US5280674A — Apparatus for attaching a surgical needle to a su…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 113 words

An apparatus for attaching a shrinkable tubing to a surgical needle and a heat labile suture comprising: means for desensitizing at least a tip portion of said heat labile suture; means for approximating a shank portion of said surgical needle and said tip portion of said heat labile suture, whereby said shrinkable tubing may be positioned around said shank portion of said needle and said tip portion of said suture; and means for applying energy to said heat shrinkable tubing in an amount sufficient to shrink said shrinkable tubing onto said shank portion of said needle and said tip portion of said suture, thereby effecting an attachment of said needle to said suture.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 113 words

An apparatus for attaching a shrinkable tubing to a surgical needle and a heat labile suture comprising: means for desensitizing at least a tip portion of said heat labile suture; means for approximating a shank portion of said surgical needle and said tip portion of said heat labile suture, whereby said shrinkable tubing may be positioned around said shank portion of said needle and said tip portion of said suture; and means for applying energy to said heat shrinkable tubing in an amount sufficient to shrink said shrinkable tubing onto said shank portion of said needle and said tip portion of said suture, thereby effecting an attachment of said needle to said suture.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for desensitizing at least said tip portion of said heat labile suture comprises means for reducing the temperature of said tip portion of said heat labile suture.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for reducing the temperature of said tip portion of said heat labile suture comprises structure for directing a gaseous current to said tip portion of said heat labile suture.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 98 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for directing a gaseous current for reducing the temperature of said tip portion of said heat labile suture comprises: means for cooling a flow of gas; baffle means for baffling said gaseous current and connected to said cooling means, said baffle means having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface adapted to receive at least a portion of said heat labile suture and including a plurality of perforations therein; and reflector means for reflecting said gaseous current and providing an inward surface to receive said baffle means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said baffle means includes a generally vertically oriented slot, said slot defining said inner surface of said baffle means and having a lower closed portion and an open upper portion.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 43 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a portion of said baffle means including said open upper portion of said slot is positioned within said inward surface of said reflector means, said slot and said inward surface of said reflector means forming an enclosure.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said baffle and reflector means are oriented such that said gaseous current from said baffle means reflects off said inward surface of said reflector means at various directions forming a vortex gaseous curtain in said enclosure.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said gaseous current is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide and air.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for reducing the temperature of said tip portion of said heat labile suture comprises structure for applying a cryogenic fluid to said tip portion of said heat labile suture.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said structure for applying a cryogenic fluid to said tip portion of said heat labile suture comprises a spraying mechanism.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 51 words

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said spraying mechanism comprises: outlet means for spraying the cryogenic fluid onto said tip portion of said suture; valve means for releasing the cryogenic fluid to said outlet means; and vacuum pump means for compressing the cryogenic fluid and discharging it to the valve means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said structure for applying a cryogenic fluid to said tip portion of said heat labile suture comprises a brushing mechanism.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for reducing the temperature of said tip portion of said heat labile suture comprises structure for applying a vaporizable fluid to said tip portion of said heat labile suture.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for reducing the temperature of said tip portion of said heat labile suture comprises structure for immersing said tip portion into a vaporizable fluid.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for reducing the temperature of said tip portion of said heat labile suture comprises structure for immersing said tip portion into a cryogenic fluid.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 52 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for approximating said shank portion of said needle and said tip portion of said heat labile suture comprises: means for securing said tip portion of said suture; and means for conveying said tip portion of said suture proximate said shank end of said needle.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shrinkable tubing is positioned about said shank portion of said needle prior to approximation of said shrink portion of said needle and said tip portion of said suture.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 124 words

An apparatus for attaching a shrinkable tubing to a surgical needle and a heat labile suture comprising: an air supply connected to a nozzle device disposed proximate said surgical needle and said heat labile suture for supplying a flow of air thereto; means for approximating a shank portion of said surgical needle and a tip portion of said heat labile suture, whereby said shrinkable tubing may be positioned around said shank portion of said needle and said tip portion of said suture; and means for applying energy to said heat shrinkable tubing in an amount sufficient to shrink said tubing onto said shank portion of said needle and said tip portion of said suture, thereby effecting an attachment of said needle to said suture.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 124 words

An apparatus for attaching a shrinkable tubing to a surgical needle and a heat labile suture comprising: an air supply connected to a nozzle device disposed proximate said surgical needle and said heat labile suture for supplying a flow of air thereto; means for approximating a shank portion of said surgical needle and a tip portion of said heat labile suture, whereby said shrinkable tubing may be positioned around said shank portion of said needle and said tip portion of said suture; and means for applying energy to said heat shrinkable tubing in an amount sufficient to shrink said tubing onto said shank portion of said needle and said tip portion of said suture, thereby effecting an attachment of said needle to said suture.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said nozzle device is a baffle having a plurality of perforations therein, said perforations adapted to release air therethrough.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a reflector having a formed inward surface to receive said baffle.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 10 words

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said baffle is U-shaped.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said U-shaped baffle includes a generally vertically oriented slot, said slot defining an inner surface of said baffle and having a closed lower portion and an open upper portion.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said perforations are disposed throughout said inner surface of said U-shaped baffle.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 41 words

