System for supporting and cutting suture thread to create tissue retainers thereon
First Claim
1. An apparatus for creating features protruding from a surface of a suture having a longitudinal axis comprising:
- a cutting bed having a first bed component and second bed component;
a channel between the first bed component and the second bed component;
the channel adapted and configured to receive a non-exposed segment of suture between the first bed component and the second component while stabilizing an exposed segment of suture;
a cutting device adapted and configured to make a plurality of angled cuts, longitudinally-displaced from one another along the exposed segment of suture, the plurality of angled cuts creating a plurality of features each having a tip protruding above the surface of the suture and a base attached to the suture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for manufacturing self-retaining suture includes means for supporting the suture during cutting of retainers which protrude from the suture at multiple angles. The system includes an anvil having a channel configured to support a suture during cutting of a retainer at a first angular position while providing for non-interference between the anvil and retainers previously cut on the suture at one or more angular positions different than the first angular position. In embodiments the channel is provided with notches which receive previously-formed retainers during creation of subsequent retainers. The system thereby provides for rotating the suture and supporting the suture with the anvil without interference with previously-formed retainers.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for creating features protruding from a surface of a suture having a longitudinal axis comprising:
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a cutting bed having a first bed component and second bed component; a channel between the first bed component and the second bed component; the channel adapted and configured to receive a non-exposed segment of suture between the first bed component and the second component while stabilizing an exposed segment of suture; a cutting device adapted and configured to make a plurality of angled cuts, longitudinally-displaced from one another along the exposed segment of suture, the plurality of angled cuts creating a plurality of features each having a tip protruding above the surface of the suture and a base attached to the suture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for creating tissue-grasping elements on a suture having a longitudinal axis comprising:
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an anvil adapted to support the suture during cutting; a channel in the anvil, the channel adapted to be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the suture, the channel adapted and configured to receive a non-exposed segment of suture while stabilizing an exposed segment of suture; a cutting device positioned on an opposite side of the suture from the anvil and adapted to cut into the exposed segment of the suture to create a plurality of tissue-grasping elements spaced along the longitudinal axis of the suture. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for creating tissue-retainers protruding from a surface of a suture having a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising:
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a cutting bed; a channel in the cutting bed, the channel having a width, depth and length configured to receive a non-exposed longitudinal segment of a suture while stabilizing an exposed longitudinal segment of suture; a cutting device configured to make a cut in the surface of the longitudinally exposed segment of suture, thereby creating a tissue-retainer having an apex protruding above the surface of the suture and a base attached to the suture. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification