title: Modern concepts of packaging surgical needles and suture.
abstract: A new, innovative packaging system for surgical needles and sutures has been developed that meets the special needs of surgical technologists. This packaging system consists of an overwrap, or breather pouch, as well as an innerwrap containing the suture swaged to a surgical needle. The flaps of the overwrap are offset and serrated to facilitate the opening and sterile transfer of the inner packet to the sterile field. The inner packet contains either a plastic labyrinth, or craft board that maintains the suture as straight as possible until knot construction. The needle swaged to a suture is 'parked' in foam to protect its sharp cutting edges and point.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Services, St. Joseph Hospital, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Noriega
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Rodeheaver
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
mesh_terms: D004349:Drug Packaging; D004867:Equipment Design; D008422:Materials Testing; D009339:Needles / Q000600:supply & distribution; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000600:supply & distribution; D013537:Sutures / Q000600:supply & distribution