Patent ID: 7713256

Claim:
A method for delivering anesthesia including: providing a needle with a notch, a tip and a central bore passing through the needle and creating a fluid flow path between the notch and the tip, wherein the needle is formed of a material capable of conducting an electrical charge; providing a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end disposed slidingly about the needle such that an annular space is formed between at least a portion of the needle, the tip of the needle extends out of the distal end of the catheter, and the catheter sealingly engages the needle near the tip distal to the notch; wherein the needle and catheter form a catheter assembly; inserting the catheter assembly into tissue to be anesthetized; delivering an electrical charge to the needle, whereby the tissue in contact with the tip receives the charge; and delivering anesthesia into the annular space such that anesthesia flows through the annular space, through the notch, through the central bore and out the tip of the needle.