Uniform stress needle

• US 7,063,716 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2003
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cunningham, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US10/620,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20040059379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 606222-227
• US Class Current: 606/222
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06066 Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations making needles B21G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00849 with respect to tissue, e.g. hollow organs

Abstract

A linear surgical needle is provided having a body portion including a proximal end section; a central section; and a distal end section. The distal end section has a substantially parabolic configuration for producing a substantially uniform stress profile along a length thereof.

Claims

1. A uniform stress needle, comprising:

a proximal end section configured and adapted to secure a suture thereto;

a central section having a uniform transverse cross-sectional profile; and

a distal end section having a parabolic surface profile for producing a substantially uniform stress along a length thereof, the surface profile being defined by the following equation;

d=(((32W)/(π

σ

))*(X_n))^(⅓

)

where

d=measured diameter at location X_n;

W=load normal to the needle;

X_n=distance from a distal-most end of the needle; and

σ

=chosen stress restraint.

2. The uniform stress needle of claim 1, wherein the distal end section includes a distal tip having a uniform taper.

3. The uniform stress needle of claim 2, wherein the distal tip has a length which is substantially equal to a diameter of the central section of the needle.

4. A surgical needle, comprising:

a linear body portion including;

a proximal end section;

a central section; and

a distal end section, the distal end section having a substantially parabolic configuration for producing a substantially uniform stress profile along a length thereof;

wherein the distal end section has a diameter determined according to the following equation;

d=(((32W)/(π

σ

))*(X_n))^(⅓

)

where

d=measured diameter at location X_n;

W=load normal to the needle;

X_n=distance from a distal-most end of the needle; and

σ

=chosen stress restraint.

5. The surgical needle of claim 4, wherein the distal end section includes a distal tip having a uniform taper.

6. The surgical needle of claim 5, wherein the distal tip has a length which is substantially equal to a diameter of the central section of the surgical needle.

7. The surgical needle of claim 4, wherein the proximal end section is configured and adapted to secure a suture thereto.

8. The surgical needle of claim 4, wherein the central section has at least one of a rectilinear, circular, oval, triangular, I-beam and ribbon shaped cross-sectional profile.