Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a fluid comprises a housing and a resilient liner adapted to hold the fluid disposed in the housing. A fluid transfer mechanism is in fluid communication between the liner and an applicator assembly mounted on the housing for dispensing the fluid on the skin of the user. The applicator assembly includes an actuator movable relative to the housing so as to activate the fluid transfer mechanism when the actuator is reciprocated. A fluid delivery element is held in contact against skin of a user for applying the fluid onto the skin. The fluid delivery element is supported on the actuator to be movable together with the actuator by varying contact pressure with the skin. Each movement of the actuator generates continuous negative pressure within the liner for drawing fluid through the fluid transfer mechanism and collapsing the liner.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a fluid comprises a housing and a resilient liner adapted to hold the fluid disposed in the housing. A fluid transfer mechanism is in fluid communication between the liner and an applicator assembly mounted on the housing for dispensing the fluid on the skin of the user. The applicator assembly includes an actuator movable relative to the housing so as to activate the fluid transfer mechanism when the actuator is reciprocated. A fluid delivery element is held in contact against skin of a user for applying the fluid onto the skin. The fluid delivery element is supported on the actuator to be movable together with the actuator by varying contact pressure with the skin. Each movement of the actuator generates continuous negative pressure within the liner for drawing fluid through the fluid transfer mechanism and collapsing the liner.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a fluid comprises a housing and a resilient liner adapted to hold the fluid disposed in the housing. A fluid transfer mechanism is in fluid communication between the liner and an applicator assembly mounted on the housing for dispensing the fluid on the skin of the user. The applicator assembly includes an actuator movable relative to the housing so as to activate the fluid transfer mechanism when the actuator is reciprocated. A fluid delivery element is held in contact against skin of a user for applying the fluid onto the skin. The fluid delivery element is supported on the actuator to be movable together with the actuator by varying contact pressure with the skin. Each movement of the actuator generates continuous negative pressure within the liner for drawing fluid through the fluid transfer mechanism and collapsing the liner.

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 so that there is a corresponding change in 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: An apparatus for dispensing a fluid comprises a housing and a resilient liner adapted to hold the fluid disposed in the housing. A fluid transfer mechanism is in fluid communication between the liner and an applicator assembly mounted on the housing for dispensing the fluid on the skin of the user. The applicator assembly includes an actuator movable relative to the housing so as to activate the fluid transfer mechanism when the actuator is reciprocated. A fluid delivery element is held in contact against skin of a user for applying the fluid onto the skin. The fluid delivery element is supported on the actuator to be movable together with the actuator by varying contact pressure with the skin. Each movement of the actuator generates continuous negative pressure within the liner for drawing fluid through the fluid transfer mechanism and collapsing the liner.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting barbs into a suture having a filament supply. The apparatus also has an in-feed collet for holding one end of a filament threaded therethrough. Further the apparatus has an out-feed collet for holding a second end of a filament threaded therethrough. Additionally, the apparatus has a holder positioned between said in-feed and out-feed collets for holding a filament suspended between the in-feed and out-feed collets. The apparatus also has a cutting assembly for cutting barbs in the filament tensioned between the in-feed and out-feed collets.

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: 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 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: 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.