Endoscopic injection needle assembly inluding an endoscopic hood

An endoscopic injection needle assembly and method of using the same. According to one embodiment, the assembly includes an endoscope, an injection needle, an endoscopic hood and a suction source. The endoscope is shaped to include a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of longitudinal channels. The distal end of the injection needle is positioned within a working channel of the endoscope. The injection needle is sized relative to the working channel to permit fluid to flow around the injection needle in the working channel. The endoscopic hood is mounted on the distal end of the endoscope and extends distally therefrom, the endoscopic hood being in fluid communication with the working channel and having an opening through which fluid may be drawn into the endoscopic hood. The suction source is applied to the proximal end of the working channel to cause fluid to be drawn into the endoscopic hood through the opening and then proximally through the working channel. In addition, suction causes tissue to be drawn into the endoscopic hood. The injection needle may then be operated to penetrate the suctioned tissued.