Assembly of Retainer and suture reel dispenser

Abstract: A retainer (10) for a suture reel dispenser (50), comprising a first panel member (12) serving as a reel panel, a second panel member (14) foldably connected to the first panel member (12) and serving as a cover panel, a third panel member (16) foldably connected to the second panel (14) member and serving as a back panel, and means (18) to secure the reel dispenser (50) within said retainer (10).

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a surgical suture retainer and, more particularly, to a suture reel dispenser assembly comprising a retainer and a dispenser Discussion of the Prior Art A retainer for a suture can be fashioned from a blank comprising a number of panels separated by fold lines, and these lines may define gussets. For one example of such a retainer, which is foldable as the retainer of claim 1, see US-A-4884681. Suture dispensers featuring a reel for storing a quantity of suture material have been developed to provide a desired length of suture material free of kinks or other irregularities, which can be used immediately without the need for straightening or similar preparative manipulation. In many of these known suture reel dispensers, a suture reel is rotatably seated within an outer casing and rotates to allow a desired length of suture to be played out. Packaging of suture reel dispensers require that the reel dispensers be properly secured as well as being simply and quickly removable from their packages for use by the surgeon. U.S. Patent No. 3,749,238 to Taylor describes a conventional reel dispenser retainer or package for a suture reel dispenser, which includes a molded-in plastic depth tray having a circular cavity for receiving a suture reel and a lid which is sealed about the periphery of the tray. U.S. Patent Nos. 3,648,949 to Berger et al. and 3,545,608 to Berger et al. each describes a similar type package. Although the molded-type tray retainers have proved to be adequate for storing and preserving the sterile qualities of a reel dispenser, there remains several significant problems with these retainers, foremost of which is that the reel dispenser packaged in a molded-type tray retainer is not easily passed to the surgeon during surgical procedures and is not in a position to be readily accessed by the surgeon. Furthermore, once the reel dispenser is removed from the tray retainer, the relative small size of the reel makes it difficult to handle. Accordingly, the novel retainer of the present invention effectively stores a suture reel dispenser while also providing for ready accessibility of the dispenser during operating room procedures, and provides a means for easily handling a suture reel dispenser without risk of dropping the reel or unraveling the loaded suture material. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The suture reel dispenser assembly of the present invention is defined in claim 1 below. According to the present invention, the retainer comprises a first panel member serving as a reel panel, a second panel member foldably connected to the first panel member by a double perforated line and serving as a cover panel, a third panel member foldably connected to the second panel member by a double perforated line and serving as a back panel and an extension panel foldably connected to an upper edge of the first panel member. Each double perforated line forms a gusset between the interconnected panels. The extension panel is adapted to fold over the reel dispenser which is at least partially exposed at the upper edge of the first panel member. Means to secure the reel dispenser in the partially exposed position within the retainer is provided. The securement means may include a U-shaped reel tab formed in the first panel member, the reel tab being adapted to engage a component of the reel dispenser to prevent movement of the reel dispenser relative to the retainer. In an alternative embodiment, the securement means includes a pair of engaging tabs which are foldably connected to upper edges of the gussets. The engaging tabs are provided with notches which engage select components of the reel dispenser, and in this embodiment the second panel member serves as the reel panel. Preferably, the extension panel defines an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being foldable along a perforated line over the lower section. A locking tab formed in the upper section engages an upper edge of the second panel member to secure the extension panel around the reel dispenser and to the retainer. A crescent-shaped opening may be provided in the first or third panel member with a corresponding slit provided in the remaining panel member. The opening and the slit cooperate with each other when the retainer is fully folded to provide a locking mechanism to secure the retainer in a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the retainer secures a suture reel dispenser of the type including a cylindrically shaped receptacle and an extension member connected to a section of the receptacle. The receptacle is adapted to rotatably receive a suture reel on one side, and includes a recess formed on the second side and may further include serrations formed on the outer peripheral surface. The retainer essentially is configured as previously described, with the first, second and third panel members folding onto each other to form a pocket to receive the reel dispenser. The pocket of the retainer may be smaller than the diameter of the suture reel dispenser, and thus, as the reel dispenser is inserted into the pocket, the walls of the retainer pocket engage the circumferential walls of the reel dispenser, thereby limiting entry of the reel dispenser into the pocket and maintaining the dispenser in a partially exposed position above the upper edge of the first panel member. The gussets formed between the panel members expand slightly to accommodate the reel dispenser. In one embodiment, the