US3659343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suture cutter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-04-06
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Granted: 1972-05-02
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Expires: 1990-04-06
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses a cutter for use by physicians to cut and remove sutures. The suture cutter has a handle made of resilient material having two arms resiliently and integrally connected together. The arms have the cutting elements supported on the distal ends. The cutting elements are a sharp blade connected to one arm and an anvil surface on a probe on the other arm. The elongated resilient probe may be inserted under a suture during cutting. To lift the suture a rigid laterally extending jaw is attached to each side of each arm which close together when the cutter is closed and act as tweezers. Thus the combination cutter and tweezers actually form two tools in one and eliminate the need of two separate instruments. The tool is shaped for hand comfort and ambidexterity.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert E Straus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3201; A61B17/04; A61B17/0467; B; B26; B26B; B26B13/00; B26B13/12; B26B13/14; B26B13/18; A61B17/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A suture cutter comprising a first arm and a second arm swingably connected together to swing toward and away from each other, a probe on the distal end of said first arm, a cutting blade on the distal end of said second arm, said blade having a sharp edge adapted to engage an anvil surface on said probe whereby a suture may be cut by said blade when said probe is inserted under said suture, a bladelike guide member being fixed to said first arm adjacent said cutting blade, and two spaced guide blades being fixed to said second arm adjacent said guide member, said bladelike guide member being adapted to slide between said two guide blades whereby said bladelike guide member is guided and said arms are guided relative to each other, said cutting blade being fixed to said second arm by means of a torque member which extends through an opening in said blade, said arms being generally flat pieces of material resiliently attached together, a jaw extending laterally from each side of each said arm and said jaws cooperate to form tweezers, said jaws being adapted to receive threads between them whereby said threads may be removed from said suture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A suture cutter comprising a first arm and a second arm swingably connected together to swing toward and away from each other, a probe on the distal end of said first arm, a cutting blade on the distal end of said second arm, said blade having a sharp edge adapted to engage an anvil surface on said probe whereby a suture may be cut by said blade when said probe is inserted under said suture, a bladelike guide member being fixed to said first arm adjacent said cutting blade, and two spaced guide blades being fixed to said second arm adjacent said guide member, said bladelike guide member being adapted to slide between said two guide blades whereby said bladelike guide member is guided and said arms are guided relative to each other, said cutting blade being fixed to said second arm by means of a torque member which extends through an opening in said blade, said arms being generally flat pieces of material resiliently attached together, a jaw extending laterally from each side of each said arm and said jaws cooperate to form tweezers, said jaws being adapted to receive threads between them whereby said threads may be removed from said suture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
145 words
In combination a suture cutter and tweezers comprising a handle made of a flat straplike member bent in U-shape and forming a first arm and a second arm, said first arm having two jaws, one extending from each side thereof, and a cutting blade fixed to the distal end of said first arm, an elongated flexible probe fixed to the distal end of said second arm, said cutting blade being adapted to engage said probe and to cut a suture engaged by said probe, a first laterally extending jaw attached to said second arm and a second laterally extending jaw attached to said second arm on the side opposite said first jaw, said laterally extending jaw on said first arm each being adapted to engage a said laterally extending jaw attached to said second arm when said jaws are moved toward each other forming tweezers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
145 words
In combination a suture cutter and tweezers comprising a handle made of a flat straplike member bent in U-shape and forming a first arm and a second arm, said first arm having two jaws, one extending from each side thereof, and a cutting blade fixed to the distal end of said first arm, an elongated flexible probe fixed to the distal end of said second arm, said cutting blade being adapted to engage said probe and to cut a suture engaged by said probe, a first laterally extending jaw attached to said second arm and a second laterally extending jaw attached to said second arm on the side opposite said first jaw, said laterally extending jaw on said first arm each being adapted to engage a said laterally extending jaw attached to said second arm when said jaws are moved toward each other forming tweezers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-02 | 1975-11-01 | 1976-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-02 | 1979-11-01 | 1980-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-02 | 1983-11-01 | 1984-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |