Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A multistrand suture package providing individual suture delivery comprising a plurality of suture strands in substantially parallel alignment, said suture strands being wound in the configuration of a coil comprising a series of convolutions disposed in sequence from one end of the suture to the other with each convolution being laterally displaced from adjacent convolutions, and retaining means holding the wound suture strands in the aforesaid configuration with one end of said suture strands extending from said retaining means, whereby individual suture strands may be grasped and withdrawn from said retaining means, without entangling sutures remaining in the package.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A multistrand suture package providing individual suture delivery comprising a plurality of suture strands in substantially parallel alignment, said suture strands being wound in the configuration of a coil comprising a series of convolutions disposed in sequence from one end of the suture to the other with each convolution being laterally displaced from adjacent convolutions, and retaining means holding the wound suture strands in the aforesaid configuration with one end of said suture strands extending from said retaining means, whereby individual suture strands may be grasped and withdrawn from said retaining means, without entangling sutures remaining in the package.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A package of claim 1 wherein said suture strands are wound in the form of a coil comprising a series of figure eight convolutions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A package of claim 1 wherein said suture strands are wound in the form of a coil comprising a series of circular convolutions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A package of claim 1 wherein said suture strands are wound in the form of a coil comprising a series of circular convolutions having at least one reversal in the direction of winding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A package of claim 1 wherein said suture strands have needles attached to the end extending from said retaining means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A package of claim 1 comprising a plurality of multifilament braided suture strands.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A package of claim 6 wherein said suture strands have needles attached.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A package of claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprise first and second panels foldably connected and adapted to hold the suture coil therebetween when said panels are in a folded position, and means associated with said panels for holding said panels in said folded position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A suture package according to claim 8 wherein the means for holding said panels in a folded position comprise a locking tab along a free edge of one panel which enters into alignment with and engages a locking slot in the other panel when said panels are in a folded position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A suture package according to claim 8 wherein the means for holding said panels in a folded position comprise stapling means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A suture package according to claim 8 wherein the means for holding said panels in a folded position comprise adhesive means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
A package of claim 8 wherein the ends of the suture strands extending from the retaining means extend from between said first and second panels and are returned back over said second panel, and said package additionally comprises a third panel foldably attached to said first panel and adapted to be folded down over said suture ends to retain said ends in the aforesaid position over said second panel, and means associated with said third panel for holding said panel in said folded position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A package of claim 12 wherein said suture strands have needles attached to the ends retained by said third panel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
A package of claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprise a first rectangular panel having major and minor edges, second and third panels foldably connected to said first panel along the minor edges thereof, and a fourth panel foldably connected to said first panel along one major edge thereof, said second and third panels being adapted to fold inwardly over said first panel with said suture strands retained therebetween, and said fourth panel being adapted to fold over said second and third panel, and means for holding said panels in the aforesaid folded positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A package of claim 14 wherein said second and third panels have locking tabs and said first panel has a locking slot, said tabs and slot entering into alignment and engaging one another when said second and third panels are folded over said first panel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A package of claim 14 wherein said fourth panel has a locking tab and said first panel has a locking slot, said tab and slot entering into alignment and engaging one another when said fourth panel is folded over said second and third panels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A package of claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises first and second panels having the suture coil positioned therebetween, said panels being joined around the periphery of said suture coil in a border containing an opening with the suture strands extending therefrom.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A package of claim 17 wherein said first and second panels are joined by a heat seal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A package of claim 17 wherein said first and second panels are joined by an adhesive.