Back to results
US 2011/0079341 A1Published application
Welded Knot End Effector
AssigneeTyco Healthcare Group LP
InventorDavid O'Neill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for forming an end effector includes a welding device having a welder positioned adjacent to a base, and a die coupled to one end of the welder. The base and the welder are movable relative to each other. The welder, base or die includes a source of heat that is applied to a portion of the suture disposed between the welder and the base.
Claims13
A method of forming a welded end effector, comprising:
- providing a length of suture including a knot;
- providing a welding device selectively engagable with the knot and including:
- a base having a working surface and defining an opening therethrough;
- and
- a welder positioned adjacent to the base, the welder including a die extending towards the base;
- positioning at least a portion of the suture between the base and the die;
- activating the welding device;
- and
- reducing a gap between the welding device and the base supporting the knot until the knot reaches a desired diameter to form an end effector.
6 more elements
An apparatus for forming an end effector, comprising:
- a welding device having a welder and a base, the welder positioned adjacent the base, one of the base and the welder movable relative to each other;
- and
- a die coupled to one end of the welder,
- wherein relative movement of the welder and the base compress a suture knot disposed therebetween,
- and wherein at least one or more of the welder, the base and the die includes a energy source.
2 more elements
A system for forming an end effector, comprising:
- a suture including,
- a body portion defining a longitudinal axis, and
- a knot integrally formed from the body portion;
- and
- a welding device including,
- a base supporting at least a portion of the suture,
- a welder positioned adjacent to the base and movable relative to the base, wherein relative movement of the welder and the base compresses the knot disposed therebetween, and
- a die coupled to one end of the welder, wherein at least one of the welder, the base and the die includes an energy source.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.