Apparatus and method for processing suture by using ultrasonic waves

Abstract

The apparatus for processing a suture by using ultrasonic waves according to the present invention comprises: a supply roll around which a suture to be processed is wound; a front-end transfer unit for gripping and transferring the front end of the suture supplied from the supply roll; and a tension adjustment unit for adjusting the tension of the suture between the front-end transfer unit and the supply roll; a mold having an engraved pattern for forming cogs on the suture; both-end transfer units installed on both sides of the mold so as to move the suture between the supply roll and the front-end transfer unit to the mold unit engraved pattern or to separate same from the engraved pattern; an ultrasonic wave generating unit for contacting the suture in the mold and transferring ultrasonic waves thereto; a first blade unit for removing a portion of the suture protruding from the upper surface of the mold; a separating roller configured such that, when the suture is separated from the engraved pattern by the both-end transfer units, same assists separation while supporting the suture from below; and a second blade unit cutting the end of the suture transferred from the front-end transfer unit.

Description

Ultrasonic suture processing device and processing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a suture processing device and a processing method using ultrasound, and more specifically, to a suture processing device and a processing method for forming a cog in a suture used in plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures using ultrasound.

[0002]

[0003] Sutures, which are used to close torn areas of skin or organs, have recently become widely used to pull up sagging skin or smooth out wrinkles.

[0004]

[0005] In the past, sutures made of materials such as polydioxanone (PDO) that dissolve in the skin were inserted under the skin to induce collagen formation, but recently, cogs have been formed on the surface of the suture, and the cogs are used to pull the subcutaneous tissue, thereby pulling the skin or alleviating wrinkles.

[0006]

[0007] Cog is also called a protrusion, a barb, or a barb.

[0008]

[0009] In order to form a cog on the surface of a suture, a method of forming a sheath on the surface of the suture was mainly used, but there is a problem that the suture breaks due to a reduction in the cross-section of the suture caused by the formation of the sheath.

[0010] To solve this problem, methods have been proposed in which a suture is inserted into a mold and a cog is formed by heating and pressing.

[0011] In this case, it is not easy to control the temperature within the mold, and it is difficult to maintain the fine shape of the cog area when separating the suture from the mold after molding.

[0012]

[0013] To solve this problem, Korean Patent No. 10-1921980 discloses heating a suture with ultrasound to form a cog (11) on the surface of the suture (10), as shown in FIG. 2. By heating the suture instantaneously with ultrasound, the suture can be formed without heating it to the melting point of PDO, thereby preventing damage to its durability.

[0014] The above conventional technology is configured to transport the suture (10) in a roll-to-roll manner as shown in FIG. 1, raise the mold (200) to position the suture (10) within the mold (200), and heat and pressurize the ultrasonic generator (300) within the mold (200).

[0015] During ultrasonic processing, the core of the suture elastically deforms due to the tension acting between the rolls, while the surface of the suture melts, forming a cog and undergoing plastic flow. When the suture is removed from the mold and cooled, residual stress occurs between the core and surface, which can cause uneven quality in the suture.

[0016]

[0017] Additionally, cooling problems in the mold due to repeated processing and overflow of the suture material during pressurization also cause poor quality of the suture material.

[0018]

[0019] The present invention is intended to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and in particular, to prevent residual stress from existing in a suture and to improve the quality of the suture.

[0020]

[0021] The suture processing device using ultrasound of the present invention is

[0022] A supply roll on which the suture to be processed is wound;

[0023] A tip conveyor for gripping and conveying the tip of the suture supplied from the supply roll;

[0024] A tension control unit for controlling the tension of the suture between the tip transfer unit and the supply roll;

[0025] A mold having an engraved pattern for forming a cog on a suture;

[0026] A double-end transfer unit installed on both sides of the mold to move the suture between the supply roll and the tip transfer unit to the negative pattern or separate it from the negative pattern;

[0027] An ultrasonic generator that transmits ultrasonic waves by contacting the suture within the mold;

[0028] A first blade portion for removing a suture portion protruding from the upper surface of the mold;

[0029] When the suture is separated from the engraved pattern by the above-mentioned double-ended conveyor, a separation roller that supports the suture from the lower side and assists in separation;

[0030] It is characterized by comprising a second blade section for cutting the end of the suture transferred from the above-mentioned tip transfer section.

