United States Patent [19]
Zinnbauer et al.
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US005452513A [li] Patent Number: 5,452,513 [45] Date of Patent: Sep. 26,1995
[54] SUTURE CUTTER
[75] Inventors: Gerald Zinnbauer, Charlotte, N.C.;
Eric Hulsman, 1006 Countryside La., Smyrna, Ga. 30080; Brad Wellington, 887 Westmont Dr., Asheboro, N.C. 27203
[73] Assignees: Eric Hulsman, Smyrna, Ga.; Brad Wellington, Asheboro, N.C.
[21] Appl. No.: 268,253
[22] Filed: Jun. 29,1994
[51] Int. CI.6 A61B 17/04; B25F 3/00
[52] U.S. CI 30/140; 30/124; 606/28;
606/138
[58] Field of Search 30/124, 140; 606/28,
606/29, 30, 31, 138, 148, 103
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,030,743 6/1977 Warthen 83/15
4,516,574 5/1985 Hewes, Jr. 30/140
4,662,068 5/1987 Polonsky 30/124
4,845,851 7/1989 Warthen 30/140
Primary Examiner—Hwei Siu Payer
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Rhodes, Coats & Bennett
[57] ABSTRACT
A suture cutter which is adapted to clamp, sever and cauterize a thermoplastic suture. The suture cutter includes a housing having an electrical power source located in the housing and a trigger attached to the housing having open and closed positions. A suture clamp is attached to the housing and includes a stationary jaw and a pivotal jaw. A radiant heating element is adjacent to the suture clamp. An actuator connects the trigger to the pivotal jaw and electrical circuitry joins the power source to the radiant heating element. Closing of the trigger first closes the pivotal jaw against the stationary jaw to hold a suture, and then completes the circuitry to sever and cauterize the suture with radiant heat.
10 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
