U.S. patent application number 09/737065 was filed with the patent office on 2001-04-26 for method and apparatus for continuously cleaning yarn fibers.
Invention is credited to Anderson, Harvey Gordon, Entrekin, Richard T., Labrecque, Samsel K..
Application Number | 20010000364 09/737065 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22590568 |
Filed Date | 2001-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010000364 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Entrekin, Richard T. ; et
al. |
April 26, 2001 |
Method and apparatus for continuously cleaning yarn fibers
Abstract
A method and apparatus for continuously cleaning a yarn moving
through the device. A first scouring body has a yarn entrance and a
yarn exit connected by a central cavity. Pressurized fluid is
introduced through the yarn while the yarn is positioned within and
moving through the central cavity.
Inventors: |
Entrekin, Richard T.; (San
Angelo, TX) ; Labrecque, Samsel K.; (Gainesville,
GA) ; Anderson, Harvey Gordon; (Toccoa, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Philip S. Johnson, Esq.
Johnson & Johnson
One Johnson & Johnson Plaza
New Brunswick
NJ
08933-7003
US
|
Family ID: |
22590568 |
Appl. No.: |
09/737065 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09737065 |
Dec 14, 2000 |
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09163562 |
Sep 30, 1998 |
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6170302 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
8/151.2 ; 28/254;
28/273; 68/181R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06B 3/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/151.2 ;
68/181.00R; 28/254; 28/273 |
International
Class: |
D06B 003/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for continuously cleaning a ligature moving through
said device, comprising: a first scouring body having an entrance
and an exit connected by a central cavity; and a means for
introducing fluid through said ligature while said ligature is
positioned within and moving through said central cavity.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an inlet in fluid
communication with said central cavity of said scouring body.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a venturi situated
within said central cavity.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein said venturi is positioned at
said exit.
5. The device of claim 2, further comprising a needle slidably
mounted into said central cavity through said entrance, said needle
having a passage therethrough for introducing said ligature through
said central cavity.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said needle comprises at least
one flange and a cap.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein said flange of said needle
comprises at least one opening to allow movement of said fluid from
said inlet to said central cavity.
8. The device of claim 5, further comprising at least one cover for
holding said needle securely within said central cavity of said
scouring body.
9. The device of claim 8, further comprising at least one
adjustment nut for adjusting movement of said needle within said
central cavity of said scouring body, said cover being in direct
contact with said adjustment nut.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising ceramic eyelets, said
ceramic eyelets being situated adjacent to said entrance of said
scouring body.
11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a baffle for guiding
said ligature, said baffle being slidably mounted on a bracket,
said bracket being affixed to said scouring body at said exit.
12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a turning pin for
holding said baffle in said bracket.
13. The device of claim 1, wherein said entrance and said exit are
located on opposing sides of said scouring body.
14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second scouring
body, said second scouring body having an entrance and an exit
connected by a second central cavity, and a means for introducing
pressurized fluid through said ligature while said ligature is
positioned within and moving through said second central cavity,
wherein said first and second scouring bodies are arranged in
tandem.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein said first scouring body has a
first axis that passes through said entrance and exit of said first
scouring body, and said second scouring body has a second axis that
passes through said entrance and exit of said second scouring
body.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein said first axis and second axis
are coaxially aligned along a common axis.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein said first axis and second axis
are oriented at a non-zero angle.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein said nonzero angle is from
45.degree. to 90.degree..
19. The device of claim 1, further comprising a housing for
encasing said scouring body, said scouring body being rotatably
mounted within said housing.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein said housing comprises eyelets
for introducing and removing ligature from said housing.
21. The device of claim 19, wherein said housing further comprises
a fume hood.
22. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid reservoir and
a connecting means for transporting fluid from said reservoir to
said scouring body.
23. The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid is ethyl acetate.
24. The device of claim 1, wherein said ligature is a braided
surgical suture.
25. A device for continuously cleaning a ligature moving through
said device, comprising: a housing; at least first and second of
scouring bodies disposed within said housing, said first scouring
body having a first entrance and first exit connected by a first
central cavity, said second scouring body having a second entrance
and a second exit connected by a second central cavity; means for
introducing fluid through a ligature positioned within said first
and second central cavities; first and second inlets in fluid
communication with said first and second central cavities,
respectively, a first venturi situated within said first central
cavity at said first exit, and a second venturi situated within
said second central cavity at said second exit; a first needle
slidably mounted into said first central cavity through said first
entrance, said first needle having a first passage there through
for introducing said ligature from said first entrance past said
first inlet to said first venturi; and a second needle slidably
mounted into said second central cavity through said second
entrance, said second needle having a second passage there through
for introducing said ligature from said second entrance past said
second inlet to said second venturi.
26. The device of claim 25, further comprising first and second
covers for respectively holding said first and second yarn needles
securely within said first and second central cavities, and first
and second adjustment nuts for respectively adjusting movement of
said first and second yarn needles within said first and second
central cavities, said first and second covers being in direct
contact with said first and second adjustment nuts,
respectively.
27. The device of claim 26, further comprising first and second
baffles for guiding said ligature, said first and second baffles
being slidably mounted on first and second brackets, respectively,
said first and second brackets being affixed to said first and
second scouring bodies at said first and second exits,
respectively.
28. A method for continuously cleaning a ligature moving through a
device, comprising the steps of: (a) continuously moving said
ligature through a first scouring body having an entrance and an
exit connected by a central cavity; and (b) introducing pressurized
fluid through said ligature while said ligature is positioned
within and continuously moving through said central cavity.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the steps of: prior
to step (a), slidably mounting a needle into said central cavity,
and introducing said ligature into said central cavity through said
needle.
30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of: after
mounting said needle, adjusting said needle within said central
cavity with an adjustment nut.
31. The method of claim 28, further comprising the steps of: prior
to step (b), threading said ligature through a second scouring body
having a second entrance and second exit connected by a central
cavity, and then aligning the first and second scouring bodies at a
nonzero angle.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the nonzero angle is from
45.degree. to 90.degree..
33. A method for continuously cleaning a ligature moving through a
device, comprising the steps of: axially aligning at least two
scouring bodies in a thread-up state, each scouring body having a
central cavity; guiding said ligature through said central cavities
of said scouring bodies utilizing an axially slidable needle;
rotatably adjusting said scouring bodies to create a non-zero angle
between said scouring bodies; and introducing pressurized fluid
through said central cavities of said scouring bodies while
simultaneously moving said ligature through said central cavities
of said scouring bodies during a scouring state.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
1. This invention relates to a device for continuously cleaning
yarn and more specifically, for removing lubricants and
contaminants during the processing of fibers used to make surgical
sutures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
2. The removal of processing lubricants and associated contaminants
is a significant aspect in the processing of surgical ligatures
such as braided sutures, woven tapes and yarns. The difficulty in
cleaning the surgical ligatures stems from the fact that the
contaminants and lubricants can be trapped between the individual
filaments of the yarn bundle in these surgical ligatures. In order
to clean the ligature, a cleaning agent or solvent must permeate
the crevices between the filaments of the yarn bundle. Typically,
surgical ligatures have been cleaned by various batch methods,
where the ligature is immersed in a bath for a predetermined amount
of time sufficient to remove lubricants and contaminants from the
fibers.
3. The present invention provides a solution to the above-mentioned
problem by providing a device that continuously cleans yarn fibers,
and which does not require any stoppage or interruption in the yarn
manufacturing process in order to clean such ligatures.
4. Venturi devices, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,097,412; 3,462,813; 3,545,057; 3,577,614; 3,863,309; 3,881,231;
3,969,799; 3,979,805; 4,041,583; 4,096,612; 4,104,770; 4,157,605;
4,189,812 and 4,290,177; all incorporated herein by reference, have
been used for texturizing yarns, but not for cleaning lubricants
and contaminants from yarns.
5. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
device for continuously cleaning a ligature.
6. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device
for removing lubricants and contaminants during the processing of
surgical ligatures.
7. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
method for continuously cleaning surgical ligatures moving through
a device.
