Uniform stress needle

1. A uniform stress needle, comprising:

a proximal end section configured and adapted to secure a suture thereto;

a central section having a uniform transverse cross-sectional profile; and

a distal end section having a parabolic surface profile for producing a substantially uniform stress along a length thereof, the surface profile being defined by the following equation:

d =(((32 W )/(πσ))*( X n ))^(⅓)

where

d=measured diameter at location X n ;

W=load normal to the needle;

X n =distance from a distal-most end of the needle; and

σ=chosen stress restraint.

2. The uniform stress needle of claim 1 , wherein the distal end section includes a distal tip having a uniform taper.

3. The uniform stress needle of claim 2 , wherein the distal tip has a length which is substantially equal to a diameter of the central section of the needle.

4. A surgical needle, comprising:

a linear body portion including:

a proximal end section;

a central section; and

a distal end section, the distal end section having a substantially parabolic configuration for producing a substantially uniform stress profile along a length thereof;

wherein the distal end section has a diameter determined according to the following equation:

d =(((32 W )/(πσ))*( X n ))^(⅓)

where

d=measured diameter at location X n ;

W=load normal to the needle;

X n =distance from a distal-most end of the needle; and

σ=chosen stress restraint.

5. The surgical needle of claim 4 , wherein the distal end section includes a distal tip having a uniform taper.

6. The surgical needle of claim 5 , wherein the distal tip has a length which is substantially equal to a diameter of the central section of the surgical needle.

7. The surgical needle of claim 4 , wherein the proximal end section is configured and adapted to secure a suture thereto.

8. The surgical needle of claim 4 , wherein the central section has at least one of a rectilinear, circular, oval, triangular, I-beam and ribbon shaped cross-sectional profile.