disclosed is a catheter having a flexible tube and a sharpened needle secured to the catheter at its distal end . the catheter does not require a separate sharpened instrument to enable insertion into an anatomical passageway . the sharpened needle of the catheter remains disposed within an anatomical passageway during treatment . also disclosed is a catheter assembly comprising the catheter and a safety inserter . the safety inserter has a blunt end and facilitates the insertion of the catheter by providing a mechanism to urge the sharpened needle of the catheter into an anatomical passageway . also disclosed is an improved needle tip which minimizes trauma to an anatomical passageway . also disclosed are methods of using and forming the catheter , catheter assembly and needle tip .