WO1995008296A1 - A suture needle for use in endoscopic operations and its method of manufacture - Google Patents

A suture needle for use in endoscopic operations and its method of manufacture Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1995008296A1
WO1995008296A1 PCT/KR1994/000128 KR9400128W WO9508296A1 WO 1995008296 A1 WO1995008296 A1 WO 1995008296A1 KR 9400128 W KR9400128 W KR 9400128W WO 9508296 A1 WO9508296 A1 WO 9508296A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
suture needle
needle
shape memory
straight
curved
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR1994/000128
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Young Kon Kim
Jae Kyun Doo
Original Assignee
Young Kon Kim
Jae Kyun Doo
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Young Kon Kim, Jae Kyun Doo filed Critical Young Kon Kim
Publication of WO1995008296A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995008296A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials
    • A61B17/06—Needles ; Sutures; Needle-suture combinations; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials
    • A61B17/06066—Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D9/00—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
    • C21D9/26—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor for needles; for teeth for card-clothing
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22F—CHANGING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF NON-FERROUS METALS AND NON-FERROUS ALLOYS
    • C22F1/00—Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working
    • C22F1/006—Resulting in heat recoverable alloys with a memory effect
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials
    • A61B17/0469—Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
    • A61F2/30—Joints
    • A61F2002/30001—Additional features of subject-matter classified in A61F2/28, A61F2/30 and subgroups thereof
    • A61F2002/30003—Material related properties of the prosthesis or of a coating on the prosthesis
    • A61F2002/3006—Properties of materials and coating materials
    • A61F2002/30092—Properties of materials and coating materials using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2210/00—Particular material properties of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof
    • A61F2210/0014—Particular material properties of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
    • A61F2210/0019—Particular material properties of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol operated at only one temperature whilst inside or touching the human body, e.g. constrained in a non-operative shape during surgery, another temperature only occurring before the operation
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D2201/00—Treatment for obtaining particular effects
    • C21D2201/01—Shape memory effect

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a suture needle for use in endoscopic operations and its method of manufacture.
  • endoscopes and slender tubes are used in order to minimize the patient's external incised sections.
  • a surgeon removes patient's focuses using medical appliances which are supplied into the abdomen of the patient through tubes and seeing through an endoscope.
  • Incised sections from which focuses have been removed are brought into contact and sutured together, by the manipulation of a suture needle and other surgical instruments which are inserted through tubes.
  • Such a straight or ski-shaped suture needle can easily pass through a slender tube, but it has a difficulty in stitching incised sections. Since such stitching should be carried out within a extremely small space, very skillful manipulation is required, and it is not easy to stitch precisely. The time needed for stitching is also very long.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a suture needle for use in endoscopic operations which can easily pass through a slender tube and easily stitch interior incised sections.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a suture needle which can easily pass through a slender tube and easily stitch interior incised sections in endoscopic operations.
  • a suture needle made of shape memory alloy for use in endoscopic operations consists of a sharp end, a needle eyehole at the other end, and a long slender body extending between the sharp end and the needle eyehole such that it remains straight at a normal temperature and at least its body is curved at a temperature in the range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation.
  • a method for manufacturing a suture needle for use in endoscopic operations comprises the steps of: forming a straight suture needle from a wire rod made of a shape memory alloy; bending the suture needle into a curved shape; installing the curved needle in a die and subjecting the needle to a heat cycle in order to endow the needle with a property of reverting to the curved shape in the temperature range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation; and stretching the curved suture needle into a straight shape.
  • normal temperature means a temperature within the range Of 0°C to 24°C .
  • Figures 1A and IB show a straight suture needle and a curved suture needle, respectively, conventionally used in endoscopic operations;
  • Figures 2A and 2B show a suture needle according to the invention, wherein Figure 2A shows the needle at a normal temperature and Figure 2B shows the needle at the body temperature; and
  • Figure 3 shows the changes in the configurations of a suture needle during the following steps of a process for manufacturing a suture needle according to the invention:
  • A preparing a shape memory alloy wire rod;
  • B manufacturing a straight suture needle from the wire rod.
  • C bending the straight suture needle into a curved shape;
  • D placing the curved suture needle in a mold and subjecting it to a shape memory heat treatment (In this figure, the mold is illustrated as though it were transparent.);
  • E ejecting the curved suture needle from the mold;
  • F stretching the curved suture needle into a straight shape;
  • G placing the needle in a mold and subjecting it to a shape memory heat treatment (Again, the mold is illustrated as though it were transparent.); and
  • H ejecting the two way shape memory suture needle from the mold.