[0031]

[0032] It is preferable that the above supply roll and tension control unit be formed integrally.

[0033]

[0034] It is also desirable to further provide a cooling unit for cooling the above mold.

[0035]

[0036] It is also preferable that the second blade portion further include a gripping portion capable of gripping the suture transferred from the tip transfer portion.

[0037]

[0038] It is also preferable to further include a tray portion for collecting the suture cut by the second blade portion.

[0039]

[0040] The method for processing suture using ultrasound of the present invention is as follows:

[0041] Step 1: Supplying suture from the supply roll and feeding it to the tip transfer unit;

[0042] Step 2 of transferring the suture into the engraved pattern of the mold located between the supply roll and the tip transfer unit;

[0043] Step 3: Removing tension of the suture between the supply roll and the tip feed section;

[0044] Step 4: attaching an ultrasonic generator to the mold to transmit ultrasonic waves to the suture to form a cog;

[0045] Step 5: Separating the ultrasonic generator and removing the suture portion protruding from the upper surface of the mold using the first blade;

[0046] Step 6 of adding tension to the suture between the above supply roll and the tip conveyor;

[0047] Step 7 of separating the suture from the mold;

[0048] It is characterized by comprising step 8 of transferring the suture formed with the cog to the second blade and cutting the end thereof.

[0049]

[0050] In the above step 2, the suture is moved toward the mold by the double-ended transfer parts arranged on both sides of the mold and inserted into the negative pattern of the mold part. It is preferable that the tension be controlled so that the tension does not increase.

[0051]

[0052] It is preferable that the above step 7 be performed in a form in which the suture is moved upward by double-ended transfer units arranged on both sides of the mold.

[0053]

[0054] The above step 7 is preferably performed in a form in which the suture is moved upward by a double-ended transfer unit arranged on both sides of the mold, and a separation roller moves between the suture and the upper surface of the mold.

[0055]

[0056] In the above step 8, it is preferable that the tip of the suture having the cog formed by the tip transfer unit is transferred to the second blade unit and gripped, and then the tip transfer unit, which moves again toward the distal end of the suture, grips the distal end of the suture and transfers the distal end of the suture to the second blade unit, and then the second blade unit cuts the distal end.

[0057]

[0058] The present invention has the effect of preventing residual stress from existing in a suture and also improving the quality of the suture.

[0059]

[0060] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a suture processing device using ultrasound of the prior art.

[0061] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the shape of a suture in which a cog is formed by a conventional technique.

[0062] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a suture processing device using ultrasound of the present invention.

[0063] Figures 4 to 10 are diagrams showing the operating sequence of the processing device of the present invention.

[0064]

[0065] ** Explanation of Drawing Symbols **

[0066] 10: Suture 11: Cog

[0067] 100: supply roll 110: collection roll 200: mold 300: ultrasonic generator

[0068] 400: Front end transfer unit 500: Tension control unit 600: Double end transfer unit

[0069] 700: First blade section 800: Separation roller 900: Second blade section 910: Grab section

[0070]

[0071] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings according to an embodiment thereof.

[0072]

[0073] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a suture processing device using ultrasound of the present invention.

[0074] The suture processing device using ultrasound of the present invention comprises: a supply roll (100) on which a suture (10) to be processed is wound; a tip conveyance (400) for gripping and conveying the tip of the suture (10) supplied from the supply roll (100); a tension control unit (500) for controlling the tension of the suture (10) between the tip conveyance (400) and the supply roll (100); a mold (200) having an engraved pattern for forming a cog in the suture (10); double-end conveyance units (600) installed on both sides of the mold (200) for moving the suture between the supply roll (100) and the tip conveyance (400) to the engraved pattern of the mold (200) or separating it from the engraved pattern; an ultrasonic generator (300) for contacting the suture in the mold (200) and transmitting ultrasonic waves; It is composed of a first blade part (700) for removing a suture part protruding from the upper surface of the mold (200); a separation roller (800) for supporting the suture from the lower side and assisting the separation when the suture is separated from the negative pattern by the double-end transfer part (600); and a second blade part (900) for cutting the end of the suture (10) transferred from the tip transfer part (400).

