Patent ID: 8187288

Claim:
A medical device comprising: a handle; an elongate member extending from the handle and capable of being bent into a shape by a user along its entire length and of retaining the shape during use, the elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion and having variable stiffness along its length, the distal portion having increased bendability, the elongate member comprising a first tube having a non-uniform wall thickness; a needle deployment mechanism disposed at least partially within the distal portion of the elongate member, the needle deployment mechanism including a needle carrier for holding a needle and an actuator at least partially disposed within the proximal portion of the elongate member and comprising mechanical linkage that extends longitudinally through the elongate member to the distal portion, wherein the actuator is mechanically coupled to the needle carrier for advancing the needle out of an opening defined by the distal portion of the elongate member, the actuator including a spring, a second tube, and a third tube, each capable of being bent when the elongate member is bent, the second tube disposed adjacent a distal end of the spring, the third tube at least partially longitudinally extended through each of the spring and the second tube, the third tube spaced apart from an inner surface of the second tube when the second tube is unbent and slidable within the second tube when the second tube is bent; and a needle catch defining at least one opening disposed on the elongate member, the needle catch configured to receive the needle through the at least one opening, and retain the needle after the needle carrier is retracted.