Blunt tip surgical needle

• US 5,123,910 A
• Filed: 11/07/1990
• Issued: 06/23/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles L. Mcintosh
• Original Assignee: Charles L. Mcintosh
• Inventors: McIntosh, Charles L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): Finkel, Sharon
• Application Number:
  US07/610,387
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 606/222-225, 604/239, 604/264, 604/272, 223/102-104
• US Class Current: 606/223
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0493 Protective devices for suturing, i.e. for protecting the patient's organs or the operator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06066 Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations making needles B21G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06085 having a blunt tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking

Abstract

A surgical needle for use in suturing non-cutaneous soft tissues of the body. The surgical needle includes a needle shaft and a needle tip formed of a rigid material suitable for use inside the body. The needle tip has a body portion integrally formed with and extending from the needle shaft and is tapered along its length. The needle tip is further provided with a blunt head which together with the body portion defines a continuously smooth outer surface lacking any sharp cutting edges. The blunt head is adapted to penetrate muscle and fascia, muscle alone, adipose, pericostal tissue and other non-cutaneous soft tissues of the body while at the same time preventing skin penetration of the gloved hand of an operator.

Claims

1. A method of decreasing the transmission of infectious diseases caused by accidental needle stick during suturing of soft non-cutaneous tissues of the body, comprising the steps of:

piercing the non-cutaneous tissues with a suture needle; and

preventing skin penetration of the gloved hand of an operator by said suture needle, said prevention step being accomplished by employing a suture needle having a blunt tip.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said prevention step is accomplished by employing a suture needle having a blunt tip formed so as to provide a safety factor of at least 200% over a needle having 0% bluntness.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said prevention step is accomplished by employing a suture needle having a blunt tip formed so as to provide a safety factor of between about 200% to 800% over a needle having 0% bluntness.

4. A method of closing a body wound, comprising the steps of:

closing the non-cutaneous tissues by piercing the non-cutaneous tissues with a suture needle;

preventing skin penetration of the gloved hand of an operator by said suture needle, said prevention step being accomplished by employing a suture needle having a blunt tip; and

closing the cutaneous tissues by a conventional closure technique such as stapling, the cuticular needle closure, adhesive tape, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said prevention step is accomplished by employing a suture needle having a blunt tip formed so as to provide a safety factor of at least 200% over a needle having 0% bluntness.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said prevention step is accomplished by employing a suture needle having a blunt tip formed so as to provide a safety factor of between about 200% to 800% over a needle having 0% bluntness.