JP2002143173A - Device of producing surgical needle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance productivity by automating the press work of a tip part in a surgical needle having a flat tip part. SOLUTION: Holding means 2 are arranged in a rotary table 1 having a rotating means 1A. A raw material supply means 11 for supplying the raw materials 101 of the surgical needle to the holding means 2, the other side press means 13 for pressing the tip parts 103 of the supplied raw materials 101 to form it into a nearly rectangular shape in the cross section and a carrying means 18 for carrying the raw materials 101 where the tip part 103 is pressed from the holding means 2 are arranged around the rotary table 1 in accordance with the holding means. When the rotary table 1 is rotated, the supply of the raw materials 101, the press work of the tip end parts 103 and the carrying-out of the raw materials 101 are simultaneously or successively continuously performed by rotating the table 1 concerning the holding means 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a suture needle for press-forming a distal end of a raw material of the suture needle into a substantially rectangular cross section.

[0002]

In the manufacture of a suture needle, it is necessary to cut a steel wire and cut it to a predetermined length. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-289559 discloses a method for manufacturing a steel wire as an example. After obtaining a coiled steel wire by wire drawing, the steel wire is linearly processed to a predetermined length and cut to cut out a raw material of a surgical suture needle. Next, the raw material is press-molded into the shape of a surgical suture needle serving as a base and a needle tip. (0005-0006 stage).

[0003] For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-60935, a spatula-shaped suture needle having a rhombic or trapezoidal cross section and a flat, spatula-shaped overall is optimally used for ophthalmic surgery. (2nd stage, 2nd to 4th line)
Cutting blades and peaks are formed by grinding or polishing.
The flat surface is formed by plastic working such as press working (column 5, lines 32 to 34). The material is cut at a predetermined length to form a material for the suture needle. The entire body is formed in a spatula shape by forming a flat surface on the body, and the tip of the needle is polished to form a cutting blade and a peak, and a needle is formed (column 5, line 43 to line 5). Column 7th line), a certain length of material must be pressed,
Conventionally, thin and short materials have been subjected to press working by hand, and manual work requires skill, and it has been difficult to improve workability.

[0004] Also, Japanese Patent No. 2706677 discloses that
The needle base is formed into a flat shape by a plastic working method, and a thread relief groove for allowing the suture to extend along substantially the center of the needle base in the axial direction is formed by a plastic working method, and then the end of the needle base is formed. There is a method (claims) for processing a suture needle in which a hole is formed from a part by a laser beam, an electron beam, or electric discharge machining. In this manufacturing method, the number of steps can be reduced as compared with the conventional method, Therefore, the production cost can be reduced (the effect of the invention).

[0005] As described above, the needle base (base end) requires processing to attach a thread, and even if the number of steps is reduced as described above, a plurality of steps are still required. It is difficult to automate the process.

