The history of spinal needles: getting to the point.

The history of the design of spinal needle tips is discussed, from the first needles used by J. Leonard Corning in 1885 to innovative, modern needle designs that continue to appear on the market. The shape of the needle tip started as a cutting bevel and developed into the atraumatic tip and the pencil-point tip in current common use. Innovative designs such as the stylet-tipped needle and the directional needle are described, as well as the needles used for continuous spinal anaesthesia.