Rapid thermal treatment for coloring surgical needles

An apparatus for thermally treating and coloring a plurality of curved suture needles, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a conveyer for transferring the plurality of curved suture needles from a source of curved suture needles to a receiver;
• b) a housing positioned adjacent said conveyer, said housing having a first end, a second end, and an opening running from said first end to said second end, said opening aligned with said conveyer to enable the plurality of curved suture needles to pass therethrough;
• c) a heat source located within said housing for heating the plurality of curved suture needles as the plurality of curved suture needles are transferred by said conveyer from said first end of said housing to said second end of said housing;
• d) a system for providing a gas mixture containing a fractional concentration of oxygen to oxidize and colorize the surfaces of the plurality of curved suture needles as the plurality of suture needles pass through said housing;
• e) a first guide, comprising a first plate and a second plate, positioned in a spaced parallel relationship, for positioning the plurality of curved suture needles to substantially center the plurality of curved suture needles within the opening of said housing, said first guide for positioning the plurality of curved suture needles located between said housing and said source of curved suture needles;
• and
• f) a second guide, comprising a first plate and a second plate, positioned in a spaced parallel relationship, for positioning the plurality of curved suture needles to substantially center the plurality of curved suture needles within the opening of said housing, said second guide for positioning the plurality of curved suture needles located between said housing and said receiver.