[0075]

[0076] The suture (10) supplied from the supply roll (100) may be any material that can form a cog within the mold by generating plastic flow when heated and pressurized.

[0077]

[0078] The tip of the suture (10) released from the supply roll (100) is held in the tip transfer unit (400) as shown in Fig. 4, and in step 1), a constant amount of tension is maintained on the suture (10) by the tension control unit (500).

[0079] Afterwards, in order to insert the suture (10) that has been gripped by the tip transfer unit (400) into the mold, as shown in Fig. 5, the two-end transfer unit (600) moves the suture (10) toward the mold side (lower side) to insert the suture into the negative pattern (not shown) of the mold (200). (Step 2)

[0080] The double-ended transfer unit (600) is arranged on both sides of the mold to move the suture toward the mold side (lower side) or to allow it to be removed from the mold side.

[0081] The tension control unit (500) controls the tension so that excessive tension is not applied when the suture is inserted into the mold by the operation of the double-end transfer unit (600). The tension control unit (500) and the supply roll (100) are formed integrally, so that tension control is possible by supplying or rewinding a certain length of suture from the supply roll (100). It goes without saying that the tension control unit is equipped with a separate sensor capable of detecting tension.

[0082] When the transfer of the suture into the negative pattern is completed, the tension control unit (500) removes the tension applied to the suture. (Step 3)

[0083]

[0084] Afterwards, as shown in Fig. 6, the ultrasonic generator (300) descends and contacts the suture (10) within the negative pattern of the mold (200) to transmit ultrasonic waves. The temperature of the suture increases upon receiving ultrasonic energy, and the molten portion resulting from the temperature increase causes a flow due to the pressure of the ultrasonic generator pressing the suture, thereby filling the negative pattern of the mold and forming a cog. (Step 4) At this time, the frequency of the ultrasonic waves to be applied is approximately 2 to 4 kHz, but the frequency range can be adjusted depending on the thickness or material of the suture.

[0085]

[0086] When cog forming is completed, the ultrasonic generator (300) is separated from the mold (200).

[0087] At this time, it is also desirable to provide a cooling unit that sprays air to the ultrasonic generator and the mold to cool the ultrasonic generator and the mold.

[0088] When the ultrasonic generator (300) is combined with the mold (200) to pressurize the suture (10), there are cases where the molten suture leaks between the ultrasonic generator (300) and the mold (200), and the leaked portion protrudes toward the upper surface of the mold (200) after the ultrasonic generator (300) is separated. The first blade portion (700) descends, contacts the upper surface of the mold (200), moves, removes the portion of the suture protruding toward the upper surface of the mold (200), and then returns to its original position. (Step 5, Fig. 7)

[0089]

[0090] Afterwards, the tension control unit (500) applies tension to the suture (10) (step 6), and the two-end transfer unit (600) moves upward to lift both ends of the suture so that the suture (10) is separated from the mold (200). (step 7, Fig. 8(a)) At this time, if the separation roller (800) is moved between the suture (10) and the upper surface of the mold (200), the suture (10) can be separated from the mold (200) more reliably by the separation roller (800). (Fig. 8(b))

[0091]

[0092] The suture separated from the mold (200) is transferred to the second blade unit (900) by the tip transfer unit (400) that is holding the tip. (Fig. 9(a)) At this time, the supply roll releases the suture. After the tip of the suture (10) is held by the grip unit (910) of the second blade unit (900), the tip transfer unit (400) moves to the end of the suture, grips the end (Fig. 9(b)), and moves the end to the second blade unit (900). At this time, it will be natural that the grip unit (910) should not grip the end of the suture.

