Abstract: A system for manufacturing self-retaining suture includes means for supporting the suture during cutting of retainers which protrude from the suture at multiple angles. The system includes an anvil having a channel configured to support a suture during cutting of a retainer at a first angular position while providing for non-interference between the anvil and retainers previously cut on the suture at one or more angular positions different than the first angular position. In embodiments the channel is provided with notches which receive previously-formed retainers during creation of subsequent retainers. The system thereby provides for rotating the suture and supporting the suture with the anvil without interference with previously-formed retainers.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The system includes a cutting bed for creating and supporting a suture during cutting of tissue-grasping elements at different angular positions. A cutting device is moved through the suture thread along a path which can include longitudinal, transverse, oscillating and depth components to create a desired tissue-grasping element on the surface of the suture. The path of the cutting device and the rotation of the suture relative to the cutting device are controlled so that a plurality of angularly-displaced tissue-grasping elements can be created on the suture.

Abstract: An automated system for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The system includes a cutting bed to which a suture is mounted. A power-operated cutting arm moves a cutting device through the suture along a preselected path and at a preselected angle to create a tissue retainer having a desired geometry. An indexing mechanism moves the suture relative to the cutting device. The operation of the cutting arm in conjunction with the geometry of the cutting device and movement of the suture thread allows for creating a plurality of tissue retainers having a desired geometry distributed along the length of the suture thread.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The method provides for creating and supporting a suture during cutting of tissue-grasping elements at different angular positions. A cutting device is moved through the suture thread along a path which can include longitudinal, transverse, oscillating and depth components to create a desired tissue-grasping element on the surface of the suture. The path of the cutting device and the rotation of the suture relative to the cutting device are controlled so that a plurality of angularly-displaced tissue-grasping elements can be created on the suture.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a self-retaining suture is disclosed. A cutting bed supports the suture during cutting. A cutting device is moved through the suture thread along a selected path. The angle of the cutting device is changed during cutting. A cutting arm is articulated to allow change of the angle of the cutting device. The change in the angle of the cutting device is used to control the depth of cut and/or elevate a tissue-retainer away from the suture to better engage tissue.

Abstract: An automated method for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The suture is mounted to a support. A power-operated cutting arm moves a cutting device through the suture along a preselected path and at a preselected angle to create a tissue retainer having a desired shape and size. The suture is indexed relative to the cutting device. The operation of the cutting arm in conjunction with the geometry of the cutting device and linear advancement of the suture thread allows for creating a plurality of tissue-retainers having a desired geometry along the length of the suture thread.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a self-retaining suture is disclosed. The system includes a cutting bed which supports the suture during cutting. A cutting device makes cuts in the suture thread having a preselected geometry. A cutting arm is articulated to allow change of the angle of the cutting device during cutting. The change in the angle of the cutting device is used to control the depth of cut and/or elevate a tissue-retainer away from the suture to better engage tissue.

Abstract: An improved atomization system for aerosolizing liquids including a vortexing nozzle and a flat or protruding face on the nozzle exit orifice. The system can also include a diverging mouthpiece insert. The present invention can produce a high fine particle fraction and modest throat deposition in conjunction with reduced aerosol plume velocity and impact force.

Abstract: A barbed suture is disclosed having barbs defined by a variable-angle cut surface. A cutting bed supports the suture during cutting. A cutting device is moved through the suture thread along a selected path. The angle of the cutting device is changed during cutting thereby changing the angle of the cut surface which defines each barb. A cutting arm is articulated to allow change of the angle of the cutting device. The change in the angle of the cutting device is used to control the shape and depth of cut of the barbs.

