Patent ID: 8592730
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: A61B,B29C,B29L,H05B

Abstract:
1. A heater device for thermally welding suture strands, comprising: A. a non-conductive substrate extending from a first end to a second end and being elongated along a substrate axis, and having a substantially planar heater support surface; B. an electrically conductive joinder layer disposed on said heater support surface; C. an electrically conductive heater element extending from a first end to a second end and being elongated along a heater axis thereof and disposed on said joinder layer, said heater element being a layer and being coupled to said support surface by said joinder layer; D. an electrical interface including a first electrically conductive element coupled to said first end of said heater element, and a second electrically conductive element coupled to said second end of said heater element wherein said electrical interface includes: i. a first wire extending from said first end of said substrate; and ii. a second wire extending from said second end of said substrate, and iii. a first electrically conductive layer disposed on said substrate and said joinder layer, and electrically coupling said first wire and said first end of said heater element, and iv. a second electrically conductive layer disposed on said substrate and said joinder layer, and electrically coupling said second wire and said second end of said heater element.