US 2003/0167021 A1 · Apparatus for locating and anesthetizing nerve groups

Abstract

An apparatus for locating and anesthetizing a nerve enables an anesthesiologist to perform a nerve blockade procedure without an assistant. An anesthetic-filled syringe is releasably mounted to a hands-free, foot-actuated, hydraulic syringe controller. An electric current generator is mounted to the syringe controller and operatively connected to a needle of the syringe. A hands-free, foot-actuated current generator controller determines an amperage of an electrical stimulus output to the needle. The current generator includes audible and visual displays for informing the anesthesiologist of the output amperage. Because the syringe controller and current generator controller allow hands-free operation, an anesthesiologist can continuously use both hands to manipulate and hold the needle in a patient.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An apparatus for locating and anesthetizing nerves comprising:

a needle adapted to be connected to a syringe having an anesthetic therein;
an electric current generator operatively connected to the needle to selectively apply an electrical stimulus to the needle;
a hands-free current generator controller operatively connected to the current generator, the current generator controller determining electrical characteristics, including at least an amperage, of the electrical stimulus;
and
a hands-free syringe controller adapted to be connected to the syringe to selectively aspirate the syringe and inject the anesthetic through the needle.

2 more elements

A foot-actuated syringe controller comprising:

a syringe having a syringe base and a plunger;
a foot pedal base;
and
a foot pedal movably connected to the foot pedal base, the foot pedal having actuated and unactuated positions relative to the foot pedal base, the foot pedal being operatively connected to the syringe,
wherein moving the foot pedal into the actuated position moves the plunger toward the syringe base, thereby injecting a fluid out of the syringe, and
wherein releasing the foot pedal into the unactuated position applies a force to the plunger that tends to move the plunger away from the syringe base, thereby aspirating the syringe.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for locating and anesthetizing nerve groups

Life of this patent

Apparatus for locating and anesthetizing nerve groups

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24