8. A further object of the invention is to provide a method for
removing lubricants and contaminants during the processing of
surgical ligatures.
9. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will
become more fully apparent from the description and claims, which
follow or may be learned by the practice of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
10. The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for
continuously cleaning a surgical ligature moving through the
device. A first scouring body has a yarn entrance and a yarn exit
connected by a central cavity. Moving fluid is introduced through
the surgical ligature while the surgical ligature is positioned
within and moving through the central cavity.
11. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a device in accordance
with the present invention further comprises an inlet in fluid
communication with the central cavity of the scouring body, and a
venturi situated within the central cavity. The venturi is
preferably positioned at the exit. The venturi devices listed in
the background, and incorporated by reference, would all be used in
the present invention. In one preferred embodiment, a needle is
slidably mounted into the central cavity through the entrance of
the venturi. The needle includes a passage there through for
introducing ligature through the central cavity and, at least one
flange and a cap. The flange of the needle has at least one opening
to allow movement of the fluid from the solvent inlet to the
central cavity. This preferred device further comprises at least
one cover for holding the needle securely within the central cavity
of the scouring body and at least one adjustment nut for adjusting
movement of the needle within the central cavity. The cover is in
direct contact with the adjustment nut. The device also preferably
includes ceramic eyelets situated adjacent to the entrance of the
scouring body. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the cleaning
device has a baffle for guiding the ligature. The baffle is
slidably mounted on a bracket affixed to the scouring body at the
exit. A turning pin may also be provided for holding the baffle in
the bracket. The entrance and exit are preferably located on
opposing sides of the scouring body.
12. A ligature cleaning system in accordance with the present
invention preferably includes two of the scouring bodies described
above. Like the first scouring body, the second scouring body has a
entrance and exit connected by a central cavity and a means for
introducing fluid through the ligature while the ligature is
positioned within and moving through the central cavity of the
second scouring body. The first and second scouring bodies are
arranged in tandem. Each of the first and second scouring bodies
has an axis defined by its entrance and exit. The axis of the first
and second scouring bodies can be co-axially aligned along a common
axis when the system is in its thread-up state. The axes of the
first and second scouring bodies are then aligned at a non-zero
angle in order to bring the system into a scouring state. The angle
between the axes of the first and second scouring bodies is from
about 45.degree. to about 90.degree.. When the system is used to
clean thinner ligature, the non-zero angle varies from about
60.degree. to about 75.degree.. Separation of the liquid stream
containing contaminants and lubricants from the ligature fiber
occurs when the ligature fiber is guided away from the exit of a
scouring body at an angle. A plurality of scouring bodies can be
aligned to continuously clean surgical ligatures.
13. The ligature cleaning system can also include a housing for
encasing a scouring body and a rotatable mounting device for
attaching the scouring body within the housing. The housing
comprises eyelets for introducing and removing ligature. The
housing can also include a fume hood for removing vapors emitted by
the cleaning fluid.
14. The device of the present invention can also comprise a fluid
reservoir and a connecting means for transporting solvent from the
reservoir to a scouring body. The preferred cleaning fluid is ethyl
acetate and the ligature fiber is a suture strand.
15. The present invention also relates to a method of continuously
cleaning a ligature moving through a device. The method comprises
the following steps: (a) guiding ligature through a scouring body
having a entrance and exit connected by a central cavity, and (b)
introducing fluid through ligature positioned within and moving
through the central cavity. Before employing step (a), a needle can
be slidably mounted into the central cavity and the ligature can be
introduced into the central cavity using a needle. After the needle
is mounted, the movement of the needle can be adjusted with an
adjustment nut. Before employing step (b), the ligature can be
moved through a second scouring body having entrance and exit
connected by a central cavity, and then the first and second
scouring bodies can be aligned at a non-zero angle. The angle
between the first and second bodies can vary from about 45.degree.
to about 90.degree..
