Abstract: Apparatus for grinding tapers and points on elongated needle workpieces having frame means and needle workpiece transport means associated with the frame means for transporting a plurality of the workpieces. The workpiece transport means has a predetermined curvature and workpiece feeder means is mounted adjacent the frame means for feeding workpieces to the workpiece transport means. The grinding means is preferably a grinding wheel disposed adjacent the workpiece transport means to engage workpieces while supported by workpiece supporting means and has a major diameter at a first end and a minor diameter at a second end, the major diameter being greater than the minor diameter. The diameters are connected by a curved grinding surface the diameter of which increases progressively therebetween.

Abstract: There is provided a high bend strength double pointed surgical needle, or surgical incision member, which includes a suture hole intermediate the points and a pair of crimping bulges adjacent the suture hole. The high strength surgical needle further includes transverse slots adjacent each pointed end.

Abstract: Surgical needles are fabricated by masking and etching a plurality of the needle blanks from one side of a base material, such as a metal sheet, after applying an etchant resistant adhesive backing to the other side and then etching the one side of the sheet as a chemical milling process. The resultant needles are unattached to each other or to the sheet and individually removable from the backing. This increases the speed of manufacturing while maintaining the ease of use.

Abstract: Surgical needles are fabricated by masking and etching a plurality of the needle blanks from both sides of a sheet of base material such as metal, applying an adhesive backing to one etched side and then etching the other side of the sheet as a chemical milling process. The resultant needles may be unattached to each other and individually removable from the backing. This increases the speed of manufacturing while maintaining the ease of use.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding tapered points on needles is disclosed. The apparatus has a frame and a transport associated with the frame for transporting a plurality of needles. The transport has a predetermined curvature and a feeder is mounted adjacent the frame for feeding needles to the transport. A grinding wheel is disposed adjacent the transport and has a major diameter at a first end and a minor diameter at a second end, the major diameter being greater than the minor diameter and connected by a curved grinding surface the diameter of which increases progressively therebetween. The curvature of the grinding wheel in a first third portion between the major and minor diameters is of greater mean curvature than the mean curvature of the corresponding opposed portion of the transport. A second third portion of the grinding wheel is of greater mean curvature than the mean curvature of the corresponding opposed portion of the transport.