A catheter and introducer needle assembly is provided including a catheter adapter at its proximal end. The catheter adapter includes a side port in fluid communication with the catheter. A septum is located in the proximal end of the catheter adapter proximal of the side port. The introducer needle is connected at its proximal end to a needle hub and includes at least one notch formed therein in communication with the introducer needle lumen. The notch is formed in the needle such that blood can flow into the open distal end of the needle, through the lumen in the needle and through the notch into the catheter lumen (specifically, the annular space between the outside of the introducer needle and the inside of the catheter and catheter adapter). Thereafter, the blood can flow through the annular space and then through the side port and extension tube that extends from the catheter adapter. Similarly, liquids delivered to the side port flow to the annular space between the needle and the catheter, through the notch into the lumen within the needle, and out of the tip of the needle. Liquid anesthesia thus can be delivered to the patient's tissue surrounding the needle tip be delivering the liquid through the side port. An electrical connection may be provided to the needle via the needle hub to. carry an electrical charge to the patient's tissue. After withdrawing the needle from the catheter, the catheter remains in place, with the tip of the catheter disposed in the tissue being anesthetized. The clinician may provide additional anesthesia via the catheter through the extension tube set.
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