# US 9,038,688 B2 · System and method for making tapered looped suture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,688 B2 - Document ID: US9038688B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/480,614 - Filed: 2012-05-25 - Published: 2012-10-25 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2009-04-29 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Nicholas Maiorino; Timothy Kosa; Mark Buchter; Keith Kroeber; Richard Casey Hart; Gary Suszynski - Inventors: Nicholas Maiorino; Timothy Kosa; Mark Buchter; Keith Kroeber; Richard Casey Hart; Gary Suszynski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038688B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/06166: {Sutures (suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M)} - B29C 65/08: using ultrasonic vibrations {(non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645)} - B29C 66/1122: {Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints (B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence)} - B29C 66/69: {General aspects of joining filaments (bundling articles B65B13/00; interconnecting successive lengths of material B65H69/00)} - B29C 66/81431: {comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove} - B29C 66/8242: {Pneumatic or hydraulic drives (using fluid pressure directly acting on the parts to be joined B29C66/8266)} - B29C 66/8322: {Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis} - B29C 66/9221: {by measuring the pressure, the force or the mechanical power} - B29C 66/9261: {by controlling or regulating the displacement of the joining tools} - B29C 66/961: {involving a feedback loop mechanism, e.g. comparison with a desired value} - A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)} - A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing} - A61B 2017/0619: {thermoplastic, e.g. for bonding, welding, fusing or cutting the suture by melting it} - B29C 66/92211: {with special measurement means or methods} - B29L 2031/753: {Medical equipment; Accessories therefor (bloodbags, medical bags B29L2031/7148; artificial eyes B29L2011/0008)} - Y10T 156/1313: Cutting element simultaneously bonds [e.g., cut seaming] - Y10T 156/1378: Cutter actuated by or secured to bonding element - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The active anvil assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure at least one of force, torque or distance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The active anvil assembly of claim 1, wherein the anvil member is configured to operate with an ultrasonic welding horn to join a first length of the thread and a second length of the thread to form a loop in the thread. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The active anvil assembly of claim 3, wherein the loop is formed at a distal end of the thread. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The active anvil assembly of claim 3, wherein the control assembly includes a motor configured to move the mounting member in relation to the ultrasonic welding horn. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The active anvil assembly of claim 1, further including a mounting base, wherein the control assembly is configured to raise and lower the mounting member in relation to the mounting base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The active anvil assembly of claim 3, wherein the first adjustable stage is configured to translate the anvil member forwards and backwards relative to the ultrasonic horn. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The active anvil assembly of claim 7, wherein the second adjustable stage is configured to translate the anvil member laterally relative to the ultrasonic horn. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The anvil assembly of claim 1, wherein the anvil member includes a channel configured to selectively receive at least a portion of the first length of thread. ### Claim 10 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, further comprising: a flipper gripping assembly for creating the loop in the thread; a carriage assembly for advancing the thread relative to the welding and trimming assemblies; a cutter assembly for severing the thread; a thread lengthening assembly for extending the length of the thread; and a monitoring assembly for monitoring the thread as the loop is formed and excess thread is cut from the loop. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The active anvil assembly of claim 1, wherein the anvil member defines a channel for receiving at least the length of the thread. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the active anvil assembly includes 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the active anvil assembly include 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the active anvil assembly includes a mounting member for selectively raising and lowering the anvil member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the active anvil assembly includes a control assembly for actuating the mounting member to raise and lower the anvil member in response to feedback provided by the first sensor.