초록 ▼

The invention generally relates to a continuous anesthesia nerve conduction apparatus and method thereof, and more particularly to a method and system for use in administering a continuous flow or intermittent bolus of anesthetic agent to facilitate a continuous or prolonged nerve block. In one embo

The invention generally relates to a continuous anesthesia nerve conduction apparatus and method thereof, and more particularly to a method and system for use in administering a continuous flow or intermittent bolus of anesthetic agent to facilitate a continuous or prolonged nerve block. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The sheath also includes an embedded conductive element for transmitting an electrical signal from a proximal portion of the sheath to a distal portion of the sheath. A cannula is arranged in the at least one lumen of the sheath and has a distal end protruding from a distal portion of the sheath. The cannula is electrically coupled to at least a portion of the embedded conductive element and is configured to provide nerve stimulation.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A medical apparatus for administering a continuous flow or intermittent bolus of an anesthetic agent to facilitate a continuous or a prolonged nerve block to one or more nerves, comprising: a catheter comprising a hub, a proximal end, a distal end, at least one lumen extending from the proximal e

1. A medical apparatus for administering a continuous flow or intermittent bolus of an anesthetic agent to facilitate a continuous or a prolonged nerve block to one or more nerves, comprising: a catheter comprising a hub, a proximal end, a distal end, at least one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a first lateral port arranged at a location proximal to the distal end of the catheter and arranged at a first angular location relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter, a second lateral port arranged at a location proximal to the first lateral port and arranged at a second angular location relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter, and a third lateral port arranged at a location proximal to the second lateral port and arranged at a third angular location relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter, wherein the first angular location is different than the second angular location, the second angular location is different than the third angular location; anda cannula comprising a hub, a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, the cannula configured to be arranged in the at least one lumen of the catheter such that a distal end portion of the cannula extends past the distal end of the catheter, wherein a region near a distal end of the cannula comprises one or more imaging markers configured for external imaging and the cannula is configured to receive an electrical signal to provide nerve stimulation to the one or more nerves,wherein the catheter comprises a material configured to substantially prevent kinking and a plurality of markings,wherein the catheter and the cannula are configured to be inserted into a patient substantially simultaneously, andwherein the catheter is configured to remain in the patient when the cannula is removed from the catheter and the catheter is configured to receive the continuous flow or intermittent bolus of an anesthetic agent. 2. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter comprises a reinforced catheter. 3. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cannula is configured to be electrically coupled to a nerve stimulator. 4. The medical apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hub on the catheter is an integrated hub. 5. The medical apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first lateral port, the second lateral port and the third lateral port are configured to provide the anesthetic agent in a radial direction. 6. The medical apparatus of claim 2, wherein the catheter further comprises one or more imaging markers adjacent to one or more of the first lateral port, the second lateral port and the third lateral port. 7. The medical apparatus of claim 2, wherein the catheter further comprises an imaging marker proximal to the third lateral port. 8. The medical apparatus of claim 7, wherein the catheter further comprises an imaging marker arranged adjacent to the distal end of the catheter. 9. The medical apparatus of claim 8, wherein the catheter further comprises an imaging marker arranged at a location distal to the first lateral port. 10. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises a pre-formed resilient portion on a distal portion of the catheter. 11. The medical apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pre-formed resilient portion is configured to position a distal portion of the catheter in a second position different than a first position upon removal of the cannula from the lumen of the catheter. 12. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the catheter further comprises at least one imaging marker comprising at least one of an echogenic material or a radiopaque material. 13. The medical apparatus of claim 12, wherein the echogenic material comprises titanium, copper, metal, alloy or combinations thereof. 14. The medical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an insert arranged proximal to the hub of the catheter. 15. The medical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an active imaging element on a distal portion of the catheter. 16. The medical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a portable pump configured to be in fluid communication with the catheter. 17. A method for administering a continuous flow or intermittent bolus of a pharmacological agent to facilitate a continuous or prolonged nerve block to a patient, comprising the steps of: providing an over the needle catheter comprising a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, one or more lateral ports arranged at a location proximal to the distal end of the over the needle catheter, the lumen comprising a first inside diameter at a proximal end portion of the over the needle catheter and a second inside diameter at a distal end portion of the over the needle catheter, and a hub integral with the proximal end of the over the needle catheter,providing a cannula comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, a first outside diameter, and a hub integral with the proximal end of the cannula;inserting the cannula into the lumen of the over the needle catheter such that the distal end of the cannula extends past the distal end of the over the needle catheter;connecting a first syringe configured to administer a first pharmacological agent to the hub of the cannula;inserting, substantially simultaneously, the cannula and the over the needle catheter into the patient;locating a nerve bundle of the patient with an ultrasound probe;positioning a distal end portion of the cannula and the distal end portion of the over the needle catheter to a location near the nerve bundle;hydrodissecting tissue, using the first syringe, neighboring the nerve bundle while continuously monitoring the location of the over the needle catheter and the cannula;removing the cannula from the lumen of the over the needle catheter while continuously monitoring a present location of the distal end portion of the over the needle catheter;connecting a second syringe configured to administer a second pharmacological agent to the hub of the over the needle catheter; andadministering the second pharmacological agent to the nerve bundle with the second syringe while monitoring the present location of the distal end portion of the over the needle catheter. