• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.109-115
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• 2015

Background: This study sought to determine safe ranges of oblique angle, skin entry point and needle length by reviewing computed tomography (CT) scans and to evaluate the usefulness of a bent tip needle during celiac plexus block (CPB). Methods: CT scans of 60 CPB patients were reviewed. Image of the uppermost margin of L2 vertebral body was used to measure the minimal and maximal oblique angles and the distances from the midline to skin puncture point. The imaginary needle trajectory distance was calculated by three-dimensional measurement. When the procedure was performed by using a $10^{\circ}$ bent tip needle under a $20^{\circ}$ oblique X-ray fluoroscopic view, the distance (GF/G'F) from the midline to the actual puncture site was measured. Results: The imaginary safe oblique angle range was $26.4-34.2^{\circ}$ and $27.7-36.0^{\circ}$ on the right and left, respectively. The distance from the midline to skin puncture point was 6.1-7.6 cm on the right and 6.3-7.6 cm on the left. The needle trajectory distance at minimal angle was 9.6-11.6 cm on the right and 9.5-11.5 cm on the left. The distance of GF/G'F was 5.1-6.5 cm and 5.0-6.4 cm on the right and left, respectively. All imaginary parameters were correlated with BMI except for GF/G'F. All complications were mild and transient. Conclusions: We identified safe values of angles and distances using a straight needle. Furthermore, using a bent tip needle under a $20^{\circ}$ oblique fluoroscopic view, we could safely perform CPB with smaller parameter values.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.281-285
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• 2023

Background: Dentists bend needles prior to certain injections; however, there are concerns regarding needle fracture, lumen occlusion, and sharps handling. A previous study found that a 30-gauge needle fractures after four to nine 90° bends. This fatigue life study evaluated how many 90° bends a 30-gauge dental needle will sustain before fracture when bent using a needle guide. Methods: Two operators at Element Materials Technology, an independent testing, inspection, and certification company tested 48 30-gauge needles. After applying the needle guide, the operators bent the needle to a 90° angle and expressed the anesthetic from the tip. The needle was then bent back to a 0° angle, and the functionality was tested again. This process was repeated until the anesthetic failed to pass through the end of the needle due to fracture or obstruction. Each operator tested 24 needles (12 needles from each lot), and the number of sustained bends before the needle fracture was recorded. Results: The average number of sustained bends before needle failure was 40.33 (95% confidence interval = 37.41-43.26), with a minimum of 20, median of 40, and a maximum of 54. In each trial, the lumen remained patent until the needle fractured. The difference between the operators was statistically significant (P < 0.001). No significant differences in performance between needle lots were observed (P = 0.504). Conclusion: Our results suggest that using a needle guide increases the number of sustained bends before needle fracture (P < 0.000001) than those reported in previous studies. Future studies should further evaluate the use of needle guides with other needle types across a variety of operators. Furthermore, additional opportunities lie in exploring workplace safety considerations and clinical applications of anesthetic delivery using a bent needle.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.67-71
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was conducted to observe the tip of needles which induce poor needle sensation upon injection of herbal acupuncture. Methods : Among the syringes used for herbal acupuncture, needles which cause poor sensation were collected and evaluated by SEM (scanning electron microscope) for changes in structure, existence of impure matters, physical damage, and etc. Results : 1. Various forms contributed to poor needle sensation. Bent needle body, damaged or crooked needle tip, and blunted tip 2. Poor needles could be made during the manufacturing process, during insertion of the needle into the vial(except for the lubricants), and repeated procedures with one needle at different regions. Conclusion : Poor needles induce unnecessary pain and discomfort not only to the patients but also to administrators during injection. Herbal acupuncture is a treatment technique injecting herbal extract on the meridian points, and strict quality check must be enforced to prevent occurrence of poor needles.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.382-389
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• 2022

Objectives: The Korean Industrial Standard (KS) for sterile acupuncture needles was established in 2009 based on research on the quality control of acupuncture needles. We aimed to determine the quality of acupuncture needles available in South Korea in 2021 by examining their surface condition and chemical composition using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Methods: In South Korea, there are 23 brands of acupuncture needles, and we examined 10-15 needles from each brand, resulting in a total of 285 needles. The microstructures of the needles were assessed by SEM. Using SEM images, we evaluated the acupuncture needle tips for the following defects/aspects: scratches, lumps, detached coating, bent tip, and tip sharpness. EDS was used to determine the chemical composition of the selected acupuncture needles. Results: Overall, 88.4% of 285 needles were found to have at least one type of abnormality. The most frequently observed abnormalities were scratches and dents on the surface (68.1%), followed by detached coating (63.2%), and lumps (61.8%); blunt tips were observed in about 24% of them. Of 252 needles with at least one defect, 86.9% had two or more types of defects. The ratio of the number of needles with any defect to that of needles without any defect varied among brands, ranging from 50% to 100%. Regarding foreign materials, higher proportions of Si and O were observed on the needles, indicating incomplete or detached silicone coating. Conclusion: The quality of acupuncture needles varied among brands, suggesting that further improvements can be made through various inspection methods.