GB2415931A

GB2415931A - Curved needle holder

Info

Publication number: GB2415931A
Application number: GB0415328A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russell Khan-Sullman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-08
Filing date: 2004-07-08
Publication date: 2006-01-11
Also published as: GB0415328D0

Abstract

A curved suture needle holder 40 comprising: first and second bodies connected via a means of motion, where each of said bodies has a handle 43, 44 extending from one end thereof and a jaw member. A suture needle gripping member (figure 5, 45, 46) extends from the opposite end of said handle 43, 44 on each body; whereby the needle gripping members (figure 5, 45, 46) of the jaw members 41, 42 are mutually opposing and cooperate to hold the needle. The needle gripping part (figure 5, 45) of the first jaw member 41 form an arc or part of an arc complementary to the curvature of the upper edge (figure 1, 5) of the suture needle (figure 1, 1) and where the needle gripping part (figure 5, 46) of the second jaw member 42 of the second body describes an arc complementary to the lower edge (figure 1, 6) of the suture needle (figure 1, 1). The needle gripping members (figure 5, 45,46) may be interchangeable to accommodate variations in curve of the suture needles (figure 1, 1). The gripping members 41, 42 can also possess grooves to further aid grip. The holder 40 may in the form of scissors or tweezers.

Description

241 593 1

CURVED NEEDLE HOLDER

(RUSSELL SULLMAN- 01/07/2004)

BACKGROUND

In the stitching up of a wound after a surgical procedure, the clinician often experiences that the curved suture needle must be gripped strongly to resist the lateral and twisting movements of the needle when projecting a needle through soft tissue with ease and accuracy, as there is a natural tendency for the suture needle, when not held, to move and twist laterally so that it comes to rest in a position that makes it hard to manipulate and operate the needle.

There is therefore the need for a curved suture needle gripping instrument to safely and securely hold the suture needle when projecting it through the flesh being stitched, and which can then be disengaged from the needle to, in turn, grip that forward part of the needle that has been projected through the flesh to bring the remainder of the needle through the flesh, whilst keeping the needle in a position conducive to projection through the second lip of the wound, without having to first reposition the needle by hand or with a second instrument in the holder.

DESCRIPTION

Curved suture-needle clamping forceps are provided with two mutually co acting bodies interconnected via a means of motion, whereas each body rigidly incorporates a gripping component/member (located on the jaw-part of that body) and a means of handling, and where the gripping surface/parts of the first, upper gripping member is shaped to engage with part of the upper (inner-peripheral/concave) border of a suture needle, and the gripping part of the second, mutually opposing and co- acting, lower gripping member is designed and shaped to engage with part of the lower (outer- peripheral/convex) border of the suture needle, such that when the device is in the closed position, it grips and holds the needle securely in the correct (upright) position for projecting through the soft tissues (i.e. such that the convex lower needle border faces generally downwards, whilst the concave upper needle border faces generally upwards).

By gripping the suture needle in this way, it becomes both easier and allows saving of time as the act of gripping the needle automatically repositions the needle in the correct position for use in stitching, no matter what its initial inclination when about to be gripped, without the clinician having to reposition the needle manually after having positioned the suture thread in one lip of the wound and before beginning the process of suture thread placement in the second lip of the wound.

This device can be operated with curved suture needles of elliptical, circular, triangular, diamond, or some other cross-sectional design. The gripping members may be interchangeable to allow use with needles of differing curvature and size, or a range of embodiments of the device can be produced specifically for needles of specific dimension.

The term 'arc' and 'arc of curvature' are meant to denote either the lines of curvature that form part of the circumference of a circle, or the lines of curvature that form part of the circumference/perimeter of a non-circular body, such as an ovoid.

Slots in the lateral borders of the gripping members may be incorporated to enhance and optimise grip and positioning. Further, standard flat plane gripping parts may be additionally added to the gripping members, and/or cutting blades to the jaws, of the device to further increase the versatility and use of the device.

