Slotted introducer needle and method for accessing a body lumen

Abstract

An introducer needle for accessing a body lumen includes an annular-shaped body having a distal end and a proximal end, a leading edge formed on the distal end, and a slot defined in the leading edge and extending proximally from the distal end. In at least one example, the slot can include a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge each extending proximally from the leading edge and being separated by a central angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 360 degrees. The first end and the second edge are in continuous communication with the leading edge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An introducer needle for accessing a body lumen, comprising:
 an annular-shaped body having a distal end and a proximal end;   an open perimeter leading edge formed on the distal end; and   a slot defined in the leading edge and extending proximally from the leading edge.   
     
     
         2 . The introducer needle of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end includes opposing edges, the opposing edges defining a portion of the slot extending proximally from the distal end. 
     
     
         3 . The introducer needle of  claim 2 , wherein the opposing edges are generally parallel. 
     
     
         4 . The introducer needle of  claim 3 , wherein the opposing edges are generally parallel to a central axis of the annular-shaped body. 
     
     
         5 . The introducer needle of  claim 1 , wherein the annular-shaped body has an arced profile adjacent the distal end. 
     
     
         6 . The introducer needle of  claim 1 , wherein the annular-shaped body has a U-shaped profile adjacent the distal end. 
     
     
         7 . An introducer needle configured to cut a flap in a body lumen wall, comprising an annular-shaped body having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having of the annular-shaped body having an open perimeter leading edge, a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge each extending proximally from the leading edge and being separated by a central angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 360 degrees, the first end and the second edge being in continuous communication with the leading edge. 
     
     
         8 . The introducer needle of  claim 7 , wherein the leading edge is arc shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The introducer needle of  claim 7 , wherein the leading edge is perpendicular relative to a central axis of the annular-shaped body. 
     
     
         10 . The introducer needle of  claim 7 , wherein the leading edge is oriented at an angle relative to the central axis of the annular-shaped body. 
     
     
         11 . The introducer needle of  claim 7 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are generally parallel. 
     
     
         12 . The introducer needle of  claim 11 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are generally parallel to a central axis of the annular-shaped body. 
     
     
         13 . The introducer needle of  claim 7 , wherein the central angle is greater than 180 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The introducer needle of  claim 7 , wherein the central angle is less than 270 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . An introducer needle for accessing a body lumen, comprising:
 an annular-shaped body having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end including opposing edges that are generally parallel to a central axis of the annular-shaped body;   an open perimeter leading edge formed on the distal end; and   a slot defined in the leading edge and extending proximally from the leading edge, the opposing edges of the distal end defining a portion of the slot extending proximally from the distal end.   
     
     
         16 . The introducer needle of  claim 1 , wherein the annular-shaped body has an arced profile adjacent the distal end. 
     
     
         17 . The introducer needle of  claim 1 , wherein the annular-shaped body has a U-shaped profile adjacent the distal end.