The present disclosure relates to automated systems, devices, and methods of sewing a target device such as a prosthetic implant device. The systems and methods include forming a stitch on the target device, adjusting a thread coupled to a needle used to form the stitch so that the thread is clear of (e.g., does not interfere with) a path of the needle, and applying a targeted tension to the thread to tension the stitch on the target device. The suturing process can also include providing different targeted tensions during formation of the stitch. The suturing process can also include providing different targeted tensions at different stages of the formation of the stitch to aid in forming the stitch, to clear the needle path of the thread, and/or to hold the stitch in place in preparation for the next stitch.

In a suturing device, a casing has an elongated shape extending in a longitudinal direction. A needle is positioned in the casing, is configured to hold a first thread-like member, and has a tip end reciprocally moving along a path extending between a first position and a second position positioned backward than the first position in the longitudinal direction. A depression is formed in a peripheral wall of the casing, is positioned between the first and second positions in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to expose the needle to an outside of the casing. The shuttle includes a holding portion configured to hold a second thread-like member. The shuttle is configured to move within the casing at a third position between the first position and the depression in the longitudinal direction to change relative position between the second thread-like member and a loop formed in the first thread-like member.

In a suturing device, a casing has an elongated shape extending in a longitudinal direction. A needle is positioned in the casing, is configured to hold a first thread-like member, and has a tip end reciprocally moving along a path extending between a first position and a second position positioned backward than the first position in the longitudinal direction. A depression is formed in a peripheral wall of the casing, is positioned between the first and second positions in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to expose the needle to an outside of the casing. The shuttle includes a holding portion configured to hold a second thread-like member. The shuttle is configured to move within the casing at a third position between the first position and the depression in the longitudinal direction to change relative position between the second thread-like member and a loop formed in the first thread-like member.

A protective cover is made from a piece of cloth cut from a textile web that is initially held at first and second points by respective first and second devices in the vicinity of a corner near respective first and second outer edges forming the corner. The first point is then moved parallel to a plane and above of the piece of cloth to the second point at the second outer edge under entrainment of a corresponding region of the piece of cloth to form a cloth flap shaped as a right triangle having a hypotenuse extending between the points, a first leg forming an extension of the second outer edge of the piece of cloth, and a second leg. The cloth flap is then seamed along the second leg and then cut along a line of the seam. Thereafter the cover thus formed is released at the points.

A protective cover is made from a piece of cloth cut from a textile web that is initially held at first and second points by respective first and second devices in the vicinity of a corner near respective first and second outer edges forming the corner. The first point is then moved parallel to a plane and above of the piece of cloth to the second point at the second outer edge under entrainment of a corresponding region of the piece of cloth to form a cloth flap shaped as a right triangle having a hypotenuse extending between the points, a first leg forming an extension of the second outer edge of the piece of cloth, and a second leg. The cloth flap is then seamed along the second leg and then cut along a line of the seam. Thereafter the cover thus formed is released at the points.

Systems and methods are provided for labeling a piece of merchandise with a wireless communication device. In addition to a wireless communication device, the merchandise tag includes an associated label made of a washable fabric material. The wireless communication device is incorporated into the label and includes an RFID chip and a slot-loop hybrid antenna, with the antenna including a conductor sheet that defines a slot. The label is secured to a piece of merchandise at a sew line, with the sew line dividing the label into an upper portion and a lower portion. The RFID chip and the slot of the antenna, along with a relatively high conductance piece or portion of the conductor sheet, are positioned within the upper portion of the label, while a relatively low conductance piece or portion of the conductor sheet is positioned within the lower portion of the label.

Systems and methods are provided for labeling a piece of merchandise with a wireless communication device. In addition to a wireless communication device, the merchandise tag includes an associated label made of a washable fabric material. The wireless communication device is incorporated into the label and includes an RFID chip and a slot-loop hybrid antenna, with the antenna including a conductor sheet that defines a slot. The label is secured to a piece of merchandise at a sew line, with the sew line dividing the label into an upper portion and a lower portion. The RFID chip and the slot of the antenna, along with a relatively high conductance piece or portion of the conductor sheet, are positioned within the upper portion of the label, while a relatively low conductance piece or portion of the conductor sheet is positioned within the lower portion of the label.

An edge strip for a seat cover may have an edge strip core, which is surrounded by a casing, and an edge strip tab. The edge strip core and the casing are sewn together such that an ornamental seam is formed on the outer circumference of the casing. A device for producing an edge strip is also disclosed. The device may have a supply unit for supplying an edge strip core and an unfolded material strip for a casing of the edge strip core to an additional processing unit, such as a sewing machine. The supply unit is designed to supply the edge strip core to the additional processing unit, such as a sewing machine, on a material strip surface side which forms the inner face of the casing, and the sewing machine sews the edge strip core to the material strip.

An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system can include a first automated fixture that includes an articulating arm and a target device holder. The system can also include one or more additional automated fixtures, which can be configured as one or more suturing arms that include another articulating arm and a needle holder. The first automated fixture can be configured to rotate a target device held by the holder to allow the one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a targeting system configured to provide positioning feedback to the system.

An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system can include a first automated fixture that includes an articulating arm and a target device holder. The system can also include one or more additional automated fixtures, which can be configured as one or more suturing arms that include another articulating arm and a needle holder. The first automated fixture can be configured to rotate a target device held by the holder to allow the one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a targeting system configured to provide positioning feedback to the system.