However, the conventional suturing needle has a problem in that it has poor sharpness, that is, poor penetrability into living tissue, because many portions have a circular cross section. In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-139931 discloses a method for manufacturing a micro-suture needle in which a suture is connected to a swedge part at one end of a curved suture needle body.
A manufacturing method has been proposed in which substantially the entirety of the metallic suture body other than the blade portion at the distal end portion is formed in a square cross section by forging (claim 5). The raw material of the suture needle body is a wire having a circular cross section, The wire is stretched linearly and cut to a specified length by a shearing machine (cutting step). The work thus obtained has a cylindrical shape (stages 0023 to 0024). As described above, since the raw material wire is formed into a thin and cylindrical shape, a technique for continuously processing a swage portion (corresponding to the caulked portion of the present invention) by plastic working has been developed, and an apparatus for continuously processing a cross-sectional square shape. Is desired.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a suture needle which has a flat distal end and which can automate press working of the distal end and improve productivity. It is another object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing apparatus for a suture needle which can improve the penetrating property and also can automate the processing of the caulked portion to the proximal end side, and additionally provide a suture needle.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a suture needle for press-molding a distal end portion of a raw material of the suture needle into a substantially rectangular cross section. A raw material supply means for supplying raw materials for the suturing needles to the working units around the rotary table corresponding to the plurality of working units, and forming a substantially rectangular cross-section by pressing the leading end of the supplied raw materials. Press means to
And an unloading means for unloading the raw material having the pressed front end from the working unit.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the supply of the raw material, the pressing of the leading end, and the unloading of the raw material are sequentially and sequentially performed to the plurality of working units by rotating the rotary table.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suture needle manufacturing apparatus for press-forming a distal end portion of a raw material of a suture needle into a substantially rectangular cross section, wherein a plurality of working units are provided on a rotary table provided with a rotating means. A raw material supply means for supplying raw materials for the suturing needle to the work units around the rotary table corresponding to the plurality of work units, and a press for sandwiching the central part and the tip part of the supplied raw materials from one side. Side press means,
The central portion and the tip portion pressed by the one-side pressing means are pressed in a direction intersecting with the one side direction and pressed to form the central portion in a substantially rectangular cross section and the tip portion is substantially in a cross section long in one side direction. It is provided with another pressing means formed in a rectangular shape, and an unloading means for unloading the raw material whose central portion and tip portion are pressed out from the working section.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the rotary table is rotated, the raw material is supplied to the plurality of working units, and the pressing is performed from one side of the central part and the tip part.
The press and the unloading of the raw material from the other side of the central portion and the distal end portion are sequentially and continuously performed, and the raw material can be continuously processed to have a flat distal end portion and a square central portion. By forming the central portion into a square cross section in this manner, the suture needle has excellent penetrability into living tissue, and sharpness can be obtained.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is a reversing means for passing the raw material having its central portion and the distal end pressed to the working section by changing the direction of the distal end and the proximal end around the rotary table. An annealing means for annealing the base end of the raw material whose direction has been changed by the reversing means, and a press forming means for forming a caulked part by pressing the annealed base end to swage a suture. It is.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the raw material supplied to the working part is processed by the one-side pressing means and the other-side pressing means at the central part and the tip part, and then the direction is changed by the reversing means. Thereby, the base end can be processed continuously to the processing of the center portion and the distal end portion, and the caulked portion can be formed at the base end by press molding means.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the guide groove of the press forming means is formed around the rotary table before forming the crimped portion by the press forming means around the rotary table. Is provided with a guide groove forming means.

According to the structure of the fourth aspect, the guide groove is formed on the thin raw material before press forming,
Pressing at the time of forming the caulked portion can be performed at a correct position.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 22 show an embodiment of the present invention. , A turntable 1 is provided, and a plurality of holding means 2 as working parts are provided on the turntable 1, and in this example, eight holding means 2 are arranged at equal intervals. This clamping means 2
Are provided with replaceable chuck claws 3, 3 at the tip thereof. The chuck claws 3, 3 are vertically opened and closed by opening / closing means 4 to clamp the raw material 101, and the chuck claws 3, 3 directed outward by advance / retreat means 5. 3 moves in the radial direction. The rotary table 1 is driven to rotate by 45 degrees by a rotating unit 1A. In addition, the chuck claws 3,
Positioning grooves 6, 6 for positioning the raw material 101 are formed on the holding surfaces 3M, 3M. In addition, a flat flat surface 7 is formed on the holding surfaces 3M, 3M along with the positioning grooves 6, 6, and the flat surface 7 is formed on the holding surface 3M.
It is more concave, and an elastic body 8 such as a sponge is provided.

Corresponding to the holding means 2, around the rotary table 1, a raw material 101 supply means 11, a one-side press means 12, a second-side press means 13, an inversion means 14, a guide groove forming means 15, Annealing means 16, press forming means 17, unloading means 18
Are provided side by side, and includes drive control means 19 for controlling these drives.

The raw material 101 is a steel wire having a predetermined length, has a circular cross section, is made of stainless steel or the like, and is made of a material which can be annealed. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the supply means 11 includes a vibrating parts feeder 21. The feeder 21 is provided with a drum-shaped vibrating container 22 and is provided on the inner periphery of the vibrating container 22 and is inclined upward. A spiral moving path 23 and a vibrating body 24 that vibrates the transfer path 23 are provided, and the vibrating body 24 applies vibrations in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction to the vibrating container 22 so that the internal raw material 101 is removed. Ascending one by one along the transfer path 23, the end 23 of the transfer path 23
A to the base end 1 of the raw material 101 sent to the terminal 23A.
04 projects outside the vibration container 22. The terminal end 23A is provided to face the chuck claws 3, 3. A suction rotator 25 serving as a delivery means is disposed between the terminal end 23A and the chuck claws 3.
25 has a substantially disk shape, has a suction port 26 around it, and rotates the suction port 26 by about 180 degrees about a horizontal rotation shaft 27 so that the suction port 26 is connected to the terminal end 23A and the chuck claws 3, 3. Can be combined. A tube 28 is provided at the center of the suction rotating body 25.
The tube 28 is connected to suction means (not shown), and the suction means is driven to suck the raw material 101 partially inserted into the suction port 26. A contact type sensor 29 for detecting passage of the raw material 101 sucked into the suction port 26 is provided above the terminal end 23A, and a detection signal of the sensor 29 is sent to a drive control means 19 for controlling the driving of the apparatus. .

The operation of the supply means 11 will now be described.
Each book is sent to the end 23A, and a part of the raw material 101 is
2 and is directed to the suction port 26 as shown in FIG. Here, the suction means connected to the suction port 26 is driven, and the raw material 101 is sucked into the suction port 26. This suction port 2
The depth of 6 is shorter than the raw material 101, and a part of the raw material 101 protrudes outside the suction rotating body 25 in a state of being held by suction. Suction port 2
6, the raw material 101 is sucked and held, and at a predetermined timing,
The suction rotator 25 rotates 180 degrees, the sensor 23 detects the passage of the raw material 101, and directs the raw material 101 to the chuck claws 3, 3, while the opened chuck claws 3, 3 move forward (move outward). Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the chuck claws 3, 3 are closed to clamp and hold the base end portion 104 of the raw material 101, and then retreat. In this case, the base end portion 104 having a circular cross section is positioned by the positioning grooves 6 and 6. In addition, chuck jaws 3,
After the raw material 3 is retracted while holding the raw material 101, the suction rotator 2
5 rotates 180 degrees in the opposite direction to align the suction port 26 with the terminal end 23A. Change the direction of the suction port 26 from the end 23A to the chuck claws 3,3.
When the sensor 23 does not detect the passage of the raw material 101 during the rotation of the suction rotator 25 toward
1 is determined not to be sucked, and the suction rotator 25
6 to a position facing the terminal end 23A and stop.
Aspirate.

In this way, the holding means 2 supplied with the raw material 101 from the raw material supply means 11 moves to the position of the adjacent one-side pressing means 12 by the rotation of the rotary table 1. This one-side pressing means 12 presses the central part 102 and the tip part 103 of the raw material 101 from right and left,
Except for the base end portion 104 sandwiched between the chuck claws 3, 3, it is formed in a square cross section by plastic working. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the one-side pressing means 12 includes a pair of arms 31, 31 arranged side by side, and a pair of dies 32, 32 are provided at the tips of the arms 31, 31. Dice 32,32
Has opposed flat press surfaces 33,33. Pivot shafts 34, 34 are provided at the distal ends of the arm bodies 31, 31, respectively. The arm body 31 is provided so as to be rotatable around the pivot 34, and inside the base end sides of the arm bodies 31, 31, respectively. Cam passive rollers 35, 35 are provided, and these cam passive rollers 35, 35 are provided.
A rotation center shaft 36 is provided between 35, and a cam 37
Is rotatably provided, and an operating portion 38 is provided integrally with the cam 37, and the tip of the operating portion is connected to an air cylinder 39 serving as driving means.
Connect to The cam 37 has an arc surface 37A having a maximum diameter and a flank 37B recessed inward. Also, both arms 3
Return the base end of 1, 31 to a return spring 4 consisting of a coil spring.
Linked by 0. Therefore, the cam 37 is rotated by the expansion and contraction of the air cylinder 39, and the two cam driven rollers 35, 35
The distance between the pressing surfaces 33, 33 at the position where
In the position where the cam passive rollers 35, 35 contact the flank 37,
The gap between the press surfaces 33, 33 is widened. An adjusting screw 41 as an adjusting means for adjusting the position of the die 32 is provided on the tip side of the arm body 31. When the adjusting screw 41 is screwed in, the die
32 moves to the center side, the gap between the press surfaces 33, 33 narrows,
When the adjusting screw 41 is turned in the opposite direction, the interval between the press surfaces 33, 33 increases, and the interval between the press surfaces 33, 33 can be adjusted according to the diameter of the raw material G. Then, the holding means 2 which has reached the position of the one-side pressing means 12 advances and moves to the center between the pressing surfaces 33, 33.
After stopping at the position where 102 comes, the press and the press surfaces 33, 33 are opened and then retracted to return to the original position.

