Introducer and/or cannulation needle and methods of making and using the same
View Patent ↗The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a vein introducer and/or cannulation needle. Specifically, the needle includes a straight section attached to a distal end of a housing, and a curved section that comprises sharp tip. The curved or arcuate section is shaped to facilitate vessel introduction and maneuverability. Thus, the curved shape of the needle allows a user to access an internal vessel (e.g., a subclavian vein) in a parallel manner. As a result, the vessel can be accessed more safely and with decreased pain. The disclosed needle can therefore be used to provide fluidic and/or instrument access to an internal body structure (e.g., a subclavian vein).
1 . A tubular needle comprising:
a housing defined by a housing proximal end and a housing distal end, wherein the housing proximal end includes a connector;
a straight section comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the straight section operably connected to the housing distal end;
a curved section comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the curved section is operably connected to the distal end of the straight section, and wherein the distal end of the curved section comprises a sharpened tip;
wherein the curved section comprises a central angle of about 150 degrees to about 270 degrees, is configured as a segment of a circle, and forms a substantially C-shaped or U-shaped configuration.
2 . The tubular needle of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a series of screw threads.
3 . The tubular needle of claim 1 , wherein the straight section has a length of about 0.1-1 inches and the curved section has a length of about 0.1-5 inches.
4 . The tubular needle of claim 1 , wherein the curved section comprises about 40-90 percent of a total length of the tubular needle, the straight section comprises as about 5-50 percent of the total length of the tubular needle, and the housing comprises about 5-50 percent of the total length of the tubular needle.
5 . The tubular needle of claim 1 , configured within a kit comprising a plurality of tubular needles of various sizes and shapes.
6 . The tubular needle of claim 1 , wherein the straight section, curved section, or both are constructed from stainless steel, nitinol, tantalum, cobalt, chrome, titanium, nickel, and/or combinations or alloys thereof.
7 . The tubular needle of claim 1 , wherein the curved section is defined about a center point from which the curved section extends.
8 . The tubular needle of claim 1 , wherein the tubular needle comprises an internal channel having a constant diameter through the straight section and the curved section.
9 . The tubular needle of claim 1 , wherein the tubular needle comprises an internal channel that tapers toward the sharpened tip.
10 . A method of accessing a target vessel, the method comprising:
positioning the tubular needle of claim 1 at a target location on a patient;
advancing the sharpened tip of the tubular needle of claim 1 into the interior of the patient;
maneuvering the curved section of the tubular needle of claim 1 inside the patient to facilitate placement along the long axis of the target vessel;
whereby the target vessel is accessed.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the target vessel is a subclavian vein.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the target vessel is accessed to withdraw blood, place a central venous catheter, administer fluids, administer medication, monitor blood pressure, perform hemodialysis, insert a medical device, or combinations thereof.
13 . A method of treating a patient by accessing a target vessel, the method comprising:
positioning the tubular needle of claim 1 at a target location on the patient;
advancing the sharpened tip of the tubular needle of claim 1 into the interior of the patient;
maneuvering the curved section of the tubular needle of claim 1 inside the patient to facilitate placement along the long axis of the target vessel;
wherein the patient is treated by accessing the target vessel.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the target vessel is a subclavian vein.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the treating comprises withdrawing blood, inserting a central venous catheter, administering fluids, administering medication, monitoring blood pressure, performing hemodialysis, inserting a medical device, or combinations thereof.