Method and apparatus for heat tipping sutures
US5374278A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S604/905
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method comprises tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature. In another embodiment, the suture is looped and knotted. The loop and/or knot is then heated under such conditions so as to reversibly stiffen the loop and/or knot. Such stiffening facilitates placement and securement of the suture loop during surgical procedures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.