In this manner, after the base end portion 104 is pressed from one side by the one-side pressing means 12, the holding means 2 is turned by the angular rotation of the turntable 1 (45 degrees in this example). It moves to the position of the side pressing means 13. The other-side pressing means 13 presses the central part 102 pressed from the left and right by the one-side pressing means 12 from above and below to form the central part 102 into a substantially rectangular cross section, and the tip part 1 from the central part 102
03 is formed flat, the configuration is the same as the one-side pressing means 12, the arm bodies 31, 31 are arranged vertically, and the dies 32, 32 open and close vertically.
The pressing surfaces 33, 33 of the dies 32, 32 have different shapes, and as shown in FIG. 9, a flat portion 33A forming the central portion 102 and a flat portion 33 forming the tip portion 103 from the tip side of the die 32.
B and a tapered surface 33C connected thereto. Then, the holding means 2 which has reached the position of the other side pressing means 13 advances and stops at the position where the central portion 102 and the leading end 103 come between the pressing surfaces 33, 33, and after the pressing, the pressing surfaces 33, 33 are opened. , Retreat and return to the original position. As a result, as shown in FIGS.
The central portion 102 has a substantially square cross section, and the base end 104 side where the chuck claws 3, 3 sandwiched it has a circular cross section without being pressed so far.

The reversing means 14 adjusts the direction of the raw material 101 by one.
The reversing means 14 changes the direction of the base end portion 104 to an inward direction facing the chuck claws 3, 3.
It can be replaced with the opposite outward direction. In other words, the reversing means 14 changes the orientation of the distal end 103 and the base end 102 of the raw material 101 that has pressed the central part 102 and the distal end 103, and holds the base 102 by the holding means 2. After the center portion 102 and the tip portion 103 are pressed, the raw material 101 is inverted by the reversing means 14 and the tip portion 103 is held by the holding means 2. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a vertical rotation shaft 121 is provided, and a main body 122 is provided on the rotation shaft 121. In this example, the rotation shaft 121 serving as a center of rotation is rotated by a rotation means (not shown) so that the main body 122 is rotated. Are rotated and inverted by 180 degrees, but it is also possible to fix the rotation shaft 121 and rotate the main body 122 around the rotation shaft 121. The main body 122 is provided with upper and lower arms 123 and 124 which are opened and closed vertically and are provided in parallel in the horizontal direction, and the upper arm 123 is moved up and down by expansion and contraction of an air cylinder 125 as opening and closing means. Opens and closes. The distal ends of the upper and lower arms 123 and 124 extend beyond the center of the rotating shaft 121, and elastic members 126 and 126 such as sponges are provided at the holding portions of the upper and lower arms 123 and 124. Accordingly, the holding means 2 having come to the reversing means 14 moves forward until the central portion 102 of the raw material 101 comes to the position of the upper and lower arms 123 and 124, and the upper and lower arms 123 and 124 are closed to remove the raw material 101. After being clamped, the chuck claws 3 and 3 are opened, and after this opening, the main body 122 rotates 180 degrees, changes the direction of the raw material 101, and the tip 103 of the raw material 101 is located between the chuck claws 3 and 3, The chuck claws 3, 3 are closed to clamp the distal end portion 103. In this case, the holding means 2 which comes to the inversion means 14 places holds the base end portion 104 having a circular cross section at the positioning grooves 6 and 6 places, and the position where the raw material 101 is held by the upper and lower arms 123 and 124 is as follows. After the main body 122 rotates, the position of the raw material 101 becomes
It moves to the 126 side, and as shown in FIG. 5 (B), the flat distal end portion 103 is sandwiched by the elastic bodies 126 and 126.

