SUTURE PACKAGES HAVING INTEGRATED SUTURE STRAIGHTENING ASSEMBLIES

A suture package includes a suture housing having a tray with a suture channel, and at least one suture disposed on the suture housing, whereby the suture includes a suture thread disposed within the suture channel of the tray. The package includes a suture straightening assembly provided on the suture housing. The suture straightening assembly defines a suture dispensing path for removing the suture thread from the suture housing. The suture straightening assembly includes a first suture thread straightening section that is configured to apply a first flexing force within a first plane upon an exterior surface of the suture thread as the suture thread is drawn along the suture dispensing path, and a second suture thread straightening section that is configured to apply a second flexing force within a second plane upon the exterior surface of the suture thread as the suture thread is drawn along the suture dispensing path. The first and second planes extend along axes that define an angle relative to one another.