The gripping parts of each of the gripping members may be curved to extend longitudinally along the part or the entire length of each of the jawparts of each co- acting body, where the width-wise cross-sectional shape/arrangement of the gripping part of the upper and lower member describes an arc, convex and concave respectively, matching and complementary to the curvature of the upper and lower borders of the needle to be gripped respectively.

Similarly, the gripping part of each gripping member describes part of the curving longitudinal length of a curving, cylindrical or conical body, wherein the axis of that curved, cylindrical or conical body is parallel to or similar to the axial length of at least the jaw parts of the coacting body mounting that gripping surface.

Preferably, where the active gripping part(s) of the first gripping member describes all or part of a parallel-sided (or substantially parallel-sided) cylindrical body, the top- end of the cylinder is the means-of-motion non-adjacent end (i.e. being at the tip end of the jaws) of the device, whilst the base of the cylinder is located at the connecting member or means-of -motion adjacent end of the gripping member.

The active gripping part(s) of the second gripping member describe a groove extending longitudinally of the gripping member into which the gripping part(s) of first gripping member fit when the device is in the closed position, where the two mutually co-acting gripping parts contact with each other, or come substantially close to one another. The basic requirements of the second gripping member require that it provide a minimum of two points of needle-bearing support, by positioning and supporting the needle in a position against which the gripping part of the first gripping member can bear to apply pivoting and gripping forces.

The cross-sectional shape of the needle-gripping parts of the first gripping member may be the same size, shape and dimension as, or different to, the cross-sectional size, shape and dimension of the needle- gripping parts of the second gripping member of the device.

Such a needle holder reduces the risk of slipping, twisting or breaking, further reducing the trauma (e.g. tearing, thinning of flesh, etc.) experienced by the tissues at the operating site and making suture placement an easier and faster procedure, whilst also helping in successful and rapid healing.

The gripping parts on the gripping members extend longitudinally of the jaws or at an angle to the jaws, such that when the suture needle is being gripped by the jaws, the plane containing the needle (i.e. the plane in which all component parts of the needle exists) is at an angle to the axial length of the device (or at least that part of the axial length of the jaws or gripping members), except where the gripping members extend out from the plane containing the axis of the longitudinal length of the device, when the plane of the needle may be parallel to but different from the device's axial plane.

The gripping parts of one or both of the gripping members may be smooth, ridged, grooved, notched, patterned or otherwise shaped to facilitate the secured gripping and holding of the needle when the device is in the closed position. Smooth gripping parts are preferable.

Preferably, the needle is held in the gripped/clamped position by at least one (and preferably three) point of contactlgrip from the upper gripping member on the upper concave border (inner peripheral surface) of the needle, and by at least two (or more) points of contact/grip from the lower gripping member on the lower convex border (outer peripheral surface) of the needle.

Part of or the entire upper member's gripping part is shaped and designed to place a needle-righting force on the upper (inner peripheral) border of the suture-needle, to turn the plane containing the component parts of the needle from a horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation in the act of closing the device from an open position to a closed position, by a pivoting action, whilst part of or the entire lower gripping part is shaped to support the needle, functioning to position and support it to allow action of the upper gripping surface on the suture needle.

Action of the upper and lower gripping parts of the co-acting bodies causes the suture needle to be pivoted from a horizontal to a vertical position. When in this upright or vertical position, it is possible to more effectively and easily project the needle through the soft tissues as required. The needle is held and secured in the upright position when the device is in the closed position.

The gripping parts of the upper (vertically higher) gripping member located on the upper jaw of the device describe a convex (outwardly curving) arc in whole or part, shaped and designed to match and fit against all or part of the upper concave (inner peripheral surface) arclike border of the curved suture needle being gripped.

Similarly, the gripping parts of the lower (vertically lower) gripping member located on the lower jaw of the device describe a concave (inwardly curving) arc in whole or part, and are shaped and designed to match and fit against all or part of the lower concave (outer peripheral surface) arc-like border of the curved suture needle.

The midpoint axially of the upper gripping surfaceslneedle-gripping contact areas exist vertically below the level of the lateral borders/edges of the gripping member, whilst the midpoint of the lower gripping surfaces/needle gripping parts also exist at a level vertically below their lateral edges/borders.