In this way, the direction of the raw material 101 is reversed, and the rotary table 1 is rotated by an angle with the base end 1014 protruding from the chuck claws 3 and being clamped, and the adjacent guide groove forming means 15 is rotated. Move to the position. This guide groove forming means 15
Is to form a guide groove 51 for guiding a convex mold forming a caulking portion, which will be described later, in the raw material 101. As shown in FIG. A substantially V-shaped guide groove 51 is formed in the direction. Guide groove forming means
15, forming a plurality of positioning grooves 53 in the receiving surface 52 on the fixed side,
In this example, the positioning groove 53 is substantially V
It has a movable-side convex mold 54 that is shaped like a letter and moves toward and away from the receiving surface 52. The tip 55 of the convex mold 54 has a substantially V shape, and the tip 55 is positioned at the center of the positioning groove 53 in the width direction. Therefore, the holding means 2 moves forward,
104 is aligned with the positioning groove 53 of the receiving surface 52, the convex mold 54 is lowered by the reciprocating means 56 of the convex mold 54, and the guide groove 51 is moved to the base end 104.
Can be formed.

After the positioning guide groove 53 is formed in this way, the rotation means 1 rotates the rotary table 1 to rotate the holding means 2.
Moves to the position of the adjacent annealing means 16. As shown in FIG. 18, the annealing means 16 includes a burner 61, and the base end portion 104 of the raw material 101 is heated by, for example, about 2 seconds by the flame generated by the burner 61, and is annealed by natural cooling. .

After the base end portion 104 has been annealed by the annealing means 16 in this manner, the rotation of the rotary table 1 causes the holding means 2 to move to the adjacent press forming means 17. As shown in FIG. 19, this press forming means 17
A caulking portion 104A is formed at a base end portion 104 of the raw material 101, and a fixed-side concave mold 81 is provided. The concave mold 81 has a concave surface portion 82 that forms the outer shape of the caulking portion 104A. A movable-side convex die 83 that moves forward and backward toward the part 82 is provided, and a tip end 84 of the convex die 83 corresponds to the inner surface shape of the caulking part 104A. Therefore, the holding means 2 moves forward and the base end 10
4 can be aligned with the concave surface portion 82, and the convex die 83 can be lowered by the reciprocating means 85 of the convex die 83 to form the caulked portion 104 A on the base end portion 104. In this case, the guide groove 5 is
1 is formed, the convex groove 83 is formed by the guide groove 51.
Pressing the base end 104 of the raw material 101
104A can be formed.

After the caulking portion 104A is annealed by the press forming means 17 in this manner, the holding means 2 is moved to the position of the adjacent unloading means 18 by the angular rotation of the rotary table 1. As shown in FIG. 20 and FIG.
18 is provided with a suction cylinder portion 92 corresponding to the forward position of the chuck claws 3 on the side surface of the cylindrical receiver 91, and a tube 93 is connected to the bottom of the receiver 91; A suction means (not shown) is connected. Also, a receiver 94 is provided in the receiver 91.
The bottom of the receiving body 94 is a mesh part 94A, and the mesh part 94A is provided between the suction cylinder part 92 and the tube 93. A lid 95 that closes the upper opening is detachably provided. Therefore, when the holding means 2 moves forward, the raw material 101
Is inserted into the suction tube portion 92, and the suction means is driven to drive the raw material.
When the chuck 101 is sucked and the chuck claws 3 and 3 are opened, the raw material 101 is sucked into the receiver 91 and accumulates on the receiver 94. Then, when a predetermined amount of the raw material 101 has accumulated, the lid 95 is opened with the suction means stopped, and the raw material 101 is taken out together with the receiver 94.