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first syringe and the second syringe are the same syringe. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first pharmacological agent and the second pharmacological agent are the same pharmacological agent. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more lateral ports comprises three lateral ports. 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the pharmacological agent comprises a local anesthetic. 22. The method of claim 17, wherein the pharmacological agent comprises one or more of ropivacaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, and lidocaine. 23. A method for administering a continuous flow or intermittent bolus of a pharmacological agent to facilitate a continuous or prolonged nerve block to a patient, comprising the steps of: providing an over the needle catheter comprising a hub, a proximal end, a distal end, at least one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a first lateral port arranged at a location proximal to the distal end of the catheter and arranged at a first angular location relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter, a second lateral port arranged at a location proximal to the first lateral port and arranged at a second angular location relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter, and a third lateral port arranged at a location proximal to the second lateral port and arranged at a third angular location relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter, wherein the first angular location is different than the second angular location, the second angular location is different than the third angular location; andproviding a cannula comprising a hub, a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula;inserting the cannula into the lumen of the over the needle catheter such that the distal end of the cannula extends past the distal end of the over the needle catheter;inserting, substantially simultaneously, the cannula and the over the needle catheter into the patient;advancing a predetermined portion of the cannula and over the needle catheter to a desired treatment situs using ultrasound as a visualization aid;removing the cannula from the lumen of the over the needle catheter leaving the over the needle catheter in place;connecting a tubing to the hub of the over the needle catheter;securing at least a portion of the over the needle catheter to the patient; andconnecting a pump to the tubing such that the pump is in fluid communication with the catheter configured to administer a continuous flow or intermittent bolus of a pharmacological agent to facilitate a continuous or prolonged nerve block to the patient;wherein the catheter further comprises graduated markings. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the catheter hub comprises a bonded hub. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the cannula hub comprises a bonded hub. 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the catheter hub comprises a bonded hub, wherein the cannula hub comprises a bonded hub. 27. The method of claim 23, wherein the distal end of the catheter comprises a tapered shape. 28. The method of claim 23, wherein the removing the cannula from the lumen of the over the needle catheter step comprises the step of removing the cannula from the lumen of the over the needle with one hand. 29. The method of claim 23, wherein the inserting, substantially simultaneously, the cannula and the over the needle catheter into the patient step comprises inserting, substantially simultaneously, the cannula and the over the needle catheter into the patient with one hand. 30. The method of claim 23, wherein the advancing a predetermined portion of the cannula and over the needle catheter to a desired treatment situs using ultrasound as a visualization aid step further comprises using electrical stimulation. 31. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of removing the over the needle catheter from the patient. 32. The method of claim 23, wherein the pump comprises a disposable pump. 33. The method of claim 23, wherein the pump comprises an elastomeric pump. 34. The method of claim 23, wherein the pump comprises a portable pump. 35. The method of claim 23, wherein the removing the cannula from the lumen of the over the needle catheter step comprises the step of removing the cannula from the lumen of the over the needle with one hand, and wherein the inserting, substantially simultaneously, the cannula and the over the needle catheter into the patient step comprises inserting, substantially simultaneously, the cannula and the over the needle catheter into the patient with one hand. 36. The method of claim 23, wherein the catheter hub comprises a bonded hub, wherein the cannula hub comprises a bonded hub,wherein the distal end of the catheter comprises a tapered shape,wherein the removing the cannula from the lumen of the over the needle catheter step comprises the step of removing the cannula from the lumen of the over the needle with one hand, andwherein the inserting, substantially simultaneously, the cannula and the over the needle catheter into the patient step comprises inserting, substantially simultaneously, the cannula and the over the needle catheter into the patient with one hand. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the advancing a predetermined portion of the cannula and over the needle catheter to a desired treatment situs using ultrasound as a visualization aid step further comprises using electrical stimulation. 38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of removing the over the needle catheter from the patient. 39. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter hub is a bonded hub. 40. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises graduated markings. 41. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cannula hub is a bonded hub. 42. The medical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a disposable pump configured to be in fluid communication with the catheter. 43. The medical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an elastomeric pump configured to be connected to the catheter or a tubing connected to the catheter. 44. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter hub is a bonded hub,wherein the cannula hub is a bonded hub, andwherein the catheter further comprises graduated markings. 45. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter hub is a bonded hub,wherein the cannula hub is a bonded hub,wherein the distal end of the catheter comprises a tapered shape, andwherein the catheter further comprises graduated markings.