7 a perspective partial view of the packaging according to
FIG. 6 in the region of the zone designated Z in FIG. 6
FIG. 8 a top view of the packaging according to FIG. 6 the packaging
being orientated as in FIG. 6 and being provided with an envelope
guaranteeing sterility, and
FIG. 9 a longitudinal section through the packaging according to
FIG. 6 in the envelope along the line VIII--VIII from FIG. 8.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A first version of a packaging for surgical suture material, seen
from above, is represented in FIG. 1. The packaging has a base sheet
1 see also FIG. 2 from which there rises a wall 3 which extends
like a spiral and is connected to the base sheet 1 in one piece
in the embodiment, see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. A spiral-like thread duct
5 is defined by the wall 3 see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 but in particular
FIG. 5 which shows a second version of the packaging for surgical
suture material, viewed from above, which differs from the first
version essentially only as regards the proportions. As can be seen
with the help of the axes drawn in dotted lines in FIG. 1 the thread
duct 5 has an asymmetrical design in the embodiment.
The first end 6 of the thread duct 5 opens into a thread-removal
area 7 which in the embodiments is arranged in the zone surrounded
by the thread duct 5. The second end of the thread duct 8 is closed,
see FIG. 5. The thread duct 5 is closed to the top by a cover 9
which is designed as a sheet in the embodiments, see in particular
FIG. 2. In its central section the cover 9 has a large opening which
permits free access to the thread-removal area 7 from above.
On its outward-facing side 10 the wall 3 has thread-deflector protrusions
12 which are spaced apart from one another along the course of the
thread duct 5. In the first version of the packaging for surgical
suture material, the thread-deflector protrusions 12 have an essentially
wedge-shaped cross-section, preferably without sharp edges, as illustrated
by FIGS. 3 and 4. FIGS. 3 and 4 show sections parallel to the base
sheet 1 at the level of arrows A and B, respectively, from FIG.
2. In the embodiment, the thread-deflector protrusions 12 extend
as far as the upper rim of the wall 3.
A first lip 14 which is matched to the course of the wall 3 extends
downwards from the cover 9 and lies against the outward-facing
side 10 of the wall 3 when the cover 9 is fitted, as can be seen
from FIGS. 2 and 4. In the region of the thread-deflector protrusions
12 the first lip 14 is provided with recesses 15 into which the
thread-deflector protrusions 12 which extend as far as the upper
rim of the wall 3 project. Parallel to the first lip 14 the cover
9 has a second lip 16 which lies against the inward-facing side
17 of the wall 3 when the cover 9 is fitted. In the embodiment,
the second lip 16 does not have gaps corresponding to the recesses
15 see FIG. 4.
The first lip 14 and the second lip 16 enclose the upper section
of the wall 3 see FIG. 2 and thus offer a secure fixing for the
wall 3 through the cover 9. As a result of the interplay between
the thread-deflector protrusions 12 and the first lip 14 the possibility
of a surgical thread sticking in the border region between the wall
3 and the cover 9 as the thread is being removed from the packaging
is reliably avoided. Should it move in the direction of the cover
9 the thread is kept away by the thread-deflector protrusions 12
from any gap between the first lip 14 and the wall 3.
In order to connect the cover 9 to the wall 3 in the embodiment
projections 18 start from a number of points on the wall 3 and pass
through assigned openings in the cover 9 see FIG. 2. The ends of
the projections 18 are deformed in the manner of rivets after the
cover 9 has been fitted onto the base sheet 1 with the wall 3. Other
and/or additional types of connection between the wall 3 and the
cover 9 are possible. Thus, e.g., the use of catches, which project
at the periphery of the cover 9 and engage with suitable counterparts
at the wall 3 is conceivable.
The first version of the packaging, and the second version which
is very similar to it, are intended for surgical suture material
which consists of surgical threads to one end of each of which a
surgical needle is secured. As FIGS. 1 and 5 show, in both versions
a mounting 20 for holding several surgical needles is arranged in
the thread-removal area 7. For each surgical needle, the mounting
20 has a first two-part clamp 22 and a second two-part clamp 23
each of which consists of two clamp parts which project upwards
in the manner of prongs and are elastically designed vis-a-vis each
other. The first two-part clamps 22 and the second two-part clamps
23 respectively, are arranged in a row, as can be seen from FIGS.
