US5116358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
•
Filing: 1990-07-23
•
Granted: 1992-05-26
•
Expires: 2010-07-23
Abstract
Abstract Attachment of a surgical needle to a suture to provide a combined surgical needle-suture device employs a shrinkable tubing possessing a controlled suture separation feature.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard N. Granger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L17/00; A61L17/04; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06004; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for attaching a surgical needle to a suture to provide a combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) providing a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) providing a suture, one tip region of which is to be attached the shank end of the needle; c) placing a shrinkable tubing, one section of which possesses a lance-forming region, around the reduced diameter shank end of the needle and around the tip region of the suture such that the lance-forming region of the tubing is adjacent to the tip region of the suture; d) applying energy to the shrinkable tubing to bring the tubing into engagement with at least the shank end of the needle; and, e) depressing the lance-forming region of the tubing to form a lance in engaging, but controllably separable, contact with the tip region of the suture thereby providing the combined surgical needle-suture device with its controlled separation feature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for attaching a surgical needle to a suture to provide a combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) providing a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) providing a suture, one tip region of which is to be attached the shank end of the needle; c) placing a shrinkable tubing, one section of which possesses a lance-forming region, around the reduced diameter shank end of the needle and around the tip region of the suture such that the lance-forming region of the tubing is adjacent to the tip region of the suture; d) applying energy to the shrinkable tubing to bring the tubing into engagement with at least the shank end of the needle; and, e) depressing the lance-forming region of the tubing to form a lance in engaging, but controllably separable, contact with the tip region of the suture thereby providing the combined surgical needle-suture device with its controlled separation feature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the shrinkable tubing couples the needle and suture without swaging or crimping.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for attaching a surgical needle to a suture to provide a combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) providing a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) providing a suture, one tip region of which is to be attached to the shank end of the needle; c) placing a shrinkable tubing, one section of which possesses a lance-forming region around the reduced diameter shank end of the needle and around the tip region of the suture such that the lance-forming region of the tubing is adjacent to the tip region of the suture; d) applying energy to the shrinkable tubing to bring the tubing into engagement with at least the shank end of the needle; and, e) depressing the lance-forming region of the tubing to form a lance in engaging, but controllably separable contact with the tip region of the suture thereby providing the combined surgical needle-suture device with its controlled separation feature, wherein the tubing is fabricated from a memory metal or from a plastic.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for attaching a surgical needle to a suture to provide a combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) providing a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) providing a suture, one tip region of which is to be attached to the shank end of the needle; c) placing a shrinkable tubing, one section of which possesses a lance-forming region around the reduced diameter shank end of the needle and around the tip region of the suture such that the lance-forming region of the tubing is adjacent to the tip region of the suture; d) applying energy to the shrinkable tubing to bring the tubing into engagement with at least the shank end of the needle; and, e) depressing the lance-forming region of the tubing to form a lance in engaging, but controllably separable contact with the tip region of the suture thereby providing the combined surgical needle-suture device with its controlled separation feature, wherein the tubing is fabricated from a memory metal or from a plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said metal or plastic is heat shrinkable.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for attaching a surgical needle to a suture to provide a combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) providing a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) providing a suture, one tip region of which is to be attached to the shank end of the needle; c) placing a shrinkable tubing, one section of which possesses a lance-forming region, around the reduced diameter shank end of the needle and around the tip region of the suture such that the lance-forming region of the tubing is adjacent to the tip region of the suture; d) applying energy to the shrinkable tubing to bring the tubing into engagement with at least the shank end of the needle; and, e) depressing the lance-forming region of the tubing to form a lance in engaging, but controllably separable, contact with the tip region of the suture thereby providing the combined surgical needle-suture device with its controlled separation feature. wherein the tubing comprises a shrinkable component for engaging the shank end of the needle and a shrinkable or non-shrinkable component possessing the lance-forming region.