Hollow needle for access in non-linear path

Abstract

A hollow needle, for use in medical and other areas where thin hollow needles are used to inject or aspirate fluids and gases, is provided and comprises of a thin, rigid tube body that is open on both ends and throughout the length with one sharp end. The needle body is designed and can be manufactured with a curved shape and or other geometric features, can be drawn to a desired curvature with heat, or can be curved afterwards, to specific specifications depending on the application. The needle so configured advantageously allows the user to circumvent an obstacle and or obstacles that otherwise inhibit direct linear access to a point-of-interest by providing a device that can take the sharp point of a needle on an indirect path towards the desired therapy delivery point.

19 . A hollow needle comprising:
 a generally rigid tube, having a generally circular cross section, comprising a first segment defining a first opening and a second segment characterized as having a portion of the generally rigid tube cutaway, at a distal end, to form a profile wherein a sharpened point and an opening are created, with a hollow shaft therebetween;   the generally rigid tube haying a proximal portion comprising a straight segment of shaft defining a shaft longitudinal axis, and a distal portion which is curved relative to the shaft longitudinal axis, such that the curved distal end of the shaft and the sharpened point are curved assay from the shaft longitudinal axis and the adjacent opening opens to the inside of the curve; and   wherein the sharpened point of the hollow needle can penetrate a surface, at a desired location, followed by the generally rigid tube, the sharpened point and tube then being forced through a non-linear path from the surface penetration point around an obstruction and to a desired point in the body.   
     
     
         20 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein the distal end of the shaft and point curve between 5 degrees and 90 degrees away from the shaft longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         21 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein the shaft and point curve 45 degrees away from the shaft longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         22 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein the distal end of the shaft is further curved to give the distal end of the needle a compound curvature in a varied direction. 
     
     
         23 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein a diameter of the generally rigid tube is consistent throughout a length of the needle. 
     
     
         24 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein the opening adjacent the sharpened point is generally oval shaped. 
     
     
         25 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein the needle is cast with the curve. 
     
     
         26 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein the needle is heated and drawn to a desired curvature. 
     
     
         27 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein the needle is bent further after primary manufacture. 
     
     
         28 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein the needle is made of a material allowing the needle to be bent further, and retain the new bend, after manufacture and just prior to penetration. 
     
     
         29 . The hollow needle of  claim 28 , wherein such bending is done using methods and devices that can cause a desired bend while maintaining the structural integrity of the needle. 
     
     
         30 . The method of use of a partially curved needle having both a curved section and a sharpened point at a distal end of the needle and having a straight section at the proximal end the sharpened point being curved away from a longitudinal axis of the straight section of the partially curved needle and having an opening adjacent thereto, the opening placed on the concave part of the curve of the needle, to reach a point of interest within a surface or barrier, including the steps of:
 placing the sharpened point of the needle upon the barrier or surface to be pierced; and,   applying force to the proximal end of the needle to cause the sharpened point to pierce the barrier or surface and pushing the sharpened point and attendant shaft around an obstacle and towards the point-of-interest.   
     
     
         31 . The method of use of  claim 30 , wherein the sharpened point is placed on a finger, having at least a tendon and a pulley, and the sharpened point of the needle is pushed between the pulley of the finger and the at least one tendon of the finger to reach the point-of-interest. 
     
     
         32 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein the needle is attached at its proximal end to a Luer fitting 
     
     
         33 . The hollow needle of  claim 19 , wherein the curve of the distal portion of the generally rigid tube defines a center of curvature defining an inner concave curve and an outer convex curve, the sharpened point at the distal end of the tube being located substantially on the outer convex curve of the generally rigid tube, the generally oval opening being located on the inner concave curve of the generally rigid tube. 
     
     
         34 . A hollow needle, comprising:
 a generally rigid tube, having a generally circular cross section, comprising a first segment defining a first circular opening, and a second segment having a sharpened point defining a second opening, with a hollow shaft therebetween;   the generally rigid tube having a proximal portion comprising a straight segment of shaft defining, a shaft longitudinal axis, the generally-rigid, tube having a central portion which is multiply-curved, wherein, a first curve, relative to the shaft longitudinal axis occurs such that a proximal end of the central portion of the shaft curves away from the shaft longitudinal axis about a second axis, generally perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, and a second curve occurs, relative to the second axis, such that a distal portion section of the central portion is curved relative to a third axis that is offset to the shaft longitudinal axis, to allow the sharpened point of the hallow needle to penetrate a surface, at a location, followed by the tube, the sharpened point and tube then being forced through a non-linear path from the surface penetration point around one or more obstructions and to a desired place in the body for deposit or collection of fluids, through the hollow needle, or both.   
     
     
         35 . The hollow needle of  claim 34 , wherein the tube is further curved so that the third axis is generally perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         36 . The hollow needle of  claim 34 , wherein the tube is further curved so that the third axis is generally parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis.