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Epidural needle having a distal flare

  • US 6,565,542 B2
  • Filed: 06/22/2001
  • Issued: 05/20/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2001
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. In a patient having ligamentous structures, a ligamentum flavum ventral to the ligamentous structures, and an epidural space ventral to the ligamentum flavum, a method for injecting a material into the epidural space, the method comprising:

  • providing an epidural needle having a shaft, a lumen therethrough, a distal tip, and a bulge beginning proximally no more than about 6 millimeters from the distal tip;

    advancing the distal tip distally through the ligamentous structures while sensing a first resistance to advancement;

    continuing advancing the distal tip as the bulge penetrates the ligamentum flavum while sensing a second resistance to advancement greater than the first resistance to advancement;

    stopping further advancement after a decrease in resistance is sensed relative to the second resistance to advancement; and

    injecting the material through the lumen and into the epidural space.

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