Ethicon, Gmbh

Bernd Haase

Kenneth J Smith

John J Price

Hal Brent Woodrow

The invention relates to methods for heating and cutting a suture tip formed from a length of unfinished surgical suture material.

Process for heating and cutting a surgical suture tip

An apparatus and method for cutting a surgical suture at a first and second different location along its length. The apparatus having a first and a second cutting die with channels for receiving at least a portion of the cross-section of the surgical suture at each location. Each of the first and second cutting dies respectively is provided with an opposing cutting die to further restraint the suture. A blade is also provided at each cutting location for cutting the suture at a point adjacent to the respective cutting dies when the suture is restrained between the sets of dies.

Method for cutting a surgical suture at two locations

An apparatus and method for forming a cut end of a surgical suture tip. The apparatus including a first and second cutting dies with a channel for receiving a suture. Mechanical actuators are provided to moving the cutting dies from an open to a closed position. The cutting dies are adapted to trap and compressing the suture. A cutting blade is provided for cutting the surgical suture tip adjacent to the first and second cutting dies when the cutting dies are closed. A second cutting die having a notch which is aligned to insert in said channel and secure a suture there between. A mechanical activator is provided to move said dies. A cutting blade is provided to cut the suture secured between said dies. A method for forming cut ends of a suture tip is also described.

Method for cutting a surgical suture tip

An apparatus and method for thermally forming a surgical suture tip from a length of unfinished surgical suture material having a varying cross-section. The thermally formed surgical suture tip has a generally uniform cross-section along its length, and the varying cross-section corresponds to a distribution of different cross-sectional sizes along the length of the unfinished surgical suture material. A first heating die has a first face with a first groove therein for receiving a portion of the length of the unfinished surgical suture material, and a second heating die has a second face with a second groove therein. The first and second grooves extend along a common axis. At least one mechanical actuator is provided for moving the first face of the first heating die against the second face of the second heating die and for contacting the first and second grooves against an outer surface of the unfinished surgical suture material. The first and second grooves define a singular heating die opening when the first face of the first heating die is positioned against the second face of the second heating die. The singular heating die opening has a constant cross-section perpendicular to the common axis. The constant cross-section is smaller than an average cross-sectional size represented by the distribution and conforms in size to the generally uniform cross-section.

Surgical suture having a thermally formed tip, and apparatus and method

A combined apparatus for heating and cutting a suture tip formed from a length of unfinished surgical suture material. First and second heating dies are provided for heating the length of unfinished surgical suture material to form the suture tip, and first and second cutting dies are provided for cutting the suture tip. At least one heating die mechanical actuator is provided for moving the first heating die between a retracted and an extended position and for moving the second heating die between a retracted and an extended position, the first and second heating dies occupying a combined heating and cutting space adjacent to the unfinished surgical suture material only when the first and second cutting dies are in their retracted positions. At least one cutting die mechanical actuator is provided for moving the first cutting die between its retracted and an extended position and for moving the second cutting die between its retracted and an extended position, the first and second cutting dies occupying the combined heating and cutting space only when the first and second heating dies are in their retracted positions.

Combined apparatus for heating and cutting a surgical suture tip

An apparatus and method for forming a cut end of a surgical suture tip. The apparatus including a first and second cutting dies with a channel for receiving a suture. Mechanical actuators are provided to moving the cutting dies from an open to a closed position. The cutting dies are adapted to trap and compressing the suture. A cutting blade is provided for cutting the surgical suture tip adjacent to the first and second cutting dies when the cutting dies are closed.

Apparatus for cutting a surgical suture tip

Apparatus for cutting a surgical suture at two locations

A surgical suture comprised of a first thermally formed tip portion having a first length which is adjacent to a body portion having a second length. The first thermally formed tip portion has a generally uniform cross-section perpendicular to the first length, while the body portion has a varying cross-section which corresponds to a distribution of different cross-sectional sizes along the second length. The generally uniform cross-section of the first thermally formed tip portion has an average cross-sectional size that is less than the average of the different cross-sectional sizes along the second length.

An apparatus for making a surgical suture which includes a moving clamp for griping surgical suture material. The moving clamp has a gripping state and a non-gripping state. A heating station is provided for heating a length of surgical suture material. A first actuator, coupled to the moving clamp, is provided for translating the moving clamp from a position on a first side of the heating station to a position on a second side of the heating station opposite the first side when the moving clamp is in its gripping state, and for translating the moving clamp from the position on the second side of the heating station to the position on the first side of the heating station when the moving clamp is in its non-griping state. A stationary camp is provided for gripping the surgical suture material after the first actuator has translated the moving clamp from the position on the first side of the heating station to the position on the second side of the heating station. Additionally described is a method for making a plurality of surgical sutures using said apparatus.

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Berkeley Heights, NJ, United States of America

Bernd Haase