Needle threading and swaging system

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 5438746
SERIAL NO

08181598

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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An automated machine for attaching a suture to a surgical needle comprises a first apparatus located at a first predetermined location for sorting a plurality of randomly oriented needles and orienting each needle for automatic handling at a first predetermined location, each of the needles having a suture receiving opening formed therein. A second apparatus located at a second predetermined location is provided for automatically cutting an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length suture strand and for automatically inserting an end of the definite length suture strand into the suture receiving opening formed in the needle. Also provided is a third apparatus for swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about the suture to secure said suture thereto and form therefrom a needle and suture assembly. An indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation at the first predetermined location and conveys the needle for sequential processing from the first to the second locations to form the needle-suture assembly.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
ETHICON INCU S ROUTE 22 P O BOX 151 SOMERVILLE NJ 08876

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Blanch, John F Tinton Falls, NJ 26 807
Demarest, David Parsippany, NJ 31 652
Duncan, Robert B Bridgewater, NJ 19 3303

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