Abstract:
A surgical needle extractor is provided which has a chuck including a penetration portion for penetrating between the claws of a surgical needle. The chuck also has an actuated piece pivotable with respect to the penetration portion of the chuck. The extractor includes a handle to which the chuck is releasably attached. The handle includes pivoting means for pivoting the actuated piece with respect to the penetration portion such that when the penetration portion is inserted between the needle claws, the penetration portion and the actuated piece cooperate to remove the needle. Only the chuck touches the patient&#39;s skin, and only the handle is touched by the operator. Accordingly, the handle need not be sterilized each time before use and the chuck is disposable. The actuating rod of the handle is adapted to be hand-operated. The extractor can further include means for releasing the chuck from the handle when a new chuck is desired to be attached to the handle. Both the chuck and the handle can be formed as unitary members.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to surgical needle extractors, and more particularly, to apparatus for extracting metallic surgical needles used for closing wounds after surgery. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional surgical needle extractors are formed as unitary structures, and are generally made of metal. They are usually designed to be used once and then discarded because the cost of sterilization and storage for re-use exceeds the cost of the extractor itself. Accordingly, inefficient use is made of the material forming the extractor. 
     A conventional unitary needle extractor is shown in FIG. 18. Both the handle and the end element which touches the patient and removes the needle are formed as a single unit. Such an extractor is difficult to grasp and its handling is inconvenient, thus preventing smooth extraction of needles and increasing the time required for extraction. This is disadvantageous because it prolongs pain for the patient. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, in view of the above-stated deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides the following advantages. 
     Only the chuck need be disposable because only the chuck contacts the skin of the patient, and only the handle is touched by the operator. Thus, the chuck is releasably attached to the handle and can be released therefrom and exchanged for a new chuck after being used. The handle, therefore, need not be sterilized and can be re-used. Thus, sterilization and storage costs are eliminated, and personnel costs are reduced, producing an economical extractor. 
     Upon further study of the specification and dependent claims, further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. 
     Briefly, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are attained in one aspect thereof by providing a surgical needle extractor having a chuck including a penetration portion having means for penetrating between the claws of a surgical needle and an actuated piece which is pivotable with respect to the penetration portion of the chuck. The extractor also has a handle to which the chuck is releasably attached. The handle includes pivoting means for pivoting the actuated piece with respect to the penetration portion of the chuck such that when the penetration portion is inserted between the claws of the surgical needle, the penetration portion and the actuated piece cooperate to remove the needle. The extractor can also include means for releasing the chuck from the handle. 
     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are obtained in another aspect thereof by providing a chuck for a surgical needle extractor, where the chuck has first and second members attached to one another, where one end of each of the first and second members include a penetration portion for penetrating between the claws of a surgical needle, and the chuck further includes an actuated piece which is disposed between and pivotably attached to the first and second members. 
     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are obtained in yet another aspect thereof by providing a handle for a surgical needle extractor chuck, where the chuck is of a type having a penetration portion including means for penetrating between the claws of a surgical needle and an actuated piece pivotable with respect to the penetration portion, where the handle includes means for releasably attaching the chuck to the handle and also includes pivoting means for pivoting the actuated piece with respect to the penetration portion, such that when the penetration portion is inserted between the claws, the penetration portion and the actuated piece cooperate to remove the needle. 
     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are obtained in still another aspect thereof by providing a container for a surgical needle extractor chuck where the chuck is of a type having a penetration portion including means for penetrating between the claws of a surgical needle, an actuated piece pivotable with respect to the penetration portion and an insert portion adapted to be releasably attached to a handle. The container includes a housing having an open area in which the chuck can be at least partially disposed. The container also includes a cover disposed over the housing open area for sealing the open area. The container also includes a support member disposed in the housing open area, the support member including means for releasably securing the chuck to the support member such that the insert portion of the chuck projects out of the support member, whereby when the cover is removed from the housing, the chuck can be attached to the handle without direct handling of the chuck. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are obtained in yet another aspect thereof by providing a method of attaching a sterilized needle extractor chuck to a handle, wherein the chuck has a penetration portion including means for penetrating between the claws of a surgical needle, and an insert portion including means for inserting in a recess in the handle, and wherein the container has a housing having an open area in which the chuck is at least partially disposed, a cover disposed over the haousing area for sealing the open area, and a support member loosely disposed in the housing open area, the support member including means for releasably securing the chuck to the support member such that the insert portion of the chuck projects out of the support member, the method including removing the chuck from the housing, removing the support member and the chuck releasably secured to the support member from the housing open area, inserting the insert portion of the chuck into the recess in the handle, and releasing the chuck from the support member. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are obtained and an additional aspect thereof by providing a method of attaching a sterilized surgical needle extractor to a handle, wherein the chuck includes a penetration portion having means for penetrating between the claws of a surgical needle, and an insert portion having means for inserting in a recess in the handle, and wherein the container includes a housing having an open area in which the chuck is at least partially disposed, a cover disposed over the housing open area for sealing the open area, the cover including an open area in which the insert portion can be disposed, and a support member secured in the housing open area, the support member including means for releasably securing the chuck to the support member such that the insert portion of the chuck projects out of the support member into the open area of the cover when the cover is over the housing, the method including removing the cover from the housing, inserting the insert portion of the chuck into the recess in the handle, and releasing the chuck from the support member. 
     A surgical needle extractor according to the present invention has a chuck which contacts the skin of a patient as the needle is extracted. The extractor also has a handle for holding the chuck. The chuck is releasably attached to the handle; it therefore can be ejected and exchanged for a new chuck. The handle has a recess within which the chuck is releasably attached; the chuck is tightly fitted within this recess. Surgical needles can be extracted using the chuck and handle which integrally cooperate with one another. However, only the handle is touched by the operator, and only the chuck touches the skin of a patient. 
     A chuck according to the present invention has an insert portion which is preferably fitted for releasable attachment within a first recess formed in a handle. The insert portion preferably has a substantially U-shaped section. This first recess is preferably formed at the front end of the handle. The chuck is preferably a unitary structure having first and second members. One end of each of the first and second members has a penetration portion for penetration between the claws of a surgical needle. The penetration portions are spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance, the spacing distance being smaller than the distance between the claws of a conventional surgical needle. The upper surfaces of the penetration portions are adapted as needle-holding surfaces, and the undersurfaces of the penetration portions are adapted as surfaces which are brought into contact with the skin of a patient. An actuated piece is pivotably attached between the first and second members. The actuated piece has a needle-pushing portion which can be pivoted such that it is inserted between the penetration portions in order to deform and remove a surgical needle. While the actuated piece is being pivoted, its rear side portion is pivoted away from the insert portion. 
     A handle according to the present invention has, preferably at its front end, a first recess into which the insert portion of the chuck is detachably fitted or inserted such that the chuck is releasably attached to the handle. The handle has, preferably at its rear side, a finger-holding surface. An actuating rod is pivotably attached to the handle, preferably near the first recess. One end of the actuating rod is disposed in a second recess in the handle; the second recess is in communication with the first recess. The actuating rod has a coupling portion, preferably at the front end of its front side, adapted to be releasably attached to the actuated piece of the chuck, preferably at the rear end of the rear side of the actuated piece, such that the actuated piece is free to pivot. The actuating rod includes a finger-holding surface, preferably at its rear side. A spring is disposed in the second recess of the handle for biasing the actuating rod, preferably against its rear side, such that the coupling portion of the actuating rod is in position for attachment with the actuated piece when the chuck is inserted into the first recess in the handle. 
     The coupling portion of the actuating rod is urged by the spring such that it is in position, preferably in the first recess in the handle in which the chuck is inserted, for releasable attachment to the actuated piece of the chuck. The coupling portion of the actuating rod preferably is attached to the end of the rear side of the actuated piece. Accordingly, chucks can be readily exchanged simply by extracting the used chuck from the first recess and inserting a new chuck therein. 
     Longitudinal grooves are formed in the first recess of the handle. Corresponding projections are formed on the insert portion of the chuck for engagement with these grooves during insertion of the chuck into the handle. Thus, erroneous or upside down insertion of the chuck into the handle is prevented. 
     The insert portion projections are preferably formed as longitudinal, belt-like projections and are dimensioned to tightly engage the first recess grooves. As a result, the insert portion is doubly prevented from moving within the first recess, and the chuck at the end of the handle is prevented from shaking while a needle is extracted. 
     The insert portion projections can have midpoint indentations for engagement with midpoint projections in the first recess grooves. By this provision, an operator can recognize when the insert portion is properly inserted in the first recess due to a sound produced when the insert portion projections move over the midpoint projections in the first recess grooves and immediately thereafter the midpoint projections abut against the midpoint indentations. This provides further insurance that the chuck will not come out of the needle. 
     The coupling portion of the actuating rod has a pivot pin. The rear end of the actuated piece has a groove in which the pivot pin can fit loosely to allow some play, such that the coupling portion and the actuated piece can cooperatively and reliably function. 
     The front end of the actuating rod is forked, and the pivot pin is disposed at this forked front end to provide a coupling portion for detachable connection with the above-mentioned groove in the rear end of the actuated piece. This coupling portion is dimensioned to have a width to fit in the insert portion of the chuck loosely to allow some play. The portion of the actuated piece containing the groove can fit between the forked front end of the coupling portion. The inner surfaces of the front end are beveled such that the coupling portion and the actuated piece can be smoothly and reliably attached to and released from each other. 
     The angle of inclination of the chuck surface which contacts the skin of a patient, the angle formed by the front and rear sides of the handle, the angle of inclination of the actuating rod relative to the front side of the handle, the angle formed by the front side and the finger-holding surface of the actuating rod, and the angle of inclination of the undersurface of the finger-holding surface of the actuating rod relative to the upper surface thereof are all set relative to each other with predetermined values such that the extractor according to the present invention can be freely handled as if it were an extension of the hand of an operator. 
     The first and second members of the chuck form a constricted guide portion for guiding the actuated piece such that the pivoting motion of the actuated piece is not hindered. As a result, the actuated piece can pivot in a predetermined manner without undesirable side movement, so that the needle can be smoothly extracted. In addition, because the pivoting motion of the actuating piece is not hindered, the actuated piece can be attached to the coupling portion of the actuating rod without being hindered. 
     The chuck has longitudinal elongated holes, preferably extending from the middle part of the chuck to the rear half of the first and second members of the chuck and to the front half of the insert portion of the chuck. As a result, the middle part of the chuck can be bent sufficiently such that the needle holding surfaces of the chuck can be smoothly expanded during the extraction. This results in smooth deformation of the surgical needle and effective extraction thereof. 
     The penetration portions of the chuck can be connected together by a penetration guiding collar, thereby enabling smooth penetration of the penetration portions below the surgical needle. 
     The upper surface of the finger-holding surface of the actuating rod is preferably shaped to have a concave section from a side view thereof. As a result, the inner surface of the thumb conforms to this concave surface and does not easily slip off so that the needle can be reliably and readily extracted. In addition, the upper surface of the fingerholding surface of the actuating rod is shaped to have a concave section from a front side view thereof. Accordingly, the thumb of the operator will not slip right or left, and the needle can be readily removed. 
     The finger-holding surface of the handle also has a concave portion which corresponds to the shape of the inner surfaces of the forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger. Thus, the fingers of an operator will fit this surface readily to enable a firm grasp. The finger-holding surface of the handle can be annular such that the fingers of an operator can integrally cooperate with the surface to facilitate handling. Further, both the finger-holding surface of the holder and that of the actuating rod can be made annular to provide handling similar to that provided by scissors. 
     The handle may be formed of a pair of right and left components assembled into a unitary structure. These right and left components, along with a coupling shaft, the pivot shaft to which the actuating rod is pivotally attached to the handle, and the shafts on which the spring is secured, can all be formed as an integral structure, thus facilitating fabrication and assembly and reducing production costs. 
     Both the right and left portions of the upper surface of the front side of the holder can be beveled to form cut-surfaces such that the chuck can still be observed by the operator within a wide visual range in order to facilitate extraction of needles. 
     Means for releasing the chuck from the handle can also be provided. The means for releasing the chuck from the handle can constitute an actuating rod slidably attached to the handle whereby sliding the actuating rod with respect to the handle releases the chuck from the handle. The actuating rod includes a hole in which a pivot shaft is fitted connecting the actuating rod to the handle; this hole is a longitudinal elongated hole, allowing the actuating rod to slide with respect to the pivot shaft. The actuating rod which forms the releasing means can be the same as the actuating rod which forms the pivoting means for pivoting the actuated piece with respect to the penetration portion. Thus, the actuating rod for the releasing means can also be subject to the bias of the above-mentioned spring. In such case, a portion of the rear side surface of the actuating rod against which the spring abuts may be indented. An angled projecting portion is formed on the spring for engagement with this concave portion of the actuating rod. Thus, when the actuating rod is pivoted, the actuated piece likewise is pivoted and the chuck carries out a predetermined needle extraction operation. As the actuating rod is pivoted, ultimately the concave portion of the actuating rod will move beyond the projecting portion of the spring. At this time, the coupling portion at the front end of the actuating rod is capable of being freely advanced and retracted due to the ability of the actuating rod to slide with respect to its pivot shaft; the coupling portion can be advanced until it projects out of the first recess in the handle, and thus releases the chuck from the handle. Accordingly, the chuck can be released from the handle by a one-touch operation by pushing the actuating rod forwardly with the thumb of the operator while the hand of the operator grasps the handle. Thus, a disposable chuck can be readily separated from the handle by a one-hand operation without requiring touching of the chuck by the operator. In addition, the needle extraction and the chuck release operations can be performed by a single actuating rod. 
     The finger-holding surface of the actuating rod has an upper surface portion to which the thumb of the operator is applied when the actuating rod is pushed down toward the holder to pivot the actuated piece, and a rear surface porton to which the thumb is applied when the actuating rod is pushed forwardly to eject the chuck from the handle. As a result, the needle extraction operation and the chuck release operation can each be readily and rapidly carried out in respective optimum positions. 
     Because the rear surface portion of the actuating rod has a concave shape from a side view thereof, such that it readily fits the inner surface of the thumb, the thumb is prevented from slipping vertically on this surface. Further, this rear surface of the actuating rod can be provided with upper and lower parallel notches to provide further insurance against thumb slippage and thus to facilitate the chuck release operation. 
     The handle can be made of a light-weight synthetic resin, thus providing easy handling and construction. 
     A container for a chuck as described above is also provided according to the present invention. The container has a housing with an open area in which the chuck can be at least partially disposed, and a cover disposed over the housing open area for sealing the open area. The container also has a support member disposed in the housing open area for releasably receiving the chuck such that the insert portion of the chuck projects out of the support member, whereby when the cover is removed from the housing, the chuck can be attached to the handle without direct handling of the chuck. The support member can have a groove for releasably receiving the chuck. The support member can be fixed to the inner wall of the housing open area, and moreover, can be formed to be integral with the inner wall of the housing open area. The cover is adapted to hermetically seal the housing open area. The cover can have an open area in which the chuck can be at least partially disposed. 
     A container according to the present invention uses a minimum number of components, i.e., a housing, a cover, and a support member. The container can be equally easily used by both right-handed and left-handed persons. For a right handed person, the housing is grasped with the left hand and cover is removed with the right hand; then the chuck can be rapidly inserted into the handle which is grasped with the right hand. 
     It should be noted that, with respect to such a container, the chuck is received within the support member with the insert portion projecting out of the support member. Thus, a new chuck, which is to replace a used one, can be removed from the support member and attached to the handle without being touched by the operator. This is obviously preferable from a sanitary point-of-view. As is noted above, the container can be hermetically closed to prevent contamination and enable ready storage. 
     In operation, to extract a needle, the finger-holding surface of the handle is firmly grasped with the forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger. Then the penetration position of the chuck is rapidly penetrated between the underside of the needle and the skin of the patient. Next the thumb is applied to the fingerholding surface of the actuating rod to push this surface down toward the handle while the actuating rod is grasped more tightly. As a result of pivoting the actuating rod with respect to the handle, the actuated piece, which in turn has been caused to pivot by the actuating rod, deforms the top portion of the needle laid across the needle-holding surfaces of the penetration portion of the chuck in the shape of a V. Then both claws of the needle are pulled from the patient&#39;s skin. In this manner, the needle is reliably and quickly extracted, thus reducing the pain for the patient. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of a surgical needle extractor according to the present convention, showing the chuck separated from the handle; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially-cutaway sectional, side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a vertical, sectional side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 showing the actuating rod after having been pushed down; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a partially-cutaway, vertical, sectional side view illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a vertical, sectional side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, with the actuating rod shown after having been pushed down; 
     FIG. 8 is a vertical, sectional side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, showing the actuating rod having been pushed forward to release the chuck from the handle; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the insert portion of the chuck; 
     FIG. 10 is a partial side view illustrating a second embodiment of the finger-holding surface of the handle; 
     FIGS. 11-14 are sectional views illustrating the sequential steps for extracting a surgical needle from the skin of a a patient; 
     FIG. 15 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view illustrating a container for an exchangeable chuck according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a partially-enlarged perspective view showing the chuck separated from the support member of the container; 
     FIG. 17 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view showing a second embodiment of the chuck according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 18 is a side view of a conventional surgical needle extractor. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1-5 illustrates a detachable-type surgical needle extractor, and FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a detachable-type surgical needle extractor having means for releasing the chuck from the handle. 
     FIGS. 1-5 show an extractor having a chuck 1 and a handle 50 for chuck 1. Chuck 1 has insert portion 3, body portion 2 which is made of a metal such as stainless steel and actuated piece 7 which is also made of a metal such as stainless steel. Insert portion 3 has a substantially U-shaped section from a front side view thereof. Insert portion 3 is for releasable attachment in a first recess 52 formed at the front end of handle portion 51 of handle 50. Insert portion 3 is detachably fitted to be releasably attached within first recess 52 without play. Body portion 2 of chuck 1 is formed as a unitary structure by a pair of first and second members 4 which extend from both sides of insert portion 3. As seen in the Figures, first and second members 4 are formed integrally with insert portion 3. That is, in the Figures, insert portion 3 is shown formed as members which are extensions of the first and second members 4. The front ends of first and second members 4 of chuck 1 are formed as penetration portions 5, which are preferably spaced apart a distance smaller than that between claws S1, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, of a conventional surgical needle S. Upper surfaces 5a of penetration portions 5 serve as needle-holding surfaces. Inclined undersurfaces 4a of first and second members 4 are contiguous with the undersurfaces of penetration portions 5 and function as surfaces which are brought into contact with the skin of a patient during extraction of a needle. Actuated piece 7 is pivotably attached between first and second members 4 at shaft 6. Actuated piece 7 has needle pushing portion 9 at its front end; when actuated piece 7 is pivoted about pivot shaft 6, needle pushing portion 9 is pivoted such that it is inserted between the two parts, as shown in the Figures, of penetration portion 5, and simultaneously, rear portion 8 of actuated piece 7 is pivoted away from insert portion 3 of chuck 1. Chuck 1 can be releasably attached within first recess 52 of handle 50. 
     Insert portion 3 of body portion 2 is beveled at the rear end of its underside to form inclined surface portion 3a to facilitate insertion of insert portion 3 into first recess 52. Projections 10 are provided on both sidewall surfaces of insert portion 3; projections 10 can be formed on either the upper or lower wall surfaces. Projections 10 make sliding engagement with grooves 62 formed in first recess 52 so that insert portion 3 is fitted within first recess 52 without play. Projections 10 extend longitudinally over the sidewalls of insert portion 3 like belts and are dimensioned such that they can slide within grooves 62 without vertical play. Projections 10 have indentations 11 at their midpoint; indentations 11 abut against projections 63, shown in FIG. 4, which are formed at the midpoint of grooves 62 in first recess 52. Indentations 11 abut against projections 63 after chuck 1 has been inserted into first recess 52. Projections 10 can be disposed on the upper parts of the sidewalls of insert portion 3 such that insert portion 3 can bend inwardly a sufficient amount to allow projections 10 to move over projections 63. 
     Longitudinal elongated holes 12 are formed in the middle part of body portion 2 including the rear half of first and second members 4 and the rear half of insert portion 3. This enables the elements forming chuck 1 to bend to a considerable extent so that the penetrating elements forming penetration portion 5 can be further expanded. 
     The portions of first and second members 4 of body portion 2 which are behind pivot shaft 6 and near insert portion 3 are constricted such that they form guide portion 4b. The distance between guide portions 4b is slightly larger than the thickness of actuated piece 7 such that actuated piece 7 can pivot between guide portions 4b without any side play. 
     Groove 13 is provided in the rear end of rear side 8 of actuated piece 7 which is releasably attached to handle 50. When chuck 1 is inserted into first recess 52, coupling portion 58 of actuating rod 56 fits in groove 13 with play. The inlet edge of groove 13 is beveled to facilitate insertion of coupling portion 58. 
     Alternatively, a penetration guiding collar 5b,  shown in FIG. 9, connects the front ends of penetration portions 5 such that the pivoting motion of needle pushing portion 9 of actuated piece 7 between penetration portions 5 is not hindered. 
     The front end of handle 50 includes handle portion 51, which is preferably made of a synthetic resin material, actuating rod 56, which is also preferably made of a synthetic resin material, and spring 61. First recess 52 is formed at the front end of handle portion 51, insert portion 3 of chuck 1 is inserted in first recess 52, as described above. Rear side 53 of handle portion 51 functions as a finger holding surface 53a. Actuating rod 56 is pivotally attached at pivot shaft 55 located near first recess 52; front end 57 of actuating rod 56 is positioned in second recess 54 in handle 50. Second recess 54 is in communication with first recess 52 of handle 50. Coupling portion 58 of actuating rod 56 is formed at the front end of front side 57 of actuating rod 56; coupling portion 58 is releasably attached to the rear end of the rear side of actuated piece 7. Rear side 59 of actuating rod 56 is formed with a single holding portion 60. 
     Spring 61 is also attached in second recess 54 and functions to bias rear side 59 of actuating rod 56 such that coupling portion 58 of actuating rod 56 is in position within first recess 52 for attachment to the corresponding part of actuated piece 7, i.e., with groove 13 which, as describe above, is provided at the rear end of rear side 8 of actuated piece 7. Thus, chuck 1 can be releasably attached within first recess 52. 
     Handle 51 is formed as a unitary structure including a pair of right and left handle components 51a. One handle component 51a has a coupling shaft 51b and the other handle component 51a has a hole 51c in which coupling shaft 51b is engaged. That is, coupling shaft 51b is engaged in hole 51c to form the unitary handle assembly. Preferably finger-holding surface 53a of handle 51 is shaped to fit the inner surfaces of a forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger. At the front end of the front side of handle 51, the right and left edges of the upper surfaces of handle 51 are beveled to form cut surfaces 51d. Therefore, the front end of the front side of handle 51 does not screen chuck 1 and thus does not hinder the vision of the operator. 
     The inner wall surfaces of first recess 52 of handle 51 have grooves 62 which extend longitudinally from the inlet end toward the closed end of recess 52. Grooves 62 function to receive and guide projections 10 of insert portion 3 and to hold insert portion 3 within first recess 52 without play. Of course, insert portion 3 can be pulled out of first recess 52 along grooves 62. Grooves 62 have projections 63 at their midpoint, as shown in FIG. 4. Midpoint projections 63 engage with midpoint indentations 11 formed in insert portion 3 which is tightly fitted within first recess 52. Thus, chuck 1 will not come out of first recess 52 unless external force is applied thereto. 
     Front end portion 64 of front side 57 of actuating rod 56 is dimensioned to fit within insert portion 3 of chuck 1 with play. Front end portion 64 is also forked such that it clamps between its forked front edges or prongs 101 the rear end portion of rear side 8 of actuated piece 7. Coupling portion 58 of actuating rod 56 can be a pivot pin which engages groove 13 of actuated piece 7. Coupling portion or pivot pin 58 forms a bridge between prongs 101 of forked front end portion 54. Because coupling portion 58 is fitted in groove 13 with play, actuated piece 7 can freely pivot. Inner surfaces 64a of forked front edges or prongs 101 of front end portion 64 are beveled to facilitate attachment of actuated piece 7 to actuating rod 56. 
     The width of finger-holding surface 60 of actuating rod 56 is increased in upper surface portion 68a. Finger-holding surface 60 has a concave shape from a side-view thereof and a middle part of surface 60 also has a concave shape from a front side view thereof, such that surface 60 fits the inner surface of the thumb. As a result, the thumb does not slip either right or left nor up or down on surface 60. 
     One end of spring 61 is secured to shafts 65 and 66 mounted in second recess 54 and the other end of spring 61 abuts against the under surface of rear side 59 of actuating rod 56. Spring 61 biases actuating rod 56 such that the under surface of the front end portion 64 of actuating rod 56 is pushed against the floor of first recess 52 and such that coupling portion 58 is aligned with the sliding track of groove 13 of actuated piece 7 and is ready for attachment with the latter. 
     It should be noted that shafts 65 and 66 for securing springs 61, together with coupling shaft 51b and pivot shaft 55, are preferably formed with handle components 51a as an integral structure using a single metal mold. 
