# US 11,653,911 B2 · System and method for making tapered looped suture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,653,911 B2 - Document ID: US11653911B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/564,477 - Filed: 2021-12-29 - Published: 2022-04-21 - Granted: 2023-05-23 - Earliest claimed: 2009-04-29 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Nicholas Maiorino; Timothy Kosa; Mark Buchter; Keith Kroeber; Richard C Hart; Gary Suszynski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11653911B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/06166: {Sutures (suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M)} - B29C 65/08: using ultrasonic vibrations {(non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645)} - B29C 66/1122: {Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints (B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence)} - B29C 66/69: {General aspects of joining filaments (bundling articles B65B13/00; interconnecting successive lengths of material B65H69/00)} - B29C 66/81431: {comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove} - B29C 66/8242: {Pneumatic or hydraulic drives (using fluid pressure directly acting on the parts to be joined B29C66/8266)} - B29C 66/8322: {Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis} - B29C 66/9221: {by measuring the pressure, the force or the mechanical power} - B29C 66/9261: {by controlling or regulating the displacement of the joining tools} - B29C 66/961: {involving a feedback loop mechanism, e.g. comparison with a desired value} - A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)} - A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing} - A61B 2017/0619: {thermoplastic, e.g. for bonding, welding, fusing or cutting the suture by melting it} - B29C 66/92211: {with special measurement means or methods} - B29L 2031/753: {Medical equipment; Accessories therefor (bloodbags, medical bags B29L2031/7148; artificial eyes B29L2011/0008)} - Y10T 156/1313: Cutting element simultaneously bonds [e.g., cut seaming] - Y10T 156/1378: Cutter actuated by or secured to bonding element - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for forming a looped suture, the system comprising: a suture supply assembly configured to supply a thread; a positioning assembly configured to position a first section of the thread adjacent a second section of the thread to form a loop in the thread; and a welding assembly configured to secure the loop in the thread, the welding assembly including an active anvil assembly, the active anvil assembly including, an anvil member; a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, the first sensor configured to provide at least one of force, torque or distance feedback; and a control assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the active anvil assembly includes a mounting member, the control assembly being configured for actuating the mounting member to raise and lower the anvil member in response to feedback provided by the first sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the anvil member is configured to operate with an ultrasonic welding horn to join the first section of the thread to the second section of the thread to form the loop in the thread. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the control assembly includes a motor configured to move the mounting member in relation to the ultrasonic welding horn. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the anvil member is selectively movable in at least first and second directions relative to the ultrasonic welding horn. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the anvil member is configured to be moved towards and away from the ultrasonic welding horn. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the anvil member includes a channel configured to selectively receive at least a portion of the first section of the thread. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the control assembly is configured to move the anvil member vertically. ### Claim 9 A system for forming a looped suture, the system comprising: a welding assembly configured for securing a first length of a thread to a second length of the thread to form a loop in the thread, the welding assembly including: an ultrasonic welding horn; and an active anvil assembly configured for retaining the first and second lengths of the thread during welding of the loop in the thread, the active anvil assembly including an anvil member and a first sensor connected to the anvil member, the first sensor configured for providing at least one of force, torque or distance feedback. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the welding assembly further includes a control assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, further including a positioning assembly configured for positioning the first length of the thread adjacent the second length of the thread to form the loop in the thread. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the active anvil assembly includes a mounting member, the control assembly being configured for actuating the mounting member to raise and lower the anvil member in response to the feedback provided by the first sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the anvil member is configured to operate with the ultrasonic welding horn to join the first length of the thread and to the second length of the thread to form the loop in the thread. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the control assembly includes a motor configured to move the mounting member in relation to the ultrasonic welding horn. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the anvil member is selectively movable in at least first and second directions relative to the ultrasonic welding horn. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the anvil member is configured to be moved towards and away from the ultrasonic welding horn. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the anvil member includes a channel configured to selectively receive at least a portion of the first length of the thread. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the control assembly is configured to move the anvil member vertically.