Injection needle for injecting woody plants

Abstract

The present invention includes a needle and a method for injecting a fluid, such as a medicament, into a woody plant, e.g., trees, shrubs or vines. In one embodiment the needle includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner conduit extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, and at least one aperture in communication with the inner conduit and an outer surface of the body. An area of uniform cross-section in the body contains an indentation in the outer surface of the body where the aperture opens to the outer surface.

1 . An injection needle for injecting a fluid into a woody plant comprising a body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner conduit extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, at least one aperture being in communication with the inner conduit and an outer surface of the body, there being an indentation in the outer surface of the body where the at least one aperture opens to the outer surface, wherein the body includes a first tapered portion extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, said first tapered portion having an end, the body including a second portion of uniform cross-section at the end of said tapered portion and adjacent the at least one aperture, said uniform cross-section extending a length that includes said indentation in said outer surface of said body into which said aperture opens and said portion of uniform cross-section extending from the end of said tapered portion toward said distal end.  
   
   
       2 . The injection needle of  claim 1 , further including a second aperture extending from the inner conduit to the outer surface of the body, there being a second indentation in the outer surface of the body where the second aperture opens to the outer surface into said area of uniform cross-section.  
   
   
       3 . The injection needle of  claim 2 , wherein a centerline of the at least one aperture and a centerline of the second aperture are collinear and form an angle of about 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.  
   
   
       4 . The injection needle of  claim 3 , wherein the apertures are configured such that a wire can pass through the body.  
   
   
       5 . The injection needle of  claim 3 , wherein said body at its distal end further includes a third portion extending from said second portion of uniform cross-section, such third portion forming a point.  
   
   
       6 . The injection needle of  claim 3 , wherein after said portion of uniform cross-section said distal end terminates in a blade.  
   
   
       7 . The injection needle of  claim 3 , wherein said indentation formed around said aperture in said portion of uniform cross-section includes a radius of curvature.  
   
   
       8 . The injection needle of  claim 3 , wherein said indentation formed around said aperture in said portion of uniform cross-section includes a groove formed in at least part of the outer surface of the body.  
   
   
       9 . The injection needle of  claim 8 , wherein the groove includes at least one cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of C-shape, V-shape, a chamfer, and a bevel.  
   
   
       10 . The injection needle of  claim 3 , wherein the outer surface in said area of uniform cross-section is countersunk to form the indentation.  
   
   
       11 . A method for injecting a fluid into a woody plant comprising the steps of: 
 providing an injection needle for injecting the fluid, the needle including a body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner conduit extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, and a first aperture and a second aperture in communication with the inner conduit and an outer surface of the body, centerlines of the first aperture and the second aperture being collinear;    inserting the needle into the woody plant;    injecting the fluid through the inner conduit of the needle and out of at least one of the apertures and into the woody plant, thereby injecting the fluid into the woody plant;    providing an indentation in the body where the first and second apertures open up to the outer surface of the body;    providing a uniform cross-sectional diameter of the body adjacent the first and second apertures; and    providing a taper in the body from the proximal end toward the body portion having a uniform cross-section.    
   
   
       12 . A method for injecting a fluid into a woody plant, the method comprising: 
 providing an injection needle for injecting the fluid, the needle including body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner conduit extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, and at least one aperture being in communication with the inner conduit and an outer surface of the body, there being an indentation in the outer surface of the body where the at least one aperture opens to the outer surface;    inserting the needle into the woody plant;    injecting the fluid through the inner conduit of the needle and out of the at least one aperture end into the woody plant, thereby injecting the fluid into the woody plant;    providing a uniform cross-sectional diameter of the body adjacent the at least one aperture; and    providing a taper in the body from the proximal end toward the body portion having a uniform cross-section.