System and method for making tapered looped suture
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsNicholas Maiorino, Timothy Kosa, Mark Buchter, Keith Kroeber, Richard Casey Hart, Gary Suszynski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.
Claims16
An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture, the active anvil assembly comprising:
- an anvil member for supporting a length of thread;
- a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member;
- a first adjustable stage supporting the anvil member and selectively translatable in a first direction and in a second direction for positioning the anvil member;
- a second adjustable stage supporting the first adjustable stage and selectively translatable in a third direction and in a fourth direction for positioning the anvil member;
- a mounting member for selectively raising and lowering the anvil member;
- and
- a control assembly for actuating the mounting member to raise and lower the anvil member in response to feedback provided by the first sensor.
A system for forming a looped suture, the system comprising:
- a welding assembly for welding a first length of a thread to a second length of the thread to form a loop in the thread, the welding assembly including:
- an ultrasonic welding horn;
- and
- an active anvil assembly configured for retaining and positioning the first and second lengths of the thread during the welding of the loop in the thread, the active anvil assembly comprising an anvil member operably connected to a first sensor and a control assembly configured to move the anvil member relative to the ultrasonic welding horn;
- and,
- a trimming assembly for selectively retaining the thread as excess thread is removed from the loop in the thread.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.