Cutter assembly
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorWilliam Rattan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractable cutter for cutting an indefinite length strand of suture material to a definite length while the strand is suspended under tension along a first axis, comprises a cutting blade mounted for at least reciprocal movement transverse to the first axis, from a first retracted position to a second cutting position. A support block is actuated to position the indefinite length strand for cutting thereof, and to support the strand as the cutting blade traverses the first axis as it reciprocates from the retracted position to the cutting position. The cutting blade is angled with respect to its reciprocating motion to effect a slice ratio of at least 1:1 as the blade cuts the supported suture strand at the cutting position to obtain a clean, broom-free cut.
Claims23
A retractable cutter for cutting an indefinite length strand of suture material to a definite length while said strand is suspended under tension along a first axis, said cutter comprising:
- (a) a cutting blade having a cutting edge and mounted for reciprocal movement transverse to said first axis defined by said indefinite length strand from a first retracted position to a second cutting position;
- (b) support block means mounted for reciprocating pivotal movement from a first retracted position to a second strand supporting position along a plane parallel to a plane defined by movement of said cutting blade to accurately position said indefinite length strand of suture material prior to cutting thereof, and for supporting said strand as the cutting blade traverses said first axis,
- whereby said edge of said cutting blade lies in said plane and is angled with respect to its reciprocating motion to effect a slice ratio of about 1:1 as said blade cuts said supported suture strand at said cutting position to obtain a clean, broom-free cut.
The retractable cutter for cutting an indefinite length strand of suture material as claimed 6, wherein said stationary guide is spaced a distance from said indefinite length strand as determined by the effective length of said pivotal locating arm.
A retractable cutter for cutting an indefinite length strand to length while said strand is suspended, said cutter comprising:
- (a) a stationary guide means, said guide means positioned adjacent an indefinite length strand to be cut, said strand defining a first axis;
- (b) an actuator mounted on said guide for providing at least reciprocal movement along a second axis;
- (c) a pivotal locating arm having an effective length for positioning said indefinite length strand for cutting, said arm having a first end pivotally mounted along said second axis for pivoting from a first retracted position to a second strand engaging position in response to movement of said actuator;
- (d) a cutting blade mounted for a least reciprocal movement across said first axis defined by said indefinite length strand, said cutting blade responsive to said reciprocating actuator to move from a first retracted position to a second cutting position;
- whereby a single action by said actuator will first position said strand with said pivotal arm and then cut said strand with said cutting blade.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.