Patent ID: 8128656

Claim:
A method of introducing fluid to a tissue site in tissue in a patient, comprising the steps of: 1) piercing the tissue in or in proximity to the tissue site with a surgical needle that is attached to a first distal end portion of an elongate flexible tubular member, the elongate flexible tubular member comprising a second hollow tubular proximal end portion having a continuous side wall, the first distal end portion, and a tissue-buttressing portion having an external surface, located between the first and second end portions, wherein the tissue buttressing portion has a length and comprises a fiber bundle, wherein the fiber bundle has a plurality of solid fibers in fluid communication with the second proximal end portion to allow fluid to be emitted there from along the length at a location adjacent to the wound site; 2) advancing the surgical needle and elongate flexible tubular member into tissue in or in proximity to the tissue site so that at least a portion of the tissue buttressing portion of the elongate flexible tubular member is in or in proximity to the tissue site and the proximal end portion is at least in part external of the tissue, and forming an infusion passage between the external surface of the tissue buttressing portion and abutting tissue; 3) removing the surgical needle from the distal end portion; and, 4) supplying pressurized fluid to the infusion passage and the tissue site via the tubular proximal end portion and the tissue buttressing portion.