Echogenic Enhancement for a Needle

Abstract

A needle includes a surface with a plurality of first ultrasound reflecting depressions formed therein. The first depressions are distributed along at least a portion of a length of the needle separated from one another by intervening sections. Each of the first depressions is extending along a curve between first and second ends adjacent to corresponding ones of the intervening sections with troughs at which surfaces of each of the first depressions most closely approach a longitudinal axis of the needle being offset toward the first ends of each of the first depressions.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A needle, comprising:
 a longitudinal body extending between a proximal end and a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, an outer surface of the longitudinal body including a plurality of first ultrasound reflecting depressions spaced apart from one another along at least a portion of a length of the longitudinal body, each of the first depressions extending along a longitudinal axis of the needle and including a concave curve having a trough, the concave curve having a first portion extending from the trough to a first end of the first depression at a first curvature slope and a second portion extending from the trough to a second end of the first depression at a second curvature slope, the first curvature slope being steeper than the second curvature slope.   
     
     
         18 . The needle of  claim 17 , wherein the trough includes a gradual transition between the first and second curvature slopes. 
     
     
         19 . The needle of  claim 17 , wherein the outer surface of the longitudinal body includes intervening sections between adjacent first depressions. 
     
     
         20 . The needle of  claim 19 , wherein the intervening sections extend along and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the needle. 
     
     
         21 . The needle of  claim 20 , wherein lengths of the intervening sections are one of consistent or varying along the needle. 
     
     
         22 . The needle of  claim 17 , wherein the first portion approaches the first end of the first depression at an angle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the needle. 
     
     
         23 . The needle of  claim 17 , wherein the trough is offset towards the first end of the first depression. 
     
     
         24 . The needle of  claim 17 , wherein the first end of the each fo the first depressions is at a distal end thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The needle of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first depressions extends around an entire circumference of the needle. 
     
     
         26 . The needle of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first depressions extends around only a portion of a circumference of the needle. 
     
     
         27 . The needle of  claim 17 , further comprising a coating covering at least a portion of the needle, a material of the coating layer having an acoustic impedance selected to substantially match an acoustic impedance of bodily tissue within which the needle is to be used. 
     
     
         28 . The needle of  claim 27 , wherein a speed of sound through the material of the coating layer is substantially less than that through the bodily tissue within which the needle is to be used. 
     
     
         29 . The needle of  claim 17 , wherein the needle includes a lumen extending therethrough. 
     
     
         30 . The needle of  claim 17 , further comprising a tip located at a distal end of the needle, the tip being formed angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the needle and adapted to receive therein bodily tissue penetrated by the needle. 
     
     
         31 . A medical device, comprising:
 a longitudinal body extending between a proximal end and a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, an outer surface of the longitudinal body including a plurality of first ultrasound reflecting depressions spaced apart from one another along at least a portion of a length of the longitudinal body, each of the first depressions extending along a longitudinal axis of the device and including a concave curve having a trough, the concave curve having a first portion extending from the trough to a first end of the first depression at a first curvature slope and a second portion extending from the trough to a second end of the first depression at a second curvature slope, the first curvature slope being steeper than the second curvature slope.