Apparatus and method for attaching surgical needle suture components

Apparatus for attaching a surgical needle having an end portion with an elongated aperture defined therein and a suture having a generally elongated end portion to be positioned in the elongated aperture of the needle, includes a pair of dies, each die defining a longitudinal axis and having an inner die surface. The inner die surface includes at least two raised swaging portions extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the die and a generally recessed portion defined between adjacent swaging portions and extending substantially along the lengths thereof. The swaging portions each have an engaging surface defining a plane angularly oriented relative to a longitudinal bisecting plane of the dies. The recessed portion defines a relief zone such that when the end portion of the suture is positioned within the aperture of the needle end and the dies are positioned about the end portion of the needle with the at least two swaging portions of each die generally facing the outer surface of the needle, applying inward crimping force to the dies causes the engaging surfaces of the dies to produce inward crimping forces on opposed sides of the needle end portion to cause a reduction of the dimension of the elongated aperture of the needle to thereby attach the needle to the suture, wherein the recessed portion defined between the adjacent swaging portions receive and collect deformed material from the needle. A method for attaching a surgical suture to a needle with the dies is also disclosed.