Needle and suture swaging method
US5485668A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T83/2187
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A swaging station incorporates a drawing tower that automatically draws, cuts, and inserts an indefinite length strand of suture material within the suture receiving end of a surgical needle for swaging thereof. The suture receiving end of the surgical needle is positioned within a swaging assembly located at the top of the drawing tower that comprises a first fixed swage die and a second movable swage die forming a swage die opening for positively gripping the suture receiving end of the needle positioned therein. A first suture alignment die and a second suture alignment die are precisely registered below and adjacent the respective first and second swage dies to form a lower funnel guide that is axial with the swage die opening for positioning the tip of the suture strand therein. The lower funnel guide has an exit diameter that is larger than the diameter of the suture tip and smaller than the diameter of the suture receiving end of the needle for easy placement of the suture tip therein. Subsequently, the second movable swage die is actuated to swage the suture tip to the needle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.