  • the suture needle of the present invention consists of a sharp end, a needle eyehole at the other end, and a long slender body extending between the two ends.
  • the suture needle is straight at a normal temperature as shown in Figure 2A, and at least the body portion changes into a curved shape at a temperature within the range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation as shown in Figure 2B.
  • the suture needle of the invention is manufactured by carrying out the following procedures: preparing a wire rod 1 made of a shape memory alloy; forming a straight suture needle 2 from the wire rod by sharpening one end of the wire rod and by providing a needle eyehole at the other end of the wire rod; bending at least the body of the suture needle into a curved suture needle 3; fixing the curved suture needle 3 in a mold 4 and subjecting the suture needle 3 to an appropriate heat treatment in order to endow the needle with the property of changing into the curved shape at a temperature within the temperature range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation; and stretching the suture needle into a straight shape at a normal temperature.
  • the suture needle is then put into a straight stainless tube or other container (not shown) which will keep the suture needle straight under hygienic conditions.
  • the suture needle made by the above process has a one ⁇ way shape memory property. That is, the suture needle, which is always kept straight at a normal temperature, is changed to the curved shape upon being exposed in the temperature range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation.
  • the one-way shape memory suture needle may lose its straight shape before it is used in an endoscopic operation. That is, if hot sterilization of the suture needle should be made before its use, the action brings about the shape memory transformation of the suture needle because the needle is exposed in the temperature range of 25°C to 40°C, and thus the suture needle is changed from straight to curve shape. In this case, even if the suture needle is cooled below the transformation temperature by being immersed into cold water after the hot sterilization, the needle may not revert to the desired straight shape. Therefore, the extra step of straightening the needle is needed before the sterilized needle can be used.
  • the present invention further proposes a suture needle having two-way shape memory property.
  • the two-way shape memory property can be obtained by fixing the one-way suture needle in a straight form in a mold and subjecting the straight needle to a heat treatment thereby endowing the needle with the property of being able to revert to its straight form through another shape memory transformation at the normal temperature.
  • the suture needle has two-way shape memory property, that is, a cold shape memory transformation of reverting into the straight shape is carried out at a normal temperature and a hot shape memory transformation of changing to the curved shape occurs at the temperature within the range of 25°C to 40°C.
  • a cold shape memory transformation of reverting into the straight shape is carried out at a normal temperature
  • a hot shape memory transformation of changing to the curved shape occurs at the temperature within the range of 25°C to 40°C.
  • Figure 3 depicts the process of manufacturing a suture needle of the invention. It will be appreciated, in the drawing, that the suture needle carried just to step (F) has one-way shape memory capability and the needle carried to step (H) has two-way shape memory capability. Although it is not shown in Figure 3, it is preferable to pack the suture needle product in a container such as a straight stainless tube in order to keep it straight and sanitary.
  • Shape memory alloys such as Ni-Ti based alloys, Cu-Al-
  • Ni based alloys Cu-Al-(one element from among Si, Sn, and
  • the shape memory transformation temperature can be adjusted by changing the shape memory heat treatment, the amount of plastic deformation, or the chemical composition of the shape memory alloys.
  • alloy 1s are especially preferred as materials for the suture needle of the present invention:
  • Cu-Sn alloys containing 0.0-15.0 Sn and the balance of Cu in at. %; (8) Cu-Zn alloys containing 38.5-41.5 Zn and the balance of Cu in wt. %; (9) Cu-Zn-X (X Si, Sn, Al, Gi) alloys containing 38.5-41.5 Zn, 0.0-5.0 X and the balance of Cu in wt. %; (10) In-Tl alloys containing 18.0- 23.0 TI and the balance of In in at. %; (11) Ni-Al alloys containing 36.0-38.0 Al and the balance of Ni in at. %; (12) Fe-Pt alloys containing 0.0-25.0 Pt and the balance of Fe in at.
  • Fe-Pd alloys containing 0.0-30.0 Pd and the balance of Fe in wt. % (14) Fe-Ni-Co-Ti alloys containing 33.0 Ni, 10.0 Co, 4.0 Ti and the balance of Fe in at. %; and (15) Mn-Cu alloys containing 5.0-35.0 Cu and the balance of Mn in at. %.
