Emergency self-retaining sutures and packaging

摘要

A removable bidirectional self-retaining suture (700) is disclosed. The suture (700) comprises a first end and second end. A plurality of retainers (703) are disposed on portions of the suture adjacent the ends. The retainers (703) permit movement of the suture through tissue in a first direction and prevent movement in a direction opposite the first direction. A grasp engagement element (706) is located between the first and second ends for grasping the suture. The grasp element (706) is bound by detachment portions (710) for separating the retainer sections from the grasp element. This allows the suture portions to be drawn through the tissue in the first direction. A multidirectional suture is also disclosed with a plurality of directional retainer portions extending from a central grasp element for closing complex wounds.