US3035580A - Surgical needle - Google Patents

Description

May 22, 1962 M. GUIORGUIEV SURGICAL NEEDLE Filed Dec. 27. 1960 @Mw/FM,

United States Patent Office 3,035,580 Patented May 22, 1962 3,035,580 SURGICAL NEEDLE Methodi Guorguiev, 241 Knollwood Ave., Cranston, R.I. Filed Dec. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 78,512 18 Claims. (Cl. 12S-303.18)

My present invention relates to surgical instruments and more particularly to a surgical needle used for removing hair or tissue from the skin.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a surgical needle having a cooling system for relieving the burning sensation on the skin and for reducing pain.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a surgical needle which is air or fluid cooled for cooling -both the needle and the skin.

A further object of the present invention to provide a surgical needle having a pressurized cooling system which also removes the burning gases from the skin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a surgical needle with pressurized air jets which maintains an air gap `between the needle and the follicle wall.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 41 is an enlarged elevation of a Ysurgical needle embodying my present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof.

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged section taken on line 3 3 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged sectional view of the needle construction.

Surgical needles which emit electric currents are used for removing excess hair or for burning small blemishes and unwanted tissues from the surface or beneath the surface of the skin.

The most common use for these needles is in electrolysis treatments for removing hair. The needle is usually Ibetween .002 inch to .009 inch in diameter. It is inserted into the skin adjacent the hair follicle for a distance suicient to reach the root. The electric current is then turned on for approximately one minute to kill the root. Where a short wave current is used the time is reduced to a twentieth of a second. In any event the skin surrounding the follicle and the needle is sensitive to the heat and pain and is also affected by the current. As a result the use of such a needle is accompanied `with pain and discomfort. The present invention is designed to provide a surgical needle in which a jet of pressurized air or other uid is introduced around the needle and if necessary through it. 'Ihis air provides a cooling action for both the needle and the skin and relieves the pain by removing the burning sensation and replacing it with the pressure of cold air. The many advantages of this construction will be hereinafter developed.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the device of the present invention comprises a metal support or housing having a central valve section 11 from which a heavy tubular portion 12 extends laterally. The tubular portion 12 having external threads 13. A second tubular portion 14 extends from the valve portion 1'1 in axial alignment with the portion 12 but in the opposite direction. 'Ihe tubular portion 14 is thinner walled and has a larger internal diameter than the portion 12. The portion 12 is provided with a narrow central bore 15 and is slotted towards its outer end with a plurality of slots 16 (3 shown). The portion 14 is provided with a central bore 17. Communication between the bores 15 and 17 is controlled by the valve in the portion 11. This comprises a vertically slidable valve member 18 lhaving a plunger shaft 19 extending upwardly through an opening in the portion 11. A dielectric iinger engaging button 20 is mounted on top of the plunger 19. Beneath the valve 18 is a coil spring 21 normally retaining the valve in closed position which is its uppermost position. A dielectric plug 22 is used to close the bottom end of the valve opening. The exposed area of lthe portion 11 is covered with insulating material 23. Communication between the -bores 15 and 17 is therefore effected by pushing the button downwardly against the action of the spring 21. When the button 20 is released the valve will close.

The needle itself is mounted in the threaded portion 12. Referring to FIG. 4 I prefer to use a hollow needle 24 which is held in an elongated cylindrical support 25. Since it is difficult to provide the support 25 with an accurate central bore equal to the outside diameter of the needle 24, the central bore of the support 25 is initially formed of a larger diameter than the needle and the excess space filled with a metallic conductive fill 26. The needle assembly with the support 25 is pushed yinto the front end of the portion `12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the resiliency of the front end caused by the slots 16 serving to hold it tightly in position. I-n pushing the support 25 into the portion 12 it should be noted that the rear ends of the slots 16 remain unobstructed. I now provide a dielectric sleeve 27 which may be made of plastic material. The sleeve 27 is internmly threaded to mesh with the threads 13. The forward end is tapered at 28 terminating in a narrow passageway 29 through which the needle 24 extends. The diameter of the passageway is approximately .020 inch. This allows suilicient space around the needle for the passage of air.

