Apparatus for forming a knot, the apparatus having a first pathway for receiving a first element, and a second pathway for receiving a second element, the first pathway having a configuration which corresponds to the path to be followed by the first element and the second pathway having a configuration which corresponds to the path to be followed by the second element, respectively, in order to form a knot; a shuttle for moving the second element; and a mechanism for moving the shuttle through the second pathway, whereby, when the first element is received in the first pathway and the second element is connected to the shuttle, movement of the shuttle through the second pathway causes the second element to be moved through the second pathway so as to form a knot around the first element.

A device and method for forming a knot to elongated material is provided. The device includes a body, a central cavity inside the body, a material track along which the elongated material is guided in the device, the material track including opening extending along the material track and open to the central cavity. The device further includes one or more barrier elements for blocking at least part of the opening for preventing the elongated material from escaping from the material track also prevents collapsing/folding of the material to the central cavity via the opening.

A system, device and method to facilitate tying a knot are provided. In the context of a device, the device includes a fixture defining an internal passage therethrough. The fixture defines a circumferential groove opening through an interior surface of the fixture and into the internal passage. The groove includes first and second groove portions that cross one another. Opposite ends of the groove are coincident and open through an exterior surface of the fixture. With relation to a system, the system includes a fixture and a lead member supply mechanism configured to alternately feed a lead member through the groove and to withdraw the lead member from the groove once the tie member is connected thereto.

A knot-tying head adapted to form a knot with a filament around a cylindrical part, and wherein the knot-tying head includes a first body and a second body, wherein both bodies are configured such that when they are attached they form a hollow space between one another for receiving the part; wherein the first body and the second body include at least one conduit forming a path substantially around the hollow space, and the conduit being adapted to receive the filament, and at least one groove communicating the conduit with the hollow space along all or part of its path, the width of the groove being less than the width of the conduit and greater than the width of the filament used to form the knot.

A system, device and method to facilitate tying a knot are provided. In the context of a device, the device includes a fixture defining an internal passage therethrough. The fixture defines a circumferential groove opening through an interior surface of the fixture and into the internal passage. The groove includes first and second groove portions that cross one another. Opposite ends of the groove are coincident and open through an exterior surface of the fixture. With relation to a system, the system includes a fixture and a lead member supply mechanism configured to alternately feed a lead member through the groove and to withdraw the lead member from the groove once the tie member is connected thereto.

A device and method for forming a knot to elongated material is provided. The device includes a body, a central cavity inside the body, a material track along which the elongated material is guided in the device, the material track including opening extending along the material track and open to the central cavity. The device further includes one or more barrier elements for blocking at least part of the opening for preventing the elongated material from escaping from the material track also prevents collapsing/folding of the material to the central cavity via the opening.

A device and method are provided for forming a knot to elongated material. The device includes a body, a central cavity inside the body, a material track along which the elongated material is guided in the device, the material track including an opening extending along the material track and open to the central cavity. The device further includes one or more barrier elements for blocking at least part of the opening for preventing the elongated material from escaping from the material track also prevents collapsing/folding of the material to the central cavity via the opening.

A knot-tying head adapted to form a knot with a filament around a cylindrical part, and wherein the knot-tying head includes a first body and a second body, wherein both bodies are configured such that when they are attached they form a hollow space between one another for receiving the part; wherein the first body and the second body include at least one conduit forming a path substantially around the hollow space, and the conduit being adapted to receive the filament, and at least one groove communicating the conduit with the hollow space along all or part of its path, the width of the groove being less than the width of the conduit and greater than the width of the filament used to form the knot.