Patent ID: 6035751
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: A61B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for cutting a surgical suture at first and second different locations along a length of said surgical suture, said surgical suture having a cross-section that is perpendicular to said length, comprising the steps of:(A) positioning said length of said surgical suture between a first channel in a first face of a first cutting die and a third face of a third cutting die;(B) positioning said length of said surgical suture between a second channel in a second face of a second cutting die and a fourth face of a fourth cutting die;(C) after said positioning step (A), receiving at least a first portion of said cross-section at said first location along said length of said surgical suture into said first channel and moving said first and third faces of said first and third cutting dies, respectively, against each other;(D) after said positioning step (B), receiving at least a second portion of said cross-section at said second location along said length of said surgical suture into said second channel and moving said second and fourth faces of said second and fourth cutting dies, respectively, against each other;(E) moving a first cutting blade across a point adjacent to said first location when said first face of said first cutting die is positioned against said third face of said third cutting die; and(F) moving a second cutting blade across a point adjacent to said second location when said second face of said second cutting die is positioned against said fourth face of said fourth cutting die and said cross-section at said first location along said length of said surgical suture is at least partially positioned in said first channel.