Method and apparatus for testing the bending characteristics of surgical needles
US5297440A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2203/0258
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for determining the bending characteristics of a curved surgical needle having a butt end portion and a tip portion including a base support, a clamp for releasably gripping the butt end portion of the needle. A system of stepper motors and related plates is provided for moving the gripped needle along a predetermined path. A load cell is positioned within the predetermined path for engagement by the tip of the needle and for sensing the forces generated by the moving needle tip, and a minimal friction support plate is provided for the load cell to maintain the needle tip at a predetermined location on the load cell while moving the gripped needle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.