APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING SELF-RETAINING SUTURES

• US 20110106152A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
• Inventors: Kozlowski, Martin J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,875,607 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/228
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0341 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0393 With means to rotate blade
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes

Abstract

An apparatus and method for cutting retainers on a continuous strand is provided. The apparatus may include a rotary head member configured to be rotatably driven about a longitudinal axis. The rotary head member may include a center hole substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis and configured to receive the strand. A retainer forming member may be supported on the rotary head member and may include a cutting edge directed substantially inward toward the longitudinal axis. When the rotary head member rotates about the longitudinal axis and the strand is continuously pulled through the center hole along the longitudinal axis, the cutting edge may intermittently or continuously cuts retainers about an outer surface of the strand.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cutting retainers on a continuous strand, comprising

a rotary head member configured to be rotatably driven about a longitudinal axis, the rotary head member including a center hole substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis and configured to receive the strand;

and

a retainer forming member supported on the rotary head member and comprising a cutting edge directed substantially inward toward the longitudinal axis, wherein when the rotary head member rotates about the longitudinal axis and the strand is continuously pulled through the center hole along the longitudinal axis, the cutting edge intermittently or continuously cuts retainers about an outer surface of the strand.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retainer forming member is moveable relative to the rotary head member to selectively form retainers on the outer surface of the strand.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an actuator member coupled to the retainer forming member and configured to move the retainer forming member relative to the rotary head member when actuated.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an actuation device configured to actuate the actuator member to move the retainer forming member and comprising one of a pneumatic actuation device, an electronic actuation device, and a mechanical actuation device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting edge of the retainer forming member is moveable substantially toward and away from the longitudinal axis between predetermined end positions to selectively form retainers on the outer surface of the strand.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an actuator member coupled to the retainer forming member and configured to move the cutting edge of the retainer forming member substantially toward and away from the longitudinal axis between the predetermined end positions when actuated.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an actuation device configured to actuate the actuator member to move the retainer forming member and comprising one of a pneumatic actuation device, an electronic actuation device, and a mechanical actuation device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retainer forming member comprises a blade.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotary drive device configured to rotate the rotary head member about the longitudinal axis.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotary drive device is configured to rotate the rotary head member at a constant rate about the longitudinal axis.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotary drive device is configured to rotate the rotary head member at a variable rate about the longitudinal axis.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting edge of the retainer forming member is slidably received within a slot formed in the rotary head member.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the slot extends at an angle from a face of the rotary head member toward the longitudinal axis.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a base member including a cavity and a center hole, wherein the rotary head member is rotatably supported within the cavity of the base member; and

a bushing disposed within the center hole of the base member and including another center hole sized to receive the strand.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting edge of the retainer forming member is disposed at an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a take-up mechanism configured to pull the strand along the longitudinal axis from an input spool.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the take-up mechanism is configured to pull the strand at a constant or variable speed along the longitudinal axis.

18. (canceled)

19. A method for cutting retainers on a continuous strand with an apparatus including a rotary head member configured to be rotatably driven about a longitudinal axis, the rotary head member including a center hole substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis and configured to receive the strand, and a retainer forming member supported on the rotary head member and comprising a cutting edge directed substantially inward toward the longitudinal axis, the method comprising:

rotating the rotary head member about the longitudinal axis;

continuously pulling the strand through the center hole along the longitudinal axis; and

intermittently or continuously cutting an outer surface of the strand with the cutting edge of the retainer forming member to form retainers on the strand.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising moving the retainer forming member relative to the rotary head member.

22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising moving the cutting edge of the retainer forming member substantially toward and away from the longitudinal axis between predetermined end positions.

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein the rotating of the rotary head member is at a constant rate about the longitudinal axis.

25. The method according to claim 19, wherein the rotating of the rotary head member is at a variable rate about the longitudinal axis.

26. The method according to claim 19, further comprising pulling the strand along the longitudinal axis at a constant or variable speed with a take-up mechanism.

21. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. A self-retaining suture comprising one or more retainers formed on an outer periphery of a strand of suture material, the suture formed by a method comprising:

providing a rotary head member configured to be rotatably driven about a longitudinal axis, the rotary head member including a center hole substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis and configured to receive the strand;

providing a retainer forming member supported on the rotary head member and comprising a cutting edge directed substantially inward toward the longitudinal axis;

rotating the rotary head member about the longitudinal axis;

continuously pulling the strand through the center hole along the longitudinal axis; and

intermittently or continuously cutting an outer surface of the strand with the cutting edge of the retainer forming member to form retainers on the strand.

29-32. -32. (canceled)