Microsurgery suture-needle and of its method of manufacture
Abstract
Abstract A PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING MICROMINIATURE SUTURENEEDLES WHOSE CROSS SECTIONAL DIAMETERS ARE AS SMALL AS 5 TO 8 MICRONS. THEY ARE USEFUL IN PERFORMING SURGICAL OPERATIONS WHERE VERY SMALL BLOOD VESSELS OR OTHER DELICATE TISSUE MUST BE SEWN TOGETHER. THE STEPS OF THIS PROCESS ARE INITIALLY TO FORM AND SHAPE A NON-CONDUCTOR MATERIAL STRAND AND THEN TO PLATE IT AND FINISH IT, SO THAT THE PLATED PART AND THE REST OF THE STRAND BECOME AN INTEGRAL UNIT WHICH IS CALLED A SUTURE-NEEDLE. THE STEPS OF THE PROCESS INCLUDE BENDING THE SUTURE AROUND A MANDREL SUCH AS A HEATED GRAPHITE ROD, CUTTING THE SUTURE TO FORM A POINT, DEFORMING THE POINT TO INCREASE THE ADHESION OF A SUBSEQUENTIALLY APPLIED METAL COATING BY ETCHING OR INDENTATION, AND THEN METALLIZING THE POINT TO FORM A NEEDLE OF APPROXIMATELY THE SAME DIAMETER AS THE SUTURE AND INTEGRAL WITH THE SUTURE.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner P Schulz
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 0References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |