US3943933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suture with radiation degradation near needle-suture junction
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1974-09-25
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Granted: 1976-03-16
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Expires: 1994-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A needle-suture combination is provided in which the suture has a radiation-weakened segment adjacent to its attachment to the needle. The radiation-weakened segment permits a surgeon to separate the needle from the suture by a sharp tug.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur A. Gertzman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06004; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/037
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A needle-suture combination comprising a needle having a sharp end and a blunt end and having a recess at said blunt end, and a suture made of a material selected from the group consisting of cellulose and cellulose esters, polyolefins, vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers and homopolymers and copolymers of lactide and glycolide, said suture having one tip positioned within said recess, means retaining said tip of said suture within said recess to attach said suture to said needle, and a radiation-weakened segment in said suture adjacent the location of its attachment to said needle and exterior of said recess, said weakened segment having a breaking strength of from about 3 to 26 ounces, whereby said needle can readily be separated from said suture by applying a pulling force to said needle to break said weakened segment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A needle-suture combination comprising a needle having a sharp end and a blunt end and having a recess at said blunt end, and a suture made of a material selected from the group consisting of cellulose and cellulose esters, polyolefins, vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers and homopolymers and copolymers of lactide and glycolide, said suture having one tip positioned within said recess, means retaining said tip of said suture within said recess to attach said suture to said needle, and a radiation-weakened segment in said suture adjacent the location of its attachment to said needle and exterior of said recess, said weakened segment having a breaking strength of from about 3 to 26 ounces, whereby said needle can readily be separated from said suture by applying a pulling force to said needle to break said weakened segment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The needle-suture combination of claim 1, wherein said suture comprises a monofilament.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The needle-suture combination of claim 1, wherein said suture comprises a multifilament suture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The needle-suture combination of claim 1, wherein said suture comprises polypropylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The needle-suture combination of claim 1, wherein said suture comprises cotton.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The needle-suture combination of claim 1, wherein said suture comprises linen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The needle-suture combination of claim 1, wherein said suture comprises polylactide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The needle-suture combination of claim 1, wherein said suture comprises polyglycolide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The needle-suture combination of claim 1, wherein said suture comprises poly(lactide-co-glycolide).
Claim 11
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of altering a needle-suture combination in which a needle is attached to a suture made of a material selected from the group consisting of cellulose and cellulose esters, polyolefins, vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, and homopolymers and copolymers of lactide and glycolide which comprises exposing a segment of said suture located adjacent to and exterior of the needle to sufficient radiation of the class consisting of beta radiation and gamma radiation to reduce the breaking strength of said segment to about 3 to 26 ounces while shielding the remainder of said suture from said radiation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of altering a needle-suture combination in which a needle is attached to a suture made of a material selected from the group consisting of cellulose and cellulose esters, polyolefins, vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, and homopolymers and copolymers of lactide and glycolide which comprises exposing a segment of said suture located adjacent to and exterior of the needle to sufficient radiation of the class consisting of beta radiation and gamma radiation to reduce the breaking strength of said segment to about 3 to 26 ounces while shielding the remainder of said suture from said radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said radiation is gamma radiation at a cumulative dosage from about 5 to about 200 megarads.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said radiation is generated from a cobalt-60 source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said radiation is generated as a high energy electron beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said suture is made of cotton and said radiation dosage is from about 0.4 to about 0.7 megarads per percent decrease in rupture strength at the radiation site based on the original rupture strength of the suture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said suture is made of polypropylene and said radiation dosage is from about 0.4 to about 0.7 megarads per percent decrease in rupture strength at the radiation site based on the original rupture strength of the suture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said suture is made of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and said radiation dosage is from about 0.6 to about 1.2 megarads per percent decrease in rupture strength at the radiation site based on the original rupture strength of the suture.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-16 | 1979-09-15 | 1980-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-16 | 1983-09-15 | 1984-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-16 | 1987-09-15 | 1988-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |