System and Method of Making Tapered Looped Suture

Abstract

A system for forming a looped suture having a tapered cut is provided. The system includes a base for selectively retaining a portion of thread, a clamping device for receiving a first end of the thread, a tensioning device for receiving a second end of the thread, a welding assembly configured to join a first and second section of the thread to form a loop, and a cutting assembly configured to form a tapered end on the first section of the thread.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A system for forming a looped suture having a tapered cut, the system comprising:
 a base for selectively supporting a length of thread during a loop forming process, the base comprising:
 a suture nest defining a longitudinal channel for selectively receiving at least a portion of a first section of the length of thread; 
 a pin retaining member selectively positionable relative to the suture nest; and 
 a pin extending from the pin retaining member for receiving a portion of the length of thread thereabout, the pin defining a longitudinal axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal channel of the suture nest during the loop forming process. 
   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , further including a pin locking mechanism for selectively locking the pin relative to the suture nest. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the pin retaining member is pivotally mounted to the suture nest. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the suture nest includes a plurality of longitudinal channels. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the longitudinal channel is configured to receive the first section of the length of thread and at least a portion of a second section of the length of thread. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the loop forming process includes welding the first section of the length of thread to a second section of the length of thread. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the loop forming process further includes cutting a taper in an end of the second section of the length of thread. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 20 , further including a clamping device for receiving a first end of the length of thread. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 20 , further including a tensioning device for receiving a second end of the length of thread. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 20 , further including a welding assembly configured to join the first section of the length of thread and a second section of the length of thread to form a loop. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 20 , further including a cutting assembly configured to form a tapered end on a second section of the length of thread. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the cutting assembly is configured to cut using one of ultrasonic energy, blades, and lasers. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the welding assembly is configured to weld using ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the suture nest is configured to retain the first section of the length of thread adjacent to a second section of the length of thread. 
     
     
         34 . A system for forming a looped suture having a tapered cut, the system comprising:
 a base for selectively retaining a first longitudinal section of a thread adjacent a second longitudinal section of the thread;   a clamping device for receiving a first end of the thread; and   a tensioning device for receiving a second end of the thread.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , further including a welding assembly configured to join the first section of the thread and the second section of the thread to form a loop. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , furthering including a cutting assembly configured to form a tapered end on the second section of the thread. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , further including a welding assembly configured to join the first longitudinal section of the thread and the second longitudinal section of the thread to form a loop. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 34 , further including a cutting assembly configured to form a tapered end on the second longitudinal section of the thread.