Abstract: A needle assembly for hand-held use in performing medical procedures having a first needle having a hollow shaft, the shaft having a pointed tip having a surface disposed at a predetermined angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the shaft; a second needle dimensioned for close-fitting removable insertion within the shaft; locking means for retaining the first and second needle in a fixed attitude relative to each other; and guide means adapted to indicate the attitude of deployment of the tip during use of the needle assembly in medical procedures. Also, an apparatus adapted for attachment on a conventional needle assembly for indicating the disposition of the tip thereof and for manipulating the needle assembly in an operative environment.