reel tab formed in the first panel member engages the recess of the reel dispenser to limit upward movement of the dispenser relative to the retainer and to assist in securing the dispenser within the retainer. In a second embodiment, the engaging tabs are folded over the gusset, with the notches of the tabs engaging the serrations formed on the peripheral surface of the dispenser to secure the dispenser within the retainer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing features of the present invention will become more readily apparent and may be understood by referring to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the suture reel dispenser retainer, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of the retainer of the present invention in the fully unfolded condition; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the retainer of Fig. 1 shown in the partially folded condition; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the retainer of Fig. 1 in the fully folded condition; Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, rear (Fig. 4) and front (Fig. 5) views of a suture reel dispenser to be loaded in the retainer of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the retainer of Fig. 1 with the suture reel dispenser of Figs. 4 and 5 positioned on a first panel of the retainer; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the retainer of Fig. 1 with the suture reel dispenser of Figs. 4 and 5 loaded therein; Figs. 8 to 10 are cancelled; Fig. 11 is a plan view of a further alternate embodiment of the retainer of Fig. 1; Fig. 12 is a plan view of a further alternate embodiment of the retainer of Fig. 1; Fig. 13 is a plan view of a further alternate embodiment of the retainer of Fig. 1; and Fig. 14 is a plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 13 illustrating the operative position of the engaging tabs. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now in specific detail to the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements throughout the several views, Fig. 1 illustrates an unloaded suture reel dispenser retainer 10 in accordance with this invention. Retainer 10 is provided as a series of interconnected panels, namely reel panel 12, cover panel 14 and back panel 16. Extension panel 18 is detachably secured to upper edge 20 of reel panel 12 and possesses upper and lower sections 32 and 34, respectively. Upper edge 20 of panel 12 is slightly above the upper edges of panel 14 and 16. This feature enables upper edge 20 to be readily accessible so that extension panel 18 may be detached from retainer 10 to reveal the reel dispenser during operating procedures. Upper section 32 is foldable over lower section 34 along fold line 36 to enclose the suture reel dispenser when the dispenser is loaded in the retainer as will be described below. Retainer 10 is preferably formed from a single sheet of suitable material, e.g., stiff paper or paperboard such as 5 point to 12 point solid, Tyvek, bleached sulfate board, plastics, foils, laminates, and the like, which is die cut to provide the desired configuration. Panels 12, 16 are joined to cover panel 14 by partial double perforated lines 22, 24 (and their associated gusset sections 26, 28), respectively. Double lines 22, 24 may, in the alternative, be score lines. Gusset sections 26, 28 accommodate a limited degree of expansion of the retainer in its loaded, fully folded condition. Gusset sections 26, 28 may extend the full length of retainer 10, but preferably terminate at a point below the upper edge of the retainer thereby forming openings 46, 48. In the folded condition of retainer 10, openings 46, 48 provide easy access to the loaded suture reel dispenser. Gusset sections 26, 28 also taper in width in the lower section of the retainer 10. Reel panel 12 possesses a U-shaped slit which defines U-shaped reel tab 30 in the upper section of the panel. Reel tab 30 can be lifted from the plane of the panel to engage select components of a suture reel dispenser to limit movement of the dispenser and to prevent its accidental removal. Back panel 16 possesses crescent shaped tab 40 defined by arcuate slit 38. Reel panel 12 includes locking slot 42, wherein, in the folded condition of retainer 10, tab 40 of panel 16 cooperates with locking slot 42 of panel 12 to maintain the panels in a closed position. Extension panel 18 possesses locking tab 44, which engages with the upper edge of cover panel 14 in the folded condition of retainer 10 to closably secure the extension panel. The retainer 10 of Figs. 1-3 is configured to receive a suture reel dispenser of the type illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 suture dispenser 50 possesses a receptacle component 52 of substantially circular configuration and an extension portion 56. The receptacle component 52 receives suture reel 54. A concentrical hub recess 58 is formed on the rear surface of the receptacle 52. Receptacle 52 may also possess a plurality of serrations 59, as seen in Fig. 6, disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the receptacle. It is clear that retainer 10 may also engage various suture reels, such as those which only provide suture reel 54 without component 52. To load suture reel dispenser 50 into retainer 10, the retainer is first placed in its folded condition. Reel panel 12 is folded over double perforated line 22 and onto cover panel 14. Back panel 16 is then folded along double perforated line 24 and onto the rear of reel panel 12. Tab 40 of back panel 16 is positioned within locking slot 42 to secure the panels together and to form a pocket wherein the suture dispenser may be received. Suture reel dispenser 50 is then inserted in the pocket formed by the partially folded retainer 10 preferably in the manner shown in Fig. 7. As dispenser 50 is positioned in retainer 10, U-shaped reel tab 30 projects into and engages hub recess 58 of dispenser 50. This engagement inhibits the upward movement of