The firm pressure against the needle when clamped and held by the gripping members of the device (when in the closed position) prevents twisting when projecting the needle through flesh, making the task of stitching easier, faster, and less traumatic to the patient's soft tissues.

Another embodiment of the invention would comprise a pair of mutually coacting pivotally connected gripping members, wherein the first gripping member has a gripping surface that describes part of a truncated coneshaped surface that extends longitudinally to the jaws of the device, whereas the narrower tip end of the truncated cone is adjacent to the means of motion of the device, and the base of the cone is located at the means of motion non-adjacent end. The second gripping member has a gripping surface that is described by a cylindrical or cone-shaped longitudinal groove into which the truncated-cone gripping surface of the first gripping member fits.

Another embodiment of this would have the cone-shaped gripping surface and groove located with the base of the truncated cone adjacent to the means of motion.

Brief description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a current style of suture needle, Figure 2 shows a perspective view and inclination of a suture needle when first projected through tissues and still held by the holder, Figure 3 shows a perspective view and inclination of a suture needle when released by current styles of needle holder, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a forceps-like embodiment of the invention, Figure 5 shows a side view of eth embodiment shown in Figure 4, Figure 6 shows a cross-section view of the gripping members of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, Figure 7 shows a cross-section view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the gripping parts of the members have different arcs of curvature, Figure 8 shows a cross section of the gripping parts of another embodiment of the invention showing the level of various parts of the device and needle being gripped in relation to one another, Figure 9 shows another crosssectional view of the gripping members of another embodiment of the invention Figure 10 shows the cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the invention, Figure 11 shows a plan view of a further forceps-like embodiment of he invention, Figure 12 shows the method of action of the needle holder using cross-sectional views of an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a curved suture needle of the type currently in general and specialist surgical use, where the needle body 1 has a needlepoint 2 at one end and a swage 3 at the other end, with a suture thread 4 being connected to the needle 1 via swage 3. The needle 1 has a concave upper (inner peripheral) border 5 and a convex lower (outer peripheral) border 6.

Figure 2(A) shows a view of a curved needle 21 when projected through the lip 22 of an open wound 23, the needle 21 being upright, i.e. the needle exists in a vertical plane ABCD as shown in Figure 2(B). Due to its shape, the needle 21 is unstable, and when the clinician disengages the holder to attach it to a new grip position at the front end of the needle to pull the needle and suture through the lip 22, where the tissue of the wound lip 22 is soft and flexible, it cannot keep the needle upright, such that the needle invariably falls to one side as indicated by arrow 24 when the needle holder is disengaged.

Figure 3(A) shows how the needle 21 as shown in Figure 2(A) has fallen onto its side, with Figure 3(B) showing that the needle now exists in a horizontal plane ADEF. In this latter position, it is much more difficult for the clinician to correctly incline the needle, or to direct and project the needle and suture through the tissues of the wound, due to the curvature of the needle and the path of projection.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention when incorporated into a scissors or forceps-like arrangement, with the gripping components 41 and 42 containing the needle-gripping parts are each linked to their own handling means 43 and 44 respectively, and where gripping members 41 and 42 have a cross-wise plane MNOP that passes through the device 40 at right angles to the axial length XY of the device.

Figure 5 shows a side elevation of the device 40 shown in Figure 4; with the bisecting plane MNOP being seen end on from NO.

Figure 6 shows a cross-wise, transverse, cross-sectional view of the gripping members of the device shown in Figure 4 at the plane MNOP. Upper gripping member 41 has a needle-gripping part 45 and lower gripping member 42 has a needle-gripping part 46.

The curvature of gripping part 45 is the same as the curvature of the gripping part 46.

Figure 6(B) shows a cross-section view of the gripping members 41 and 42 as shown in Fig 6(A), when the device is being used to grip curved needle body 47. The gripping parts 45 and 46 have arc of curvature complementary to and matching the curvature of the upper and lower borders 48 and 49 of the needle 47 respectively, allowing firm and secure grip on the needle when using the device.

