Automated swage wind and packaging machine

US6032343A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John F. Blanch · Tinton Falls, US
• David Demarest · Parsippany, US
• Robert A. Daniele · Flemington, US
• Anthony Esteves · Somerville, US
• William F. Smith · Ringoes, US
• Michael G. Hodulik · Dunellen, US
• Teresa M. Shaw · Lawrenceville, US
• George Horst Reinemuth · Glen Mills, US
• Richard Paul Branco · Collegeville, US
• Matthew Cafone · Edgewater Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 6, 1998
• Grant date: Mar 7, 2000
• Expiry date: Feb 6, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/53387
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention is directed to improvements in an Automated Swage Wind and Packaging Machine that is particularly adapted to assist in the automated singulation of surgical needles to enable subsequent automated handling of the needle, automatic swaging of the suture into a receiving end of the needle, automatic pull testing of the combined needle and suture, and automated packaging of the pull tested combined needle and suture into a tray having a cover.