Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing a multi-lumen needle suitable for administrating spinal anesthesia. The method will provide a needle that will allow the simultaneous administration of spinal and epidural anesthetic from a single site. A preferred needle made by this method can optionally be made with a stock configuration which has means for holding a catheter during the insertion of a spinal needle and is configured so as to provide gripping sites to assist in positioning the needle. The preferred needle of the present invention has a lumen which can serve as a spinal introducer. The introducer lumen sheaths the spinal needle until the spinal needle is in the epidural space. This assures that the spinal needle will not be bent or fractured in use by impingement with bone or hard tissue.

Abstract: The needle of the present invention is a multi-lumen needle and preferably a dual-lumen epidural-spinal needle. The needle of the present invention is provided with a hub, which allows for attachment of a syringe to one or more of the lumina, or alternatively the attachment of an adapter to which a syringe can be attached. Preferably the lumina have different cross sectional areas. The smaller of the lumina should be of sufficient size to allow a spinal neelde, guide wire, or micro-catheter to be inserted through the lumen. The larger of the two lumina should preferably be of sufficient size to allow an epidural catheter, spinal needle or guide wire to be introduced. The needle of the present invention has applications of regional anesthesia, chronic and post operative pain management, cricothyroid puncture, intracerebroventricular puncture and, access and drainage of concealed fluid collections within the body.