US4034473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suture cutter
Assignee: CRBARD Inc A CORP OF NJ
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Filing: 1975-12-23
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Granted: 1977-07-12
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Expires: 1995-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A suture cutter for cutting a suture in a slicing action including a first arm having a free end insertable under a suture and an elongated portion extending at an obtuse angle to the free end, and second arm having a free end and an elongated portion manually movable toward the elongated portion of the first arm, the elongated portions of both arms forming a handle for grasping the suture cutter. A straight edge cutting blade is attached to the free end of the second arm so that the cutting edge of the blade is at an angle to the elongated portion of the second arm ensuring a slicing cutting action on the suture when the suture cutter is operated without a resilient flexing of the second arm.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin A. May
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3201; A61B17/04; A61B17/0467; B; B26; B26B; B26B17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
280 words
A suture cutter for slicing a suture comprising: a. a first arm having a first free with a substantially planar surface for insertion under a suture and an elongated portion extending at a first obtuse angle to said first free end; b. a second arm having an elongated portion manually movable from a first position toward the elongated portion of said first arm into a second suture cut position, said second arm being connected to the elongated portion of said first arm, said elongated portions forming a handle for grasping said suture cutter, said second arm terminating in a second free end; and c. cutter means on said second free end, said cutter means including a straight edge blase portion aligned at an angle to the elongated portion of said second arm and lying generally parallel to the planar surface of said first free end when the elongated portion of said second arm lies in said first position, the angular relationship of said straight edge blade portion and the elongated portion of said second arm and the planar surface of said first free end being such that said straight edge blade portion lies generally parallel to the planar surface of said first free end when the elongated portion of said second arm is moved into its second suture cut position thereby ensuring a slicing action to a suture held by said first arm in a direction substantially parallel to the planar surface of said first free end even in the absence of resilient flexing of said second arm as the elongated portion of said second arm is moved from its first position toward said first arm into its second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
280 words
A suture cutter for slicing a suture comprising: a. a first arm having a first free with a substantially planar surface for insertion under a suture and an elongated portion extending at a first obtuse angle to said first free end; b. a second arm having an elongated portion manually movable from a first position toward the elongated portion of said first arm into a second suture cut position, said second arm being connected to the elongated portion of said first arm, said elongated portions forming a handle for grasping said suture cutter, said second arm terminating in a second free end; and c. cutter means on said second free end, said cutter means including a straight edge blase portion aligned at an angle to the elongated portion of said second arm and lying generally parallel to the planar surface of said first free end when the elongated portion of said second arm lies in said first position, the angular relationship of said straight edge blade portion and the elongated portion of said second arm and the planar surface of said first free end being such that said straight edge blade portion lies generally parallel to the planar surface of said first free end when the elongated portion of said second arm is moved into its second suture cut position thereby ensuring a slicing action to a suture held by said first arm in a direction substantially parallel to the planar surface of said first free end even in the absence of resilient flexing of said second arm as the elongated portion of said second arm is moved from its first position toward said first arm into its second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The suture cutter of claim 1 wherein said straight edge blade portion is aligned at a second obtuse angle with the elongated portion of said second arm, said first obtuse angle being substantially equal to said second obtuse angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The suture cutter of claim 2 in which said first and second obtuse angles are slight greater than 90° for providing the maximum slicing motiion substantially longitudinally along the planar surface of said first free end when the elongated portion of said second arm is pressed toward the elongated portion of said first arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The suture cutter of claim 1 wherein the elongated portion of said second arm is aligned with the elongated portion of said first arm in a small acute angular relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The suture cutter of claim wherein said cutter means includes a metal blade carried by said second free end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The suture cutter of claim 1 wherein said first free end has a thin, tapered, terminal portion for facilitating easy insertion of said first free end under the suture and positioning of the suture on said first free end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suture cutter of claim 1 wherein said first and second arms are formed of a single piece of molded resilient material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The suture cutter of claim 7 including means on the planar surface of said first free end for retaining a suture thereon, said planar surface carrying at least one groove for guiding said cutting means, said groove extending longitudinally and intersecting said suture retaining means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The suture cutter of claim 8 wherein said suture-retaining means comprises a plurality of ridges extending transversely of the planar surface of said first free end, having a depth equal to or greater than the depth of said ridges to enable the cutting edge of said cutting blade to completely and cleanly slice throuch a suture seated between a pair of ridges during operation of said suture cutter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The suture cutter of claim 8 wherein said second free end has a planar surface with at least one integrally molded boss thereon, said cutting blade having a hole compatible with said boss, said boss extending through said hole for mounting said blade on said boss.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The suture cutter of claim 10 including finger grips located on the exterior surface of the elongated portions of said arms for providing easier and firmer grasping of the handle operation of said suture cutter.
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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) | 1980-07-11 | 1981-01-10 | 1981-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-11 | 1985-01-10 | 1985-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-11 | 1989-01-10 | 1989-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |