Method for preventing loss of spinal fluid after spinal tap
OwnerHenry J. Zukowskiinventor
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for sealing a hole in the spinal canal of a patient made by a needle used to make a spinal tap. An elongated hemostatic thread is inserted into the lumen of the needle before the needle is removed from the patient after making a spinal tap and while the tip of the needle remains disposed in the hole in the spinal canal formed during penetration thereof by the needle. A wire inserted in the lumen of the needle is employed to advance the hemostatic member to the tip of the needle and to prevent withdrawal of the hemostatic member with the needle when the latter is subsequently withdrawn so that the hemostatic member will remain in situ in the hole as a plug to seal the same.
Claims7
A method of sealing a hole in the spinal canal of a patient made by a needle used to make a spinal tap, comprising inserting a member, capable of swelling on contact with body fluid, into the lumen of the needle before removing the needle from the patient after making a spinal tap and while the tip of the needle remains disposed in the hole in the spinal canal formed during penetration thereof by the needle, advancing said member to the tip of the needle, and thereafter withdrawing the tip of the needle without withdrawing said member so that said member will remain in situ in the hole as a plug and will swell by reason of contact with body fluid to effectively seal the hole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.