APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CURVING SURGICAL NEEDLES
An apparatus and corresponding manufacturing method for configuring a surgical needle such that the surgical needle has a barrel having a substantially elongate configuration and a point having a substantially curvilinear configuration are disclosed. First and second curving members having an axis of rotation are disposed adjacent and separated by a gap. Third and fourth curving members are slidably disposed in a path traversing the first and second curving members. When a surgical needle is inserted into the gap, the third and fourth curving members can be slid in the path to impose a holding force on the barrel of the needle and can be further slid in the path to cause curvature of the point of the needle by one of the first and second curving members. A corresponding method of manufacturing the needle having a curved point substantially without causing curvature of the barrel is also disclosed.
The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/926,613 filed on Apr. 27, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND1. Technical Field
This application relates to a surgical apparatus, and more particularly, to a curved surgical needle and an apparatus for and method of manufacturing the same.
2. Background of Related Art
Surgical needle manufacture is an extremely precise and time consuming process, particularly where individual needles are formed one at a time. Some prior surgical needle manufacturing typically begins with the step of cutting round wire stock to a predetermined length. One end of the stock is then tapered to provide a cutting edge while the opposite end may be manipulated or processed to attain a flattened or other predetermined shape. Later, typically after almost all of the processing is completed, the stock is cut to its final length and then prepared for suture attachment. The needle may then be subjected to further processing, i.e., further refinement such as grinding, polishing and/or hardening.
Curved needles have advantages over other needle configurations in many surgical procedures for a variety of reasons including, uniformity of entry depth for multiple sutures, and proper “bite” of tissue surrounding the incision or wound. When providing curved needles for surgical procedures it is desirable for the needles to have a specified curvature, i.e., a predetermined radius of curvature. The predetermined radius of curvature for the needle may vary with specific applications.
Configuration of a needle includes curving or forming the needle into predetermined shapes and may be accomplished by using conventional curving methods. Such conventional curving methods may include bending a needle around an anvil structure having a desired curving surface to curve a needle to a predetermined radius of curvature.
Where a curved needle is to have a bore for receiving a suture, it is desirable for the curving procedure to precede boring the needle so that the hole is not deformed by the curving procedure.
To attain the desired needle configuration, the anvil structure provides a shaping surface for deforming the needle. Typically, a needle is positioned for curving by manually placing the needle for engagement with an anvil structure. The needle may be held by hand or placed in a retention device which is manipulated manually.
It is further known that because needles are made of steel or similar springy materials, the anvil or mandrel used should have a smaller radius than the radius desired in the final needle to allow for some springback after the bending operation. A disclosure of such features may be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,771 to McGregor et al.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,036 to Bogart, there is disclosed a needle curving device that is capable of simultaneously curving a multiplicity of needles. The needle curving device cooperates with a needle retention structure for positioning one or a multiplicity of needles for curving. The needle curving device substantially averts damaging needles and entertains substantially continuous needle curving. The needle curving device curves a multiplicity of needles in predetermined configurations.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure relates to a needle curving apparatus in which only one curving member is moved in a path with respect to at least two other curving members to effect curvature of the needles while the barrels of the needles remain substantially elongate. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a needle curving apparatus in which at least two curving members are moved in a path with respect to at least two other curving members to effect curvature of the needles while the barrels of the needles remain substantially elongate.
More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for configuring a surgical needle such that the surgical needle has a barrel having a substantially elongate configuration and a point having a substantially curvilinear configuration. The apparatus includes: a first curving member having an axis of rotation; a second curving member having an axis of rotation and disposed adjacent to the first curving member and separated by a gap therefrom; and a third curving member having an axis of rotation and movably disposed in a path traversing the first and second curving members. The apparatus may further include a fourth curving member having an axis of rotation and that is movably disposed in the path traversing the first and second curving members. In one embodiment, the fourth curving member moves concurrently with the third curving member in the path traversing the first and second curving members. The path of the third curving member may be orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the first and second curving members. Additionally, the path of the fourth curving member also may be orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the first and second curving members. The curving members may be configured such that when a surgical needle having a barrel and a point each of a substantially linear configuration is inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members, the second curving member can be moved toward the first curving member to impose a holding force on the barrel of the needle. The curving members may be configured such that the third curving member can be moved and, when applicable, the fourth curving member can be moved concurrently, in the path to cause curvature of the point of the needle by at least one of the first and second curving members. The curving members may be configured such that the curving members can be rotated around the respective axis of rotation to cause additional curvature of the point of the needle substantially without causing curvature of the barrel of the needle.
