Continuous process for electropolishing surgical needles

US5935411A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Robert Brown · Lake Hiawatha, US
• Gordon Stuart · Forsayth, AU
• Geoffrey DeYoung · Pittstown, US
• Andrew John Schuessler · Trenton, US
• George Schob · Princeton Junction, US
• Mufutau G. Olatunji · Buford, US
• Eugene D. Reynolds · Asbury Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 16, 1997
• Grant date: Aug 10, 1999
• Expiry date: May 16, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C25F7/00
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A continuous process for electropolishing surgical needles. Surgical needles are mounted to an electrically conductive carrier strip. The carrier strip and needles are then moved continuously through an electropolishing bath and the needles are maintained in the bath for a sufficient period of time to effectively polish the needles.