A method for manufacturing a surgical needle devoid of a grinding process
includes the steps of swaging a needle blank to define a substantially
tapered or conical needle end, pressing the tapered needle to form a
plurality of intersecting surfaces and forming cutting edges along the
lines of intersection of the intersecting sides. The needle may be
subjected to an etching process (e.g., an acid bath) to sharpen the
cutting edges and/or provide a matte finish on the needle. The needle
produced by the novel process is extremely sharp and durable, and
exhibits an enhanced retention of sharpness relative to conventional
ground needles over periods of prolonged use.