Pneumoneedle with removable stylet assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the pneumoneedle of the present invention, the needle is secured to a handle having a longitudinal bore.
The stylet forms part of an assembly removably received within the bore.
Interengagable means on the stylet assembly and handle are provided to releasably secure the assembly within the bore and maintain the stylet in a condition extending through the needle.
Valve means is carried by the assembly for selectively opening and closing the assembly to fluid flow and seal means is provided to establish sealed communication between the stylet assembly and needle when the assembly is received within the bore.
The stylet assembly is fully removable from the handle to open the needle.
A septum is engagable with the handle to seal the bore when the assembly is removed.
A principal object of the invention is to provide a Veress-type pneumoneedle wherein the stylet may be removed from the needle to permit access therethrough.
Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide such a pneumoneedle wherein the stylet is carried by an assembly which is removable from the handle for the needle.
Still another object of the invention is to provide such a pneumoneedle wherein valve means is carried by the stylet assembly in such a way that external force applied to the valve means during use of the needle does not interfere with retraction of the stylet into the needle.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a pneumoneedle wherein, when the stylet assembly is received within the handle, the stylet is guided for aligned rectilinear movement relative to the needle.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a pneumoneedle with a septum which serves to seal the passage through the needle when the stylet assembly is removed.
Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide such a pneumoneedle wherein the stylet assembly assumes a condition sealed to the housing when received therein.
Another object of the invention is to provide a pneumoneedle with viewable means which serves to indicate when the needle has completed penetration