     The handle for a surgical needle extractor shown in FIGS. 6-8 is identical in basic structure with the handle of the detachable-type surgical needle extractor shown in FIGS. 1-5, except that in FIGS. 6-8 means are provided for releasing chuck 1 from handle 51. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, chuck 1 can be pushed out of first recess 52 by means of actuating rod 56. In particular, longitudinal elongated hole 67 is provided in actuating rod 56 in which pivot shaft 55 is engaged. Thus, actuating rod 56 can slide with respect to pivot shaft 55 along longitudinal hole 67. In addition, coupling portion 58 on front side 57 of actuating rod 56 can be freely advanced, due to the sliding motion of actuating rod 56, until coupling portion 58 projects out of first recess 52; similarly, coupling portion 58 can be retracted within first recess 52. The under surface of rear side 59 of actuating rod 56 against which spring 61 abuts, is provided with indentation 68. Angled projection 61a of spring 61 abuts against and is engaged with indentation 68, except when chuck 1 is being pushed out of holder 51 by actuating rod 56. When projection 61a engaged with indentation 68, actuating rod 56 can swing about pivot axis 55 together with actuated piece 7 of chuck 1, which, of course, is within first recess 52, in an integrally cooperating manner. Indentation 68 can be moved beyond angled projection 61a and actuating rod 56 itself can move in the longitudinal direction within longitudinal, elongated hole 67, such that coupling portion 58 pushes actuated piece 7, as well as all of chuck 1, out of first recess 52. Finger-holding surface 60 of actuating rod 56 has rear surface portion 60b which is continuously inclined in a rearward direction below the rear side of upper surface portion 60a. The angle a of inclination, shown in FIG. 6, of rear surface portion 69b relative to upper surface portion 60a, is preferably approximately 60 degrees. Rear surface portion 60b has a concave shape from a side-view thereof so as to readily fit the entire inner surface of the thumb. Furthermore, upper and lower parallel projections 69 are provided to prevent the thumb from slipping vertically. 
     In each embodiment of the chuck and handle according to the present invention as illustrated in the Figures, angle b of skin-contacting surfaces 4a of chuck 1 is preferably approximately 40 degrees. The angle of bend c of finger-holding surface 53a of handle 50 is preferably approximately 150 degrees. The angle d of inclination of actuating rod 56 in its rest position relative to the front side of handle portion 51 is preferably approximately 40 degrees. The angle e formed by front side 57 and finger-holding surface 60 of actuating rod 56 is preferably approximately 155 degrees. Of course, these angles are not limited to the values indicated above, and any other values may be used unless handling is obstructed thereby. 
     Finger-holding surface 53a of handle portion 50 may be annular as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, handle portion 50 can be more readily handled because the forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger can be inserted into the annular portion to hold the handle. Finger-holding surface 60 may also be made annular such that the thumb can be inserted into this annular portion. 
     In operation, with respect to a surgical needle extractor according to the present invention, finger-holding surface 53a of holder 51 is grasped by all four fingers and the thumb is applied to finger-holding surface 60 of actuating rod 56. Then, penetration portions 5 are inserted between the underside of needle S and the patient&#39;s skin. Actuating rod 56 is pushed down by the thumb to bend and extract needle S as illustrated in FIGS. 11-14. 
     After extraction, chuck 1 can be pulled out of first recess 52 by hand or by using any suitable tool. It may be pushed out by means of actuating rod 56 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8. When another surgical needle is to be extracted, a new chuck 1 is tightly fitted into first recess 52 of handle 51 and the needle can be removed in a similar manner for disposal. 
     FIG. 15 shows container 103 for a replaceable chuck 1. When chuck 1 is to be used, cover 81, which seals housing 80 of container 103, is removed and support member 82 of housing 80 is taken out. Chuck 1 can be separated from support member 82 and attached to handle 51 without direct handling, i.e., without chuck 1 itself ever being touched by the operator. Support member 82 has a mounting groove 83, as shown in FIG. 16, in which chuck 1 is disposed up to a position corresponding to pivot shaft 6 of first and second members 4. Thus, chuck 1 is fitted within support member 82 except for insert portion 3 which projects out of support member 82. 
     Cover 81 preferably hermetically seals the open area within housing 80. 
     FIG. 16 shows chuck 1 and support member 82 with groove 83 formed in support member 82. 
     FIG. 17 illustrates chuck container 103 which is made of 2 components, i.e., housing 80 and cover 81. In this embodiment, support 82 is integrally formed on the inner bottom surface of housing 80. Further, cover 81 includes an open area in which the chuck is partially disposed. 
     From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.