Needle device

Abstract

A needle device for penetrating body tissues while substantially reducing the risk of damage to blood vessels and body organs by using visual control of the operative tip during insertion and the procedure, is disclosed herein. The needle device of the present invention has a large and diverse applicability to a number of medical procedures by enabling internal visual inspection of body tissues and cavities during treatment without open surgery or supplemental penetrating or visualization devices.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A needle device comprising:
 a nozzle defining a first lumen and a second lumen, the first and second lumens extending adjacently through the nozzle, the nozzle comprising a first portion terminating in a distal end and a second portion extending distally from the distal end of the first portion, the first lumen defining a first opening on the distal end of the first portion, the second lumen defining a second opening on the second portion,   an optical element disposed with in the first lumen for transmitting and receiving optical radiation; and   a supply tube configured to deliver a component into the second lumen, out of the second opening and into a body of a patient.   
     
     
         3 . The needle device of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion is cylindrical member. 
     
     
         4 . The needle device of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion is cylindrical member. 
     
     
         5 . The needle device of  claim 2 , wherein a diameter of the first portion is larger than a diameter of the second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The needle device of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion has a longitudinal axis and a face of the distal end of the first portion is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The needle device of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion comprises a tissue penetrating tip. 
     
     
         8 . The needle device of  claim 7 , wherein a bevel forms the tissue penetrating tip. 
     
     
         9 . The needle device of  claim 8 , wherein the second lumen defines the second opening on the bevel. 
     
     
         10 . The needle device of  claim 2 , wherein a pressurizer is operably associated with the supply tube to transport the component. 
     
     
         11 . The needle device of  claim 2 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a fluid, a medication, a bulking implant, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The needle device of  claim 11 , wherein the bulking implant is selected from the group consisting of collagen, silicon particles, ceramic balls, and fluoropolymer particles. 
     
     
         13 . The needle device of  claim 2 , wherein the optical element comprises a bundle of fiber-optic rods. 
     
     
         14 . The needle device of  claim 13 , wherein further comprises a lens system coupled to the fiber-optic rods and positioned to obtain images out of the second opening. 
     
     
         15 . A needle device comprising:
 a nozzle including a distal end and defining a first lumen and a second lumen adjacent to the first lumen, the distal end of the nozzle comprising a bevel tip configured to penetrate tissue, the bevel tip comprising a first opening of the first lumen and a second opening of the second lumen;   a supply tube configured to deliver a component into the first lumen, out of the first opening and into a body of a patient; and   an optical element disposed with in the second lumen for transmitting and receiving optical radiation.   
     
     
         16 . The needle device of  claim 15 , wherein a pressurizer operably associated with the supply tube to transport the component. 
     
     
         17 . The needle device of  claim 15 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a fluid, a medication, a bulking component, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The needle device of  claim 17 , wherein the bulking implant is selected from the group consisting of collagen, silicon particles, ceramic balls, and fluoropolymer particles. 
     
     
         19 . The needle device of  claim 15 , wherein the optical element comprises a bundle of fiber-optic rods. 
     
     
         20 . The needle device of  claim 19 , wherein the optical element further comprises a lens system coupled to the fiber-optic rods and positioned to obtain images out of the second opening.