Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for forming curved and rectangular bodied needle blanks from a length of needle stock which includes a generally cylindrical inner mandrel having a plurality of longitudinal channels formed in an outer surface thereof, the mandrel being dimensioned and configured for insertion within the length of needle stock. The apparatus also includes a plurality of broaches insertable into the longitudinal channels such that an edge of each broach projects radially outwardly of the mandrel to form a plurality of inner grooves on an inner surface of the length of needle stock.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for forming curved and rectangular bodied needle blanks from a length of needle stock which includes a generally cylindrical inner mandrel having a plurality of longitudinal channels formed in an outer surface thereof, the mandrel being dimensioned and configured for insertion within the length of needle stock. The apparatus also includes a plurality of broaches insertable into the longitudinal channels such that an edge of each broach projects radially outwardly of the mandrel to form a plurality of inner grooves on an inner surface of the length of needle stock.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for forming curved and pointed needle blanks from a coiled length of wire needle stock material. The apparatus includes an inner mandrel having a circumferential wire receiving groove and at least one longitudinally extending broach receiving channel formed in the outer surface. The apparatus also includes an outer member having an inner surface defining a bore sized to receive the inner mandrel wrapped with wire needle stock. The outer member includes at least one longitudinal broach receiving channel formed in the outer member inner surface. The outer mandrel further includes a circumferential wire receiving groove formed in the inner surface such that, when wrapped with the length of wire needle stock material, the inner mandrel is threaded into the outer member. The apparatus further includes at least one broach which is movable within the channels to cut the length of wire needle stock into curved and pointed needle blanks.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for forming a surgical incision member comprising which includes a first die associated with a base and having a first groove therein for receipt of at least a portion of a needle blank. A second die is mounted for movement on the base between a position remote from the first die and a position adjacent the first die. The second die includes a second groove alignable with the first groove to hold a needle blank therebetween, the first and second dies each having spaced apart channels intersecting the first and second grooves. A notching die is provided and is mounted for movement within at the channels so as to engage and notch an edge of the needle blank contained within the first and second grooves. The apparatus also includes structure for curving a needle blank contained within the first and second grooves. A method of forming a surgical incision member is also disclosed, and a surgical incision member blank.

Abstract: An anvil for use in surgical fastener applying apparatus includes an indentation extending lengthwise along at least one of the side walls to provide increased resistance to bending and to permit the application of longer rows of fasteners. An added feature is the deflection preventing member which projects laterally from the side of the anvil and which engages and abuts a corresponding notch in the apparatus for preventing flexure of the anvil when the fastener is closed onto body tissue.

Abstract: An anvil member for use in a surgical stapler is annealed by localized heating, preferably induction heating. A shaped shielding means is used to cradle the anvil so as to expose the staple crimping portion of the anvil. The heating is performed so as to anneal only the delimited staple crimping portion of the anvil. All other portions of the anvil are either shielded by the cradle or are out of the heating range.

Abstract: A template set for use in corneal size measurement. The templates take the form of identical thin and flexible blades rounded at one end, and are arranged in a stack in parallel planes. The blades are pivotally coupled together adjacent their opposite ends by a pivot pin which extends through the whole stack. The pivot pin allows individual blades to be pivoted out of the stack for use. Each blade has a circular opening adjacent the rounded end of the blade and the openings are graduated in size in predetermined increments from one end of the stack to the other. Each blade is also visibly marked to indicate the size of the opening.