Frequently Asked Questions
The premium contrast needle is characterised by its consistent sharpness due to the special composition of the steel and its high bending strength due to the modified needle cross-section. The optimized surface coating also ensures improved gliding properties.
The black coating and the resulting improved visibility also make the premium contrast needle ideal for difficult anastomotic sutures or other problematic applications. Premium contrast needles are available for thread sizes from USP 8-0 to 3-0.
In addition to saving time during surgery preparation, this also simplifies enrichment for complex surgical procedures.
Both parameters are significant quality measures which depend on the utilized steel. Typically, hard steel is brittle and needles using hard steel break more easily than needles made from softer, more elastic steel.
Elasticity, however, may have a negative impact on the insufficient flexural strength in certain applications. This is why Santec uses a special steel that combines the physical advantages of a geometrical needle profile design with a special coating to create a highperformance needle with optimal flexural strength and fracture strength properties. In addition, those needles possess superb penetration performance which is of utmost importance when operating in calcified vascular tissue.
Pledgets are also referred to as seam abutments. The function of a pledget is comparable to that of a washer for pressure distribution. This prevents the thread from cutting into the tissue or injuring vessels.
Pledgets support and protect the fabric; they consist of PTFE compressed into felt or an ePTFE membrane.