Patent ID: 6123185
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: A61B,B21G,B25J,G05B,G06T

Abstract:
An automatic needle sorting and infeed apparatus for singulating and precisely positioning curved surgical needles for subsequent swaging, said apparatus comprising:(a) means for individually singulating a single needle from a bulk supply and depositing a single needle upon a first conveyor means;(b) means for obtaining an image of said needles at one or more predetermined locations upon said first conveyor means, said means including digitizing means for converting said image into digital signals;(c) computer control means for processing said digital signals to obtain positional and orientation data for each selected one of the imaged needles on said first conveyor means; and(d) transfer means for removing said needle from said first conveyor means in accordance with its individual positional and orientation data and transferring said needle to a precise positioning apparatus for conveyance to a subsequent swaging operation.