1 and 5. A surgical needle can be inserted from above into the first
two-part clamp 22 and second two-part clamp 23 assigned to it and
is thereafter in the position represented in FIG. 5. A supporting
surface 24 projecting vis-a-vis the base sheet 1 supports the surgical
needles in the region of their tips, while a supporting strip 26
extending parallel to the rows of the first and second two-part
clamps 22 23 makes it easy to remove the surgical needles from
the packaging and prevents the surgical needles from tilting. Other
designs of the mounting for holding surgical needles are conceivable.
For example, just one two-part clamp can be assigned to each surgical
needle.
Four needles 30 31 32 and 33 represented in different sizes
for the purposes of illustration, are drawn in FIG. 5. Other needle
types, say straight surgical needles, can also be housed by the
packaging. The surgical thread 34 belonging to needle 30 is shown
in its full length by means of dotted lines in FIG. 5. It extends
almost as far as the second end 8 of the thread duct 5. The route
of the thread 35 starting from needle 31 is indicated only as far
as the first end 6 of the thread duct 5 in FIG. 5; the other threads
are not shown, in the interests of clarity. However, all the threads
run in the thread duct 5. The dimensions of the thread duct 5 are
large enough for the other threads in the thread duct 5 to neither
cause nor suffer disturbance when a surgical thread is removed.
In the embodiment, the packaging is packed with surgical suture
material after the thread duct 5 has been closed by fitting of the
cover 9. In the region of the second end 8 of the thread duct 5
the base sheet 1 has an opening 38 see FIG. 5. The thread duct
5 can be brought into contact with a source of negative pressure
via the opening 38. The ends of the surgical threads that are to
be introduced into the packaging are brought to the first end 6
of the thread duct 5 and then sucked into the thread duct 5 with
the help of the source of negative pressure. This functions quickly
and reliably, with the surgical threads distributing themselves
evenly along the thread duct 5 as indicated in FIG. 5. In particular,
the thread-deflector protrusions 12 do not represent an obstacle
for the ends of the surgical threads during the packing process,
if, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 they are of wedge-like design,
with the result that the ends of the surgical threads can slide
along them without problems.
In order to remove surgical suture material from the packaging
represented in FIG. 5 the desired surgical needle, e.g. needle
30 is gripped with a needle holder in the section between the second
two-part clamp 23 and the supporting strip 26 and detached from
the mounting 20. The supporting strip 26 prevents the needle 30
from tilting over. The surgical thread 34 is then drawn out of the
thread duct 5 by pulling on the needle 30. The other surgical threads,
e.g. thread 35 or the threads drawn in in FIG. 2 do not interfere,
and change their position only slightly when thread 34 is pulled
out of the thread duct 5. As a result of the forces which occur
when the thread 34 is pulled out, thread 34 is forced towards the
outward-facing side 10 of the wall 3. The thread-deflector protrusions
12 prevent the thread 34 from being rubbed against the wall 3 along
the whole of its length situated in the thread duct 5. The removal
of the thread is made much easier as a result. As has already been
explained, because of the thread-deflector protrusions 12 it is
impossible for the thread 34 to enter any gap or a small crack between
the cover 9 or the first lip 14 and the wall 3 and stick there.
The removal of a surgical thread is made yet easier if, in the course
of the thread duct 5 the transitions between the base sheet 1 and
the wall 3 and/or the transitions between the wall 3 and the cover
9 or the first lip 14 and the second lip 16 and/or the transitions
between the first lip 14 and second lip 16 respectively, and the
cover 9 are of a rounded design, as indicated in FIG. 2.
As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 the thread-deflector protrusions
12 have an essentially wedge-shaped form in the embodiment, the
apex of the wedge angle in question pointing towards the first end
6 of the thread duct 5 and they extend essentially perpendicular
to the base sheet 1. In other words, the cross-section of the thread-deflector
protrusions 12 essentially has, in the representation according
to FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 the shape of an acute-angled triangle with
the acute angle towards the first end 6 of the thread duct 5. However,
other designs of the thread-deflector protrusions are conceivable,
for example those with an essentially rectangular cross-section.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 the base sheet 1 the wall 3
with the thread-deflector protrusions 12 formed thereat and also
the mounting 20 for holding surgical needles including the supporting
surface 24 and the supporting strip 26 are made in one piece as
an injection moulding, preferably from polypropylene or polyethylene.
The cover 9 with the first lip 14 and the second lip 16 is also
a one-piece injection moulding, which preferably consists of the
same material as the injection moulding with the base sheet 1. The
two parts are joined together with a precise fit after they have
been produced and riveted to each other at the protrusions 18 as
has already been explained with reference to FIG. 2.
