MEDICAL DEVICE WITH SAFETY FLEXIBLE NEEDLE

摘要

A device (10) is provided for inserting medical instruments, such as pacemaker leads, into a patient. The device (10) includes a flexible needle (30) with a sharpened tip surrounded by a sheath (40) and catheter (50). A biasing element biases the needle (30) toward a position in which the needle tip is enclosed within the sheath (40). A method for inserting a medical instrument, such as a pacemaker lead, is also provided, in which the needle (30) is inserted into a patient, followed by the sheath (40) and catheter (50). The needle (30) is then retracted so that the sharpened tip is enclosed within the sheath (40). The needle (30) remains in the sheath (40) as the sheath (40) and catheter (50) are curved into alignment with a blood vessel and advanced through the blood vessel. The needle (30) and sheath (40) are then pulled out, and a pacemaker lead or other instrument is fed through the catheter (50) and into the vessel.