Patent ID: 8628475

Claim:
A needle effective for guided positioning in soft tissue of a patient with the aid of a real-time two-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus, the needle comprising: a rigid shaft having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end, said distal end including a tip portion defining a point; a hyperechogenic layer affixed to said shaft along at least a portion of the outer surface; wherein said hyperechogenic layer comprises a polymeric material having a hyperechogenic particulate material dispersed therein; wherein said hyperechogenic particulate material is operable in response to a beam of ultrasound waves in a two-dimensional ultrasound plane to produce an image of said needle when said needle is in a position forming a non-90° angle between the longitudinal axis and the direction of the ultrasound waves in the two-dimensional ultrasound plane; and wherein said hyperechogenic particulate material comprises a particulate talc material.