The raw material supply means 11, the one-side pressing means 12, the other-side pressing means 13, the reversing means 14, the guide groove forming means 15, the annealing means 16, the press forming means 17, the unloading means
Reference numeral 18 indicates that the above-described operation is simultaneously performed on each working unit, and the rotation table 1 is rotated by an angle and stopped, and the operation is completed before the rotation table 1 is again rotated by an angle.

The raw material 10 unloaded by the unloading means 18
1, after this, processing such as polishing using the tip 103 as a blade, bending to bend in a curved shape, disposing the end of the suture 105 in the caulking part 104A, and wrapping this around the caulking part 104A The caulking operation is performed in an appropriate order to obtain a suture needle with a suture. In addition, bending can also be performed after crimping work.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the apparatus for manufacturing a suture needle in which the distal end portion 103 of the raw material of the suture needle is press-formed into a substantially rectangular cross section, the rotating means 1A
A plurality of working units as clamping means 2 on a rotary table 1 provided with
The raw material supply means 11 for supplying the raw material 101 of the suturing needle to the holding means 2 and the leading end 103 of the supplied raw material 101 are pressed around the rotary table 1 corresponding to the plurality of holding means 2. The other side pressing means 13 as pressing means for forming a substantially rectangular cross section, and the unloading means 18 for unloading the raw material 101 having pressed the distal end portion 103 from the holding means 2 are provided. The supply of the raw material 101, the pressing of the leading end portion 103, and the unloading of the raw material 101 are performed simultaneously and sequentially and continuously by rotating the table 1 with respect to the plurality of holding means 2.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the apparatus for manufacturing a suture needle for press-forming the distal end portion 103 of the raw material of the suture needle into a substantially rectangular cross section, the rotary table 1 having the rotating means 1A is provided. Provided with a plurality of holding means 2 serving as working parts, and a raw material supply means 11 for supplying a raw material 101 of the suture needle to the holding means 2 around the rotary table 1 corresponding to the plurality of holding means 2; Central part 1 of raw material 101
02 and one-side pressing means 12 for pressing the front end 103 from one side, and pressing the central part 102 and the front end 103 pressed by the one-side pressing means 12 from the direction intersecting the one side. The other-side pressing means 13 for forming the central portion 102 into a substantially rectangular cross section and forming the distal end portion 103 to have a substantially rectangular cross section long in one side direction, and holding means 2 for holding the raw material 101 obtained by pressing the central portion 102 and the distal end portion 103. Unloading means 1 for unloading from
8, the rotating table 1 is rotated to supply the raw material 101 to the plurality of holding means 2, press the central part 102 and the tip part 103 from one side, the central part
Press from the other side of 102 and tip 103, raw material 101
Are sequentially and continuously carried out, and the raw material 101 can be continuously processed such that the front end portion 103 is flat and the central portion 102 is square. And in this way the central part 102
By forming a square cross section, the suture needle has excellent penetrability into living tissue, and a sharp cutting edge can be obtained.

As described above, in the present embodiment, claim 3
In response to the above, around the rotary table 1, the front end 103 and the base end 1 of the raw material 101 having the central portion 102 and the front end 103 pressed.
Inverting means 14 for changing the direction of 04 and passing it to the holding means 2, annealing means 16 for annealing the base end 104 of the raw material 101 whose direction has been changed by the inverting means 14, and pressing the annealed base end 104 Since the press forming means 17 is provided to form the caulked portion 104A by caulking the suture, the raw material 101 supplied to the holding means 2 is formed by pressing the central part 102 and the tip part 103 with the one-side pressing means 12 and the other-side pressing. Reversing means after being processed by means 13
By changing the direction by 14, the center part 102 and the tip part 1
The processing of the base end portion 104 can be performed continuously to the processing of the base portion 104, and the caulking portion 104A
Can be formed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, claim 4
Press forming means around the rotary table 1
Since the guide groove forming means 15 for forming the guide groove 51 of the press forming means 14 is provided at the base end 104 before forming the caulking portion 104A by 17, the guide groove 51 is formed on the thin raw material 101 before the press forming. By doing so, pressing at the time of forming the caulked portion can be performed at a correct position.

