DEVICES AND METHODS FOR INJECTING FLUID INTO THE BODY
Devices are provided for injecting fluid into the body. One such device includes an elongated, hollow cannula having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a shaft portion between the proximal and distal end portions, and a fluid flow lumen extending through the shaft portion between the proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion is flexible and pre-disposed to assume a curved configuration having a radially inner side and a radially outer side. The radially inner side includes at least one aperture to direct fluid flowing from the lumen in a radially inward direction. The device may include an introducer member and/or a guide member for introducing the cannula to a treatment site. Methods of injecting fluid into the body are also provided.
1 . A device for controlled direction of fluid delivery into a body, comprising:
an elongated, hollow cannula having
a proximal end portion;
a distal end portion;
a shaft portion between the proximal and distal end portions; and
a fluid flow lumen extending through the shaft portion between the proximal and distal end portions, wherein;
the distal end portion is flexible and may be flexed to assume a curved configuration having a radially inner side and a radially outer side; and
the radially inner side includes at least one aperture to direct fluid flowing from the lumen in a radially inward direction and the radially outer side substantially blocks fluid flow from the lumen in a radially outward direction.
2 . The device of claim 1 wherein a distal-most end of the lumen is closed.
3 . The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one aperture comprises one generally rectangular aperture in at least the distal end portion of the cannula.
4 . The device of claim 1 wherein the distal end portion is flexed by a predisposition to assume the curved configuration.
5 . The device of a claim 1 wherein the curved configuration is one of an arc, spiral or helical configuration.
6 . The device of claim 4 wherein at least the distal end portion comprises a shape memory material.
7 . The device of claim 4 wherein the distal end portion is flexed by a predisposition to curve about an axis extending at an angle, including up to about 90°, to the shaft portion.
8 . The device of claim 1 further comprising a laterally extending structure carried by the proximal end portion of the cannula, wherein the laterally extending structure defines a plane and the distal end portion of the cannula is predisposed to curve substantially within said plane.
9 . The device of claim 1 further comprising an outer tubular member for slidably receiving the cannula therewithin, the outer tubular member constraining the distal end portion of the cannula in a generally straight configuration when the distal end portion of the cannula is disposed within the outer tubular member.
10 . The device of claim 1 wherein the cannula includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced injection ports for dispensing injection fluid, wherein at least two of the plurality of injection ports are differently sized to maintain substantially equal flow rates of injection fluid from said at least two of the plurality of injection ports.
11 . A device for controlled direction of fluid delivery into a body comprising:
an elongated, substantially hollow cannula including proximal and distal sections, wherein the proximal section of the cannula has a greater stiffness than the distal section of the cannula; and
an elongated guide member at least partially received within the cannula and including a core wire and a coil spring surrounding the core wire.
12 . The device of claim 11 wherein the cannula further comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer has a greater stiffness than the outer layer.
13 . The device of claim 12 wherein the inner layer is joined to the outer layer by a thermal processing procedure.
14 . The device of claim 12 wherein the cannula further comprises a reinforcing material associated with the proximal section.
15 . The device of claim 14 wherein the reinforcing material has a greater stiffness than the inner layer and the outer layer.
16 . The device of claim 11 wherein the cannula includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced injection ports for dispensing injection fluid in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cannula.
17 . The device of claim 16 wherein at least two of the plurality of injection ports are differently sized to maintain substantially equal flow rates of injection fluid from said at least two of the plurality of injection ports.
18 . The device of claim 11 wherein the coil spring further comprises proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter of the distal end of the coil spring is less than an outer diameter of the proximal end of the coil spring.
19 . The device of claim 11 further comprising an outer sheath surrounding at least a portion of the coil spring, wherein the outer sheath has a lower coefficient of friction than the coil spring.
20 . The device of claim 11 wherein the core wire further comprises proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter of the distal end of the core wire is less than an outer diameter of the proximal end of the core wire.