IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,615,856
Granted Patent B1
US 8,615,856 · App. 12/363,582 · Granted Dec 31, 2013

Apparatus and method for forming self-retaining sutures

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,615,856
App. No.
12/363,582
Granted
Dec 31, 2013
Kind
B1
Abstract

An apparatus and method for forming retainers on a continuous strand such as, for example, of suture material and a suture produced by the same. The apparatus may include a retainer forming member configured to rotate about a first axis. The retainer forming member may include a cutter, the cutting edge of which may directed substantially inward toward, or outward away from, the first axis to define a retainer forming zone when the retainer forming member rotates about the first axis. The apparatus may further include a support member arranged adjacent to the retainer forming member and configured to receive and support the continuous strand in the retainer forming zone. When the retainer forming member rotates about the first axis, the passing strand may be intermittently or continuously cut by the cutting edge of the cutter.

Claims (10)

1. An apparatus for forming retainers on a continuous strand, comprising:

a retainer forming member configured to rotate about a first axis and comprising a cutter, the cutter comprising a cutting edge, wherein the cutting edge of the cutter is directed substantially inward toward the first axis to define a retainer forming zone when the retainer forming member rotates about the first axis; and

a support member arranged adjacent to the retainer forming member and configured to receive and support the continuous strand in the retainer forming zone, wherein when the retainer forming member rotates about the first axis the strand is intermittently or continuously cut by the cutting edge of the cutter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said support member has a support member axis, wherein said support member axis is substantially perpendicular to said first axis.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein when the retainer forming member rotates about the first axis the strand is cut to form a plurality of retainers.

4. A method for forming retainers on a continuous strand with an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a retainer forming member configured to rotate about a first axis and comprising a cutter, wherein a cutting edge of the cutter is directed substantially inward toward the first axis to define a retainer forming zone when the retainer forming member rotates about the first axis, and a support member arranged adjacent to the retainer forming member and configured to receive and support the continuous strand in the retainer forming zone, the method comprising:

rotating the retainer forming member of the apparatus about the first axis;

moving the continuous strand on the support member within the retainer forming zone; and

intermittently or continuously cutting the strand with the cutting edge of the cutter as the retainer forming member rotates to form retainers on the strand.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said support member has a support member axis, wherein said support member axis is substantially perpendicular to said first axis.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2013
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
To: ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; AMERICAN MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS HOLDINGS, INC.; ANGIOTECH AMERICA, INC.; ANGIOTECH BIOCOATINGS CORP.; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS (US), INC.; B.G. SULZLE, INC.; MANAN MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.; MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; SURGICAL SPECIALTIES CORPORATION; ANGIOTECH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CORP.
Reel/Frame 030211/0479 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2012
From: ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; QUILL MEDICAL, INC.
To: ETHICON, INC.; ETHICON, LLC
Reel/Frame 029294/0443 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS - PATENTS (US) Recorded May 16, 2012
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
To: QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 028216/0499 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS - PATENTS (US) Recorded Apr 20, 2012
From: DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY
To: QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 028078/0699 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST - PATENTS Recorded Apr 10, 2012
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
To: QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 028022/0861 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 13, 2011
From: ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; AFMEDICA, INC.; AMERICAN MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS HOLDINGS, INC.; ANGIOTECH AMERICA, INC.; ANGIOTECH BIOCOATINGS CORP.; ANGIOTECH DELAWARE, INC.; ANGIOTECH FLORIDA HOLDINGS, INC.; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS (US), INC.; B.G. SULZLE, INC.; MANAN MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.; MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; NEUCOLL INC.; QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; SURGICAL SPECIALTIES CORPORATION; 0741693 BRITISH COLUMBIA LTD.; ANGIOTECH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, CORP.
To: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 026275/0507 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 17, 2009
From: GELBART, DANIEL
To: ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022563/0614 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 2, 2009
From: ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; AFMEDICA, INC.; AMERICAN MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS HOLDINGS, INC.; ANGIOTECH AMERICA, INC.; ANGIOTECH BIOCOATINGS CORP.; ANGIOTECH CAPITAL, LLC; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS (US), INC.; B.G. SULZLE, INC.; CRIMSON CARDINAL CAPITAL, LLC; MANAN MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.; MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; NEUCOLL INC.; QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; SURGICAL SPECIALTIES CORPORATION; 0741693 BRITISH COLUMBIA LTD.; 3091796 NOVA SCOTIA COMPANY; ANGIOTECH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, CORP.; ANGIOTECH INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
To: WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, LLC AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 022329/0310 →