Patent ID: 6016682
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: A61B,B21G,B21J,Y10T

Abstract:
Apparatus for swaging a surgical needle to attach a suture thereto, comprising a first die having a first member, which includes a first surface, and a second member, which includes a second surface, said second member being movable relative to said first member between an extended position, in which said second surface projects beyond said first surface, and a retracted position, in which said second surface does not project beyond said first surface, said first die including urging means for urging said second member towards its said extended position; and at least one other die including at least one surface, said at least one other die being movable relative to said first die between a first position, in which said at least one other die is remote from said first die, and a second position, in which said at least one other die is positioned adjacent to said first die, said at least one other die causing said second member of said first die to move from its said extended position towards its said retracted position when said at least one other die moves relative to said first die from its said first position towards its said second position, said at least one surface of said at least one other die cooperating with said first and second surfaces of said first die so as to swage a surgical needle positioned between said first die and said at least one other die when said at least one other die moves relative to said first die from its said first position towards its said second position, and said second member of said first die being movable to its said retracted position when said at least one other die abuts said first die, whereby surgical needles of many different types or sizes can be swaged by said first die and said at least one other die.