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Mechanical performance of surgical needle holders
N C Chen1, M A Towler, F P Moody
1Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|January 1, 1991
Summary
A new test quantifies surgical needle holder forces on needles. This measurement provides a scientific basis for selecting optimal needle and holder combinations for wound closure.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Surgical Instrumentation
- Materials Science
Background:
- Surgical needle holder performance is critical for effective wound closure.
- Current methods for evaluating needle holders lack quantitative force measurements.
- Needle bending and breakage can complicate surgical procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel quantitative measurement for surgical needle holder performance.
- To assess the clamping forces exerted by different needle holders on surgical needles.
- To establish a scientific framework for selecting appropriate surgical needles and holders.
Main Methods:
- Developed a quantitative measurement to record clamping moment (forces) applied by needle holder jaws to curved surgical needles.
- Tested four distinct surgical needle holders from a single manufacturer.
- Correlated clamping moment magnitude with the bending resistance of surgical needles.
Main Results:
- Successfully quantified the clamping forces of tested surgical needle holders.
- Demonstrated a relationship between clamping moment and needle bending resistance.
- Identified variations in performance among different needle holder models.
Conclusions:
- The proposed quantitative measurement offers a new method for evaluating surgical needle holder performance.
- Relating clamping moment to needle bending resistance provides a scientific basis for selection.
- Optimized selection of surgical needles and holders can improve wound closure outcomes.