Abstract: A substantially straight over-the-needle catheter comprising memory material and having a deviated tip may be packaged, shipped and stored for use in a deviated state so as to preserve the material memory. In preparing for use, the catheter is temporarily straightened using a catheter shield, after which a substantially straight inner needle is inserted (optionally through a guide needle). The catheter shield is removed prior to insertion of the catheter with its inner needle into a space within an anatomic structure. Subsequent removal of the inner needle allows the catheter to assume its deviated shape within the anatomic structure. The deviated catheter tends to be well retained in an anatomic structure, tends to reduce leakage of fluids from within the anatomic structural space, and allows predictable direction of fluid flow injected within the anatomic structural space.