Abstract: A piercing device includes a tube (10) formed with a needle tip (12). The needle tip (12) includes a bevel having a bevel length (BL) that extends at a bevel angle from a base of a heel (14) to a sharp distal, radially outer edge of the needle tip (12). A reversed edge (17) is formed as a reversed edge angle on the heel (14) of the bevel. The bevel angle is an acute angle, and the reversed edge angle is an obtuse angle.

Abstract: A catheter, such as for use for total occlusion crossing and lumen reentry, incorporate a retractable long flexible nitinol curved needle at the catheter distal end. The needle is straight when withdrawn inside the catheter. When pushed forward, the needle is deployed by protruding axially out, directly from the distal tip, through a mechanism used to direct the curved needle into a specific radial direction. When pushed forward, the needle restores its curved shape and can penetrate the plaque or the media and intimal layers to reenter the true lumen.