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for attaching a surgical needle to a suture to provide a combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) providing a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) providing a suture, one tip region of which is to be attached to the shank end of the needle; c) placing a shrinkable tubing, one section of which possesses a lance-forming region, around the reduced diameter shank end of the needle and around the tip region of the suture such that the lance-forming region of the tubing is adjacent to the tip region of the suture; d) applying energy to the shrinkable tubing to bring the tubing into engagement with at least the shank end of the needle; and, e) depressing the lance-forming region of the tubing to form a lance in engaging, but controllably separable, contact with the tip region of the suture thereby providing the combined surgical needle-suture device with its controlled separation feature. wherein the tubing comprises a shrinkable component for engaging the shank end of the needle and a shrinkable or non-shrinkable component possessing the lance-forming region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the shrinkable component is fabricated from a memory metal or a memory plastic and the non-shrinkable component is fabricated from a metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
A combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) a suture possessing a tip region abutting or proximate to, the shank end of the needle; and, c) a tubing fabricated at least in part from a shrinkable material in engagement with the shank end of the needle and possessing a lance in engagement with the suture, wherein the tubing is fabricated from a memory metal or from a plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
A combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) a suture possessing a tip region abutting or proximate to, the shank end of the needle; and, c) a tubing fabricated at least in part from a shrinkable material in engagement with the shank end of the needle and possessing a lance in engagement with the suture, wherein the tubing is fabricated from a memory metal or from a plastic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combined surgical needle-suture device of claim 7, wherein said metal or plastic is heat shrinkable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
A combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) a suture possessing a tip region abutting or proximate to, the shank end of the needle; and c) a tubing fabricated at least in part from a shrinkable material in engagement with the shank end of the needle and possessing a lance in engagement with the suture, wherein the tubing comprises a shrinkable component engaging the shank end of the needle and a shrinkable or non-shrinkable component possessing the lance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
A combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) a suture possessing a tip region abutting or proximate to, the shank end of the needle; and c) a tubing fabricated at least in part from a shrinkable material in engagement with the shank end of the needle and possessing a lance in engagement with the suture, wherein the tubing comprises a shrinkable component engaging the shank end of the needle and a shrinkable or non-shrinkable component possessing the lance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combined surgical needle-suture device of claim 9 wherein the shrinkable component is fabricated from a memory metal or a memory plastic and the non-shrinkable component is fabricated from a metal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combined surgical needle-suture device of claim 9 wherein the memory plastic is a polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
A combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) a suture possessing a tip region abutting or proximate to, the shank end of the needle; and, c) a tubing fabricated at least in part from a shrinkable material in engagement with the shank end of the needle and possessing a lance in engagement with the suture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
A combined surgical needle-suture device possessing a controlled suture separation feature which comprises: a) a needle possessing a shank end of reduced diameter; b) a suture possessing a tip region abutting or proximate to, the shank end of the needle; and, c) a tubing fabricated at least in part from a shrinkable material in engagement with the shank end of the needle and possessing a lance in engagement with the suture.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combined surgical needle-suture device of claim 12, wherein the shank end is provided with a texturized surface to facilitate gripping by said shrinkable tubing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combined surgical needle-suture device of claim 13, wherein the shank end is scored, ribbed or threaded in whole or in part.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combined surgical needle-suture device of claim 12, wherein the shank end of reduced cross-section forms a shoulder with a remainder of the needle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combined surgical needle-suture device of claim 15, wherein said shank end is tapered in a direction toward said shoulder, such that a distal end of said shank end is of greater cross-sectional diameter than cross-sectional diameter of said shank end in a region of said shoulder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combined surgical needle-suture device of claim 15, wherein said shank end is tapered in a direction away from said shoulder, such that a distal end of said shank end is of smaller cross-sectional diameter than cross-sectional diameter of said shank end in a region of said shoulder.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combined surgical needle-suture device of claim 12, wherein said tubing couples said needle and suture without swaging or crimping.
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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) | 1995-05-26 | 1995-11-25 | 1996-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-26 | 1999-11-25 | 2000-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-26 | 2003-11-25 | 2004-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |