Vorrichtung zum Rundkneten einer chirurgischen Nadel und Nähfaden

摘要

A swaging station incorporates a drawing tower (20) that automatically draws, cuts, and inserts an indefinite length strand of suture material (55) within the suture receiving end (29) of a surgical needle (21) for swaging thereof. The suture receiving end (29) of the surgical needle (21) is positioned within a swaging assembly located at the top of the drawing tower (20) that comprises a first fixed swage die (420) and a second movable swage die (430) forming a swage die opening (432) for positively gripping the suture receiving end (29) of the needle (21) positioned therein. A first suture alignment die (425) and a second suture alignment die (426) are precisely registered below and adjacent the respective first and second swage dies (420,430) to form a lower funnel guide (427) that is axial with the swage die opening (432) for positioning the tip (58) of the suture strand (55) therein. The lower funnel guide has an exit diameter that is larger than the diameter of the suture tip (58) and smaller than the diameter of the suture receiving end (29) of the needle (21) for easy placement of the suture tip (58) therein. Subsequently, the second movable swage die (430) is actuated to swage the suture tip (58) to the needle (21).