Surgical needle manufacturing process

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A process for manufacturing a surgical needle incorporates at least one pressing operation which preferably, in conjunction with a trimming and/or etching process ultimately forms the sharpened needle end. The grinding operation in the preferred process does not produce the primary sharpened edges of the needle but, rather is incorporated, in one instance to reduce excess needle material prior to the pressing operation. Consequently the amount of flash material generated during pressing is substantially reduced. This feature desirably enhances the subsequent trimming and etching operations and produces a needle which is extremely sharp durable and exhibits an improved retention of sharpness …