Automated method for cutting tissue retainers on a suture
First Claim
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1. A method for cutting barbs on a suture thread having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
- (a) setting the suture thread on a support;
(b) actuating an electrically-operated reciprocating blade assembly to create a first barb at a first location on the suture thread;
(c) indexing the suture thread along the longitudinal axis; and
(d) actuating the electrically-operated reciprocating blade assembly to create a second barb at a second location on the suture thread longitudinally-displaced from the first location.
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Abstract
An automated method for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The suture is mounted to a support. A power-operated cutting arm moves a cutting device through the suture along a preselected path and at a preselected angle to create a tissue retainer having a desired shape and size. The suture is indexed relative to the cutting device. The operation of the cutting arm in conjunction with the geometry of the cutting device and linear advancement of the suture thread allows for creating a plurality of tissue-retainers having a desired geometry along the length of the suture thread.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for cutting barbs on a suture thread having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
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(a) setting the suture thread on a support; (b) actuating an electrically-operated reciprocating blade assembly to create a first barb at a first location on the suture thread; (c) indexing the suture thread along the longitudinal axis; and (d) actuating the electrically-operated reciprocating blade assembly to create a second barb at a second location on the suture thread longitudinally-displaced from the first location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for cutting a suture thread having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
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(a) setting the suture thread on a support; (b) operating a power-operated blade assembly to make a first angled cut having a preselected configuration at a first location on the suture thread; (c) indexing the suture thread along the longitudinal axis; and (d) operating the power-operated blade assembly to make a second angled cut having said preselected configuration at a second location on the suture thread longitudinally-displaced from the first location. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for creating tissue-retainers on a suture thread having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
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(a) setting the suture thread on a support; (b) operating a power-operated cutting assembly to cut the suture thread to make a first tissue-retainer having a preselected configuration at a first location on the suture thread; (c) indexing the suture thread along the longitudinal axis; and (d) operating the power-operated cutting assembly to cut the suture thread to make a second tissue-retainer having said preselected configuration at a second location on the suture thread longitudinally-displaced from the first location. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification