Duodenoscope needle

A method of making a surgical device for injecting a chemical agent within a subject for use in endoscopic injection therapies, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. cutting a spring to form a guide housing of an initial length, wherein said spring comprises a wire coated with a friction reducing material around its circumference and having an initial cross-sectional diameter;
• b. assembling the device comprising the steps of:
• i. providing a support body;
• ii. inserting at least a portion of a motion transmitting unit within said body, said unit comprising a first end portion proximal to said support body and a second end portion remote from said support body, wherein said motion transmitting unit is movable relative to said support body;
• iii. providing an agent delivery system comprising a needle having a hollow elongated body, a first end for extending into a subject and a second end fixed to said motion transmitting member, and structure defining a conduit between said support body and said needle;
• iv. fixing said needle to said motion transmitting unit;
• and
• v. sliding at least a portion of said motion transmitting unit adjacent said needle within said guide housing;
• and
• c. treating said guide housing prior to use of the device in an endoscopic surgical procedure by manipulating the guide housing to flatten at least a portion of said friction reducing material, whereby said initial length shortens to a desired length and a cross-sectional diameter of at least a portion of said wire is less than said initial cross-sectional diameter in a longitudinal direction of said spring.

A method of fabricating a guide housing for use in an endoscopic device, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. selecting a spring comprising a helically wound wire, wherein said wire is coated with a low friction material around its circumference and has an initial cross-sectional diameter;
• b. determining a desired length of said spring;
• c. cutting said spring to an initial length, wherein said initial length is greater than said desired length;
• and
• d. conditioning said spring prior to use in an endoscopic device to flatten at least a portion of the low friction material, whereby said initial length shortens to essentially the desired length and a cross-sectional diameter of at least a portion of said wire is less than said initial cross-sectional diameter in a longitudinal direction of said spring.