Producing notch feature in small diameter steel alloy needle wire
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsWilliam A. Crawford, Kenneth V. Moran, Terry A. McFarland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A notch-locating fixture for forming notches at predetermined locations along a needle wire used in a surgical suturing apparatus includes a base having at least one semi-circular recess shaped and dimensioned for receiving the needle wire. The fixture also includes a cover member including at least one aligned slot formed therein in a manner providing a grinding wheel with access to needle wire held between the base and the cover member. The fixture further includes a securing structure selectively coupling the base to the cover member.
Claims12
A notch-locating fixture for electrochemical grinding in the formation of notches at predetermined locations along a needle wire used in a surgical suturing apparatus, comprising:
- a base including at least one semi-circular recess shaped and dimensioned for receiving and locating the needle wire;
- a cover member including at least one aligned slot formed therein in a manner providing a grinding wheel with access to needle wire held between the base and the cover member;
- a thin piece of a conductive sheet positioned between the needle wire and the cover member;
- and
- a securing structure selectively coupling the base to the cover member with the conductive sheet positioned therebetween wherein a notch is formed in the wire by electrochemical grinding with the grinding wheel and the conductive sheet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.