Sewing Thread for Surgical Purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 25th Aug., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Sewing Thread for Surgical Purposes.
We, CARL LÜTGENAN and THEODOR SCHRENS, M.D., trading as Lütgenan & Co.,
Manufacturers, of 34, Carlsplatz, Krefeld, Germany, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to thread for surgical purposes, and more especially
to thread combined with celluloid. Instead of thread specially made for sur-
gical purposes, any other thread capable of being steeped with celluloid may
be employed.
Attempts have already been made to employ thread twisted in the ordinary
way for surgical dressings, but these attempts were however generally unsuc-
cessful because this thread easily becomes swollen, untwisted and mixed, and
moreover becomes affected to so high a degree by traumatic secretions, thereby
often causing suppurations in the places through which it passes.
These disadvantages are obviated in the most thorough manner by this cellu-
loid thread. The flaxen thread when in the sterilised state is soaked with
celluloid by the following process;-
After having been boiled several times in a steriliser in an appropriate solu-
tion hereafter described, the twisted thread (i.c.. thread which has been spun and
doubled in the ordinary way) is washed in sterilised water and then dried
rapidly between cloths free from germs. The solution used for sterilising the
thread is preferably a solution of soda but any solution serving the same purpose
may be employed. The strength of the soda solution is usually 1 per cent. but we
do not claim this sterilisation as part of our said invention. The thread is next
thoroughly saturated in a solution of celluloid prepared in any convenient
manner, acetone being the dissolvent used. It is impossible to state precisely
how much of the latter should be used for any given quantity of celluloid
inasmuch as the proportions depend on the nature and quality of the celluloid
and the strength of the dissolvent. It may be stated by way of example that
one parts of celluloid dissolved in 100 parts of acetone the former being of average
quality and the latter of average strength, would answer the purpose. The
process is finally completed by ironing the thread, i.e. pressing it between
rollers or cylinders (not heated) in order to remove any roughness and make
the thread run smoothly in use.
The celluloid thread prepared in this way may be packed in wrappers or put
into bottles containing a solution of sublimate or carbolic acid, or any other
disinfectant for the purpose of preserving it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
Sewing thread for surgical purposes consisting of twisted or other suitable
thread characterised by its being thoroughly saturated, when in the sterilized

page_text: state, in a solution of celluloid, after having been previously sterilized and
cleansed of objectionable substances or germs. Substantially as herein described
and explained.
Dated this 14th day of September 1899
S. S. BROMHEAD,
Agent for Applicant,
33, Cannon Street, London, E.C.