Figure 7 shows at (A) a cross-sectional view of the gripping members of another embodiment of the invention wherein the upper gripping member 61 and the lower gripping member 62 have gripping parts 63 and 64 respectively with differing arcs of curvature. This would be suitable for use when being used to firmly hold curved needle 65 (see Fig 7[B]) in which the arc of curvature of the upper border 66 of the needle 65 is different from the arc of curvature of the lower border 67 of the needle, when the needle is of swage-to-tip tapering shape. This arrangement of gripping parts thereby allows firm hold on needle 65.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention where upper gripping member 71 and lower gripping member 72 grip needle 73, with the lateral border edge 74 of gripping part 75 of member 71 is vertically higher than the lowpoint 76 of the upper border of the needle 73, and where the lateral edge border 77 of the gripping part 79 of member 72 is at a level vertically higher than the lowpoint 78 of the lower border of the needle 73.

Figure 9 shows a cross-section view of the gripping members of yet another embodiment of the invention wherein needle 81 is held firmly between upper gripping member 82 and lower gripping member 83, with gripping parts of member 82 being two lateral ridges 84,85 and a central ridge 86 that exert a downwards force on the upper border of the needle 81, and gripping parts of member 83 being two lateral ridges 8788 that exert an upwards force on the lower border of needle 81, the resultant effect of the two exerted forces being to hold the needle firmly in a fixed position. In this embodiment, the ridges forming the gripping parts of the members extend longitudinally of the gripping members, i.e. in- line with the axial length of the gripping members and the device, and are parallel in relation to one another.

Figure 10 shows another cross-section of the gripping members of a further embodiment of the invention wherein both upper and lower gripping members 91 and 92 respectively, grip needle 93, wherein the gripping parts of member 91 are four equidistantly spaced ridges 94, and the gripping parts of member 92 are also four equidistantly spaced ridges 95, the two sets of ridges exerting equal but opposite forces on the needle holding it firmly, the said ridges extending longitudinally of the Jaw and grppmg members.

Figure 11 shows a side elevation (A), upper elevation (B) and front elevation (C) embodiment of the invention wherein the gripping members 101, connection members (jaws) 102, means of motion 103 and means of handling 104 all exist in the same plane, but bends along the longitudinal length of the device means that the axial length of the gripping members 101 is different and not in line with the axial length of the means of handling 104 (although their axial lengths may be parallel to one another if required, or may exit at angles to one another) with the general shape here disclosed being particularly useful for use in the mouth when attempting to project a suture needle through the gums, below the level of teeth adjacent to the operative site. Parts of the device may also project transversely if designed so (not shown).

Figure 12 shows the mechanics of function of the device, using crosssectional views through the gripping members of an embodiment of the device, wherein Fig 12(A) shows needle K, being horizontally (i.e. eastwest) inclined, rests on the lower gripping member L at points Q and R. with upper gripping member S being above the needle.

As the device is being closed, the pressure of the midpoint Z of the gripping part of the member S puts pressure on needle K so that K rotates/pivots about an axis passing through/connecting points Q and R. as shown in Fig 12(B), such that the midpoint of the needle body moves downwards, and the extremities of eth needle swage and needle point move upwards.

Figure 12(C shows that when the device is fully closed, the needle pivoting about points Q and R. as a result of the forces placed on it by both gripping members, forces it, K, into an upright position.

Other embodiments and modifications of the invention, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art, are to be deemed within the ambit and scope of the invention, and the particular embodiment(s) hereinbefore described may be varied in construction and detail, e.g. interchanging (where appropriate or desired) different features of each, without departing from the scope of the patent monopoly hereby bemg sought.