dispenser 50 relative to retainer 10 thereby preventing accidental removal of dispenser 50 from the retainer. It is also possible to fold retainer 10 around a previously loaded reel dispenser 50. In accordance with this method, reel dispenser 50 is first positioned onto panel 12 as illustrated in Fig. 6, with reel tab 30 projecting into and engaging hub recess 58. Cover panel 14 and back panel 16 are then folded and secured around the reel dispenser. As illustrated in Fig. 7, dispenser 50 is maintained in the upper portion of retainer 10. This feature of the present invention may be achieved by ensuring that the width of the pocket formed by the folded retainer is slightly smaller than the suture dispenser to be inserted. In the present embodiment, the width of retainer 10 is more narrow than the diameter of dispenser 50. Thus, as dispenser 50 is inserted into retainer 10, openings 46 and 48 allow the reel dispenser 50 to protrude outwardly while gussets 26, 28 engage the circumferential walls of the dispenser, and reel panel 12 and cover panel 14 engage the front and rear of the dispenser. Thus, a tight fit is formed around the dispenser, which thereby maintains the dispenser in the upper portion of the retainer and prevents the dispenser from entering too deeply within the pocket, to remain in a position being shown in Fig. 7. The dispenser in this position can be readily grasped by the surgeon during operating procedures, to dispense the suture material or for the complete removal of the reel from the retainer. It is within the scope of the present invention to configure retainer 10 so that it can secure various types of suture reel dispensers. The width and depth of the pocket formed by the closed retainer may be varied to accommodate different sized reel dispensers. Furthermore, the width and depth of the pocket may be equal to or even larger than the reel dispenser to be loaded therein. Reel tab 30 may be modified to engage select components of a dispenser. For example, reel tab 30 may be made more narrow to project into the boss openings of known conventional suture reels. Reel tab 30 may also be inverted. It is also possible to provide the retainer with two reel tabs 30 and 31 on reel panel 12, as seen in Fig. 12, one reel tab configured to engage a boss opening and to prevent the upward movement of the dispenser and the second reel tab configured to support the dispenser and prevent downward movement of the dispenser into the retainer pocket. To fully secure retainer 10 with suture reel dispenser 50 loaded therein, upper section 32 of extension panel 12 is folded over lower section 34 along perforated line 36 to enclose the suture dispenser, with locking tab 44 engaging the upper edge of cover panel 14 to completely secure the suture dispenser with the retainer, as best seen in Fig. 3. Fig. 11 illustrates a further embodiment of the retainer 10 of Fig. 1, but in which the U-shaped reel tab 30 has been eliminated. The pocket formed by folding the panels about the reel dispenser 50, along with openings 46 and 48 formed by gussets 26 and 28, create a means to hold the reel dispenser in the retainer once the panels are folded and locked by the tabs 40 and 44. Referring now to Fig. 13, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In accordance with this embodiment, panels 12, 16 are joined to panel 14 by double perforated lines 60, 62, respectively. Double perforated lines 60 and 62, each possess two perforated lines in non-parallel arrangement, such arrangement thereby defining tapered gussets 64, 66, respectively. Engaging tabs 68, 70 are foldably connected to the upper edges of tapered gussets 64, 66, respectively, and are adapted to fold over and onto the gussets, as shown in Fig. 14, when loading the reel dispenser. Engaging tabs 68, 70 are also provided with notches 72, 74, respectively, the notches engaging select portions of the loaded reel dispenser to secure the dispenser within retainer 10 when the retainer is in the fully folded condition. The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 is configured to receive a suture reel dispenser of the type illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. As can be seen, crescent-shaped tab 40 is now disposed on panel 12 (as opposed to reel panel 16 in the embodiment of Fig. 1) and cooperating locking slit 42 is disposed on panel 16, although these components may be positioned as in Fig.1. Thus, in forming the pocket to receive the reel dispenser, panel 16 is first folded onto panel 14, followed by panel 12 being folded on the rear side of panel 16. As the reel dispenser is loaded within retainer 10, notches 72, 74 of engaging tabs 68, 70 engage the serrations 59 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dispenser. This engagement inhibits the upward movement of dispenser 50 relative to retainer 10 thereby preventing accidental removal of the dispenser from the retainer. Tapered gussets 64, 66 gradually decrease the depth of the folded retainer thereby enabling the front and rear panels to engage the loaded retainer to prevent the retainer from entering too deeply within the formed pocket. Alternatively, the reel dispenser may be positioned on panel 14 and the panels 16 and 12 are folded over after tabs 68 and 70 are engaged. During an operating procedure, extension panel 18 is lifted from engagement with cover panel 14 and folded back against back panel 16 to fully expose the suture reel dispenser. If necessary, extension panel 18 can be detached from the retainer. The surgeon can then readily grasp and remove the suture reel dispenser, or dispense the suture directly from the reel within the retainer. The retainer of the present invention effectively maintains a suture reel dispenser during storage while also permitting ready access to, and removal of, the suture dispenser during operating room procedures. The retainer can be packaged within a foil package or directly in a so-called "breather pouch" (not shown).

