The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 01, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 12, 1998
Patrick J Ferguson, Portland, OR (US);
Other;
Abstract
A suture-material-dispenser system for a supply of dry suture material includes the supply of such material, a housing which defines a cavity for containing the supply, and desiccant preferably housed within the housing. The housing includes a top region that has an opening formed in it, and a bottom region with a semi-circular bearing positioned in it. A reel fits within the cavity on the bearing, and has wound on it the supply. An anti-contaminant, flip-top cover is pivotably attached to the top region, and is constructed for releasable closure over the top region substantially to prevent contaminants from entering the cavity. A gas-permeable, resilient member is also included and has a body that fits sealingly within the opening, which body has formed in it a suture-material-dispensing port to allow dispensing of suture material therethrough. The body is preferably formed from a substance with a hardness in the range of about 40-80 on a Shore A durometer. An on-board cutter is also attached to the housing adjacent the resilient member for allowing the user to cut a desired dispensed amount of material from such supply. The cover may also include a downwardly extending, elongate pressure applicator with a bottom surface that presses against the resilient member adjacent the port when the cover is closed over the top region. Preferably, the resilient member is formed from a material that is ethylene-oxide-gas permeable, such as liquid-injection-molded silicone.