The present disclosure relates also to the apparatus for configuring a surgical needle further including a curving belt disposed on the apparatus with respect to the curving members, the curving belt having an interior surface and an exterior surface and wherein the second and third curving members are disposed and movably positionable to contact the interior surface of the curving belt. When one or more surgical needles are inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members and the first curving member is imposing a holding force on the barrel of the at least one needle, the second curving member is disposed and movably positionable to enable the one or more needles to be contacted by the exterior surface of the curving belt.
In one embodiment, the second, third and fourth curving members are disposed and movably positionable to contact the interior surface of the curving belt. Additionally, in a similar manner, when the one or more surgical needles is inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members and the second curving member is imposing a holding force on the barrel of the one or more needles, the first curving member is disposed and movably positionable to enable the one or more needles to be contacted by the exterior surface of the curving belt.
The present disclosure relates also to a method of manufacturing a surgical needle having a point with a substantially curvilinear configuration, wherein the method includes the steps of providing a needle curver apparatus, with the needle curver apparatus including a first curving member having an axis of rotation; a second curving member having an axis of rotation and disposed adjacent to the first curving member and separated by a gap therefrom; and a third curving member having an axis of rotation and movably disposed in a path traversing the first and second curving members. The method also includes the steps of inserting a substantially elongate surgical needle into the gap between the first and second curving members; and moving the second curving member toward the first curving member to impose a holding force on the barrel of the needle. The method may further include the step of moving the third curving member in the path with respect to the first and second curving members to cause curvature of the point of the needle. In one embodiment, the method may be implemented wherein the needle curver apparatus further includes a fourth curving member having an axis of rotation and that is moveably disposed in the path traversing the first and second curving members. Additionally, the method may further include the step of moving the third and fourth curving members in the path concurrently with respect to the first and second curving members to cause curvature of the point of the needle. The method may also include the step of rotating the curving members around the respective axis of rotation to cause additional curvature of the point of the needle substantially without causing curvature of the barrel of the needle.
The present disclosure relates also to the method of manufacturing a surgical needle that further includes the steps of providing a curving belt disposed on the apparatus with respect to the curving members, the curving belt having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and disposing and movably positioning the second and third curving members to contact the interior surface of the curving belt. When the one or more surgical needles is inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members and the second curving member is imposing a holding force on the barrel of the one or more needles, the first curving member is disposed and movably positionable to enable the one or more needles to be contacted by the exterior surface of the curving belt.
In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of disposing and movably positioning the second, third and fourth curving members to contact the interior surface of the curving belt. Additionally, in a similar manner, when the one or more surgical needles is inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members and the second curving member is imposing a holding force on the barrel of the at least one needle, the first curving member is disposed and movably positionable to enable the one or more needles to be contacted by the exterior surface of the curving belt.
Various embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings:
Embodiments of the presently disclosed apparatus will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.
In the drawings and in the description that follows, the term “proximal”, as is traditional, will refer to the end of the apparatus which is closest to the operator, while the term distal will refer to the end of the apparatus which is furthest from the operator.
Additionally, in the drawings and in the description that follows, terms such as “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom” and the like are used simply for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the disclosure thereto.
Referring to
More particularly, referring to
With regard to the bearing region 156, the rear bearing region 156 may include a bearing member 156a that in one embodiment is also a cylindrically shaped roller bearing. The bearing member 156a is also in contact with the interior surface 125′ of the curving belt 125 and is rotatably driven by a drive motor 140. The bearing member 156a is also generally maintained in a fixed position with respect to the needle curving apparatus 100.
