Needle and suture automatic pull-test system

Abstract

An automatic pull-testing apparatus for testing the strength of an armed surgical needle comprises a supporting blade for supporting a suture receiving end of the armed needle and having at least one suture receiving guide therein. A first gripping device is provided for releasably retaining the armed needle in an oriented position, and for positioning the armed needle at the supporting blade to enable the suture strand depending therefrom to be threaded at the suture receiving guide. A second suture gripping device grips the suture at a position below the suture receiving guide of the supporting blade. A slide block counterweighted to a predetermined weight is connected to the second suture gripping device for applying a controlled positive downward force upon the suture strand. When the first gripping device releases its grip upon the armed needle and the second gripping device and the slide block is released, a positive downward force is applied to the suture strand to perform a minimum pull-test of the armed needle. A destructive pull test is also performed by a device that generates a positive force against the slide block that is sufficient to dislodge the suture from the needle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.