16. The method of the present invention can also include the
following steps of: (a) axially aligning at least two scouring
bodies during a thread-up state; (b) guiding ligature through the
central cavity of the scouring bodies utilizing an axially slidable
needle; (c) rotatably adjusting the scouring bodies creating a
non-zero angle; and (d) introducing fluid through the central
cavities of the scouring bodies while moving the ligature through
the central cavities of the scouring bodies, thereby cleaning the
ligature of contaminants and undesired lubricants during a scouring
state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
17. In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other
advantages and objects of the invention are obtained and can be
appreciated, a more particular description of the invention briefly
described above will be rendered by reference to a specific
embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only a typical embodiment
of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limited of
its scope, the invention and the presently understood best mode
thereof will be described and explained with additional specificity
and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.
18. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a scouring body for
continuously cleaning a surgical ligature as it travels through the
central cavity of the scouring body, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
19. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation of an overall system
for cleaning surgical ligature, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
20. FIG. 3a is a diagram showing two scouring bodies in a thread-up
position.
21. FIGS. 3b and c are diagrams showing scouring bodies in
different scouring positions, in accordance with alternative
preferred embodiments of the present invention.
22. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a baffle fixed with
relation to the exit of a scouring body, in accordance with another
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
23. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a baffle free to seek
a force balance position with respect to the exit of a scouring
body, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
24. Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals
designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several
views, and more particularly, to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 wherein a
ligature cleaning device in accordance with the present invention,
generally designated 1, comprises a scouring body 10 having an
entrance 12 and an exit 13 connected by a central cavity 15. The
device 1 further comprises an inlet 16 in fluid communication with
the central cavity 15, and a venturi 18 situated within the central
cavity 15 near the exit 13. The cleaning device 1 also has a needle
20 slidably mounted into the central cavity 15 through the entrance
12; the needle 20 has a passage 22 therethrough for introducing
ligature 5 through the central cavity 15. The needle 20 has at
least one flange 24 and a cap 25. The flange 24 of the needle 20
has at least one opening 26 for allowing movement of fluid 7 from
the inlet 16 to the central cavity 15. The device further comprises
at least one cover 27 for holding the needle 20 securely within the
central cavity 15, and at least one adjustment nut 28 for adjusting
the position of the needle 20 within the central cavity 15. The
cover 27 is in direct contact with the adjustment nut 28. The
device can also have ceramic eyelets 29 for protecting the ligature
5; the eyelets 29 are situated adjacent to the entrance 12 of the
scouring body 10.
25. FIG. 2 shows an overall system 100 for cleaning a surgical
ligature. System 100 includes a second scouring body 30 which is
substantially the same as scouring body, and thus includes an
entrance 32 and an exit 33 connected by a central cavity. The first
and second scouring bodies, 10 and 30 respectively, rotatably
mounted within and are encased by the housing 40. The housing 40
comprises eyelets 42 and 43 for introducing and removing ligature 5
from housing 40. The housing 40 also has a fume hood 45 for removal
of toxic gases emitted by the fluid 7. The system 100 also has a
fluid reservoir 46 and a connecting means 47 for transporting fluid
7 from the reservoir 46 to the scouring bodies, 10 and 30,
respectively.
26. FIGS. 3a, b and c show system 100 in a thread-up position and
scouring positions. The thread-up position is used to thread
ligature 5 through device 100 prior to the initiation of cleaning
or scouring operations. In the thread-up position (FIG. 3a), the
yarn entrances and exits of the first and second scouring bodies,
10 and 30 respectively, are rotated until they are aligned along a
common axis A within a housing 40. The housing 40 has eyelet
entrance 42 for introducing and removing ligature 5. During the
thread-up operation, the ligature 5 is guided from the eyelet
entrance 42 of the housing 40 to the entrance 12 of the first
scouring body 10 through its central cavity 15 and out its exit 13.
The yarn is then introduced to the entrance 32 of the second
scouring body 30 through its central cavity 35 and out its exit 33
and through the eyelets exit 43 of the housing 40.
