Methods of Altering Surgical Fiber

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods of altering a surgical fiber by irradiating the surgical fiber with an energy beam such that material is removed therefrom.

1 . A method of manufacturing and assembling a surgical needle and a surgical fiber, comprising:
 directing at least one beam emitted from an irradiating device at the surgical fiber for a time, and with an intensity, sufficient to remove material from the surgical fiber such that a reduced portion is formed;   inserting the reduced portion of the surgical fiber into an opening in a proximal end of the surgical needle; and   coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together such that the reduced portion of the surgical fiber is secured within the opening in the proximal end of the surgical needle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together includes coining the surgical needle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together includes crimping the surgical needle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together includes positioning an adhesive between the reduced portion of the surgical fiber and the opening in the proximal end of the surgical needle. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising redirecting the at least one beam with a curved reflector such that the at least one beam is incident upon the surgical fiber from a plurality of angles. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further including rotating the surgical fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein directing the at least one beam includes directing a plurality of beams emitted from a plurality of irradiating devices at the surgical fiber. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing and assembling a surgical needle and a surgical fiber, comprising:
 altering the surgical fiber by directing at least one beam emitted from an irradiating device onto the surgical fiber to create a reduced portion having a non-uniform topography;   inserting the reduced portion of the surgical fiber into an opening in a proximal end of the surgical needle; and   coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together such that the reduced portion of the surgical fiber is secured within the opening in the proximal end of the surgical needle.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein altering the surgical fiber includes forming the reduced portion to include a thread. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein altering the surgical fiber includes forming the reduced portion to include a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein altering the surgical fiber includes forming the reduced portion to include a plurality of barbs. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together includes coining the surgical needle. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together includes crimping the surgical needle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together includes positioning an adhesive between the reduced portion of the surgical fiber and the opening in the proximal end of the surgical needle. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing and assembling a surgical needle and a surgical fiber, comprising:
 directing at least one beam emitted from an irradiating device along a longitudinal axis defined by the surgical fiber such that the material is removed from an internal region of the surgical fiber to thereby form a cavity;   applying a force to the surgical fiber to thereby reduce an internal dimension of the cavity, and create a reduced portion of the surgical fiber;   inserting the reduced portion of the surgical fiber into an opening in a proximal end of the surgical needle; and   coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together such that the reduced portion of the surgical fiber is secured within the opening in the proximal end of the surgical needle.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together includes coining the surgical needle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together includes crimping the surgical needle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling the surgical needle and the surgical fiber together includes positioning an adhesive between the reduced portion of the surgical fiber and the opening in the proximal end of the surgical needle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising redirecting the at least one beam with a curved reflector such that the at least one beam is incident upon the surgical fiber from a plurality of angles. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further including rotating the surgical fiber.