Flexible Needle

Abstract

An endoscopic instrument comprises a first flexible insertion member sized for insertion through a body lumen to a target site and a needle coupled to the insertion member for penetration of tissue, the needle including a plurality of flexibility enhancing grooves formed therein along at least a first portion of the length of the needle.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An endoscopic instrument, comprising:
 a flexible insertion member sized for insertion through a body lumen to a target site; and   a needle coupled to the insertion member for penetration of tissue, the needle including flexibility enhancing grooves formed therein, a first plurality of the flexibility enhancing grooves formed along a first portion of a first length of the needle, one of a size and a spacing of the first grooves being selected to achieve a first flexibility for the first portion, a second plurality of the flexibility enhancing grooves formed along a second portion of a second length of the needle, one of a size and a spacing of the second grooves being selected to achieve a second flexibility for the second, the first flexibility being greater than the second flexibility.   
     
     
         22 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 21 , wherein a thickness of a wall of the needle is less in each of the first and second grooves than at portions of the needle outside of the first and second grooves. 
     
     
         23 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 21 , wherein a third portions of the length of the needle has a third flexibility, the second flexibility being greater than the third flexibility. 
     
     
         24 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second grooves do not extend to the inner lumen to prevent fluid flow through the first and second grooves. 
     
     
         25 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 21 , wherein adjacent ones of the first grooves are spaced from one another by a first distance and adjacent ones of the second grooves are spaced from one another by a second distance, the first distance being less than the second distance. 
     
     
         26 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the first and second grooves extends around only a part of a circumference of the needle. 
     
     
         27 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 26 , wherein midpoints of the first and second grooves extend along a substantially helical path. 
     
     
         28 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the first and second grooves extends around an entire circumference of the needle. 
     
     
         29 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 21 , wherein adjacent ones of the first grooves have a spacing therebetween that varies along the first portion of the length of the needle. 
     
     
         30 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 21 , wherein adjacent ones of the second grooves have a spacing therebetween that varies along the second portion of the length of the needle. 
     
     
         31 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the first grooves are spaced equally from one another along the first portion of the length of the needle. 
     
     
         32 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the second grooves are spaced equally from one another along the second portion of the length of the needle. 
     
     
         33 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 21 , wherein dimensions of the first and second grooves are selected to maintain a predetermined axial strength of the needle. 
     
     
         34 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second grooves extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the needle. 
     
     
         35 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the flexible insertion member is formed of a first material and the needle is formed of a second material more rigid than the first material. 
     
     
         36 . A method, comprising:
 fabricating a needle of a material having a first stiffness, the needle configured to penetrate tissue;   coupling the needle to an insertion member sized for insertion through a body lumen to a target site;   forming a plurality of first flexibility enhancing grooves along a first portion of a length of the needle, the first grooves being sized and shaped to achieve a first flexibility in the first portion; and   forming a plurality of second flexibility enhancing grooves along a second portion of the length of the needle, the second grooves being sized and shaped to achieve a second flexibility in the second portion flexibility, the first flexibility being greater than the second flexibility.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein a third portion of the length of the needle which does not include grooves has a third flexibility, the second flexibility being greater than the third flexibility. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the first and second grooves are closed to prevent fluid flow therethrough. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein adjacent ones of the first grooves are spaced from one another by a first distance and adjacent ones of the second grooves are spaced from one another by a second distance, the first distance being less than the second distance. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein a spacing between the first grooves varies along the first portion. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein a spacing between the first grooves is equal along the first portion. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the first and second grooves are formed in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the needle. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the flexible insertion member is formed of a first material and the needle is formed of a second material more rigid than the first material.