A new compound-curved needle for microvascular surgery.
A new compound-curved needle has been designed and developed for microvascular surgery from a unique stainless steel alloy, American Society for Testing Materials 45500. This needle has two distinct radii of curvature and a short tapered point, followed by a curved distal section. Despite its geometry, it exhibits similar resistance to bending and breakage as a curved needle with a single radius of curvature manufactured from the same alloy. The design of this new needle enables plastic surgeons to pass it through vessel walls with greater accuracy to a controlled depth and length of bite than a curved needle with a single radius of curvature.
Edlich
R F
RF
Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
Zimmer
C A
CA
Morgan
R F
RF
Becker
D G
DG
Thacker
J G
JG
Bellian
K T
KT
Powell
D M
DM
D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009339:Needles; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*
D013193:Stainless Steel