Abstract: A method of making a barbed suture by varying the blade geometry and/or the movement of the blade when cutting a suture is disclosed. The method can also be accomplished with a cutting device to create a plurality of barbs on the exterior of surgical suture. The barbs produced using the method with the cutting device can be the same or random configurations.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The system includes a cutting bed for creating and supporting a suture during cutting of tissue-grasping elements at different angular positions. A cutting device is moved through the suture thread along a path which can include longitudinal, transverse, oscillating and depth components to create a desired tissue-grasping element on the surface of the suture. The path of the cutting device and the rotation of the suture relative to the cutting device are controlled so that a plurality of angularly-displaced tissue-grasping elements can be created on the suture.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing self-retaining suture includes supporting the suture during cutting of retainers at multiple angles. The method utilizes an anvil having a channel configured to support a suture during cutting of a barb at a first angular position while providing for non-interference between the anvil and barbs previously cut on the suture at one or more angular positions different than the first angular position. In embodiments the channel is provided with notches which receive previously-formed barbs during creation of subsequent barbs. Thus the method provides for rotating the suture and then supporting the suture with the anvil without interference with previously formed retainers.

Abstract: An automated system for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The system includes a cutting bed to which a suture is mounted. A power-operated cutting arm moves a cutting device through the suture along a preselected path and at a preselected angle to create a tissue retainer having a desired geometry. An indexing mechanism moves the suture relative to the cutting device. The operation of the cutting arm in conjunction with the geometry of the cutting device and movement of the suture thread allows for creating a plurality of tissue retainers having a desired geometry distributed along the length of the suture thread.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a self-retaining suture is disclosed. The system includes a cutting bed which supports the suture during cutting. A cutting device makes cuts in the suture thread having a preselected geometry. A cutting arm is articulated to allow change of the angle of the cutting device during cutting. The change in the angle of the cutting device is used to control the depth of cut and/or elevate a tissue-retainer away from the suture to better engage tissue.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a self-retaining suture is disclosed. A cutting bed supports the suture during cutting. A cutting device is moved through the suture thread along a selected path. The angle of the cutting device is changed during cutting. A cutting arm is articulated to allow change of the angle of the cutting device. The change in the angle of the cutting device is used to control the depth of cut and/or elevate a tissue-retainer away from the suture to better engage tissue.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing self-retaining suture includes means for supporting the suture during cutting of retainers which protrude from the suture at multiple angles. The system includes an anvil having a channel configured to support a suture during cutting of a retainer at a first angular position while providing for non-interference between the anvil and retainers previously cut on the suture at one or more angular positions different than the first angular position. In embodiments the channel is provided with notches which receive previously-formed retainers during creation of subsequent retainers. The system thereby provides for rotating the suture and supporting the suture with the anvil without interference with previously-formed retainers.

Abstract: An automated method for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The suture is mounted to a support. A power-operated cutting arm moves a cutting device through the suture along a preselected path and at a preselected angle to create a tissue retainer having a desired shape and size. The suture is indexed relative to the cutting device. The operation of the cutting arm in conjunction with the geometry of the cutting device and linear advancement of the suture thread allows for creating a plurality of tissue-retainers having a desired geometry along the length of the suture thread.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The method provides for creating and supporting a suture during cutting of tissue-grasping elements at different angular positions. A cutting device is moved through the suture thread along a path which can include longitudinal, transverse, oscillating and depth components to create a desired tissue-grasping element on the surface of the suture. The path of the cutting device and the rotation of the suture relative to the cutting device are controlled so that a plurality of angularly-displaced tissue-grasping elements can be created on the suture.

Abstract: A breath actuated nasal drug delivery device includes a housing having a spray port; a reservoir housing a liquidous medicament; and a selectively actuable pump. A breath actuated triggering mechanism includes a mouthpiece and a diaphragm. A pressure differential across the diaphragm causes an elastically deformable drive element (e.g., spring) to release stored potential energy, causing the pump's plunger to move to thereby pump the medicament to the spray port. A cocking lever can be pivotally mounted to the housing for causing the drive element to store potential energy. The triggering mechanism can include a cam element pivotally attached to the housing and the diaphragm that rotates in response to movement of the diaphragm. A follower element can be pivotally connected to the plunger for movement therewith; the follower element releasably engages the cam element. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A nasal drug delivery device includes a pump that supplies drug containing fluid to a spray port. The pump is actuated by the user pressing on an externally accessible actuator. The actuation force from the user can be transmitted to the pump in a controlled fashion such that the pump sees a more consistent actuation force. Additionally or alternatively, the forward direction of the device's housing and/or the direction of actuator motion can be oriented with respect to the device's direction of spray so that the device can be conveniently held by a user for optimum results.