What am I looking at?
Visual recognition
Very fine metal needle packaged with a 0.018-inch guidewire and transitional dilator.
01-02
21-gauge micropuncture access needle
Micropuncture access needle
Three-panel learning framework
Recognition, context, and distinction
What does it do, and where will I see it?
Use & procedural context
Low-trauma 21-gauge entry into vessels, ducts, collecting systems, or fluid collections that accepts a 0.018-inch guidewire to begin a micropuncture exchange. Typical procedural contexts include arterial and venous access, tunneled dialysis catheters, ports, fistulograms, nephrostomy, and biliary access.
What most clearly distinguishes it from similar devices?
Key distinctions
Its smaller 21-gauge caliber and 0.018-inch guidewire compatibility distinguish it from an 18-gauge access needle and allow a lower-profile initial puncture before upsizing.