Abstract: A needle having three fluted edges, all of the same angular size. The needle presents a five sided cross-section at a tapered end. This results in easier tissue penetration, reduced cross-sectional needle area, better wound opening area performance, and minimized tissue distortion. In an alternate embodiment, the flat surface from which the taper is formed is on the inside of the needle so that the outer fluted edges are formed outside that configuration.

Abstract: A spatulated needle is provided wherein a six-sided cross-sectional portion results from a parallel or tapered pair of upper and lower surfaces connected by needle walls and a pair of fluted edges. At the tapered end of the needle, the upper surface alternates resulting in a five-sided cross-section. This improved configuration results in ease of tissue penetration, minimized tissue distortion, and minimized wound trauma. The resultant needle therefore is desirable for usage with refined surgery such as ophthalmology, microsurgery and plastic surgery.

Abstract: A needle having ten edges, forming a star-shaped cross-section. The needle also presents a tapered end. With reduced cross-sectional area, the improved needle results in easier tissue penetration, better wound opening area performance, and minimized tissue distortion. In an alternate embodiment, wound opening is further reduced by creating an eight-sided, star-shaped needle cross-section.

Abstract: A suture and a suturing method are set forth for suturing a wound in the tissue of a patient and defined by tissue edges. The suture comprises an alloy member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first undeformed shape. It is deformable into a second deformed shape. The member has the property of recovering from its second shape towards its first shape upon the second shape being subjected to specified conditions. The first shape is a suturing loop adapted to draw and hold the tissue edges defining the wound together. The second shape is adapted to allow the member to be drawn through the tissue in position for the loop to form. The method comprises inserting such a member while it is in its second shape into position for it to assume its first suturing loop shape and subjecting it to conditions which cause it to recover towards its first shape.

Abstract: In a surgical needle, marks of welding are left as they are on a welded portion between needle and pipe members so that the welded portion has a surface distinguishable from peripheral surfaces of the respective needle and pipe members. The welded portion may be composed of a plurality of peripherally spaced welded parts. In a manufacturing method of the surgical needle, a beam energy is applied from a beam energy emitting arrangement, toward an abutting line between the needle and pipe members, from a direction substantially perpendicular to the needle and pipe members, thereby welding them to each other. In a manufacturing apparatus, a rotational support arrangement is provided for supporting the needle and pipe members in such a manner that end faces of the respective needle and pipe members are abutted against each other at a location coincident with an optical axis of the laser beam, and for rotating the needle and pipe members about their respective axes.

Abstract: A trocar, used to introduce wound drain catheters is disclosed. The trocar have a reduce cross sectional area that allows the trocar to be bent by the user to a desired configuration.

Abstract: A surgical wire guide for facilitating the installation of surgical wire around structures to form a ligature. A curved guide has a groove extending along the length thereof and terminates in either a blind, undercut tip portion or an apertured tip portion. A surgical wire is received in the groove and is retained in the tip portion by either the blind undercut or the wall surrounding the aperture. The other end of the guide from the tip end is configured so that the adjacent portion of the surgical wire in the groove can be clamped to the body of the guide by a hand held clamping device. The guide provides a relatively rigid carrier for enabling the surgical wire to be maneuvered through the soft tissue without tearing the tissue and around the structures to be wired.

Abstract: A surgical needle for suturing tissue which is curved so as to comprise a rear part having large curvature, a middle part having small curvature and a leading part having very small curvature, wherein the needle can be easily and smoothly stuck into tissue in suturing operations in cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery and similar surgery can be effectively carried out in safety.

Abstract: In a surgical needle, marks of welding are left as they are on a welded portion between needle and pipe members so that the welded portion has a surface distinguishable from peripheral surfaces of the respective needle and pipe members. The welded portion may be composed of a plurality of peripherally spaced welded parts. In a manufacturing method of the surgical needle, a beam energy is applied from a beam energy emitting arrangement, toward an abutting line between the needle and pipe members, from a direction substantially perpendicular to the needle and pipe members, thereby welding them to each other.

Abstract: A needle having three fluted edges, all of the same angular size. The needle presents a five sided cross-section at a tapered end. This results in easier tissue penetration, reduced cross-sectional needle area, better wound opening area performance, and minimized tissue distortion.

Abstract: A suturing needle with suture used in a surgical operation. The suturing needle is formed of a single or two or more doubled hollow tubes and a core material inserted thereinto, which is fixed to the tip and root of the suturing needle, whereby, when the suturing needle is broken during the operation, broken pieces are not scattered and extraction of each broken piece from a body tissue during operation is facilitated.