Claims

1) A Curved Suture Needle Holder comprises first and second bodies interconnected via a means of motion and each having handle means extending from one end thereof, a jaw member, and a suture-needle gripping member extending from the other end thereof of each body, whereby the needle-gripping member of one jaw member to be mutually opposing and coacting with the needle-gripping component of the second jaw member of the device, wherein the needle-gripping parts of the first gripping member form an arc or parts of an arc complementary to and designed to fit against part of the curvature of the upper (inner peripheral/concave) border of the suture needle, and where the needle-gripping parts of the second gripping component describe an arc or parts of an arc complementary to and designed to fit against part of the curvature of the lower (outer peripheral or convex) border of the suture needle, and where the longitudinal length of the gripping components/members extend substantially in-line with the jaw members (and with the axial length of the device when the jaw members exist in-line with the device), 2) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein when the needle is being gripped by the invention, the lateral edge(s) or peripheral borders of the upper gripping members are at a higher level vertically than the lowest point of the upper curved (inner peripheral) border of the needle, whilst the lateral edges or peripheral borders of the gripping parts of the lower gripping member also exist at a vertically higher level than the lowest point of the lower border of the lower (outer peripheral border of the needle; 3) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gripping parts of the upper gripping member describe part of a cylinder, or other curved, parallel-sided, non-convergent and non-divergent shape; 4) A Curved needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the needle-gripping parts of the upper gripping member substantially describe part of a curved body, a cylindrical body, a cone or a cone with a truncated tip; 5) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the needle-gripping parts describe shapes that are substantially dumb-bell shaped of the type formed when two truncated-tip cones, hemi- or semi- cones are interconnected at their tip-ends (such that one cone base extends to the means of motion non-adjacent end, whilst the base of the other twinned cone extends to the means of motion adjacent end of the gripping component); 6) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the curved needle is kept generally upright in the correct operative position when being gripped, the plane containing the length of the clamped suture needle is not in-line with and is separate from the plane containing the longitudinal length and axial length of the device; 7) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is provided in a scissors-like (e.g. similar to artery forceps) form; 8) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is provided in a tweezers-like (either of the pre-tensioned or non- tensioned type) form/arrangement; 9) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the use of spring catches or other similar-acting features can hold the jaws of the device in the closed, clamped position; 10) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there exist one or more bends along the axial length of the device, such that all parts of the device exist in the same plane; 11) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in a preceding claim wherein there exist one or more bends along the length of the device such that all parts of the device do not exist in the plane, and are not in-line; 12)A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gripped and enclosed part of the lower (outer peripheral) border of the suture needle exists vertically lower than the upper edge of the lateral borders of the lower gripping member when the device is in the closed position; 13) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there exist one or more bends in the axial length of the device on either side of the means of motion; 14) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there exists one or more bends, in one or more planes, along the longitudinal length of the gripping components; 15)A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gripping members exist in line with the longitudinal and axial length of the device; 16) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding clam wherein the gripping members exist in a plane outside and separate to the plane containing the axial longitudinal length of the device; 17) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gripping members are interchangeable components to be fitted for use as desired and required depending on the curvature of the needles to be gripped; 18) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the longitudinal midpoint of the gripping parts of both gripping members is vertically lower than the level of the upper edges of the lateral/peripheral borders of the gripping surfaces, designed to match and fit against the upper and lower (inner and outer peripheral) surfaces of the curved suture needle, thereby keeping it upright and resisting the twisting and slipping forces when projecting through soft tissue; 19) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are provided slots in the lateral borders of the gripping members to further optimise the location, positioning and gripping of the suture needle when the device is in the closed position; 20) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cross- sectional shape, size and dimensions of the gripping parts of the device remains the same along the entire longitudinal length of one or both of the gripping member(s); 21)A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cross- sectional shape, size and dimensions of the gripping parts vary along the longitudinal length of one or both of the gripping member(s), 22) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the edges of the device are straight and/or curved; 23) A Curved Needle holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one gripping surface is smooth whilst the other opposing gripping surface is patterned, grooved, etc., for grip; 24) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gripping surfaces of the gripping members is similar, being either smooth or patterned/grooved, or both smooth in parts and grooved in parts; 25) A Curved Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the curvature of the arcs described by the upper and lower gripping parts in cross- section of the device are different; 26) A Curved Suture Needle Holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the curvature of the arcs described by the upper and lower gripping parts in cross-section of the device are the same; 27) A Curved Suture Needle Holder substantially as claimed herein with reference to the embodiments, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings.