The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Sulzer Brothers Limited

Vladimir Bittner

Mark D Johnson

Roger Dekumbis

The hollow needle (1) for medical use comprises a duct (10), which usually contains an aperture (11) which is elliptic or similar to an ellipse. The edge (14) of this aperture (11) is rounded by melting in the converging part (14') when regarded from the point (1') of the hollow needle (1). The process for rounding the edge (44) by melting uses a laser (45) which is pulsated or operates continuously, in the effective range (45') of which the part (44') to be rounded of the edge (44) lies.

Hollow needle for medical use and a laser method for manufacturing

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for introducing spinal anesthesia directly into the subarachnoid space of a patient. One apparatus and method utilizes a small gauge spinal needle for penetrating the dura; the other utilizes a small gauge catheter with an internal stylet having a non-piercing pencil point to spread apart the filaments of the dura wall. An introducer having a rounded tip is also provided for guiding and supporting the spinal needle or catheter, as force is applied thereto, to cause the same to penetrate the dura.

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Bern, Switzerland

Vladimir Bittner