title: Biomechanical performance of laser-drilled and channel taper point needles.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biomechanical performance of laser-drilled and channel needle swages. The laser-drilled swages have a more uniform circumference that encounters lower drag forces than the channel needle swages. In addition, the length of the laser-drilled hole is shorter than that of the channel needles, allowing the physician to grasp the laser-drilled needle close (3 mm) to the needle end without deformation. These benefits of laser-drilled swages indicate that they should replace all channel needles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Towler
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000592:standards*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers / Q000592:standards*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009339:Needles / Q000592:standards*; D013537:Sutures; D013718:Tensile Strength