Method for packaging and folding a flexible material part, in particular a parietal reinforcement

• US 8,226,669 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sofradim Production
• Original Assignee: Sofradim Production
• Inventors: Detruit, Bernard, Therin, Michel, Bailly, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scherbel, Todd J
• Application Number:
  US12/785,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20100286715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02

Abstract

The invention concerns a device comprising: a packaging box for the flexible material part, dimensioned to hold said part flat; folding means for folding said part without direct handling; and a reception tube for receiving said folded flexible material part. The invention is characterized in that the folding means comprise; a traction suture connected to the flexible material part, which passes through the tube, and, walls forming a funnel whereof the base emerges proximate to the opening of the tube through which the flexible material part is designed to be inserted into said tube, said funnel being designed, when a traction is exerted on the traction suture, to gradually fold down the zones of the part located laterally relative to the tube towards the zone of the part located opposite the opening of said tube, to enable the part to be inserted into the tube.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a package comprising a base receiving a flexible material in an unfolded configuration;

a tubular member having a lumen disposed in a tray, the flexible material having a suture operatively connected thereto, the suture extending through the lumen; and

a folding mechanism formed in the tray, the folding mechanism configured to fold the flexible material prior to introduction into the tubular member; and

pulling the suture to move the flexible material into contact with the folding mechanism to introduce the flexible material into the lumen of the tubular member in a folded configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

placing the flexible material inside a patient by pulling the suture to move the flexible material through the lumen of the tubular member until the flexible material exits the tubular member.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of placing the flexible material inside a patient includes inserting the tubular member into a surgical site of the patient.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

removing a lid configured to seal and cover the base.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

folding the base along a transverse fold line to thereby form the folding mechanism.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of pulling the suture includes applying a pressure to at least one portion of the base.