[0093] Afterwards, the second blade (900) cuts the end of the suture, and the suture with the cut end is collected in a tray (not shown).

[0094] As the tip feeder (400) returns to its original position, processing from step 1 described above begins again, and throughout the entire process of moving the suture by the tip feeder (400), the supply roll releases or rewinds the suture, and the tension of the suture is adjusted by the tension control unit (500).

[0095]

[0096] The present invention has been described in more detail based on the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. The terms used herein, regardless of whether they are technical or scientific, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and unless explicitly defined in this application, they should not be interpreted in an idealistic or overly formal sense.

[0097]

[0098] The present invention relates to a suture processing device and processing method using ultrasound, which are used to process sutures used in plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures.

Claims

1. A supply roll on which the suture to be processed is wound; A tip conveyor for gripping and conveying the tip of the suture supplied from the supply roll; A tension control unit for controlling the tension of the suture between the tip transfer unit and the supply roll; A mold having an engraved pattern for forming a cog on a suture; A double-end transfer unit installed on both sides of the mold to move the suture between the supply roll and the tip transfer unit to the negative pattern or separate it from the negative pattern; An ultrasonic generator that transmits ultrasonic waves by contacting the suture within the mold; A first blade portion for removing a suture portion protruding from the upper surface of the mold; When the suture is separated from the engraved pattern by the above-mentioned double-ended conveyor, a separation roller that supports the suture from the lower side and assists in separation; A suture processing device using ultrasonic waves, characterized by comprising a second blade section for cutting the end of a suture conveyed from the above-mentioned tip conveying section.

2. In paragraph 1 An ultrasonic suture processing device characterized in that the supply roll and tension control unit are formed integrally.

3. In paragraph 1 An ultrasonic suture processing device characterized by further comprising a cooling unit for cooling the mold.

4. In paragraph 1 An ultrasonic suture processing device characterized in that the second blade part further comprises a gripping part capable of gripping the suture transferred from the tip transfer part.

5. In paragraph 1 A suture processing device using ultrasonic waves, characterized in that it further comprises a tray section for collecting the suture cut by the second blade section.

6. Step 1: Supplying suture from the supply roll and placing it in the tip transfer section; Step 2 of transferring the suture into the engraved pattern of the mold located between the supply roll and the tip transfer unit; Step 3: Removing tension of the suture between the supply roll and the tip feed section; Step 4: attaching an ultrasonic generator to the mold to transmit ultrasonic waves to the suture to form a cog; Step 5: Separating the ultrasonic generator and removing the suture portion protruding from the upper surface of the mold using the first blade; Step 6 of adding tension to the suture between the above supply roll and the tip conveyor; Step 7 of separating the suture from the mold; A method for processing sutures using ultrasound, characterized by comprising step 8 of transferring a suture in which a cog is formed to a second blade and cutting its end.

7. In paragraph 6 The above step 2 is a method for processing sutures using ultrasonic waves, characterized in that the suture is moved toward the mold by double-ended transfer units arranged on both sides of the mold and inserted into the negative pattern of the mold portion, and the tension is adjusted so that the tension does not increase.

8. In paragraph 6 The above step 7 is a method for processing sutures using ultrasound, characterized in that the suture is moved upward by double-ended transfer units arranged on both sides of the mold.

9. In paragraph 6 The above step 7 is a method for processing sutures using ultrasonic waves, characterized in that the suture is moved upward by double-end transfer units arranged on both sides of the mold, and the separation roller moves between the suture and the upper surface of the mold.

10. In paragraph 6 The above step 8 is a method for processing a suture using ultrasound, characterized in that the tip of the suture formed by the tip transfer unit is transferred to the second blade unit and gripped, and the tip transfer unit, which moves again toward the distal end of the suture, grips the distal end of the suture and transfers the distal end of the suture to the second blade unit, and then the second blade unit cuts the distal end.

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