Device for Minimally Invasive Delivery of Treatment Substance

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for delivering ablation fluid to a location of interest within a body (e.g., a location with the lung) are described herein. Ablation fluid delivery systems and devices can include flexible delivery needles within which a plurality of smaller flexible needles is housed. The smaller flexible needles can be configured to articulate or bend with respect to the flexible delivery needle to increase an effective delivery area for the ablation fluid. The smaller flexible needles can include apertures or other openings to facilitate delivery of the ablation fluid to the location of interest.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A needle assembly for delivery of a treatment substance to a site within the body, the needle assembly comprising:
 a delivery needle defining a delivery lumen and having a delivery needle wall, a proximal end, and a distal end, the delivery needle wall having one or more cut patterns to increase the flexibility of the delivery needle;   a plurality of internal needles, each internal needle defining an internal needle lumen and having an internal needle wall, a proximal end, and a distal end, the plurality of needles configured to transition between a contracted position and an expanded position; and   a treatment substance source in fluid communication with the internal needle lumens of the plurality of internal needles;
 wherein each of the plurality of internal needles is configured to extend in a distal direction and flare outward from the distal end of the delivery needle when in the expanded position; and 
 wherein the plurality of internal needles are housed within the delivery lumen when in the contracted position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The needle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an internal surface of the delivery needle wall is coated with a substance configured to reduce or eliminate the likelihood that the internal needles will stick to or catch on the delivery needle wall when the internal needles are transitioned between the contracted position and the expanded position. 
     
     
         3 . The needle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery needle is coated on an outside surface with quick clotting features, cauterizing features, or both. 
     
     
         4 . The needle assembly  claim 2 , wherein the internal surface of the delivery needle wall includes one oe more cut features, the one or more cut features facilitating fluid communication between the internal needle lumen and an exterior of the internal needles. 
     
     
         5 . The needle assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the needle assembly further comprises a flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the flexible shaft coupled with the proximal ends of the internal needles. 
     
     
         6 . The needle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the needle assembly comprises three internal needles. 
     
     
         7 . The needle assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the internal needles has a distal aperture in fluid communication with the internal needle lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The needle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the distal ends of the internal needles are sharpened. 
     
     
         9 . The needle assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of the distal ends of the internal needles form a continuous beveled surface, wherein the angle changes continuously along the bevel. 
     
     
         10 . The needle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the delivery needle is sharpened. 
     
     
         11 . The needle assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the distal end of the delivery needle forms a continuous beveled surface, wherein the angle changes continuously along the bevel. 
     
     
         12 . The needle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the needle assembly further comprises a connection to a suction source, a steering mechanism, or both. 
     
     
         13 . A multi-lumen catheter assembly, comprising:
 a biopsy needle contained within one lumen;   an ultrasound probe contained within a second lumen; and   a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the distal tip of the biopsy needle, comprising one or more steering wires.   
     
     
         14 . The needle assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more steering wires is a bowden wire. 
     
     
         15 . A method of obtaining a tissue sample, comprising:
 inserting a needle assembly in a bronchoscope;   advancing a one or more flexible needles through a distal tip of the needle assembly;   visualizing the tip position with the aid of one or more signature markers; and   manipulating a position of the distal tip to optimally obtain the tissue sample.