EP0303824A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
A device for locating the epidural space
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-07-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-07-12
Abstract
Abstract The device for locating the epidural space being proposed is based on the depression existing at that space. It consists of a circuit and a canula (1) with its corresponding needle. Once the circuit is connected, a puncture is carried out with the canula (1) up to the surroundings of the yellow ligament, being fixed at this position by means of a fixation element (5) which is displaced up to the patient's back. The needle (3) is inserted into the canula (1) and it continues punching until reaching the epidural space, what happens when the circuit is triggered due to the existing depression, a/some alarm/s and an electromagnet (16) being thereby activated, the latter attracting the needle (3) and inserting it into a sleeve (2). With the simultaneous displacement of the latter (2) and of the needle (3), one reaches the centre of the epidural space, situated 2 mm away from the circuit triggering position, this being the maximum sleeve displacement distance.
Inventors
- 👤 Antonio Espejo Martinez
- 👤 Eduardo Castroviejo Garcia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3403; A61B17/3401; A61B5/00; A61B5/48; A61B5/4887; A61B5/4896
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A DEVICE FOR LOCATING THE EPIDURAL SPACE, for introducing into it anaesthetics, analgesics, narcotics, etc., by injection with a needle or a catheter, essentially characterized by comprising a canula provided with a handle inside which an electromagnet is situated and at the rear part of which there is a retaining element that also works as a stop of a sleeve axially situated in the handle and the inner surface of which is considerably corrugated; with the peculiarity that the canula comprises a fixation element in order to prevent the former from penetrating beyond the yellow ligament, thereby allowing the axial comfortable introduction through the sleeve and the canula duct, of a conically pointed needle with lateral outlet, which has a corrugated outer surface portion capable of being inserted into the sleeve by the electromagnet action, which is activated by a circuit capable of detecting the depression existing in the epidural space by the use of a pressure sensor, which transforms the pressure signal into an electric signal, which is passed on to an electric circuit, so that, if there is a difference between the atmospheric pressure and the detected one, a transistorized switch will close the circuit and the above mentioned electromagnet and a sound and/or visual alarm will be activated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
211 words
A DEVICE FOR LOCATING THE EPIDURAL SPACE, for introducing into it anaesthetics, analgesics, narcotics, etc., by injection with a needle or a catheter, essentially characterized by comprising a canula provided with a handle inside which an electromagnet is situated and at the rear part of which there is a retaining element that also works as a stop of a sleeve axially situated in the handle and the inner surface of which is considerably corrugated; with the peculiarity that the canula comprises a fixation element in order to prevent the former from penetrating beyond the yellow ligament, thereby allowing the axial comfortable introduction through the sleeve and the canula duct, of a conically pointed needle with lateral outlet, which has a corrugated outer surface portion capable of being inserted into the sleeve by the electromagnet action, which is activated by a circuit capable of detecting the depression existing in the epidural space by the use of a pressure sensor, which transforms the pressure signal into an electric signal, which is passed on to an electric circuit, so that, if there is a difference between the atmospheric pressure and the detected one, a transistorized switch will close the circuit and the above mentioned electromagnet and a sound and/or visual alarm will be activated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A DEVICE FOR LOCATING THE EPIDURAL SPACE, according to claim 1, characterized in that the needle is made of ferromagnetic material, such as, for instance, chromium-vanadium steel.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
48 words
A DEVICE FOR LOCATING THE EPIDURAL SPACE, according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the needle support element, generally of plastic, has a cut for coupling a wing nut and some outer grooves for a safer and easier puncture, besides a connector for the vacuum inlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A DEVICE FOR LOCATING THE EPIDURAL SPACE, accord ing to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit includes an adjustable voltage divider in order to be able to equalize the voltage with that of the pressure sensor, a millivoltmeter to control the difference between both voltages and a hand switch for operating the device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A DEVICE FOR LOCATING THE EPIDURAL SPACE, according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure sensor consists of a small membrane which opens or closes the circuit that activates the alarms, as it displaces itself.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A DEVICE FOR LOCATING THE EPIDURAL SPACE, according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement of the needle once the epidural space has been reached, is carried out through the sleeve wherein it is inserted, said sleeve having a maximum displacement of 2 mm., which is suitable for reaching the centre of said epidural space.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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