Patent ID: 8214996

Claim:
A tool for attaching a suture to a needle barrel having a first radially-defined portion, a second radially-defined portion opposite the first radially-defined portion and first and second lateral portions between the first and second radially-defined portions and opposite each other, and a bore which is formed in an end of the needle barrel and is at least partially defined by opposed inner surfaces, an end of the suture being positioned in the bore, said tool comprising: a first die set including first and second dies, at least one of said first and second dies being movable relative to the other of said first and second dies, said first die having a first groove therein for receiving the needle barrel such that when said at least one of said first and second dies moves toward said other of said first and second dies, said second die compresses the first radially-defined portion of the needle barrel so as to compress the suture against the opposed inner surfaces of the bore, said first groove being at least partially defined by a curved surface sized and shaped so as to restrain the first and second lateral portions of the needle barrel from moving laterally during the compression of the first radially-defined portion of the needle barrel by said second die; and a second die set including third and fourth dies, at least one of said third and fourth dies being movable relative to the other of said third and fourth dies, said third die having a second groove therein for receiving the needle barrel such that when said at least one of said third and fourth dies moves toward said other of said third and fourth dies, said fourth die compresses the second-radially defined portion of the needle barrel so as to compress the suture against the opposed inner surfaces of the bore, said second groove being at least partially defined by a curved surface sized and shaped so as to restrain the first and second lateral portions of the needle barrel from moving laterally during the compression of the second radially-defined portion of the needle barrel by said fourth die.