Illuminable needle devices, systems, and methods

An illuminated needle device performing a heart valve repair, the device comprising:

• an outer member includes a body that has a proximal end and a distal end, the body defining a lumen therethrough, the distal end of the body comprising a needle;
• and
• an inner member slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer member, the inner member including a distal end comprising a radiation emitting element;
• the outer and inner members together forming a flexible, elongate shaft, and the inner member being configured to emit radiation from the radiation emitting element from a location proximate to the distal end of the outer member.

An illuminable needle system comprising:

• a visualization device comprising a receiver adapted to form an image of a tissue region, the receiver receiving information corresponding to radiation intensity;
• and
• an illuminable needle device comprising:
• an outer member includes a body that has a proximal end and a distal end, the body defining a lumen therethrough, the distal end of the body comprising a needle;
• and
• an inner member slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer member, the inner member including a distal end comprising a radiation emitting element;
• the outer and inner members together forming a flexible, elongate shaft;
• and
• the inner member being configured to emit radiation from the radiation emitting element from a location proximate to the distal end of the outer member such that an indicator of the radiation intensity is detectable by the receiver.

A method of penetrating tissue comprising:

• penetrating tissue with an illuminable needle device comprising:
• an outer member includes a body that has a proximal end and a distal end, the body defining a lumen therethrough, the distal end of the body comprising a needle;
• an inner member slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer member, the inner member including a distal end comprising a radiation emitting element;
• the outer and inner members together forming a flexible, elongate shaft;
• and
• the inner member being configured to emit radiation from the radiation emitting element from a location proximate to the distal end of the outer member such that an intensity of the radiation is detectable by the receiver;
• emitting radiation from the distal end of the outer member of the illuminable needle device;
• and
• detecting radiation intensity data from a receiver of a visualization device, the receiver being adapted to receive information corresponding to radiation intensity and being located at a minimum predetermined distance from the distal end of the outer member of the illuminable needle device.