US4806737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for manufacturing a surgical suture
Assignee: Covidien AG
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Filing: 1987-07-30
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Granted: 1989-02-21
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Expires: 2007-07-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for melt fusing a length of multifilament thermoplastic surgical suture includes a radiant heater having a two part longitudinally divided tunnel. A length of multifilament material is advanced into the tunnel and is held in a stationary position under tension while being fused.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A. Coates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06166; A61L; A61L17/00; D; D02; D02J; D02J1/00; D02J1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for melt fusing a suitable controlled length of a multifilament thermoplastic material comprising a radiant heater having a two part cylindrical tunnel, the tunnel having a longitudinal axis parallel to a direction of advance of a multifilament material, said tunnel being divided along the longitudinal axis; means for advancing a suitable controlled length of said multifilament material into the two part cylindrical tunnel; means for maintaining said suitable controlled length in a stationary position in said tunnel; and means for tensioning said suitable controlled length being fused.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for melt fusing a suitable controlled length of a multifilament thermoplastic material comprising a radiant heater having a two part cylindrical tunnel, the tunnel having a longitudinal axis parallel to a direction of advance of a multifilament material, said tunnel being divided along the longitudinal axis; means for advancing a suitable controlled length of said multifilament material into the two part cylindrical tunnel; means for maintaining said suitable controlled length in a stationary position in said tunnel; and means for tensioning said suitable controlled length being fused.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said multifilament material is a braided material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus of claim 2 wherein the braided material is a surgical suture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heater is a radiant and convection heater.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus of claim 4 wheren the heater is an electrical resistance radiant and convection heater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heater is an electrical resistance radiant heater.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for advancing said length of said material along its longitudinal axis and into said tunnel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for advancing said length of said material along its longitudinal axis and through said tunnel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 wherein the heater has a temperature in the range of about 100° to 500° C.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
18 words
An apparatus of clam 9 wherein the temperature is in the range of about 200° to 400° C.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
18 words
An apparatus of clam 9 wherein the temperature is in the range of about 200° to 400° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 wherein the heater has a proximal and a distal end, and the means for tensioning comprises a first and second means for guiding the suture, the first and second means being adjacent the respective proximal and distal ends of said heater.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first means for guiding comprises a means of producing a controlled frictional drag on said suture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus of claim 12 wherein the second means for guiding comprises a means of producing a variable angular velocity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first and second means for guiding comprise respectively a first and second means of producing a variable angular velocity; with the proviso that the angular velocities from the first and second producing means are different.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus of claim 11 wherein the multifilament material is selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyamide, and a polyolefin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus of claim 15 wherein the polyester is poly(glycolic acid).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus of claim 16 wherein the poly (glycolic acid) is a homopolymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus of claim 16 wherein the poly(glycolic acid) is a copolymer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1492821A
Cited
US2803109A
Cited
GB996908A
Cited
US3376698A
Cited
US3449549A
Cited
US4460820A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-21 | 1992-08-22 | 1993-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-21 | 1996-08-22 | 1997-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-21 | 2000-08-22 | 2001-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |