US 2010/0139883 A1Published application

Surgical needle swage tool

AssigneeEthicon, Inc.

InventorsJerry Stametz, John Price, Eugene Reynolds, Kenneth Barsh

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Abstract

In a method of attaching a suture to a needle barrel, a first compression stroke compresses the radially-defined top of the barrel against a suture in the bore of the barrel while restraining the bottom and sides of the barrel against deformation. A second compression stroke compresses the bottom of the barrel against the suture while restraining the sides against deformation. In another method, the top and bottom are compressed concurrently while the sides are restrained against deformation. An apparatus for attaching a suture to a needle barrel includes two die sets, each including a die with a groove therein. In one die set, the groove protects the bottom and sides of the barrel from deformation while the top is compressed. In the other die set, the groove protects the sides of the barrel from deformation while the bottom is compressed.

A tool for attaching a suture to a needle barrel having a first radially-defined portion, a second radially-defined portion opposite the first radially-defined portion and first and second lateral portions between the first and second radially-defined portions and opposite each other, and a bore which is formed in an end of the needle barrel and is at least partially defined by opposed inner surfaces, an end of the suture being positioned in the bore, said tool comprising:

a first die set including first and second dies, at least one of said first and second dies being movable relative to the other of said first and second dies, said first die having a first groove therein for receiving the needle barrel such that when said at least one of said first and second dies moves toward said other of said first and second dies, said second die compresses the first radially-defined portion of the needle barrel so as to compress the suture against the opposed inner surfaces of the bore, said first groove being at least partially defined by a curved surface sized and shaped so as to protect the second radially-defined portion and the first and second lateral portions from becoming substantially deformed during the compression of the first radially-defined portion of the needle barrel by said second die;
and
a second die set including third and fourth dies, at least one of said third and fourth dies being movable relative to the other of said third and fourth dies, said third die having a second groove therein for receiving the needle barrel such that when said at least one of said third and fourth dies moves toward said other of said third and fourth dies, said fourth die compresses the second-radially defined portion of the needle barrel so as to compress the suture against the opposed inner surfaces of the bore, said second groove being at least partially defined by a curved surface sized and shaped so as to protect the first and second lateral portions from becoming substantially deformed during the compression of the second radially-defined portion of the needle barrel by said fourth die.

Facts

Application

12/330,702Filed 9 Dec 2008

Published

10 Jun 2010

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A61B 17/06004
Needles ; Sutures; Needle-suture combinations; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: means for attaching suture to needle
A61B 2017/00526
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: methods of manufacturing
A61B 2017/06028
Means for attaching suture to needle: by means of a cylindrical longitudinal blind bore machined at the suture-receiving end of the needle, e.g.…
Y10T 29/49925
Joining by deforming: inward deformation of aperture or hollow body wall

Abstract

Claims4