| 摘要 |
<p>A suture retainer (20) includes a first panel (32) and foldably connected second through fifth panels (42,46,50a,50b). When all of the panels (32,42,46,50a,50b) are folded, the retainer (20) has the approximate size and shape of the first panel (32), and the suture (22) is contained within the folded panels. Separator facilities (56) on the first panel (32) prevent suture strands (24) from becoming tangled. The separator (56) may constitute a pleated low friction sheet with the strands (24) contained between the plats, or it may constitute one or more sinuous cuts (218) in the first panel (32) which define tabs (220,222) for holding the strands (24). Sutures (22) are withdrawn from a site at one end of the first panel. The second panel (42) is foldably (44) located at the other end (40) of the first panel (32) and maintains suture strands (24) within the boundary (40) of the first panel (32). The third panel (46) is foldable (48) about a side (34) of the first panel (32) to overly the folded second panel (42), the separator (56) and the sutures (22) and to complimentarily overly the first panel (32). A holder, such as a foam strip (68) on the first panel (32) and near the withdrawal site (72), holds the suture strand (24) to maintain the needle (26) strand (24) attachment point at the withdrawal site (72). Facilities normally cover the needlepoints at the withdrawal site (72). These facilities may constitute either a tab (80) on the third panel (46), which covers the needlepoints when the third panel (46) is folded, or a removable sheath (226) on the needles (26). Tabs (74,76) on the third panel (46) fit into slit (86,88) at the boundary (36) of the first (32) and fourth (50a) panels to keep the third panel (46) folded. When the fourth (50a) panel is folded about the other side (36) of the first panel (32), it partially or completely overlies the folded third panel (46). The fourth panel (50a) may be held in its folded condition by fitting a locking tab (112,114,116) on its free edge (104) under a V-shaped locking ear (98,100,102) formed in the fold line (34) between the first (32) and third (46) panels. The fifth panel (50b) may constitute a separable or separate portion of the fourth panel (50a) which is mutually foldable with the fourth panel (50a) but is independently unfoldable. The fifth panel (50b) may also constitute a separate panel foldable about one end (36) of the first panel (32). unfolding the fifth panel (50b) exposes the withdrawal site (72) to permit suture removal. <IMAGE></p> |