27. FIGS. 3b and c show the scouring bodies, 10 and 30
respectively, in different scouring positions. After the thread-up
operation is complete, scouring bodies 10 and 30 are then
preferably rotated until they are aligned in one of the scouring
positions shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c. Each of the first and second
scouring bodies, 10 and 30, has an axis 50 or 51, defined by a line
passing through its entrance, 12 or 32, and its exit, 13 or 33. In
the scouring positions shown, the axes of the first and second
scouring bodies, 50 and 51, are aligned at a non-zero angle. The
angle (a) between the axis of the first and second bodies is from
about 45.degree. to about 90.degree., and may be varied depending
on the thickness of the yarn suture. For example, FIG. 3b shows a
scouring used for cleaning thicker (i.e., 3 to 0 braided suture)
ligature, and FIG. 3c shows a scouring position used for thinner
(i.e., 1/0 to 8/0 braided suture) ligature. The scouring position
in FIG. 3 is preferred for thinner ligatures because the angle of
ligature 5 relative to axes 51 and 52 is smaller, thus creating
less tension on the ligature and is minimizing the likelihood of
breaking or damaging the ligature.
28. In accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment, FIG. 4
shows a cross-section of the device 1 with a baffle 60 installed
adjacent to the venturi 18 and the exit 13 in accordance with the
teachings of Breen, U.S. Pat. No. 2,852,906 incorporated herein by
reference. The baffle 60 is slidably mounted in bracket 62, which
in turn is affixed to the scouring body 10 at the exit 13. A
turning pin 63 holds the baffle 60 in place in the bracket 62 and
when released, the baffle 60 can be moved from the exit end of the
device 1 for ease of thread-up.
29. In accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment, FIG. 5
shows the cleaning device 1 with a baffle 70 movable about a hinge
pin 72 according to the teachings of Kozlowski, U.S. Pat. No.
3,835,510, incorporated herein by reference. Hinge pin 70 is
mounted off-center of cylinder 74, which is rotatable in bracket
76, which is attached to the scouring body 10. A knob (not shown)
is used to rotate cylinder 74, thus providing an eccentric motion
for varying the position of the baffle 70 for optimum operating
conditions. A layer of wear-resistant ceramic material 77 may be
attached to the surface of baffle 70 facing the outlet end of the
device 1.
30. To thread-up the device 1, ligature 5 is presented to the
entrance 12 of the device 1 with the assistance of the needle 20.
The cover 27 is moved inwardly away from the head of the adjustment
nut 28, from a preset operating position to a string-up position so
that an aspirating effect draws the ligature 5 through the entrance
12 and out through the passage 22. When the ligature 5 emerges from
the venturi 18, the cover 27 is allowed to return to its preset
operating position against the adjustment nut 28 under the force of
pressure against the needle 20 in the reduced region of the yarn
needle. In this manner, pressure in communication with piston and
cylinder arrangement of the needle 20 and scouring body 10 in the
central cavity 15 is relied on to return the needle 10 back to the
present operating position after string-up. The ligature is then
guided through the venturi and out of the device 1 at an angle.
Once thread-up is complete, pressurized fluid 7 is then introduced
from the inlet 16 to the central cavity 15, thus cleaning the
ligature 5 positioned within and moving through the central cavity
15 of the scouring body 10.
31. For the purpose of this invention, a surgical ligature includes
yarns, braided constructs and woven or knitted tapes. The fluid
used to clean the ligatures should be an appropriate liquid to
remove the desired contaminants and/or clean the ligature.
Generally the fluids will be cleaning solutions (detergents,
surfactants, emulsifiers, wetting agents and combinations thereof)
or solvents (i.e., ethyl acetate, acetone, toluene,
trichloroethane, water and/or steam). If absorbable sutures are
being cleaned aqueous cleaning solutions should be avoided. The
fluids used to clean the ligatures may be applied at elevated
temperature to facilitate cleaning.
32. Additionally, the present invention can be combined with
conventional ligature cleaning techniques such as scouring baths
(which have moving fluids or agitation such as mechanical, sonic or
ultrasonic) and/or rinsing procedures. The present invention may be
combined with other conventional post cleaning steps such as
drying, heat stretching, coating, sterilization and packaging.
33. Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is
therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims
appended hereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically disclosed herein.
* * * * *