The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 16, 2000
David Demarest, Parsippany, NJ (US);
Michael G. Hodulik, Dunellen, NJ (US);
Timothy P. Lenihan, Morrisville, PA (US);
John F. Blanch, Tinton Falls, NJ (US);
Ethicon, Inc., New Brunswick, NJ (US);
Abstract
A machine, and operating procedures for a machine, for automatically threading, swaging and packaging surgical needles. A first mechanism is used to suture the needles and to pull test the needles to determine if certain maximum and minimum pull test requirements are met. The sutured needles are then transferred to packages on a second mechanism, and that mechanism indexes the packages through a series of stations to complete the packaging of the needles. Various checks are made at the packaging mechanism before that mechanism is operated to index the needle packages; and different items at the station used to pull test the needles, are monitored to determine if they return timely to predetermined positions. Also, check are made at the station at which the needles are transferred to the packages, to be sure that those items are in preferred positions before the packages are moved. A detector unit and procedure are employed to inspect the packages for sutures hanging outside the packages, and another detector unit and procedure are provided to inspect the packages for needles protruding from the packages.