Patent ID: 8097007

Claim:
An introducer needle system configured to surgically introduce a urethral implant in a patient, comprising: an integrally formed introducer needle including an elongated shaft connecting first and second flat spatulated sections, at least one of said spatulated sections having a tip, a constant width portion extending from the tip, and an opening formed in the constant width portion, the shaft including a straight portion connected to a curved portion, the first flat spatulated section connected to the curved portion by a flared section having a cross-sectional profile that covers a cross-sectional profile of the first flat spatulated section; and a handle including a housing having an elongated portion with a distal end opening dimensioned to receive and hold one of said flat spatulated sections, and an elastically-based latch portion having a projection dimensioned and disposed in the housing to engage the flat spatulated section inserted into the distal end opening of the housing to secure the handle to the introducer needle.