On the opposite side, the cylindrical portion 14 is surrounded by a tubular dielectric sleeve 30 which is longer than the portion 14 and extends well beyond its end. A dielectric exible tube 31 is forced over the end of the sleeve 30. An electric cord connection 32 extends coaxially with the tube 31 and the end of the bare wire is soldered at 33 to the end of the tubular portion 14. The electricity passes from the wire 32 to the portion 14 across the intermediate valve portion 11, into the tubular portion 12, the needle support 25, through the lill 26 to the needle 24. The various dielectric sleeves serve to protect the operator in the handling of the needle. In addition to the foregoing it is preferred that the needle also be insulated. The portion of the needle extending from the front end of the sleeve 27 is approximately 1/s inch in length. 'Ihis is the average depth for a hair follicle in the skin. However, the electric charge is only effective at the tip end of the needle and it is desirable to concentrate that charge at the tip. Referring to |FIG. 4, I provide a suitable insulation 34, preferably a chemical insulator which is extremely thin, to coat the needle from the support 25 outwardly towards the tip end of the needle. The insulation coats the needle leaving only approximately 1/32 of an inch exposed at the tip. This concentrates the electric charge at the working end of the needle and prevents electrical losses due to the contact of the skin with the shank of the needle. It also prevents burning of the skin at points where it may touch the needle.

With the above construction the tube 31 is connected to a source of air under pressure. When the operator rinserts the needle the valve 18 is opened by pressure on the member 20 and the air passes into the portion 12 through the slots 16, into the front end of the sleeve 2S and out through the opening 29 around the needle. The air comes out in a jet stream surrounding the needle and the impact of the air on the skin relieves any sensation of pain or burning. Where a hollow needle is used the air will also pass through the needle. It desired a separate pressure may be connected to the end of the needle so that a pressure dillerential may be maintained between the outside pressure and the pressure passing through the needle. 'I'his differential may be varied for different applications and uses of the needle. Furthermore, with a hollow needle, an antiseptic or a local anesthetic can be injected through the needle.

There are a great many advantages in the use of a jet stream f air in conjunction with this type of surgical needle. Besides cooling the skin, the needle itself is also cooled. The air pressure around the needle tends to keep the skin distended away from the needle and serves as an insulator for the electricity and the heat. It also serves to remove the gases formed at the tip end. The final result is a faster and more efdcient operation of the needle with the pain and discomfort Virtually removed. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

l. AA surgical needle comprising an elongated ltubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the dlow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

2. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

3. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the ow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

4. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable Valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through said housing, the housing around said valve being covered with a dielectric material, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

5. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the ow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said houslng.

6. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the ow of air through said housing, the housing around said valve being covered with a dielectric material, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

7. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the liow of air through said housing, the housing around said valve being covered with a dielectric material, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

8. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the llow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air -under pressure to said other end of said housing, said cord connection extending through said air supply means.

9. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through said housing, a hollow needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

10. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the oW of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing, said needle mounting including a tubular support having a plurality of slots extending from the front end longitudinally and communicating with said housing.

1l. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable `ralve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the ow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing, said needle being electrically insulated from its mounting to a point adjacent the tip end.

l2. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing, said cord connection extending through said air supply means.

13. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a hollow manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

14. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing, said needle mounting including a tubular support having a plurality of slots extending from the front end longitudinally and communicating with said housing.

15. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the ow of air through said housing, the housing around said valve being covered with a dielectric material, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord conection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing, said needle being electrically insulated from its mounting to a point adjacent the tip end.

16. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a hollow manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the iiow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing, said cord connection extending through said air supply means.

17. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing, said cord connection extending through said air supply means, said needle mounting including `a tubular support having a plurality of slots extending from the front end longitudinally and communicating with said housing.

18. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing of electrically conductive material, a hollow manually operable valve intermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the ow of air through said housing, a needle mounted on one end of said housing and extending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of said housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle and having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing,

rand means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing, said cord connection extending through said air supply means, said needle mounting including a tubular support having -a plurality of slots extending from the front end longitudinally and communieating with said housing.

References Cited in the lehf this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,210,3-16 Hollingshead Dec. 26, 1916 2,110,735 Marton Mar. 8, 1938 2,283,314 CkOla May 19, 1942

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