A device adapted for use in a minimally invasive medical procedure, the device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end and a tapered distal end, said elongate body being configured to be inserted into an animal body from a surface of said animal body through body tissue to a target site in said animal body, the elongate body having at least two longitudinal lumen extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; a first longitudinal lumen (206;206a) extending along the elongate body to a port in the distal end; a second longitudinal lumen having a first imaging element disposed therein, said first imaging element and said second longitudinal lumen having a proximal and a distal end, said first imaging element including a first ultrasound transducer at the distal end of said second longitudinal lumen and proximal from the tapered distal end of the elongate body for providing a forward-directed imaging zone in a direction of the distal end of the elongate body to include the tapered distal end of the elongate body; and a removable introducer needle disposed within the first longitudinal lumen and movable through the port in the distal end to a position beyond the tapered distal end of the elongate body, the removable introducer needle being within said forward-directed imaging zone of said first ultrasound transducer when extending from the tapered distal end and configured to puncture the animal body tissue, said first imaging element configured to provide forward-directed anatomic imaging of the removable introducer needle in a direction of said tapered distal end of said elongate body, the forward-directed anatomic imaging for guiding the device to said target site. characterized in that the first longitudinal lumen extends to a port in the center of the tapered distal end. an elongate body having a proximal end and a tapered distal end, said elongate body being configured to be inserted into an animal body from a surface of said animal body through body tissue to a target site in said animal body, the elongate body having at least two longitudinal lumen extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; a first longitudinal lumen (206;206a) extending along the elongate body to a port in the distal end; a second longitudinal lumen having a first imaging element disposed therein, said first imaging element and said second longitudinal lumen having a proximal and a distal end, said first imaging element including a first ultrasound transducer at the distal end of said second longitudinal lumen and proximal from the tapered distal end of the elongate body for providing a forward-directed imaging zone in a direction of the distal end of the elongate body to include the tapered distal end of the elongate body; and a removable introducer needle disposed within the first longitudinal lumen and movable through the port in the distal end to a position beyond the tapered distal end of the elongate body, the removable introducer needle being within said forward-directed imaging zone of said first ultrasound transducer when extending from the tapered distal end and configured to puncture the animal body tissue, said first imaging element configured to provide forward-directed anatomic imaging of the removable introducer needle in a direction of said tapered distal end of said elongate body, the forward-directed anatomic imaging for guiding the device to said target site. characterized in that the first longitudinal lumen extends to a port in the center of the tapered distal end.