In addition, with respect to the bearing region 152, there is included therein a bearing member 152a that in one embodiment is also a cylindrically shaped roller bearing. The rotatable bearing member 152a also is in contact with the interior surface 125′ of the curving belt 125 and is generally maintained in a fixed position with respect to the needle curving apparatus 100.
The bearing region 152 also includes a rotatable curving member or curving roller 186 in proximity to and flanked by the fixed rotatable bearing member 152a. The rotatable curving member or curving roller 186 has an external rolling surface 186a that is in contact with the interior surface 125′ of the curving belt 125.
Furthermore, the bearing region 152 also includes another rotatable curving member or handle roller 192 flanking the rotatable curving roller 186 generally on an opposite side of the curving roller 186 with respect to the fixed bearing member 152a. The handle roller 192 has an external rolling surface 192a that is in contact with the interior surface 125′ of the curving belt 125. As discussed below with respect to
The base or platform member 102 may include a drive motor 170 that is configured and positioned to rotatably drive and adjust the position of a curving member or rotatable curving tool 190. The curving tool 190 may be in the form of a roller having an external rolling surface 190a that is in vertical registration with the handle roller 192. The curving tool 190 is maintained in a fixed position with respect to the base or platform member 102. The external rolling surface 190a of the curving tool 190 may include a plurality of grooves or channels 188 circumferentially formed around the external surface 190a. As explained in more detail below, the plurality of grooves or channels 188 are configured to receive the surgical needles 10 in the configuration prior to the curving process.
Referring again to
Returning to
As illustrated in
As a result of the capability of the curving roller or third curving member 186 to slide in the path P traversing the curving tool or first curving member 190 and the handle roller or second curving member 192, thereby pushing the exterior surface 125″ of the curving belt 125 around the external rolling surface 190a of the curving tool or first curving member 190, the centerline axis of rotation of the curving roller 186 and the centerline axis of rotation of the curving tool 190 are thus laterally separated by a /distance X that can be adjusted to be substantially equal to the radius d/2 of the curving tool 190 plus the thickness g of the curving belt 125 plus the radius D/2 of the curving roller 186 or X substantially equals d/2+g+D/2. When the diameter d of the curving tool 190 is greater than the diameter d′ of the handle roller 192, the gap between the handle roller or second curving member 192 and the curving roller or third curving member 186 is greater than the thickness g of the curving belt 125.
Referring again to
Referring now to
During the needle insertion process of the second step, the curving tool 190, the handle roller 192, and the curving roller 186, as well as the fixed rotatable bearing member 152a, remain in the position adjusted to during the first step described above.
Referring now to
The first curving member or curving tool 190 is now disposed adjacent to the second curving member or handle roller 192. In one embodiment, the path P of the third curving member 186 is orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the first and second curving members 190 and 192, respectively. It can be seen that the retention force is sufficient to hold the needles 10 in place without causing undesired deformation.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Following the completion of the needle curving process, the needle 10′ or set 18 of converted needles 10′ is removed from the grooves or channels 188 of the curving tool 190.
Referring now to
As best shown in
The upper member 204 is also supported on the base member 202 by the rear adjustment assembly 230. The rear adjustment assembly 230 extends from the base member 202. The rear adjustment assembly 230 includes, in one embodiment, a first support shaft 232 and a second support shaft 234 that are parallel to each other and mounted perpendicularly to the base member 202 and support a lower rear adjustment support member 236 thereupon. The lower rear adjustment support member 236 includes first and second apertures 238 and 240 that are disposed therein to coincide with the positions of the first and second support shafts 232 and 234, respectively. The first and second support shafts 232 and 234, respectively, are each configured in a hollow configuration having a hollow interior region.
