US Patent RE42049 Surgical and pharmaceutical site access guide

An introducer guide 15 for introducing medical items into an internal tissue of a patient is provided. The guide 15 includes a cannula 20 defining a lumen sized to receive the item and a lateral opening 24. A ramp is disposed within the lumen adjacent and inclined toward the lateral opening 24. A hub 40′ is attached to the second end 22 of the cannula 20. The hub 40′ includes a gripping portion 41′ configured to be held when inserting and positioning the introducer 15. The gripping portion 41′ has a length lgp sufficient for gripping and a tactile indicator 44 disposed along substantially the entire length lgp of the gripping portion 41 on the hub 40′. The indicator 44 has a fixed angular relationship with the lateral opening 24. The invention also includes methods for obtaining a biopsy sample and methods for treating lesions.