US5304141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for inducing anesthesia
Assignee: The Brigham and Women's Hospital Inc
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Filing: 1990-12-31
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Granted: 1994-04-19
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Expires: 2010-12-31
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides apparatus and methods for introducing spinal anesthesia directly into the subarachnoid space of a patient. One apparatus and method utilizes a small gauge spinal needle for penetrating the dura; the other utilizes a small gauge catheter with an internal stylet having a non-piercing pencil point to spread apart the filaments of the dura wall. An introducer having a rounded tip is also provided for guiding and supporting the spinal needle or catheter, as force is applied thereto, to cause the same to penetrate the dura.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark D. Johnson
- 👤 Vladimir Bittner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0102; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3401
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
An apparatus for administering fluid into the subarachnoid space of a patient, comprising: a first needle having a lumen and a pointed tip, said first needle being of a first length for insertion into the epidural space of the patient without penetration of the dura; an introducer having a hollow shaft and a non-piercing tip, said introducer having an exterior diameter smaller than the interior diameter of said lumen of said first needle, such that said introducer is removably inserted through said lumen of said first needle, said introducer being of a second length longer than said first length of said first needle such that the tip of said introducer extends beyond the tip of said first needle to press against the wall of the dura without penetration thereof to place the dura in tension; means for maintaining the non-piercing tip of said introducer extended beyond the pointed tip of said first needle as the non-piercing tip of said introducer presses against the wall of the dura, such that the pointed tip of said first needle is prevented from contacting and penetrating the dura; and a fluid carrying means for transporting fluid into the dura of said pointed, said fluid carrying means being of a diameter smaller than that of the interior diameter of said introducer such that said fluid carrying means is removably inserted through said hollow shaft of said introducer and wherein said fluid carrying means has a penetrating point to penetrate the dura for administering fluid thereto.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
250 words
An apparatus for administering fluid into the subarachnoid space of a patient, comprising: a first needle having a lumen and a pointed tip, said first needle being of a first length for insertion into the epidural space of the patient without penetration of the dura; an introducer having a hollow shaft and a non-piercing tip, said introducer having an exterior diameter smaller than the interior diameter of said lumen of said first needle, such that said introducer is removably inserted through said lumen of said first needle, said introducer being of a second length longer than said first length of said first needle such that the tip of said introducer extends beyond the tip of said first needle to press against the wall of the dura without penetration thereof to place the dura in tension; means for maintaining the non-piercing tip of said introducer extended beyond the pointed tip of said first needle as the non-piercing tip of said introducer presses against the wall of the dura, such that the pointed tip of said first needle is prevented from contacting and penetrating the dura; and a fluid carrying means for transporting fluid into the dura of said pointed, said fluid carrying means being of a diameter smaller than that of the interior diameter of said introducer such that said fluid carrying means is removably inserted through said hollow shaft of said introducer and wherein said fluid carrying means has a penetrating point to penetrate the dura for administering fluid thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the exterior diameter of said introducer is approximately 18 to 22 gauge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fluid carrying means comprises: a catheter assembly, said catheter assembly including a catheter having a hollow interior for transporting said fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the exterior diameter of said catheter is approximately 27 to 29 gauge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the exterior diameter of said first needle is approximately 16 to 20 gauge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said non-piercing tip of said introducer is rounded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a second catheter having an interior diameter larger than said first catheter and smaller than said first needle such that said second catheter may be inserted through said first needle over said first catheter for supporting said first catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a rod having a distal end and a diameter smaller than the interior diameter of said introducer; and an irritant disposed on said distal end of said rod, said rod being removably inserted through said introducer upon removal of said fluid carrying means for applying said irritant to said body to promote healing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: an irritant disposed on an exterior surface of said catheter for promoting healing of said patient.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of administering fluid into a body, comprising the steps of: inserting a needle into the body, said needle having a lumen; inserting an introducer into said lumen of said needle, said introducer having a hollow shaft and a non-piercing tip; guiding a fluid carrying means having a penetrating point into the body by inserting said fluid carrying means into said hollow shaft of said introducer; causing said penetrating point to penetrate a desired region of the body; verifying the placement of said penetrating point; coupling said fluid carrying means to a fluid source; and administering said fluid into the body.