  • the greater plastic deformation (that is, above 8%) the higher the shape memory transformation temperature.
  • the shape memory transformation temperature also depends on the duration of the shape memory heat treatment at a specific temperature.
  • the suture needle according to the invention can easily pass through slender tubes in endoscopic operations because it remains straight at normal temperatures.
  • the suture needle changes to a curved shape inside the abdominal cavity of a human body where the temperature is about 36°C. Therefore, a suturing operation can be performed more easily and precisely.
  • the curved suture needle can easily be extracted from the human body because the curved needle body is somewhat straightened when passed through the tube by being pulled up forcefully.

Abstract

This invention relates to a suture needle for use in endoscopic operations and its method of manufacture. The suture needle of the present invention is made of shape memory alloy so that it remains straight at normal temperatures and changes into a curved shape in the temperature range of 25 °C to 40 °C through a shape memory transformation. The suture needle of the invention is manufactured by carrying out the following procedures: forming a wire rod (1) made of a shape memory alloy; forming a straight suture needle (2) from the wire rod by sharpening one end of the wire rod and by providing a needle eyehole at the other end of the wire rod; bending at least the body of the suture needle into a curved form (3); fixing the curved suture needle in a mold and subjecting the suture needle to a specific heat treatment in order to endow the needle with the property of changing into the curved shape at a temperature within the temperature range of 25 °C to 40 °C through a shape memory transformation; and stretching the suture needle into a straight shape at a normal temperature. Therefore, the suture needle of the present invention can be more readily and precisely used in endoscopic operations due to the above characteristics.

Description

A SUTURE NEEDLE FOR USE IN ENDOSCOPIC OPERATIONS AND ITS METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a suture needle for use in endoscopic operations and its method of manufacture.
Description of the Related Art
In endoscopic operations, endoscopes and slender tubes are used in order to minimize the patient's external incised sections. A surgeon removes patient's focuses using medical appliances which are supplied into the abdomen of the patient through tubes and seeing through an endoscope. Incised sections from which focuses have been removed are brought into contact and sutured together, by the manipulation of a suture needle and other surgical instruments which are inserted through tubes.
Medical appliances including suture needles used in endoscopic operations should be able to be inserted into the abdominal cavity through the slender tubes. Therefore, straight suture needles such as shown in Figure 1A or ski- shaped ones shown in Figure IB have been used in conventional endoscopic operations.
Such a straight or ski-shaped suture needle can easily pass through a slender tube, but it has a difficulty in stitching incised sections. Since such stitching should be carried out within a extremely small space, very skillful manipulation is required, and it is not easy to stitch precisely. The time needed for stitching is also very long.
It has been understood that a curved or hooked suture needle is most adapted to seaming external incised sections because it can easily pick up the incised tissues. Until now, however, most of surgeons had to use a straight or ski-shaped suture needle in endoscopic operations because it is impossible to insert a curved suture needle into the abdominal cavity of a patient through a slender tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention presents a solution to the above problems. An object of the invention is to provide a suture needle for use in endoscopic operations which can easily pass through a slender tube and easily stitch interior incised sections.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a suture needle which can easily pass through a slender tube and easily stitch interior incised sections in endoscopic operations.
To the above ends, according to the invention, a suture needle made of shape memory alloy for use in endoscopic operations consists of a sharp end, a needle eyehole at the other end, and a long slender body extending between the sharp end and the needle eyehole such that it remains straight at a normal temperature and at least its body is curved at a temperature in the range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation.
In addition, a method for manufacturing a suture needle for use in endoscopic operations comprises the steps of: forming a straight suture needle from a wire rod made of a shape memory alloy; bending the suture needle into a curved shape; installing the curved needle in a die and subjecting the needle to a heat cycle in order to endow the needle with a property of reverting to the curved shape in the temperature range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation; and stretching the curved suture needle into a straight shape.
In the present specification and claims, the term "normal temperature" means a temperature within the range Of 0°C to 24°C .
Hereinafter, the invention will be more specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
Figures 1A and IB show a straight suture needle and a curved suture needle, respectively, conventionally used in endoscopic operations;
Figures 2A and 2B show a suture needle according to the invention, wherein Figure 2A shows the needle at a normal temperature and Figure 2B shows the needle at the body temperature; and
Figure 3 shows the changes in the configurations of a suture needle during the following steps of a process for manufacturing a suture needle according to the invention:
(A) preparing a shape memory alloy wire rod; (B) manufacturing a straight suture needle from the wire rod. (C) bending the straight suture needle into a curved shape; (D) placing the curved suture needle in a mold and subjecting it to a shape memory heat treatment (In this figure, the mold is illustrated as though it were transparent.); (E) ejecting the curved suture needle from the mold; (F) stretching the curved suture needle into a straight shape; (G) placing the needle in a mold and subjecting it to a shape memory heat treatment (Again, the mold is illustrated as though it were transparent.); and (H) ejecting the two way shape memory suture needle from the mold.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in the drawings, the suture needle of the present invention consists of a sharp end, a needle eyehole at the other end, and a long slender body extending between the two ends. The suture needle is straight at a normal temperature as shown in Figure 2A, and at least the body portion changes into a curved shape at a temperature within the range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation as shown in Figure 2B.
The suture needle of the invention is manufactured by carrying out the following procedures: preparing a wire rod 1 made of a shape memory alloy; forming a straight suture needle 2 from the wire rod by sharpening one end of the wire rod and by providing a needle eyehole at the other end of the wire rod; bending at least the body of the suture needle into a curved suture needle 3; fixing the curved suture needle 3 in a mold 4 and subjecting the suture needle 3 to an appropriate heat treatment in order to endow the needle with the property of changing into the curved shape at a temperature within the temperature range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation; and stretching the suture needle into a straight shape at a normal temperature. The suture needle is then put into a straight stainless tube or other container (not shown) which will keep the suture needle straight under hygienic conditions.
The suture needle made by the above process has a one¬ way shape memory property. That is, the suture needle, which is always kept straight at a normal temperature, is changed to the curved shape upon being exposed in the temperature range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation.
The one-way shape memory suture needle may lose its straight shape before it is used in an endoscopic operation. That is, if hot sterilization of the suture needle should be made before its use, the action brings about the shape memory transformation of the suture needle because the needle is exposed in the temperature range of 25°C to 40°C, and thus the suture needle is changed from straight to curve shape. In this case, even if the suture needle is cooled below the transformation temperature by being immersed into cold water after the hot sterilization, the needle may not revert to the desired straight shape. Therefore, the extra step of straightening the needle is needed before the sterilized needle can be used.
In order to solve the above problem, the present invention further proposes a suture needle having two-way shape memory property. The two-way shape memory property can be obtained by fixing the one-way suture needle in a straight form in a mold and subjecting the straight needle to a heat treatment thereby endowing the needle with the property of being able to revert to its straight form through another shape memory transformation at the normal temperature.
Thus, the suture needle has two-way shape memory property, that is, a cold shape memory transformation of reverting into the straight shape is carried out at a normal temperature and a hot shape memory transformation of changing to the curved shape occurs at the temperature within the range of 25°C to 40°C. Although the suture needle having the two-way shape memory property was transformed into a curved shape by hot sterilization, it can readily revert to a straight shape simply by putting it into cold water. Therefore, it is possible to reuse the suture needle merely by sterilizing it after its use.
Figure 3 depicts the process of manufacturing a suture needle of the invention. It will be appreciated, in the drawing, that the suture needle carried just to step (F) has one-way shape memory capability and the needle carried to step (H) has two-way shape memory capability. Although it is not shown in Figure 3, it is preferable to pack the suture needle product in a container such as a straight stainless tube in order to keep it straight and sanitary.
Shape memory alloys such as Ni-Ti based alloys, Cu-Al-
Ni based alloys, Cu-Al-(one element from among Si, Sn, and
Ga) based alloys, Ni-Al based alloys, Mn-Cu based alloys, Ni-Al based alloys, Mn-Cu Fe-Ni based alloys and so on can be used as the material of the suture needle of the present invention. The shape memory transformation temperature can be adjusted by changing the shape memory heat treatment, the amount of plastic deformation, or the chemical composition of the shape memory alloys.
