Standardization News

Strength and penetration are key attributes needed for surgical needles. A new ASTM International standard focuses on penetration testing of such needles. F3014, Test Method for Penetration Testing of Needles Used in Surgical Sutures, was developed by Subcommittee F04.33 on Medical/Surgical Instruments, part of ASTM International Committee F04 on Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices.

"Having knowledge of a surgical needle's performance is valuable in selecting the right surgical product for a given procedure," says Eric Hinrichs, principal engineer, Ethicon, and an F04 member. "A physician or surgeon desires a surgical needle to have a low penetration force and for this force to be consistent throughout the surgical needle's usable life."

According to Hinrichs, having low and consistent penetration force provides users with control and, consequently, confidence in the accurate placement of the surgical needle during a procedure, especially in the following situations:

Needles covered by F3014 are sold to and for the intended use by physicians and trained licensed professionals only. Such needles are used in all types of surgeries, from ophthalmic to cardiovascular.

The subcommittee plans to include a media standard in future revisions of F3014. "This may be one or several types of media, depending on how comprehensively a media's characteristics cover the myriad of tissues that surgical needles encounter," says Hinrichs. "The important requirements for any media selected is that it be cost-effective, readily available and, most importantly, that it be consistent within itself and from manufacturing lot to lot."

All interested parties, particularly experts in surgical needles and how they must perform and interact with living tissue, are invited to join in the ongoing standards developing activities of F04.33.

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CONTACT Technical Information: Eric Hinrichs, Ethicon Inc. • Somerville, N.J. • Phone: 908-218-3177 | ASTM Staff: Pat Picariello • Phone: 610-832-9720 | Upcoming Meeting: Nov. 11-14 • November Committee Week • New Orleans, La.