title: Biomechanics of a new atraumatic surgical needle holder.
abstract: It is the purpose of this report to design, develop, and evaluate a needle holder whose jaws improve needle-holding security without altering the geometry of the curved surgical needle. The configuration of the jaws of this new needle holder is curved, conforming to the curvature of the surgical needle. A biomechanical study of this curved surgical needle holder demonstrates that it holds the curved needle securely without needle deformation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Towler
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Rodeheaver
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013537:Sutures