Also, as an effect of the embodiment, the raw materials 101 transferred one by one by the parts feeder are held by the holding means 2.
The raw material 101 is sucked by the suction rotator 25, and the suction rotator 25 is inverted and transferred to a position where the chuck claws 3 can be clamped.
The raw material 101 can be adjusted to the correct position of the holding surfaces 3M, 3M of the chuck claws 3, 3 without excessive force being applied to 1. The rotation of the suction rotating body 25 causes the raw material 101 to rotate.
Is provided, and if the delivery of the raw material 101 from the feeder 21 to the suction rotator 25 is defective, the suction rotator 25 is returned to a position where the raw material 101 is received from the feeder 21 again. Can be restored. The caulked portion 104A can be formed without press-working the base end portion 104 by the one-side and other-side pressing means 12 and 13, and without repeatedly performing plastic working on the base end portion 104. Further, the unloading means 18 has the chuck 91
3 is provided with a suction cylinder portion 92 corresponding to the forward position, and a mesh-shaped receiver 94 is detachably provided in the receiver 91.
Is sucked and discharged, the structure is simple, and after collecting a predetermined amount of raw materials 101, they can be removed and collected together with the receiver 94. In addition, since the positioning groove 6 and the flat portion 7 are provided side by side on the holding surface 3M of the holding means 2, the base end portion 104 having a circular cross section of the raw material 101 is held at the six positioning grooves so that the positioning state is maintained. On the other hand, the tip portion 103 after being flattened can hold the elastic body 8
It can be stably held by being held by the flat portion 7 provided with. Further, since the upper and lower arms 123 and 124 of the reversing means 14 hold the central portion 102 of the raw material 101, the main body 122 is inverted from that position to change the direction of the raw material 101 and to hold the holding means 2. Can be transferred to the chuck claws 3, 3.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, for example, various means can be used for the raw material supply means and the unloading means. The shape of the guide groove can be appropriately selected. Furthermore, although the reversing means is rotated about a vertical axis of rotation, it may be a means for reversing the direction of the raw material by rotating about a horizontal axis.

[0035]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suture needle manufacturing apparatus for press-molding a distal end portion of a raw material of a suture needle into a substantially rectangular cross section, wherein a plurality of working parts are provided on a rotary table provided with rotating means. Raw material supply means for supplying raw materials of the suturing needle to the work part around the rotary table corresponding to the plurality of work parts, and press means for pressing the leading end of the supplied raw material to form a substantially rectangular cross section. A carry-out means for carrying out the raw material from which the pressed tip is pressed out of the working unit, and a suture needle having a flat tip,
A manufacturing apparatus for a suture needle that can automate press working of a distal end portion and improve productivity can be provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suture needle manufacturing apparatus for press-forming a distal end portion of a raw material of a suture needle into a substantially rectangular cross section, wherein a plurality of working parts are provided on a rotary table provided with rotating means. A raw material supply means for supplying raw materials for the suturing needle to the work units around the rotary table corresponding to the plurality of work units, and a press for sandwiching the central part and the tip part of the supplied raw materials from one side. Side press means,
The central portion and the tip portion pressed by the one-side pressing means are pressed in a direction intersecting with the one side direction and pressed to form the central portion in a substantially rectangular cross section and the tip portion is substantially in a cross section long in one side direction. The other-side pressing means formed in a rectangular shape, and the carrying-out means for carrying out the raw material whose central part and the tip part are pressed out from the working part are provided, and in a suture needle having a flat tip part, the penetration is improved. It is possible to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a suturing needle capable of automating press working of a distal end portion and improving productivity.