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of administering fluid into a body, comprising the steps of: inserting a needle into the body, said needle having a lumen; inserting an introducer into said lumen of said needle, said introducer having a hollow shaft and a non-piercing tip; guiding a fluid carrying means having a penetrating point into the body by inserting said fluid carrying means into said hollow shaft of said introducer; causing said penetrating point to penetrate a desired region of the body; verifying the placement of said penetrating point; coupling said fluid carrying means to a fluid source; and administering said fluid into the body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: removing said needle from the body; and removing said introducer from the body after said needle has been removed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 11, further comprising the step of: continuing to administer fluid into said body after said needle and said introducer have been removed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the steps of removing said introducer from said needle; and inserting a catheter into said needle over said fluid carrying means to support said fluid carrying means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the step of: removing said fluid carrying means from the body; inserting a rod having an irritant disposed on its distal end through said introducer after said fluid carrying means has been removed; and applying said irritant to the penetrated region of the body to promote healing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the step of: applying an irritant to the exterior of said fluid carrying means adjacent an area along said fluid carrying means which contacts the penetrated region of the body to promote healing.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for guiding anesthesia into the subarachnoid space of a patient, comprising: a first needle having a lumen and a pointed tip for insertion into the epidural space of the patient without penetration of the dura; a guide shaft which is removably inserted within the lumen of said first needle, said guide shaft having a lumen and a nonpiercing tip, said non-piercing tip of said guide shaft adapted to extend beyond the pointed tip of said first needle to press against the wall of the dura to place the wall in tension without penetration thereof; means for maintaining the non-piercing tip of said guide shaft extended beyond the tip of said first needle as the non-piercing tip of said guide shaft presses against the wall of the dura, such that the pointed tip of said first needle is prevented from contacting and penetrating the wall of the dura; and anesthesia carrying means which is removably inserted within said lumen of said guide shaft, said anesthesia carrying means including a penetrating point for penetrating the wall of the dura, said anesthesia carrying means also including a hollow interior for transporting said anesthesia into the dura.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for guiding anesthesia into the subarachnoid space of a patient, comprising: a first needle having a lumen and a pointed tip for insertion into the epidural space of the patient without penetration of the dura; a guide shaft which is removably inserted within the lumen of said first needle, said guide shaft having a lumen and a nonpiercing tip, said non-piercing tip of said guide shaft adapted to extend beyond the pointed tip of said first needle to press against the wall of the dura to place the wall in tension without penetration thereof; means for maintaining the non-piercing tip of said guide shaft extended beyond the tip of said first needle as the non-piercing tip of said guide shaft presses against the wall of the dura, such that the pointed tip of said first needle is prevented from contacting and penetrating the wall of the dura; and anesthesia carrying means which is removably inserted within said lumen of said guide shaft, said anesthesia carrying means including a penetrating point for penetrating the wall of the dura, said anesthesia carrying means also including a hollow interior for transporting said anesthesia into the dura.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said anesthesia carrying means further comprises a second needle which is removably inserted within said guide shaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said second needle includes a sharp, bevel point for penetrating a wall of the dura.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein the exterior diameter of said second needle is approximately 28 to 30 gauge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said anesthesia carrying means comprises a catheter assembly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein the exterior diameter of said catheter assembly is approximately 27 to 29 gauge.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein said catheter assembly comprises: a first catheter; and a stylet positioned within said first catheter, said styler having at one end, a noncutting pencil point capable of spreading apart the filaments of a wall of the dura.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 22, further comprising: a second catheter having an interior diameter larger than said first catheter and smaller than said first needle, such that said second catheter may be inserted through said first needle over said first catheter for supporting said first catheter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-04-18 | 1997-10-18 | 1998-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-04-18 | 2001-10-18 | 2002-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-04-18 | 2005-10-18 | 2006-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |