Method and apparatus for forming retainers on a suture
First Claim
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1. A method of forming retainers on a suture, said method comprising:
- providing a suture having a longitudinal axis and a circumference;
providing a cutter;
providing a displacer including a track that can longitudinally displace at least one of the suture and the cutter relative to the other, and can at least one of revolve the cutter about the suture and rotate the suture;
placing the cutter and suture into cutting engagement to form a first helical escarpment about the suture circumference;
rotating the cutter about a cutter axis; and
moving the cutter along the track.
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Abstract
A method of forming retainers on a suture includes providing a suture having a longitudinal axis and a circumference, a cutter, and a displacer that can longitudinally displace at least one of the suture and the cutter relative to the other, and can at least one of revolve the cutter about the suture and rotate the suture; and placing the cutter and suture into cutting engagement to form a first helical escarpment about the suture circumference. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of forming retainers on a suture, said method comprising:
- providing a suture having a longitudinal axis and a circumference;
providing a cutter;
providing a displacer including a track that can longitudinally displace at least one of the suture and the cutter relative to the other, and can at least one of revolve the cutter about the suture and rotate the suture;
placing the cutter and suture into cutting engagement to form a first helical escarpment about the suture circumference;
rotating the cutter about a cutter axis; and
moving the cutter along the track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- providing a suture having a longitudinal axis and a circumference;
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19. An apparatus to form a retainer on a suture comprising:
- a suture holding frame adapted to hold a suture along a longitudinal axis;
a cutter that can cut the retainer; and
a displacer that can (1) displace at least one of the suture holding frame, the suture in the suture holding frame and the cutter along the longitudinal axis, (2) rotate the suture holding frame, and (3) can at least one of revolve the cutter about the suture, and rotate the suture. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
- a suture holding frame adapted to hold a suture along a longitudinal axis;
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24. An apparatus to form a retainer on a suture comprising:
- a suture holding frame adapted to hold a suture along a longitudinal axis;
a cutter that can cut the retainer; and
a displacer that can (1) displace at least one of the suture holding frame, the suture in the suture holding frame and the cutter along the longitudinal axis, and (2) can at least one of revolve the cutter about the suture, and rotate the suture; and
wherein said displacer includes a spiraling track, and can revolve said cutter along the spiraling track. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
- a suture holding frame adapted to hold a suture along a longitudinal axis;
Specification