FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPIC SAFETY NEEDLE

摘要

Various methods and devices are provided for penetrating tissue. In one embodiment, a tissue-penetrating device is provided and includes a flexible hollow elongat e shaft having a tissue-penetrating tip at a distal end thereof, and a plunger disposed withi n the tissue-penetrating tip. The plunger can be movable relative to the tissue-penetrating tip betwe en a distal position in which the plunger is distal of the tissue-penetrating tip to prevent tissue penetration, and a proximal position in which the plunger is proximal of the tissue-penetrating tip to allow the tip to penetrate tissue. The plunger can be adapted to move from the distal positio n to the proximal position when the plunger is advanced into a tissue surface. The device can also include a biasing element coupled to the plunger that can be adapted to bias the plung er to the distal position. The biasing element can be coupled between a distal end of a style t that extends through the hollow elongate shaft, and a proximal end of the plunger.