Process for the manufacture of suture needles and needles produced thereby
US5853423A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB21G1/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A process for the manufacture of suture needles and, more particularly, a process for enhancing the physical strength of the suture needles through an expedient cold-working or cold-forming procedure. Also disclosed is the provision of a novel and physically strengthened suture needle, particularly a surgical suture needle possessing a curvilinear configuration wherein the cross-sectional configuration of the needle is cold-formed into varying shapes in order to produce a needle having superior physical characteristics and strengths imparted thereto through the inventive process. The needles are essentially cold formed, and which process includes the aspect of imparting to straight metal rods which are preferably constituted from stainless steel, manufacturing steps which include sharpening one end of rod severed segments so as to form the needle tip, thereafter curving the needle with the metal still being in a relatively ductile state, and subjecting the needle to a cold forming process, such as through the intermediary of pressure die molds or stamping, to produce varying cross-sectional shapes along the length of the needle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.