[0037] The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the reversing means for transferring the raw material obtained by pressing the central part and the distal end part around the rotary table to the working part by changing the directions of the distal end part and the base end part. An annealing means for annealing the base end of the raw material whose direction has been changed by the reversing means, and a press forming means for forming a caulked part by pressing the annealed base end to swage a suture. In a suture needle having a flat distal end, the processing of the caulked portion to the proximal end side can be automated,
It is possible to provide a manufacturing apparatus for a suture needle, which can improve the penetrating property, automate the pressing at the distal end, and improve the productivity.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the guide groove of the press forming means is formed around the rotary table before the forming of the caulked portion by the press forming means around the rotary table. Is provided with a guide groove forming means for forming a crimping portion, which can automate the processing of the caulked portion to the base end side, and in a suture needle having a flat distal end portion, improve penetration and press working of the distal end portion. A suture needle manufacturing apparatus that can be automated to improve productivity can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall plan view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view around raw material supply means showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view around a raw material supply means showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which a suction port faces a terminal end side of a transfer path.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view around a raw material supply means showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which a suction rotating body sucks the raw material, rotates by 180 degrees, and directs the raw material toward the working unit side.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which raw materials are held by chuck claws of a working unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
5B shows an open state, FIG. 5B shows a state in which a circular groove-shaped front end is sandwiched in a positioning groove, and FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one-side pressing means showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of one-side pressing means showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of one-side pressing means showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the other-side pressing means showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a raw material after being pressed by one-side and other-side pressing means, showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 10 showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 10 showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 10 showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the reversing means showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the reversing means showing one embodiment of the present invention.

16A and 16B are cross-sectional views of a guide groove forming means according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16A shows a state before the operation, and FIG. 16B shows a state after the guide groove is formed.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a guide groove showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view of an annealing means showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a press forming means showing one embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 19A shows a state before operation and FIG. 19B shows a state after forming a caulked portion.

FIG. 20 is a plan cross-sectional view of the carrying-out means showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of a carrying-out means showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of raw materials after being carried out, showing one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 rotating table 1A rotating means 2 holding means 12 one-side pressing means 13 other-side pressing means (pressing means) 14 reversing means 15 guide groove forming means 16 annealing part 17 press forming means 18 unloading means 51 guide groove 101 raw material 102 central part 103 Tip 104 Base end 104A Caulked section

Claims (4)

[Claims] In a manufacturing apparatus of a suture needle for press-molding a distal end portion of a raw material of a suture needle into a substantially rectangular cross section, a plurality of working units are provided on a rotary table provided with rotating means, and the plurality of working units are provided. Around the rotary table, raw material supply means for supplying the raw material of the suturing needle to the working section, pressing means for pressing the leading end of the supplied raw material to form a substantially rectangular cross section, and pressing the leading end An apparatus for manufacturing a suture needle, comprising: an unloading unit that unloads a raw material from a working unit. 2. A manufacturing apparatus for a suture needle for press-molding a distal end portion of a raw material of a suture needle into a substantially rectangular cross section, wherein a plurality of working units are provided on a rotary table provided with a rotating means, and the plurality of working units are provided. Raw material supply means for supplying the raw material of the suturing needle to the working unit around the rotary table; one-side pressing means for pressing the central part and the tip part of the supplied raw material from one side to press; The central portion and the tip portion pressed by the side pressing means are sandwiched and pressed from a direction intersecting the one side direction to form the central portion in a substantially rectangular cross section and the tip portion has a substantially rectangular cross section long in one side direction. An apparatus for manufacturing a suture needle, comprising: a pressing means for forming the other side; and an unloading means for unloading a raw material having a pressed central portion and a distal end portion from a working section. 3. A reversing means for turning the tip and base ends of the raw material whose central part and tip part are pressed around the rotary table and passing the material to the working part by reversing the orientation of the raw material. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: annealing means for annealing a base end portion of the replaced raw material; and press forming means for forming a crimped portion by pressing the annealed base end portion to swage a suture. An apparatus for manufacturing a suture needle as described in the above. 4. A guide groove forming means for forming a guide groove of the press forming means at the base end before forming the caulked portion by the press forming means around the rotary table. An apparatus for manufacturing a suture needle according to claim 3.