The rear adjustment assembly 230 further includes an upper rear support member 242 disposed above the lower support member 236. The upper support member 242 includes first and second apertures 244 and 246, respectively, that are disposed therein to coincide with the positions of the first and second apertures 238 and 240, respectively, of the lower support member 236, so as to enable reception of a first and a second adjustment column 248 and 250, respectively, therein. The first and second adjustment columns 248 and 250 include first and second lower tightening members 252 and 254, respectively, e.g., adjustable nuts, having a surface interfacing with an upper surface 237 of the lower support member 236 and include first and second upper tightening members 256 and 258, respectively, e.g., adjustable nuts, having a surface interfacing with a lower surface 242a of the upper support member 242.
The rear adjustment assembly 230 further includes third and fourth support shafts 260 and 262, respectively, having one end 264 and 266, respectively, that extends partially through the hollow interior of the first and second support shafts 232 and 234, respectively, and another end 268 and 270, respectively, that extends through the first and second apertures 244 and 246, respectively, of the upper support member 242. The rear support members 236 and 242 are thus configured to slidably move along the third and fourth support shafts 260 and 262, respectively, as shown by way of example in a vertical direction in
The first and second lower tightening members 252, 254, and the first and second upper tightening members 256, 258 may be employed to limit the motion of the upper and lower support members 236 and 242, respectively, with respect to each other by tightening on the third and fourth support shafts 260 and 262, respectively, at a desired position thereof.
The front adjustment assembly 210 and the rear adjustment assembly 230 are further disposed in an interfacing relationship with each other to effect the curving of a plurality of the surgical needles 10′. More particularly, as best shown in
The lower support member 214 of the front adjustment assembly 210 may include a first rotatable curving member 290, e.g., a roller or bending member, having an external rolling surface 290a, and rotatably supported by the lower support member 214 and disposed in interfacing relationship with the rear adjustment assembly 230. The first rotatable curving member 290 includes a rotating drive power receiver 294, e.g., a lug disposed at one end of the roller and configured to engage a drive member (not shown) such as a socket or open-end wrench to enable rotation of the first curving member 290.
Referring to
The upper support member 216 of the front adjustment assembly 210 may include a second rotatable curving member 292, e.g., a roller, having an external rolling surface 292a, and is rotatably supported by the upper support member 216 and disposed in interfacing relationship with the rear adjustment assembly 230.
With respect to the first and second rotatable curving members 290 and 292, respectively, the rotatable bending member 286 may be considered as an example of a third rotatable curving member.
The rotatable tensioning member 282, the first rotatable curving or bending member 290, the second rotatable curving member or curving roller 292, and the third rotatable curving member or curving tool 286 are thus configured to enable interconnection therebetween via a flexible closed-loop ribbon drive belt 225. More particularly, the closed-loop drive belt 225 includes an internal surface 225′ and an external surface 225″ and is configured such that the internal surface 225′ contacts the external surface 282a of the tensioning member 282, the external surface 286a of the third rotatable curving member 286, and the external surface 292a of the second rotatable curving member 292, while the external surface 225″ contacts the external surface 290a of the first rotatable curving member 290.
The lower support member 214 and the upper support member 216 of the front adjustment assembly 210 are configured with an opening region 227, in interfacing relationship with the rear adjustment assembly 230, that enables free rotation of the drive belt 225. Similarly, the lower support member 236 and the upper support member 242 of the rear adjustment assembly 230 are also configured with an opening region 229, in interfacing relationship with the front adjustment assembly 210, that enables free rotation of the drive belt 225.
As best shown in
Referring to
In one embodiment, third curving member 286 can be moved laterally with respect to first rotatable curving member 290 to facilitate setup of the needle curving system. For example, the diameter of rotatable curving member 290 may be chosen to achieve a particular finished needle radius and the lateral position of curving member 286 may be laterally adjusted to account for the diameter of curving member 290 to provide close interaction between curving member 286 and curving member 290.
