#$%^&*AU2006233212B220130328.pdf#####SICKLE NEEDLE AND METHOD ABSTRACT A surgical needle (10) which is particularly suited for use in limited space applications and a method for its use are disclosed. The surgical needle generally includes an arcuate portion (12) having a first end and a second end. A pointed tip (14) is disposed near the first end. There is a relatively short, straight shank near the second end of the arcuate portion which extends from the arcuate portion at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is within a range of about 230 to about 290. In a particularly useful embodiment, the predetermined angle is approximately 26*. Further, an extrapolation of a longitudinal axis of the shank intersects the arcuate portion of the surgical needle.3/5 :9 100Oa1 , 130 9 R 124, 122 150- 120 140 L FIG. 7 160 130 150 120 150 FIG. 8 FIG. 9