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein a portion of said U-shaped baffle including said open upper portion of said slot is positioned within said inward surface of said reflector, said slot and said inward surface of said reflector forming an enclosure.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said air released U-shaped baffle reflects off said inward surface of said reflector at various directions forming a vortex air curtain in said enclosure.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the temperature of the air released at said perforations of said baffle ranges in value from about 100°±5° to 280°±5° F.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the pressure of the air released at said perforations of said baffle ranges in value from about 5 to 40 p.s.i. for a simultaneous attachment of said suture to said needle.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 27, wherein a cycle time for simultaneously attaching said needle to said heat labile suture ranges from about 2 to 10 seconds.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the pressure of the air released at said perforations of said baffle ranges in value from about 35 p.s.i. to 45 p.s.i. for a sequential attachment of said needle to said shrinkable tubing and said suture to said shrinkable tubing.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus of claim 29, wherein a cycle time for attaching said needle to said shrinkable tubing in the sequential attachment of said needle to said shrinkable tubing and said suture to said shrinkable tubing ranges from about 1 to 20 seconds.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the cycle time for attaching said needle to said shrinkable tubing in the sequential attachment process ranges from about 3 to 12 seconds.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the cycle time for attaching said shrinkable tubing to said heat labile suture in the sequential attachment process ranges from about 2 to 10 seconds.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said air supply further comprises means for reducing the temperature of the air.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said means for reducing the temperature of said air is an air conditioner.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 93 words

An apparatus for desensitizing at least a tip portion of a heat labile suture comprising an air supply connected to a nozzle device for supplying a flow of air and means associated with said air supply for reducing the temperature of the air, said nozzle device disposed proximate to said tip portion of said heat labile suture and positioned to direct the air flow over at least said tip portion of said heat labile suture to substantially desensitize said tip portion to prevent degradation of said heat labile suture upon exposure to energy.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 93 words

An apparatus for desensitizing at least a tip portion of a heat labile suture comprising an air supply connected to a nozzle device for supplying a flow of air and means associated with said air supply for reducing the temperature of the air, said nozzle device disposed proximate to said tip portion of said heat labile suture and positioned to direct the air flow over at least said tip portion of said heat labile suture to substantially desensitize said tip portion to prevent degradation of said heat labile suture upon exposure to energy.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said means for reducing the temperature of said air is an air conditioner.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said approximating means comprises structure to position said tip portion of said suture within said shrinkable tubing positioned about said shrink portion of said needle.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 83 words

An apparatus for desensitizing at least a tip portion of a heat labile suture comprising an air supply for supplying a flow of air and a baffle connected to said air supply, said baffle having a plurality of perforations adapted to release air therethrough, said baffle configured and positioned to direct the air flow over at least said tip portion of said heat labile suture to substantially desensitize said tip portion to prevent degradation of said heat labile suture upon exposure to energy.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 83 words

An apparatus for desensitizing at least a tip portion of a heat labile suture comprising an air supply for supplying a flow of air and a baffle connected to said air supply, said baffle having a plurality of perforations adapted to release air therethrough, said baffle configured and positioned to direct the air flow over at least said tip portion of said heat labile suture to substantially desensitize said tip portion to prevent degradation of said heat labile suture upon exposure to energy.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 38 further comprising a reflector having an inward surface to receive said baffle.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 10 words

The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said baffle is U-shaped.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said U-shaped baffle includes a generally vertically oriented slot, said slot defining an inner surface of said baffle and having a closed lower portion and an open upper portion.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 41 said wherein said perforations are disposed throughout said inner surface of said U-shaped baffle.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 43 words

The apparatus of claim 41 wherein a portion of said U-shaped baffle including said open upper portion of said slot is positioned within said inward surface of said reflector means, said slot and said inward surface of said reflector means forming an enclosure.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 39 words

The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said U-shaped baffle is configured such that said air released from said U-shaped baffle reflects off said inward surface of said reflector at various directions forming a vortex air curtain in said enclosure.

Claim 49

Independent Claim 87 words

An apparatus for attaching a surgical needle to a heat labile suture with a shrinkable tubing, which comprises: means for desensitizing at least a tip portion of the heat labile suture whereby said shrinkable tubing may be positioned about the suture tip portion and a shrink end of the needle; and means for applying energy to said shrinkable tubing in an amount sufficient to shrink said tubing onto the needle shank end and the suture tip portion to thereby effect attachment of the needle to the suture.

Claim 50

Independent Claim 87 words

An apparatus for attaching a surgical needle to a heat labile suture with a shrinkable tubing, which comprises: means for desensitizing at least a tip portion of the heat labile suture whereby said shrinkable tubing may be positioned about the suture tip portion and a shrink end of the needle; and means for applying energy to said shrinkable tubing in an amount sufficient to shrink said tubing onto the needle shank end and the suture tip portion to thereby effect attachment of the needle to the suture.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-01-24	1997-07-26	1998-01-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-01-24	2001-07-26	2002-01-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-01-24	2005-07-26	2006-01-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for attaching a surgical needle to a suture

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