APPARATUS FOR HOUSING A PLURALITY OF NEEDLES AND METHOD OF USE THEREFOR

• US 20110046667A1
• Filed: 08/17/2010
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Patrick John Culligan
• Original Assignee: Patrick John Culligan
• Inventors: Culligan, Patrick John, Scherr, Douglas S., Goldberg, Roger P.
• Application Number:
  US12/858,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20110046667A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/224
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06114 Packages or dispensers for needles or sutures packages for sharps A61B50/3001; for dental floss A61C15/043; packages for needles in general B65D85/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06119 of cylindrical shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06128 Elongate cylinders, i.e. tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06133 of parallelepipedal shape, e.g. made of rectangular or slightly oval panels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06138 including a retainer comprising three or more foldable panels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06161 Devices for removing or collecting used needles or sutures A61B17/0467 takes precedence; for sharps A61B50/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06142 having needle- or suture- retaining members, e.g. holding tabs or needle parks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06147 Foam blocks, e.g. slitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06157 containing a suture wound in a sinusoidal or zigzag configuration

Abstract

An apparatus houses a plurality of surgical elements, such as needles and sutures, both before and after use. The largest cross-sectional dimension of the housing is preferably less than about 12 mm. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a substantially rigid housing having a first section that holds a plurality of unused needles and a second section that receives the plurality of needles after use. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a flexible panel having a plurality of pockets therein, wherein each pocket is configured to house a single needle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for housing a plurality of surgical elements, comprising:

a housing, wherein the housing has a largest cross-sectional dimension of less than about 12 mm, and wherein the housing further comprises a first section that holds a plurality of unused needles, wherein each unused needle is threaded with a suture, and a second section that is distinct from the first section, wherein the second section receives the plurality of needles after use.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is a clamshell housing having the first section hingedly connected to the second section.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising closure means for securing the housing in a closed position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second section of the housing includes a substantially enclosed chamber for containing the used needles.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second section includes a foam bed into which a used needle can be tacked.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second section includes a plurality of clips, wherein each clip is configured to hold a single used needle.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second section includes a magnet.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of needles are secured to a folded panel attached to the housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of needles are secured within a foam bed of the housing.

10. A method of using the apparatus of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

placing the apparatus inside a human or animal subject;

opening the apparatus to reveal the plurality of needles;

removing a first needle from the first section of the apparatus;

using the first needle to suture tissue;

storing the first needle in the second section of the housing;

closing the apparatus; and

removing the apparatus from the subject.

11. An apparatus for holding a plurality of surgical elements, comprising:

a flexible panel having a plurality of pockets therein, wherein each pocket is configured to house a single needle, wherein each needle is threaded with a suture, and wherein the panel is configured to roll up into a generally cylindrical structure having a diameter of no more than about 12 mm.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a disposal chamber attached to a base portion of the panel, wherein the panel is configured to wrap around the disposal chamber.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexible panel comprises a non-tearable polymeric material.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexible panel comprises a pair of wire strips secured to opposing sides thereof.

15. A method of using the apparatus of claim 11, comprising the steps of:

placing the apparatus inside a human or animal subject;

unrolling the panel to reveal the plurality of needles;

removing a first needle from a pocket of the panel;

using the first needle to suture tissue;

storing the first needle in the pocket;

closing the apparatus by rolling the panel into a generally cylindrical configuration; and

removing the apparatus from the subject.

16. An apparatus for holding a plurality of surgical elements, comprising:

a housing;

a foldable panel housed within the housing and attached to at least a portion of the housing, wherein the foldable panel comprises a plurality of segments, each segment securely holding a single unused needle threaded with a suture; and

disposal means within the housing for receiving the plurality of needles after use.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the disposal means comprises a disposal chamber with at least one opening for receiving the needles.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a door covers the opening.

19. A method of using the apparatus of claim 16, comprising the steps of:

placing the apparatus inside a human or animal subject;

opening the apparatus;

expanding the panel to reveal the plurality of needles;

removing a first needle from one segment of the foldable panel;

using the first needle to suture tissue;

storing the first needle in the disposal means of the housing;

closing the apparatus; and

removing the apparatus from the subject.