An autoclavable needle assembly and method of making the same is provided for endodontic surgical procedures. The needle assembly includes a supporting hub member containing an adhesive in which one end of the needle is embedded. The surgical needle is preferably fabricated from NiTi alloy and includes, at its distal end, a side vent in the form of a skived portion extending a predetermined distance inwardly from the tip from the distal end of the needle. One or more coatings may be applied to the needle. An angle-adjustment sleeve can be bent to hold a desired angle in the needle.
1. A surgical needle assembly for endodontic procedures, said assembly comprising:
a needle having one end encapsulated and grippingly supported by a hub member and including a coextensive bore;
said needle further including a protruding hollow shaft portion of predetermined length;
an angle-adjustment sleeve surrounding a portion of said needle;
the distal end of said needle including an arcuate longitudinal skived portion having an arcuate height of a predetermined proportional ratio relative to the diameter of said bore.
2. The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the angle-adjustment sleeve is formed from an annealed stainless steel.
3. The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the angle-adjustment sleeve is secured to said hub member.
4. The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the angle-adjustment sleeve is adhesively secured to said hub member.
5. The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the angle-adjustment sleeve is secured to said needle using a pressure stressed connection.
6. The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the angle-adjustment sleeve surrounds approximately one-third of the needle protruding hollow shaft portion.
7. A method of fabricating a surgical needle assembly for endodontic procedures including the steps of:
providing a tubular shaft;
die cutting said shaft to provide a surgical needle of predetermined length, said needle having a first end and a second end;
machining one end of said needle to provide a skived portion of predetermined length;
providing a hub member having a cup-like interior;
supplying an autoclavable adhesive to the cup-like interior of said hub member; and
inserting the opposite said first end of said needle in said adhesive for retention and support thereof by said hub member;
providing an angle-adjustment sleeve;
placing said angle-adjustment sleeve over the needle and into said adhesive for retention and support thereof by said hub member.
8. A method of fabricating a surgical needle assembly for endodontic procedures including the steps of:
providing a tubular shaft;
die cutting said shaft to provide a surgical needle of predetermined length, said needle having a first end and a second end;
machining one end of said needle to provide a skived portion of predetermined length;
providing a hub member having a cup-like interior;
supplying an autoclavable adhesive to the cup-like interior-of interior of said hub member; and
inserting the opposite said first end of said needle in said adhesive for retention and support thereof by said hub member;
providing an angle-adjustment sleeve;
positioning said angle-adjustment sleeve over said needle;
forming a pressure stressed connection between said angle-adjustment sleeve and said needle by deforming said angle-adjustment sleeve.
9. The method of claim 7, further including the step of machining said second end of said needle to provide a skived portion of predetermined length.
10. The method of claim 8, further including the step of machining said second end of said needle to provide a skived portion of predetermined length.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the needle comprises a nickel titanium alloy.