Epidural catheter needle

An epidural needle comprising:

• a hollow shaft having opposed distal and proximal ends, the distal end having a sharp tip for insertion into a patient's epidural space, the needle shaft having a lumen extending from the proximal end of the needle shaft and terminating at an opening proximal to the distal tip of the needle shaft whereby an epidural catheter for introducing liquid anesthesia into the patient can be threaded through the proximal end of the needle until a portion of the catheter exits through the opening in the needle shaft, the distal end of the needle shaft having an inclined surface of at least 5.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft;
• the distal tip of the needle distal to the opening in the needle shaft is substantially planar at an angle of on the order of 80.degree.-100.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the needle shaft, the needle tip being characterized as being faceted so as to retard inadvertent passage of the needle tip through the dura mater of the patient while at the same time retaining the sharp cutting edges common to a like epidural needle which has not had its tip so treated;
• and
• a solid rod having opposed proximal and distal ends, the distance between the opposed ends of the solid rod being substantially the same as the distance between the proximal end of the adapter and the distal tip of the needle shaft, the proximal end of the solid rod being secured to gripping means for holding the rod, the rod being insertable through the proximal end of the adapter such that when the gripping means abuts the proximal end of the adapter, the distal end of the rod extends within the opening in the needle shaft, whereby when inserted within the needle shaft to prevent tissue debris from clogging the lumen during introduction of the needle into the patient's body.