Needle assembly for pleural space insufflation and methods thereof

A needle assembly for pleural space insufflation, comprising:

• an outer shaft extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the outer shaft is at least partially defined by at least one outer surface defining an exterior portion of the outer shaft and at least one interior surface defining an interior portion of the outer shaft, the interior portion of the outer shaft extending to the distal end of the outer shaft such that the distal end of the outer shaft is open, wherein one or more pliable tissue receiver slots are defined in the outer shaft, and each of the one or more pliable tissue receiver slots extends from a distal end at the distal end of the outer shaft to a proximal end at an intermediate point between the proximal end of the outer shaft and the distal end of the outer shaft, each of the one or more pliable tissue receiver slots extending along a respective slot longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer shaft, and each of the one or more pliable tissue receiver slots being at least partially defined by respective first and second lateral edges that each extend parallel to and laterally offset from the respective slot longitudinal axis and at least partially defined by a respective semi-circular top edge that extends from a proximal end of the respective first lateral edge to a proximal end of the respective second lateral edge, and wherein for each of the one or more pliable tissue receiver slots, a length distance from the respective proximal end of the pliable tissue receiver slot to the respective distal end of the pliable tissue receiver slot is greater than a width distance between the respective first and second lateral edges, and wherein the at least one outer surface defining the exterior portion of the outer shaft is a semi-cylindrical surface that extends at least from the intermediate point to the distal end of each of the one or more pliable tissue receiver slots;
• one or more needle guides disposed within the interior portion of the outer shaft;
• a fluid seal in the outer shaft, the fluid seal disposed proximal to the one or more pliable tissue receiver slots, wherein the fluid seal is not displaceable relative to the outer shaft;
• and
• a needle that extends along a needle axis from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the needle is displaceable along the needle axis between a retracted position and an engaged position, the needle comprising:
• a needle tip disposed at the distal end of the needle;
• one or more channels disposed within an interior portion of the needle;
• and
• a fluid communication hole formed in a portion of the needle proximal to the needle tip, the fluid communication hole being in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more channels disposed within the interior portion of the needle,
• wherein in the retracted position, the needle tip is disposed within the interior portion of the outer shaft a first distance from the distal end of the outer shaft, and in the engaged position, the needle tip is disposed within the interior portion of the outer shaft a second distance from the distal end of the outer shaft, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance, and
• wherein when the needle is in the engaged position, the needle tip is disposed (a) proximal to the distal end of each of the one or more pliable tissue receiver slots and (b) distal to the proximal end of each of the one or more pliable tissue receiver slots-such that the needle tip is configured to penetrate a portion of tissue that is disposed within at least one portion of the one or more pliable tissue receiver slots.