FIGS. 6 to 9 show a third version of the packaging for surgical
suture material. This version is intended for surgical suture material
which consists of surgical threads only, i.e. has no needles. The
structure of the third version is essentially the same as that of
the first two versions, for which reason the same reference numbers
are used in FIGS. 6 to 9 as in FIGS. 1 to 5. Unlike the first two
versions, however, the third version has no mounting for holding
surgical needles, but a ramp 40 developed in one piece from the
base sheet 1. The ramp 40 is shown magnified and in perspective
in FIG. 7 in the area of the zone designated Z in FIG. 6. A tongue
41 starting from the cover 9 projects into a recess formed at the
top of the ramp 40 see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. To both sides of
the ramp 40 the cover 9 juts out over the thread-removal area
7 with the result that two protrusions 42 and 43 are formed which
serve as thread holders.
It can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7 how the front sections of e.g.
two surgical threads 46 and 47 projecting from the thread duct 5
are guided inside the thread-removal area 7 and clamped between
the ramp 40 and the two protrusions 42 and 43. Therefore, the front
ends of the threads 46 and 47 do not project upwards over the cover
9. If surgical threads are to be removed from the packaging, the
operator rolls the threads (threads 46 and 47 in this case) up over
the ramp 40 with his thumb, i.e. onto the cover 9. In the process,
the threads run over the tongue 41 which for this purpose is lowered
far enough into the aforementioned recess in the ramp 40 for the
threads to be able to move to the top of the cover 9 and not become
stuck in any gap between the ramp 40 and the cover 9. The bundle
of threads formed by the threads fans out in the process, and the
front ends of the threads are no longer covered by the protrusion
42. The threads are now individually accessible without further
ado, and the operating surgeon can grasp a desired thread with forceps
or another suitable instrument and pull it out of the packaging
in the way that has already been described in connection with FIGS.
1 to 5.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show a top layer 50 which is arranged above the thread-removal
area 7 and protects the thread-removal area 7 before the packaging
is used. In the embodiment, the top layer 50 is made from cardboard
and has a securing section 51 and a section 52. The securing section
51 is glued on the cover 9. The section 52 covers the thread-removal
area 7 and can be folded back along a fold line 53 in order to make
the thread-removal area 7 accessible. To facilitate a better grip
on the section 52 the top layer 50 juts out over the cover 9. In
the embodiment, the section 52 is locked above the thread-removal
area 7 by means of a downwardly projecting nose 54 at the edge of
the recess. If a perforation line is used instead of the fold line
53 the section 52 can be torn off without problems from the securing
section 51. The previously described versions of the packaging for
surgical suture material can also have a top layer 50.
In an alternative version, the top layer 50 is fixed to the packaging,
without being glued, with the help of locking noses, which preferably
start from the top layer 50. For example, the locking noses can
engage at the cover 9 at the edge of the recess above the thread-removal
area 7. The top layer 50 can then be removed upwards without problems
if access to the thread-removal area 7 is desired.
In order to guarantee the sterility of the packaging and of the
surgical suture material contained in it, an envelope enclosing
the packaging is provided, which is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In the
embodiment, the envelope has an upper layer 60 which is situated
above the cover 9 and the top layer 50 and a lower layer 62 which
extends on the underside of the base sheet 1 and along its edge
zone 58 which is turned upwards in the third version. The upper
layer 60 and the lower layer 62 are glued to each other at a circumferential
jointing edge 64. The upper layer 60 and the lower layer 62 continue
beyond the jointing edge 64 as an upper grip projection 66 and a
lower grip projection 68 respectively. The upper grip projection
66 and the lower grip projection 68 are not glued to each other.
The envelope is preferably made from aluminium foil or aluminized
foil. To open the envelope, an assistant not working under sterile
conditions grasps the upper grip projection 66 with one hand and
the lower grip projection 68 with the other hand and pulls part
of the upper layer 60 from the lower layer 62 without in the process
touching the packaging that lies inside. The opening created in
this way is large enough, and also sufficiently dimensionally stable
because of the material used for the envelope, for the operating
surgeon who is working under sterile conditions to be able to grasp
the packaging through the opening without coming into contact with
the non-sterile outsides of the upper layer 60 and of the lower
layer 62.
The packaging for surgical suture material can be produced in many
variants. The shape of the packaging is preferably matched to the
provided surgical suture material, e.g. the length of the thread
duct 5 to the length of the surgical threads that are to be packed.
|