Claims: A suture reel dispenser assembly comprising a suture reel dispenser and a retainer (10) having a first panel member (12), a second panel member (14) foldably connected by a double perforated line to the first panel member and serving as a cover panel, a third panel member (16) foldably connected by a double perforated line to the second panel member and serving as a back panel, said double perforated lines (22, 24) forming gussets (26, 28) between said panel members, an extension panel (18) foldably connected to an upper edge of said first panel member, said suture reel dispenser (50) being positioned on said first panel member and secured between said first and second panel members such that an edge of said dispenser is engaged by said gussets, said extension panel being folded over said upper edge of said first panel member to assist in retention of the reel dispenser within said retainer. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dispenser has a recess formed therein, and said retainer first panel member has a substantially rectangular shape; said second panel has a substantially rectangular shape and a width greater than a width of said first panel member; and the assembly includes means for securing said first panel member to said second panel member in a folded condition. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said double perforated lines are partial double perforated lines, said partial double perforated lines forming partial gussets between said panel members. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, and including a crescent-shaped tab (40) in said third panel member and a slot (42) co-operating with said tab (40) when said retainer is fully folded to provide a locking mechanism to secure said retainer in a closed position. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including means (30) for securing the reel dispenser in a partially exposed position at an upper edge of said first panel member (12). An assembly according to claim 5 wherein said securement means comprises a slit defining a reel tab (30) formed in said first panel member, said reel tab engaging said reel dispenser to restrict movement of the reel dispenser relative to said retainer. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein said reel tab engages a recess (58) formed in said reel dispenser. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said extension panel (18) comprises an upper section (32) and a lower perforated line (36) over said lower section (34) and having a locking tab (44) which engages an upper edge of said second panel member (14) to secure said extension panel thereto. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the suture reel dispenser comprises a substantially circular suture receptacle (52). An assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the receptacle (52) possesses a plurality of serrations (59) arranged around its periphery. An assembly as claimed in claim 9 or 10 as dependent on claim 7, wherein the recess (58) is formed in a hub of the receptacle. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the receptacle (52) fits tightly in the retainer (10). An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein said receptacle is adapted to rotatably receive a suture reel on a first side and has a recess formed on a second side, said reel having a length of suture material wound thereon; said first, second and third panel members being foldable onto each other to form a pocket to receive said reel dispenser so that said reel dispenser is at least partially exposed at said upper edge, and a reel tab formed in said first panel member for engaging said recess on said second side of said reel dispenser; wherein the width of said pocket formed by said retainer in the folded condition is smaller than the diameter of the suture reel dispenser to thereby limit entry of the suture reel dispenser into said retainer and maintain the dispenser in a partially exposed position. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein the retainer has engaging tabs (68, 70) which engage selected portions of the receptacle (52) to secure the receptacle within the retainer. An assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the tabs are provided at the top of the gussets (64, 66). An assembly as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein the tabs have notches (72, 74) which co-operate with the selected portions of the receptacle (52). An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the gussets (64, 66) are tapered, to prevent the dispenser from entering too deeply into the pocket formed by the retainer.

Inventors: BROWN DAVID L, MALINOWSKI STANLEY J, SINN HANS-JUERGEN F, BROWN, DAVID L., MALINOWSKI, STANLEY J., SINN, HANS-JUERGEN F., Sinn, Hans-Jürgen F.
Applicants: UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORP, UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A61B17
IPC codes: A61B17