an access needle well - suited for percutaneous implantation in a body lumen , such as the stomach or the jejunum . in one embodiment , the access needle comprises a cannula , a needle , a retractable stopper and a spreader . the cannula is a tubular member having a proximal end , a distal end , a lumen and a pair of side windows providing access to the lumen . the needle is slidably mounted within the cannula lumen and comprises a needle stem and a needle handle , the needle stem having a proximal end , a distal end and a longitudinal lumen , the needle handle extending outwardly from the needle stem proximate to the proximal end thereof . the stopper is coupled to the needle stem for translational movement , the stopper comprising a pair of outwardly - biasing wings removably insertable through the side windows for engaging an interior surface of a patient . the spreader is mounted within the cannula and spreads the wings outwardly as the wings are inserted out the side windows .