Patent · US Expired

Microsurgical suture needle

US5897572A · kind A · utility

99Cited by
13References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 8, 1997
Grant dateApr 27, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 8, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/06071
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention is directed to a microsurgical needle for use in microsurgical techniques. The distal segment of the needle is straight with a circular cross section, and has a sharpened tip with a triangular cross section having three sharp edges for cutting rather than tearing tissue during penetration. The middle segment of the needle has an acutely angled arched shape, and a transitional cross section which transitions between a squared cross section of the main shaft segment and the circular cross section of the straight distal segment. The main shaft segment of the needle has a generally squared cross section, and forms a broadly curved or arched shaft segment which may be easily gripped by a needle holder. The proximal end of the needle forms a suture attachment segment, and may be circular in cross section. The shape of the needle provides an easy angle, better stability, superior tissue alignment, and better control than conventional. needles, while the point is designed to minimize tissue trauma.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.