The following alloy 1s are especially preferred as materials for the suture needle of the present invention:
(1) Ni-Ti alloys containing 45.0-52.0 Ni and the balance of
Ti in at. %; (2) Ni-Ti-Fe alloys containing 45.0-51.0 Ni, 0.5-5.0 Fe and the balance of Ti in at. %; (3) Ni-Ti-Cu alloys containing 35.0-50.0 Ni, 0.0-15.0 Cu and the balance of Ti in at. %; (4) Ni-Ti-Pd alloys containing 35.0-50.0 Ni, 0.5-15.0 Pd and the balance of Ti in at. %; (5) Cu-Al- Ni alloys containing 14.0-14.5 Al, 3.0-4.5 Ni and the balance of Cu in wt. %; (6) Cu-Au-Zn alloys containing 23.0-28.0 Au, 45.0-47.0 Zn and the balance of Cu in at. %; (7) Cu-Sn alloys containing 0.0-15.0 Sn and the balance of Cu in at. %; (8) Cu-Zn alloys containing 38.5-41.5 Zn and the balance of Cu in wt. %; (9) Cu-Zn-X (X = Si, Sn, Al, Gi) alloys containing 38.5-41.5 Zn, 0.0-5.0 X and the balance of Cu in wt. %; (10) In-Tl alloys containing 18.0- 23.0 TI and the balance of In in at. %; (11) Ni-Al alloys containing 36.0-38.0 Al and the balance of Ni in at. %; (12) Fe-Pt alloys containing 0.0-25.0 Pt and the balance of Fe in at. %; (13) Fe-Pd alloys containing 0.0-30.0 Pd and the balance of Fe in wt. %; (14) Fe-Ni-Co-Ti alloys containing 33.0 Ni, 10.0 Co, 4.0 Ti and the balance of Fe in at. %; and (15) Mn-Cu alloys containing 5.0-35.0 Cu and the balance of Mn in at. %.
For example, in Ni-Ti based shape memory alloys, the greater the content of Ti is (that is, above 44%) , the higher the shape memory transformation temperature becomes. The greater plastic deformation (that is, above 8%) , the higher the shape memory transformation temperature. The shape memory transformation temperature also depends on the duration of the shape memory heat treatment at a specific temperature.
The suture needle according to the invention can easily pass through slender tubes in endoscopic operations because it remains straight at normal temperatures. The suture needle changes to a curved shape inside the abdominal cavity of a human body where the temperature is about 36°C. Therefore, a suturing operation can be performed more easily and precisely.
After stitching, the curved suture needle can easily be extracted from the human body because the curved needle body is somewhat straightened when passed through the tube by being pulled up forcefully.
As described hereinabove, according to the present invention, it is possible to use a curved suture needle inside the abdominal cavity of a patient in an endoscopic operation, and thus stitching of incised sections becomes easier and more precise. It also takes less time as compared with conventional stitching operation using straight or ski-shaped suture needles.
While the present invention has been shown and described in terms of preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this invention is not limited to any particular embodiment and that many changes and modi ications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A suture needle for use in endoscopic operations, consisting of a sharp end, a needle eyehole at the other end, and a long slender body extending between the sharp end and the needle eyehole, characterized in that: the suture needle remains straight at a normal temperature, and at least said body is curved at a temperature in the range of 25°C to 40°C through a shape memory transformation.
2. The suture needle of Claim 1, wherein the body of the needle is straight at a normal temperature through a second shape memory transformation.
3. The suture needle of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the suture needle is made of a shape memory alloy composed of 45.0-51.0 Ni and the balance of Ti in at. %.
4. The suture needle of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the suture needle is made of a shape memory alloy composed of 35.0-50.0 Ni, 0.0-5.0 Fe and the balance of Ti in at. %.
5. The suture needle of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the suture needle is made of a shape memory alloy composed of 35.0-50.0 Ni, 0.0-5.0 Cu and the balance of Ti in at. %.
6. The suture needle of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the suture needle is made of a shape memory alloy composed of
35.0-50.0 Ni, 0.0-15.0 Pd and the balance of Ti in at. %.
7. A method for manufacturing a suture needle for use in endoscopic operations, comprising the steps of: forming a straight suture needle from a wire rod made of a shape memory alloy; bending the suture needle into a curved shape; installing the curved needle in a die and subjecting the needle to a heat treatment in order to endow the needle with the property of changing to the curved shape in the temperature range of 25°C to 40°C through a first shape memory transformation; and stretching the curved suture needle into a straight shape.
8. The method for manufacturing a suture needle according to Claim 7, further comprising the step of subjecting the stretched suture needle to a heat treatment in order to endow the needle with a property of reverting into the straight shape at a normal temperature through a second shape memory transformation.
9. The method for manufacturing a suture needle according to Claim 7 or 8, further comprising the step of packing the straight suture needle in a case for keeping it straight and sanitary.
