Device for controlled endoscopic penetration of injection needle

An endoscopic needle device, comprising:

• a handle;
• a catheter sheath connected to the handle, the catheter sheath having at least one lumen extending therethrough;
• a needle selectively movable within the catheter sheath between a needle retracted position and a needle extended position;
• and
• means for holding tissue at an injection site while simultaneously penetrating the tissue at the injection site with the needle;
• wherein the means for holding tissue comprises a stabilization element selectively movable within the catheter sheath between a stabilizer retracted position and a stabilizer extended position;
• and
• wherein the handle includes a depth gauge for indicating a depth of maximum needle penetration and a penetration window for allowing visual access to the depth gauge, the maximum penetration depth being determinable based on a position of the depth gauge within the penetration window.

A method of injecting a needle into an injection site using an endoscopic needle device, the endoscopic needle device including a handle, a catheter sheath connected to the handle, a stabilization element disposed at a distal end of the needle device, and a needle disposed at the distal end of the needle device, comprising:

• inserting the needle device into a body;
• delivering a distal end of the needle device to an injection site;
• applying the stabilization element to hold tissue at the injection site;
• and
• penetrating the tissue at the injection site with the needle while using the stabilization element to hold the tissue at the injection site.