PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-security puncture needle for an epidural cavity, which allows a user to visually recognize that a needlepoint has reached the epidural cavity by its observation from outside and prevents penetration of dura mater or the like so as to be applied to children securely.SOLUTION: The puncture needle comprises a hollow outer needle 1, an inner needle 2 to be inserted into the outer needle 1, and their needle base 3, 4. Surface of the outer needle 1 except its distal end part 11 and base end part 12 is coated with an electric insulator 5 so that electrical stimulation could be applied through the outer needle 1 when penetrating the epidural cavity, which allows the user to visually recognize a contraction of skeletal muscles indicating that the needlepoint has reached the epidural cavity from outside. A length of the noninsulated distal end part 11 should be no less than 1 mm, nor more than 4 mm (2 mm for a child), and its curving angle should be no less than 25°, nor more than 35°. The outer needle base 3 is divided into two members and connected to the outer needle with a gap as needed, and the gap is provided as a noninsulator.COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT【課題】針先が硬膜外腔に到達したことを、外部からの観察により視覚的に認知可能とし、硬膜穿通等を防止することで、小児に対しても安心して適用することができる安全性の高い硬膜外腔穿刺針を提供すること。【解決手段】中空の外針1と、外針に挿着される内針2と、各々の針基3、4より構成し、前記外針1の先端部11と基端部12を除く外針表面に、電気絶縁材5をコーティングして形成し、硬膜外腔に穿刺するさいに、外針1を通して電気刺激を付加することにより、針先が硬膜外腔に到達したことを骨格筋収縮により外部から視覚的に認識可能となるように構成した。また、前記先端部の非絶縁部11の長さを、1mm以上、4mm以下(小児用は、2mm以下)とし、先端湾曲角度を25度以上、35度以下として形成し、必要に応じて、外針基を2部材に分割し、外針に間隙を有して接続し、該間隙を非絶縁部として構成した。【選択図】 図1