Referring to
Referring to
In that regard, the fourth curving member 186′ is also disposed in proximity to and flanked by the fixed bearing member 152a. In a similar manner, the rotatable curving member or curving roller 186′ has an external rolling surface 186a′. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Thus, it can be appreciated that the path P of the fourth curving member 186′, like the third curving member 186, is orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the first and second curving members 190 and 192, respectively. In addition, the first, second, third and fourth curving members 190, 192, 186 and 186′ can be moved in the path P to cause curvature of the point 16′ of the needle 10′. In a similar manner as with respect to the needle curving apparatus 100, the curving belt 125 is disposed on the needle curving apparatus 100 with respect to the curving members 190, 192, 186 and 186′ and has the interior surface 125′ and the exterior surface 125″ such that the second, third and fourth curving members 192, 186 and 186′ are disposed and movably positionable to contact the interior surface 125′ and the first curving member 190 is disposed and movably positionable to enable at least one needle 10 of the set 18 to be contacted by the exterior surface 125″ of the curving belt 125.
In view of the foregoing, referring to
The method may include the steps of further sliding or moving the third curving member 186 or 286 in the path P or P′ to cause curvature of the point 16 of the needle 10 by at least one the first and second curving members 190, 290 and 192, 292, respectively, and of rotating the first and second curving members 190, 290 and 192, 292, respectively, and the third curving member 186, 286 around the respective axis of rotation, the first curving member 190, 290 rotating in the direction of arrow A or A′, the second curving member 192, 292 rotating in the direction of arrow B or B′, and the third curving member 186, 286 rotating in the direction of arrow C or C′, respectively, to cause additional curvature of the point of the needle substantially without causing curvature of the barrel of the needle (see
In the case of needle curving apparatus 300, the method may include the steps of further moving or sliding concurrently the third curving member 186 and the fourth curving member 186′ in the path P to cause curvature of the point 16 of the needle 10 by at least one of the first and second curving members 190 and 192, respectively, and of rotating the first and second curving members 190 and 192, respectively, and concurrently the third curving member 186 and the fourth curving member 186′ around the respective axis of rotation, the first curving member 190 rotating in the direction of arrow A, the second curving member 192 rotating in the direction of arrow B, the third curving member 186 rotating in the direction of arrow C, and the fourth curving member 186′ rotating in the direction of arrow E, and assisted by the rotation of the fixed rotatable bearing member 152a in the direction of arrow D, to cause additional curvature of the point of the needle substantially without causing curvature of the barrel of the needle (see
Thus there is provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure a surgical needle with the advantage of a curved point in which it is possible to have a setting of the point which is independent of the barrel. Furthermore, the barrel of the needle is protected from being curved with the point of the needle, and thus remains in an elongate configuration.
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide also a needle curving apparatus in which only one curving member is moved in a path with respect to at least two other curving members to effect curvature of the needles while the barrel of the needles remains elongate.
Although the subject disclosure has been described with respect to exemplary embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which it appertains that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle such that the surgical needle has a barrel having a substantially elongate configuration and a point having a substantially curvilinear configuration, wherein the apparatus comprises:
- a first curving member having an axis of rotation;
- a second curving member having an axis of rotation and disposed adjacent to the first curving member and separated by a gap therefrom; and
- a third curving member having an axis of rotation and movably disposed in a path traversing the first and second curving members.
2. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises:
- a fourth curving member having an axis of rotation and movably disposed in the path traversing the first and second curving members.
3. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 2, wherein the fourth curving member moves concurrently with the third curving member in the path traversing the first and second curving members.
4. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 1, wherein the path of the third curving member is orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the first and second curving members.
5. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 2, wherein the path of the fourth curving member is orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the first and second curving members.
6. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 1, wherein the curving members are configured such that when at least one surgical needle having a barrel and a point each of a substantially linear configuration is inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members, the second curving member can be moved toward the first curving member to impose a holding force on the barrel of the at least one needle.
7. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 6, wherein the curving members are configured such that the third curving member can be moved in the path to cause curvature of the point of the needle by at least one of the first and second curving members.
8. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 2, wherein the curving members are configured such that when a surgical needle having a barrel and a point each of a substantially linear configuration is inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members, the second curving member can be moved toward the first curving member to impose a holding force on the barrel of the needle.
9. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 8, wherein the curving members are configured such that the third and fourth curving members can be moved concurrently in the path to cause curvature of the point of the needle by at least one of the first and second curving members.
10. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 7, wherein the curving members are configured such that the curving members can be rotated around the respective axis of rotation to cause additional curvature of the point of the needle substantially without causing curvature of the barrel of the needle.
11. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 8, wherein the curving members are configured such that the curving members can be rotated around the respective axis of rotation to cause additional curvature of the point of the needle substantially without causing curvature of the barrel of the needle.
12. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 6, further comprising a curving belt disposed on the apparatus with respect to the curving members, the curving belt having an interior surface and an exterior surface and wherein the second and third curving members are disposed and movably positionable to contact the interior surface of the curving belt.
13. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 12, wherein when the at least one surgical needle is inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members and the first curving member is imposing a holding force on the barrel of the at least one needle, the second curving member is disposed and movably positionable to enable the at least one needle to be contacted by the exterior surface of the curving belt.
14. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 2, further comprising a curving belt disposed on the apparatus with respect to the curving members, the curving members having an interior surface and an exterior surface and wherein the second, third and fourth curving members are disposed and movably positionable to contact the interior surface of the curving belt.
15. An apparatus for configuring a surgical needle according to claim 14, wherein when the at least one surgical needle is inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members and the second curving member is imposing a holding force on the barrel of the at least one needle, the first curving member is disposed and movably positionable to enable the at least one needle to be contacted by the exterior surface of the curving belt.
16. A method of manufacturing a surgical needle having a point with a substantially curvilinear configuration, comprising the steps of:
- providing a needle curver apparatus comprising: a first curving member having an axis of rotation; a second curving member having an axis of rotation and disposed adjacent to the first curving member and separated by a gap therefrom; and a third curving member having an axis of rotation and moveably disposed in a path traversing the first and second curving members;
- inserting a substantially elongate surgical needle into the gap between the first and second curving members; and
- moving the second curving member toward the first curving member to impose a holding force on the barrel of the needle.
17. A method of manufacturing a surgical needle according to claim 16, wherein the needle curver apparatus further comprises a fourth curving member having an axis of rotation and moveably disposed in the path traversing the first and second curving members.
18. A method of manufacturing a surgical needle according to claim 16, further comprising the step of:
- moving the third curving member in the path with respect to the first and second curving members to cause curvature of the point of the needle.
19. A method of manufacturing a surgical needle according to claim 17, further comprising the step of:
- moving the third and fourth curving members in the path concurrently with respect to the first and second curving members to cause curvature of the point of the needle.
20. A method of manufacturing a surgical needle according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:
- rotating the curving members around the respective axis of rotation to cause additional curvature of the point of the needle substantially without causing curvature of the barrel of the needle.
21. A method of manufacturing a surgical needle according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:
- rotating the curving members around the respective axis of rotation to cause additional curvature of the point of the needle substantially without causing curvature of the barrel of the needle.
22. A method of manufacturing a surgical needle according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of:
- providing a curving belt disposed on the apparatus with respect to the curving members, the curving belt having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and
- disposing and movably positioning the second and third curving members to contact the interior surface of the curving belt.
23. A method of manufacturing a surgical needle according to claim 22, wherein when the at least one surgical needle is inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members and the second curving member is imposing a holding force on the barrel of the at least one needle, the first curving member is disposed and movably positionable to enable the at least one needle to be contacted by the exterior surface of the curving belt.
24. A method of manufacturing a surgical needle according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of:
- providing a curving belt disposed on the apparatus with respect to the curving members, the curving belt having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and
- disposing and movably positioning the second, third and fourth curving members to contact the interior surface of the curving belt.
25. A method of manufacturing a surgical needle according to claim 24, wherein when the at least one surgical needle is inserted into the gap between the first and second curving members and the second curving member is imposing a holding force on the barrel of the at least one needle, the first curving member is disposed and movably positionable to enable the at least one needle to be contacted by the exterior surface of the curving belt.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 22, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 25, 2010
Inventor: Fabien Bourset (Grenoble)
Application Number: 12/524,066
International Classification: B21B 13/12 (20060101);