MODERN CONCEPTS OF PACKAGING SURGICAL NEEDLES AND SUTURE

A new, innovative packaging system for surgical needles and sutures ha s been developed that meets the special needs of surgical technologist s. This packaging system consists of an overwrap, or breather pouch, a s well as an innerwrap containing the suture swaged to a surgical need le. The flaps of the overwrap are offset and serrated to facilitate th e opening and sterile transfer of the inner packet to the sterile fiel d. The inner packet contains either a plastic labyrinth, or craft boar d that maintains the suture as straight as possible until knot constru ction. The needle swaged to a suture is 'parked' in foam to protect it s sharp cutting edges and point.