Needle bending apparatus and methods

A method of bending a hypodermic needle, the method comprising:

• grasping the hypodermic needle using a rotatable needle gripper;
• translating the rotatable needle gripper along a linear path to position the hypodermic needle at a predetermined bending position with respect to a bending die using a servo-actuated slide operatively coupled to the needle gripper;
• and
• pressing a portion of the hypodermic needle against the bending die using a servo- or pneumatically-actuated rotating bending pin to form a bend in the hypodermic needle by rotating the bending pin about a bending axis passing through the linear path.

An apparatus for bending a hypodermic needle, the apparatus comprising:

• a needle gripper configured to grasp the hypodermic needle;
• bending means for forming a bend in the hypodermic needle;
• and
• a slide operatively coupled to the needle gripper and configured to translate the needle gripper along a linear path adjacent to the bending means to position the hypodermic needle at a predetermined bending position with respect to the bending means.