# US 2012/0073515 A1 · Intrathecal needle guide apparatus

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- Number: US 2012/0073515 A1
- Document ID: US20120073515A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/247,978
- Filed: 2011-09-28
- Published: 2012-03-29
- Earliest claimed: 2010-09-28
- Assignees: Advanced Bionics AG; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
- Inventors: Jin M. Chung; Kyngsoon Chung; Hee Young Kim
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120073515A1

## CPC

- A61D 7/00: Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals (for reproduction or fertilisation A61D19/00)
- A61B 2018/00339: {Spine, e.g. intervertebral disc}
- A61D: VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An apparatus for inserting a needle into an intrathecal space of small animals is disclosed, where the apparatus includes an animal positioning platform having a curved section, and a needle guide that rotates around the curved section, and to methods for using same.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A small animal intrathecal injection guide apparatus comprising:
an animal positioning platform including a curved section,
at least one arm pivotally mounted on the platform, where the arm rotates around the curved section,
a cross member attached to the distal end of the arm, and
a first needle guide mounted to the cross member at an angle α to the arm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an incisor bar.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the incisor bar is adjustable relative to the curved surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of arms pivotally mounted on the platform, where the arms rotate in coordination around the curved section, and the cross member connects the distal ends of the arms.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the angle α is about 15° to about −15°.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the angle α is 0°.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second needle guide mounted to the cross member at a second angle β to the arm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the angle β is about 35° to about 55°.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the angle β is 45°.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the curved section defines 90° of a circular arc.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the curved section defines a circular arc having a focal point, and the arm rotates about the focal point such that the distal end of the arm defines a trajectory concentric to the circular arc.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arm is radially extendable.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that restricts rotation of the arm.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross member is detachable from the arm.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross member is pivotally mounted to the arm such that angle α is adjustable.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a locking mechanism that restricts the pivot of the cross member.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform further comprises one or more marks to denote particular angles of injection.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the needle guide is sized for a needle size of about 15 to about 35 gauge.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an anesthesia delivery assembly comprising:
an anesthesia mask surrounding the incisor bar,
a gas inlet, and
a gas outlet.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the anesthesia delivery assembly is detachable from the platform.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

A method for inserting a needle into an intrathecal space of a small animal comprising:
providing the apparatus of claim 1,
positioning the small animal on the platform so that a portion of the animal's spine is conformed to the curved section,
rotating the arm to aim the first needle guide toward an intrathecal space in the animal's spine, and
inserting a needle through the first needle guide into the intrathecal space.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, where the intrathecal space is between the L5 vertebra and L6 vertebra.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, wherein the first needle guide is aimed substantially perpendicular to the tangent across the intrathecal space.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, further comprising anesthetizing the animal before the positioning step, during the positioning step, and/or during the inserting step.