Tissue-penetrating catheter device

A tissue-penetrating catheter device in the form of an adjustable endoscopic needle for use within the body, comprising:

• an outer catheter assembly comprising an elongated, flexible outer catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, and a terminal member joined to the proximal end of said outer catheter,
• said terminal member having the form of a sleeve and terminating proximally in an enlarged surface adapted to rest between fingers of a physician to stabilize said outer catheter assembly from distal axial motion,
• an inner catheter assembly comprising an elongated, flexible inner catheter extending within said outer catheter and having a distal end and a proximal end, and defining a flexible conduit therethrough, a fluid connector means at the proximal end of said inner catheter for connecting said conduit to means for producing fluid flow, said fluid connector means comprising an elongated distal shaft sized and constructed to telescope into the sleeve-form terminal member, and a needle joined to the distal end of said elongated, flexible inner catheter sized to enter the distal end of said elongated, flexible outer catheter,
• means for moving said inner catheter axially with respect to said outer catheter in a manner to move said tissue-penetrating means axially between a protected position in which said tissue-penetrating means is disposed within said outer catheter and a projected position in which said tissue-penetrating means projects beyond said outer catheter, exposed to enter tissue,
• a pair of cooperating stop surfaces associated with respective portions of said inner and outer catheter assemblies for limiting the distance of distal axial movement of said inner catheter relative to said outer catheter, the proximal end of said terminal member forming a relatively stationary, first of said stop surfaces, and a second of said stop surfaces being carried by a presettable, axially adjustable member capable of being selectably positioned along said shaft to enable the physician to preselect the amount of projection of said tissue-penetrating means from said outer catheter when said inner catheter assembly is moved to said projected position, said shaft defining a range of selectable positions for said presettable, axially adjustable member,
• whereby said device is sized and constructed for introduction into the body through a working channel of a flexible endoscope.