System and Method For Making Tapered Looped Suture
AssigneeTyco Healthcare Group LP
InventorsNicholas Maiorino, Timothy Kosa, Mark Buchter, Keith Kroeber, Richard Casey Hart, Gary Suszynski
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture, the active anvil assembly comprising:
- an anvil member;
- a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, the first sensor configured for at least one of force, torque or distance feedback;
- and
- a control assembly.
A system for forming a looped suture, the system comprising:
- an active anvil assembly configured for retaining the suture during the welding of the loop in a thread, the active anvil assembly comprising an anvil member operably connected to a first sensor and a control assembly configured for movement of the anvil member;
- and,
- a trimming assembly for removing excess thread from the loop in the thread.
A method of forming a looped suture, the method comprising:
- providing a system including a welding assembly, a trimming assembly, wherein the welding assembly includes an ultrasonic welder and an active anvil assembly;
- receiving a first length of thread adjacent a second length of thread between the ultrasonic welder and the active anvil assembly;
- approximating at least one of an anvil member of the active anvil assembly and the ultrasonic welder towards the other;
- activating the ultrasonic welder;
- joining the adjacent first and second lengths of thread;
- and
- approximating at least one of the anvil member and the ultrasonic welder away from the other of the ultrasonic welder and anvil member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.