Acupuncture needle delivery system

Abstract

An acupuncture needle and delivery system that facilitates the sanitary insertion and handling of the acupuncture needle in all orientations, and that does not impede the performance of the various post-insertion procedures of the sort commonly used by acupuncture practitioners. In a fully assembled pre-use state, the device includes an acupuncture needle having a filiform shaft and an enlarged head portion, an insertion tube accommodating at least the filiform shaft of the acupuncture needle to protect the filiform shaft from contamination, a stabilization sleeve slidably engaging the outer surface of the insertion tube, and retainer means for releasably securing the acupuncture needle within the insertion tube.

1 . An acupuncture needle delivery system, comprising in a fully assembled pre-use state:
 an acupuncture needle having a filiform shaft and an enlarged head portion;   an insertion tube having an axial length that is less than the axial length of the acupuncture needle, said insertion tube being adapted to accommodate at least the filiform shaft of the acupuncture needle to protect the filiform shaft from contamination;   a stabilization sleeve slidably engaging the outer surface of the insertion tube;   and retainer means for releasably securing the acupuncture needle within the insertion tube.   
     
     
         2 . The acupuncture needle delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the axial length of said insertion tube is between roughly 2 mm and 5 mm less than the axial length of said acupuncture needle. 
     
     
         3 . The acupuncture needle delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the axial length of said stabilization sleeve is between roughly ¼ to ½ of the axial length of said insertion tube. 
     
     
         4 . The acupuncture needle delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said retainer means comprise a removable resilient wedge inserted between an inner wall of said insertion tube and the enlarged head portion of said acupuncture needle. 
     
     
         5 . The acupuncture needle delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said retainer means comprise adhesive affixed to the end of said insertion tube adjacent the enlarged head portion of said acupuncture needle. 
     
     
         6 . A method of introducing an acupuncture needle into a body to be treated, said method comprising the steps of: providing the acupuncture needle delivery system according to  claim 1 ; positioning the insertion tube at a predetermined sensitive point on the skin of a patient to be treated; sliding the stabilization sleeve down to abut the skin of the patient; releasing the acupuncture needle within the insertion tube by removing or destroying the retainer means; setting the filiform shaft of said acupuncture needle into or through the dermal layer of the skin; removing said insertion tube to permit the further insertion of said acupuncture needle; optionally grasping said stabilization sleeve while further inserting said acupuncture needle to a predetermined target depth; and optionally removing or discarding said stabilization sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of optionally removing or discarding said stabilization sleeve is performed prior to the step of positioning the insertion tube at a predetermined sensitive point on the skin of a patient to be treated.