Suture needle retaining strap

Abstract

The present subject matter provides a suture needle retaining strap to (7) be worn by a surgeon during a surgery. The strap includes a band and a housing on an outer surface of the band. The housing includes an inner chamber, an opening leading into the inner chamber, and a magnet. The band may be placed around a palm of the surgeon's non-dominant hand. The housing provides a dock for retaining the suture needle while the surgeon is knotting the suture or performing other task that requires use of both hands. These and other features of the present disclosure will become (8) readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

Description

[0001] SUTURE NEEDUE RETAINING STRAP

[0002] Field .1

[0003] The disclosure of the present patent application relates to surgical (1) suturing, and particularly to a device worn on a practitioner's hand that 5 safely secures the sharp suture needle while the practitioner knots or performs other tasks. The objective of this device is to facilitate the handling of the sharp suture needle, thereby improving safety for both the surgeon and the patient by reducing the potential for injuries

[0004] 10

[0005] Description of the Related Art .2

[0006] Many common medical procedures, including oral surgery, involve (2) closing tissue by the use of sutures. A suture is a thread or fiber which can be used to close previously opened tissue. The suture needle is a needle-like instrument with a sharp point at one end and an opening at 15 an opposing end for threading. Suture needles vary in size and shape, and the choice of a particular size or shape of suture needle is dictated by the type of medical procedure to be performed. One common form of suture needle has an arcuate configuration. A wound or surgical incision .can be stitched together using a suture needle and suture 20 The suture and suture needle must be sterile to minimize the risk of (3) infection to the patient. Many common medical procedures require the surgeon to use a number of different tools. In these circumstances, the surgeon must be careful to keep the suture needle in a sterile area as it is 5 exchanged for another tool. Further, the suture needle, as well as other tools, must be readily at hand for the surgeon's use during the operation.

[0007] This is not simply a matter of convenience, as the patient's safety may depend on a specific tool being quickly available if it should be needed. Therefore, the suture needle (and other instruments) must be placed on a 10 convenient sterile surface during an operation so that they may be readily accessed by the surgeon, while maintaining the sterility of the operating .area

[0008] It is also important to minimize the risk of self-contamination for a (4) 15 surgeon using a suture needle. A surgeon who works with gloved hands, for example, may struggle to pick up the needle from a flat surface due to interference from the gloves. This struggle can increase the likelihood of an accidental prick, especially if the surgeon must put down and pick up a suture needle (with a suture attached) several times during the course of 20 an operation. Furthermore, the surgeon typically holds the needle between thumb and index fingers to protect the patient while tying the suture. This strategy may protect the patient but increases the likelihood of injuring the .surgeon's hand The Closest prior art to this case is the patent No. Sa 12021 Dated (5) January 17, 2023 with US priority patent No. US 10,729,426 dated August 04, 2020 for the same inventor Alzoman, Hamad Abdulrahman. This new invention has major changes from the old one that contribute to .the read application of Suture Needle Retaining Strap 5

[0009] Thus, a suture needle retaining strap solving the aforementioned (6) .problems is desired

[0010] The present subject matter provides a suture needle retaining strap to (7) 10 be worn by a surgeon during a surgery. The strap includes a band and a housing on an outer surface of the band. The housing includes an inner chamber, an opening leading into the inner chamber, and a magnet. The band may be placed around a palm of the surgeon's non-dominant hand.

[0011] The housing provides a dock for retaining the suture needle while the 15 surgeon is knotting the suture or performing other task that requires use of .both hands

[0012] These and other features of the present disclosure will become (8) readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and 20

[0013] .drawings

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suture needle retaining strap being (1)

[0015] .worn on a hand of a user .FIG. 2 is a section view drawn along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 (2)

[0016] .FIG. 3A is a section view drawn along lines 3A-3A of FIG. 1 (3) FIG. 3B is an overhead view of the suture needle retaining strap of (4) .FIG. 1 detailing the housing

[0017] FIG. 4A is a section view of two upright hooks or posts on an outer (5) 5

[0018] .surface of the band

[0019] FIG. 4A is an overhead view of the suture needle retaining strap of (6) .detailing two upright hooks or posts and inclined wall

[0020] FIG. 5 is an environmental perspective view of the suture needle (7) .retaining strap being worn by a user during a procedure 10

[0021] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features (8) .consistently throughout the attached drawings

[0022] )9 (The present subject matter provides a suture needle retaining strap to be worn by a surgeon during a surgery. The strap may be placed around 15 a palm of the surgeon's non-dominant hand to hold the suture needle while the surgeon is knotting the suture or performing other tasks that require use of both hands. The strap includes a band and a housing with an inner chamber. A magnet is provided within or adjacent to the inner chamber. Instead of holding the suture needle between two fingers or 20 letting the needle dangle while performing tasks, the surgeon may insert the tip of the needle into the inner chamber of the housing to be held by the magnet. The housing can provide a sterile space to store the needle while protecting the surgeon's hand from the needle tip. )10 (FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the suture retaining strap 10. The strap 10 includes a band 12 that is configured to be wrapped around the hand of a user and a housing 20 on an outer surface of the band 12. The band 12 may be made of an elastic material to accommodate various hand sizes. Alternatively, the band 12 may be formed from other suitable 5 material and may include a suitable fastening material that allows for size adjustment, such as a buckle or a hook-and-loop fastening material. The housing 20 includes an inner chamber 28, an opening 24 leading into the chamber 28, and a magnet 22. A suture needle N can be removably positioned in the inner chamber 28 and the magnet 22 can facilitate 10 retaining the suture needle N within the chamber 28 until needed.

[0023] )11 (In an embodiment, the inner chamber 28 includes an additional inclined wall 40 attached to one of the sides of the housing 20 to address specific challenges encountered when working with small suture needles. 15 The inclined wall 40 serves as a supportive structure providing optimal grip for smaller needles, minimizing the risk of slippage. This enhancement contributes to the overall reliability of the strap, and aim to elevate the performance of the Suture Needle Retaining Strap, making it more versatile, user-friendly, and effective, particularly in scenarios 20 involving smaller suture needles.

[0024] )12 (In an embodiment, the strap 10 can include a puncture resistant sheet 26 on an outer surface of the band 12 to protect the user's hand while the needle N is being placed into the opening 24 of the housing 20. 25 )13 (In an embodiment, the strap 10 may include an independent upright hook or post 14 located on the outer surface of the band 12 to hold the suture S while the needle N is in the housing 20. The independent post 14 is positioned at a distance from the housing 20. The post 14 may include a notch located in the working surface away from the entry, the 5 aim of the notch is to receive and stabilize the thread of the suture S.

[0025] Once the needle N is inserted into the housing 20, the attached suture S can be securely held by the notched post 14.

[0026] )14 (In an embodiment, the strap 10 may include an additional notched 10 post 32 attached to the housing 20 located on the surface of the band 12. this notched post 32 include one surface attached to the housing and a second working surface away from the entry point including a V-shaped notch 34 that begins with a flat surface, providing a smoother entry point for the suture thread. 15

[0027] )15 (FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the suture needle retaining strap 10 along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1. The magnet 22 can be on or within a wall of the housing 20 to provide a support surface upon which the needle N may be placed. The magnet 22 may be any type of static magnet known in the 20 art, such as neodymium iron boron, samarium cobalt, alnico, ceramic, and ferrite. The magnet 22 may have any suitable shape and / or size. In some non-limiting embodiments, at least a portion of the magnet 22 and / or the inner chamber 28 may be coated with a soft material, such as a polymer- like silicone, which will not dull the needle N point upon contact. In some 25 non-limiting embodiments, the housing 20 may be made of a soft material, such as silicon or rubber, to prevent dulling the needle N upon contact.

[0028] )16 (When the needle N is inserted into the chamber 28 of the housing

[0029] 20, the magnet 22 can hold the needle N within the inner chamber 28 5 such that the needle N point is fully surrounded by the housing 20. The inner chamber 28 may be sized so that the end of the needle N that is attached to the suture S extends out of the chamber 28 to allow the user to easily grab and adjust the needle N .

[0030] 10 )17 (Figure 4(A) and 4(B) shows the working of the hooks or posts. When the needle N is held in the housing 20, the suture S can be wrapped around the post 14 and notched post 32; This allows the suture (S) to get stabilized and secured. The increased stability ensures reliable needle N retention, especially in dynamic surgical settings . 15

[0031] )18 (Also, the modification involves a redesigned v-shaped notch 34 that begins with a flat surface, providing a smoother entry point for the suture thread. The gradual incline in the notch 34 facilitates seamless insertion of the thread, enhancing the overall ease of use and ensuring a strong 20 hold on the suture material.

[0032] )19 (FIG. 3A shows a side view of the housing 20 from the end of the housing that includes the opening 24. The housing 20 includes side walls and an end wall to fully surround the needle N point within the inner 25 chamber 28. FIG. 3B shows a top view of the housing 20. A puncture resistant sheet 26 may be provided on an upper surface of the band 12 proximate the opening 24 of the housing 20. The sheet 26 protects the user from unintended pricks by the needle N during insertion of the needle N into the opening 24 of the housing 20. The inner chamber 28 of the housing 20 may be sized based on the size of the needle N. In some 5 cases, the inner chamber 28 may have a depth ranging from about 50 to 90 percent of the needle N length. The inner chamber 28 as in Figure 4(B) includes an inclined wall additional 40 that is disposed within a one of the walls of the housing 20 to address specific challenges encountered when working with small suture needles. The inclined wall 40 serves as a 10 supportive structure that optimally grips smaller needles, minimizing the risk of slippage and enhancing the overall reliability of the strap. A size of the magnet 22 may be determined based on the amount of magnetic force desired by the user.

[0033] 15 )20 (FIG. 5 shows the suture needle retaining band 10 in use during an oral surgical procedure. The surgeon is in the process of knotting the suture S while the needle N is in the housing 20. The housing 20 prevents the needle N point from contacting the surgeon, the patient, and any medical equipment. As such, the strap 12 safely retains the needle 20 and allows the surgeon to have full use of both hands to knot the suture S.

[0034] )21 (It is to be understood that the present subject matter is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all 25 embodiments within the scope of the generic language of the following claims enabled by the embodiments described herein, or otherwise shown in the drawings or described above in terms sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter

Claims

A suture needle retaining strap, comprising: a band configured to be .1 wrapped around a palm of a user; a housing attached to an outer surface of the band, the housing including an inner chamber, an open end leading into the inner chamber, and a magnet; the inner chamber includes an inclined wall attached to one of the sides of the housing 5 and an upright post is independent from the housing on an outer surface of the band, including one surface opposite the opening of the housing ;and another working surface away from the housing and additional notched post is attached to the housing on an outer surface of the band outer surface of the band, including one surface attached to 10 .the housing and another working surface away from the housingThe suture needle retaining strap of claim 1, further comprising a .2 puncture resistant sheet attached to the outer surface of the band .adjacent the housing on a side of the opening 15The suture needle retaining strap of claim 1, wherein the band is .3 .elasticThe suture needle retaining strap of claim 1, wherein a circumference .4 20.of the band is adjustableThe suture needle retaining strap of claim 1, wherein the inner .5 chamber includes an inclined wall attached to one of the sides of the.housing 25The suture needle retaining strap of claim 1, wherein the magnet is .6 .disposed within a wall of the housingThe suture needle retaining strap of claim 1, wherein the magnet .7 5 includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of .neodymium iron boron, samarium cobalt, alnico, ceramic, and ferriteThe suture needle retaining strap of claim 1, wherein notched post is .8 independent from the housing, including one surface opposite the opening 10 .of the housing and another working surface away from the housingThe suture needle retaining strap of claim 1, wherein additional .9 notched post is attached to the housing, including one surface attached to .the housing and another working surface away from the housing 15The suture needle retaining strap of claim 1, comprising: a notched .10 post is independent from the housing, including one surface opposite the opening of the housing and another working surface away from the ;housing 20 wherein independent post from the housing, includes a hook or notch .within the working surface away from the housingThe suture needle retaining strap of claim 1, comprising: an .11 additional notched post is attached to the housing, including one surface 25 attached to the housing and another working surface away from the;housing wherein additional notched post is attached to the housing, includes a .hook or notch within the working surface away from the housingA suture needle retaining strap, comprising: a band configured to be .12 5 wrapped around a palm of a user; a housing attached to an outer surface of the band, the housing includes an inner chamber, an open end leading into the inner chamber, and a magnet; the inner chamber includes an inclined wall attached to one of the sides of the housing and an upright post is independent from the housing on an outer surface 10 of the band, including one surface opposite the opening of the housing ;and another working surface away from the housing and an additional notched post is attached to the housing on an outer surface of the band, including one surface attached to the housing and ;another working surface away from the housing 15 wherein independent post from the housing, includes a hook or notch within the working surface away from the housing, the V-shaped notch ;begins with a flat surface with gradual inclination and additional notched post is attached to the housing, includes a hook or notch within the working surface away from the housing, the V-shaped 20 .notch begins with a flat surface with gradual inclinationThe suture needle retaining strap of claim 12, further comprising a .13 puncture resistant sheet attached to the outer surface of the band .adjacent the housing proximate the opening 25The suture needle retaining strap of claim 12, wherein the band is .14 .elasticThe suture needle retaining strap of claim 12, wherein a .15 .circumference of the band is adjustable 5The suture needle retaining strap of claim 12, wherein the magnet is .16 disposed within a wall of the housing

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