Needle assemblies containing oriented needles and methods for production thereof

Abstract

Acupuncture needles may be used for piercing tissue with less trauma than may occur when employing larger gauge needles. However, because acupuncture needles are fabricated and packaged differently than are larger gauge needles, acupuncture needles may be less compatible with certain manufacturing processes. Needle assemblies compatible with manufacturing processes may comprise a continuous support material having a plurality of apertures defined therein, and a first injection molded coupler that surrounds a proximal portion of an acupuncture needle and connects the acupuncture needle to a first location upon the continuous support material, such that the acupuncture needle is held in a pre-determined orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first injection molded coupler. The acupuncture needles in adjacent apertures may also be spaced apart substantially uniformly.