Penetration test of blunt-tip suture needles using 25 μm-thick aluminum foil and several pig organs

Abstract

Objective The Korean standard (KS-P 3005) lacks guidelines for blunt-tip suture needles, necessitating foundational research. This study aims to provide data on the penetration forces of blunt needles with varying thicknesses using 25 mu m-thick aluminum foil and pig organs. Methods Fresh liver, lung, kidney, and pancreas tissues from a slaughtered female pig (YLD breed, similar to 5.6 months old) were used. Blunt needles were assessed for penetration force using aluminum foil and pig organs. Organs were prepared into uniform samples with 30 replicates. Blunt needles (0.6 mm to 1.1 mm in diameter) were vertically mounted on a tester to measure resistance during penetration. Results. For the 25 mu m-thick aluminum foil, the highest resistance was 140.6 +/- 15.3 gf for the 1.1 mm needle, and the lowest was 58.8 +/- 11.3 gf for the 0.6 mm needle. In pig organs, resistance varied: the pancreas required the least force, averaging 1.2 +/- 0.3 gf, while liver tissue required the most, averaging 47.1 +/- 5.6 gf. Conclusions The results demonstrate that needle thickness directly influences penetration force, with thicker needles requiring more force. Despite this, blunt needles prove to be effective across all tested tissues, offering significant advantages in terms of safety and reduced tissues trauma. These findings are expected to aid in developing guidelines for blunt needles, providing baseline data on penetration capabilities. Establishing such standards could enhance safety for medical professionals by promoting blunt needles' broader adoption, reducing needlestick injury risks in clinical settings.