US4660559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterile surgical needles with a hard sharp cutting edge and method for producing the same
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1983-09-19
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Granted: 1987-04-28
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Expires: 2003-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A unitary sterile surgical needle having a hardened cutting edge and a malleable center portion and body section.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter McGregor
- 👤 Lee Bendel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:29
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21G; B21G1/00; B21G1/08; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06004; A61B17/06066; C; C21; C21D; C21D9/00; C21D9/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A process for producting a sterile surgical needle having a very sharp cutting edge having a surface hardness of at least 45 measured on the Rockwell C Hardness Scale and a body portion which is malleable and resistant to breaking comprising: forming a cutting edge at one end of a piece of steel wire; treating said cutting edge with a laser beam having a power output, between 10 watts and 150 watts and a wave length of 8 to 12 microns to harden said edge to a depth of from about 0.0001 inch to 0.010 inch and to a hardness of at least 45 measured on a Rockwell C Hardness Scale; sharpening said edge; and sterilizing said sharpened steel wire to produce a sterile surgical needle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A process for producting a sterile surgical needle having a very sharp cutting edge having a surface hardness of at least 45 measured on the Rockwell C Hardness Scale and a body portion which is malleable and resistant to breaking comprising: forming a cutting edge at one end of a piece of steel wire; treating said cutting edge with a laser beam having a power output, between 10 watts and 150 watts and a wave length of 8 to 12 microns to harden said edge to a depth of from about 0.0001 inch to 0.010 inch and to a hardness of at least 45 measured on a Rockwell C Hardness Scale; sharpening said edge; and sterilizing said sharpened steel wire to produce a sterile surgical needle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein a suture is swaged into the end of the shaped needle opposite the end at which the cutting edge is formed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the sharpened needle is shaped to a desired curve prior to sterilization.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein a point is formed at one end of the steel wire with at least one cutting edge extending from said point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein a portion of the wire is formed into a triangular cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein a portion of the wire is formed into a trapezoidal cross-section.
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) | 1990-04-27 | 1990-10-27 | 1991-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-27 | 1994-10-27 | 1995-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-27 | 1998-10-27 | 1999-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |