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US 8,709,183 B2Granted
Welded knot end effector
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorDavid O'Neill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for forming an end effector includes a welding device having a welder positioned adjacent to a base, and a die coupled to one end of the welder. The base and the welder are movable relative to each other. The welder, base or die includes a source of heat that is applied to a portion of the suture disposed between the welder and the base.
Claims14
A method of forming a welded end effector, comprising:
- providing a length of suture including a knot;
- providing a welding device selectively engagable with the knot and including:
- a base having a working surface and defining an opening therethrough;
- and
- a welder positioned adjacent to the base, the welder including a die extending towards the base;
- positioning the length of suture such that the knot is disposed between the base and the die;
- activating the welding device;
- and
- reducing a gap between the welding device and the base supporting the knot until the knot reaches a desired diameter to form an end effector.
6 more elements
A method of forming a welded end effector, comprising:
- providing a length of suture including a knot;
- providing an apparatus for forming an end effector including:
- a welder including a die;
- and
- a base positioned adjacent the welder, wherein at least one of the base and the welder is movable relative to the other, the base defining an opening for receipt of the length of suture therethrough;
- positioning the length of suture through the opening in the base such that the knot is disposed between the base and the die;
- activating the welding device;
- and
- reducing a gap between the welding device and the base supporting the knot until the knot reaches a desired diameter to form an end effector.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.