10. The method for manufacturing a suture needle according to Claim 9, said case being a straight stainless tube having a circular cross-section of which the inner diameter is slightly larger than that of the suture needle.
11. The method for manufacturing a suture needle according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the suture needle is made of a shape memory alloy composed of 45.0-51.0 Ni and the balance of Ti in at. %.
12. The method for manufacturing a suture needle according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the suture needle is made of a shape memory alloy composed of 35.0-50.0 Ni, 0.0- 5.0 Fe and the balance of Ti in at. %.
13. The method for manufacturing a suture needle according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the suture needle is made of a shape memory alloy composed of 35.0-50.0 Ni, 0.0- 5.0 Cu and the balance of Ti in at. %.
14. The method for manufacturing a suture needle according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the suture needle is made of a shape memory alloy composed of 35.0-50.0 Ni, 0.0- 15.0 Pd and the balance of Ti in at. %.
PCT/KR1994/000128 1993-09-25 1994-09-23 A suture needle for use in endoscopic operations and its method of manufacture WO1995008296A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1993/19826 1993-09-25
KR1019930019826A KR950007802A (en) 1993-09-25 1993-09-25 Laparoscopic Suture Needle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995008296A1 true WO1995008296A1 (en) 1995-03-30

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WO (1) WO1995008296A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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WO2001056478A1 (en) * 2000-02-04 2001-08-09 Soprane S.A. Hyper-elastic needle
FR2881353A1 (en) 2005-02-03 2006-08-04 Vygon Sa Polymeric material puncture tip, to pierce the skin/to penetrate in body site, comprises atraumatic memory material regains the shape when it is subjected to known condition or under the action of stimuli ordered from outside in the site
EP2189120A1 (en) 2008-11-19 2010-05-26 Université Libre de Bruxelles Shape memory surgical needle
DE102009019062A1 (en) 2009-04-27 2010-11-04 Haindl, Hans, Dr. Applicator for use as circular clip seam device in surgical clip utilized during minimally-invasive and microscopic surgery to close e.g. skin of patient, has applicator tube provided with bend at distal end and exhibiting circular arc form
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CN110301950A (en) * 2019-07-19 2019-10-08 刘奇为 Automatic suturing mechanism and its application method for Minimally Invasive Surgery
US11229430B2 (en) 2019-08-08 2022-01-25 Ethicon, Inc. Systems, devices and methods of using needle sheaths for passing curved, superelastic suture needles through trocars

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Cited By (13)

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US8308764B2 (en) 2000-02-04 2012-11-13 Soprane S.A. Hyper-elastic needle
FR2804597A1 (en) * 2000-02-04 2001-08-10 Soprane Sa HYPER-ELASTIC NEEDLE
US7727257B2 (en) 2000-02-04 2010-06-01 Soprane S.A. Hyper-elastic needle
WO2001056478A1 (en) * 2000-02-04 2001-08-09 Soprane S.A. Hyper-elastic needle
FR2881353A1 (en) 2005-02-03 2006-08-04 Vygon Sa Polymeric material puncture tip, to pierce the skin/to penetrate in body site, comprises atraumatic memory material regains the shape when it is subjected to known condition or under the action of stimuli ordered from outside in the site
WO2006082314A1 (en) * 2005-02-03 2006-08-10 Vygon Improvements to puncture tips and catheter tubes
EP2189120A1 (en) 2008-11-19 2010-05-26 Université Libre de Bruxelles Shape memory surgical needle
DE102009019062A1 (en) 2009-04-27 2010-11-04 Haindl, Hans, Dr. Applicator for use as circular clip seam device in surgical clip utilized during minimally-invasive and microscopic surgery to close e.g. skin of patient, has applicator tube provided with bend at distal end and exhibiting circular arc form
DE202009018081U1 (en) 2009-04-27 2010-12-30 Haindl, Hans, Dr. Surgical clamp and applicator
WO2017159427A1 (en) * 2016-03-17 2017-09-21 株式会社吉見製作所 Suture needle
CN110301950A (en) * 2019-07-19 2019-10-08 刘奇为 Automatic suturing mechanism and its application method for Minimally Invasive Surgery
CN110301950B (en) * 2019-07-19 2024-03-15 刘奇为 Automatic suturing mechanism for minimally invasive surgery and endoscope
US11229430B2 (en) 2019-08-08 2022-01-25 Ethicon, Inc. Systems, devices and methods of using needle sheaths for passing curved, superelastic suture needles through trocars

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