Methods for fabricating metallic microneedles are disclosed. One method comprises providing a mold pillar; forming an apertured electrically-conductive layer over the mold pillar; and depositing a metal layer over the electrically-conductive layer to provide an apertured microneedle. Another method comprises providing a mold pillar; depositing a first metal layer over the mold pillar to provide a first microneedle; removing the first microneedle from the mold pillar; and depositing a second metal layer over the mold pillar to provide a second microneedle.

Methods for fabricating metallic microneedles are disclosed. One method comprises providing a mold pillar; forming an apertured electrically-conductive layer over the mold pillar; and depositing a metal layer over the electrically-conductive layer to provide an apertured microneedle. Another method comprises providing a mold pillar; depositing a first metal layer over the mold pillar to provide a first microneedle; removing the first microneedle from the mold pillar; and depositing a second metal layer over the mold pillar to provide a second microneedle.

Novel apparatus and methods for coating surgical needles in batch processes are disclosed. The apparatus and methods are particularly useful for applying uniform silicone lubricious coatings to surgical needles in bulk quantities using a novel separation and spray coating system and method.

A swaging system for attaching surgical needles to sutures and testing the attachment strength includes a bottom swaging die and a top swaging die that is configured to move up and down along a swaging axis that is in alignment with the bottom swaging die. The bottom swaging die includes a swaging tool mounted thereon that extends toward the top swaging die along the swaging axis. The swaging tool includes an upper end having a top surface with a swaging notch for swaging a needle to a suture to form an armed surgical needle, and a testing notch, adjacent the swaging notch, for conducting a pull test on the armed surgical needle.

A swaging system for attaching surgical needles to sutures and testing the attachment strength includes a bottom swaging die and a top swaging die that is configured to move up and down along a swaging axis that is in alignment with the bottom swaging die. The bottom swaging die includes a swaging tool mounted thereon that extends toward the top swaging die along the swaging axis. The swaging tool includes an upper end having a top surface with a swaging notch for swaging a needle to a suture to form an armed surgical needle, and a testing notch, adjacent the swaging notch, for conducting a pull test on the armed surgical needle.

The tool (10) for textiles according to the invention consists of chromium steel, into which carbon has been embedded in locally varying amounts during a carbonizing process. Thermal treatment achieves a formation of martensite with the maximum achievable hardness, in particular in those zones in which larger carbon fractions have been introduced. A tool for textiles with zones of differing hardnesses can thus be produced without having to subject the individual zones with differing hardnesses to different process conditions during the production process. The hardness is controlled on the basis of the degree of deformation of the tool for textiles.

A swaging system for attaching surgical needles to sutures and testing the attachment strength includes a frame, a bottom swaging die mounted on the frame, and a top swaging die mounted on the frame and being moveable up and down along a swaging axis that is aligned with the bottom swaging die. The bottom swaging die includes a hinge mechanism with a bottom plate mounted to the frame and a top plate overlying the bottom plate. The top and bottom plates are pivotally connected for enabling the top plate to pivot relative to the bottom plate. The bottom swaging die includes a swaging tool that extends toward the top swaging die along the swaging axis, and a load cell disposed between the top and bottom plates for monitoring load. The system includes a control system having one or more pull test programs stored therein for evaluating pull tests on armed surgical needles to determine if the armed surgical needles are acceptable or unacceptable.

A swaging system for attaching surgical needles to sutures and testing the attachment strength includes a frame, a bottom swaging die mounted on the frame, and a top swaging die mounted on the frame and being moveable up and down along a swaging axis that is aligned with the bottom swaging die. The bottom swaging die includes a hinge mechanism with a bottom plate mounted to the frame and a top plate overlying the bottom plate. The top and bottom plates are pivotally connected for enabling the top plate to pivot relative to the bottom plate. The bottom swaging die includes a swaging tool that extends toward the top swaging die along the swaging axis, and a load cell disposed between the top and bottom plates for monitoring load. The system includes a control system having one or more pull test programs stored therein for evaluating pull tests on armed surgical needles to determine if the armed surgical needles are acceptable or unacceptable.

Methods for fabricating metallic microneedles are disclosed. One method comprises providing a mold pillar; forming an apertured electrically-conductive layer over the mold pillar; and depositing a metal layer over the electrically-conductive layer to provide an apertured microneedle. Another method comprises providing a mold pillar; depositing a first metal layer over the mold pillar to provide a first microneedle; removing the first microneedle from the mold pillar; and depositing a second metal layer over the mold pillar to provide a second microneedle.

Methods for fabricating metallic microneedles are disclosed. One method comprises providing a mold pillar; forming an apertured electrically-conductive layer over the mold pillar; and depositing a metal layer over the electrically-conductive layer to provide an apertured microneedle. Another method comprises providing a mold pillar; depositing a first metal layer over the mold pillar to provide a first microneedle; removing the first microneedle from the mold pillar; and depositing a second metal layer over the mold pillar to provide a second microneedle.