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.

A system for making surgical braids. The apparatus comprises a braiding machine. The braiding machine comprises a plurality of horn gears and a plurality of bobbin carrier assemblies engaging the plurality of horn gears. A cutting machine is arranged to receive a continuous braid directly from the braiding machine. The cutting machine has a cutter. The braiding machine and cutting machine define a continuous path extending from the bobbin carrier assemblies and through at least a portion of the cutting machine.

An assistance system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures includes an automated fixture that can comprise an articulation arm and a target device holder. The target device holder can be positioned and oriented to reduce operator strain during a manufacturing or inspection process. The assistance system includes a user input device enabling the operator to move between positions to assist in such processes. The assistance system can also be trained by capturing sequences of position data corresponding to a manufacturing or inspection process.

This application describes a braided cord containing a braided sheath and optionally a core surrounded by the braided sheath. The braided cord has changing cross-sectional area ranging from 0.0004 mm.sup.2 to 30 mm.sup.2 and contains one or more sections having a tapering angle ranging from 1° to 60° when observed in one direction along the cord axis. The change in the cross-sectional area of the cord can be achieved by changing the thickness of the braided sheath and/or changing the cross-sectional area of the core when the core is present. The thickness of the braided sheath can be adjusted by changing the size and/or twist level of one or more sheath strands, changing the pick count of the braided sheath, and/or using one or more shaped sheath strands. This application also describes a process of producing the braided cord with changing cross-sectional area.

Methods, systems, and devices for changing cross-sectional sizes and/or shapes of flat braided sutures and the resulting constructs are disclosed. The flat braided sutures can have a textile first cross-sectional shape that can be changed to a textile second cross-sectional shape. The systems can have a heater and a die. The flat braided sutures can be movable through the heater and the die. When the flat braided sutures are in the heater, the flat braided sutures can be heatable from a textile first temperature to a textile second temperature greater than the textile first temperature. When the flat braided sutures are at the textile second temperature, the textile first cross-sectional shape can be changeable to the textile second cross-sectional shape.

A suture having a contoured surface may include a plurality of first ends having a first diameter and a plurality of second ends having a second diameter. The first and second ends may be braided together, wherein the first diameter is different than the second diameter to form the contoured surface. The first ends and the second ends may braided into a flat braid. In some embodiments, the first ends may comprise a material having a greater coefficient of friction than the second end. A method of securing first and second suture segments is also provided.

A composite medical textile such as a suture includes a plurality of bioresorbable hyaluronan-based fibers and a plurality of non-resorbable fibers. The hyaluronan-based fibers can include at least one of hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, or the esters of hyaluronic acid such as the benzyl esters. The non-resorbable fibers can be Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), and other materials. Methods of making a medical textile are also disclosed.

The present invention includes, in one embodiment, a method of forming a suture having various cross-sectional shapes, the method including the steps of braiding the suture such that the suture has a first cross-sectional shape along a length; holding a first end of the suture and holding the suture at a second position at a location in between the first end and a second end such that a first portion of the suture is defined between the first end and the second position; manipulating the first end relative to the second position to alter the first portion of the suture into an altered cross-sectional shape different from the first cross-sectional shape; and releasing the first end and the second position, wherein the step of manipulating is performed such that, upon release, the first portion maintains its manipulated shape.

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.

Resorbable implants comprising poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have been developed. The implants are preferably sterilized, and contain less than 20 endotoxin units per device as determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and are particularly suitable for use in procedures where prolonged strength retention is necessary, and can include one or more bioactive agents. The implants may be made from fibers and meshes of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, or by 3d printing, and the fibers may be oriented. Coverings and receptacles made from forms of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have also been developed for use with cardiac rhythm management devices and other implantable devices. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators. The coverings and receptacles are made from meshes, webs, lattices, non-wovens, films, fibers, and foams, and contain antibiotics such as rifampin and minocycline.