Method and apparatus for handling suturing needles
OwnerDavid Shuterinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for handling suture needles, and for suturing, is disclosed in which a sterile, needle pervious retaining material is provided. A suturing needle contaminated with biological material is thrust into the retaining material to permit the tying of a knot with a reduced risk of needle sticks. Structure for grasping the retaining material and for shielding portions of the apparatus from penetration by the needle can also be provided.
Claims3
A method for suturing the body with a suture needle, comprising the steps of:
- grasping in one hand a device made entirely of a sterile, needle pervious material capable of retaining said needle when the point of the needle is thrust into the material and sized to completely fit within an enclosed hand;
- placing a suture with the suture needle into the body;
- thrusting the tip of the suture needle contaminated with biological material into the needle retaining material;
- supporting the needle retaining material with the hand and substantially above the wound;
- tying a suture knot;
- and
- removing the needle from the needle retaining material, and repeating the above until the suturing process is completed.
A method for tying suture knots in a body with a suture that is attached at one end to a wound and at the other end to a needle, comprising the steps of:
- grasping in one hand a device made entirely of a sterile, needle pervious retaining material and sized to completely fit within an enclosed hand;
- thrusting the tip of the suture needle into the needle retaining material;
- supporting the needle and needle retaining material with the hand;
- and,
- tying a suture knot with the suture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.