Devices, systems and methods for determining proper placement of epidural catheters

A method for confirming the placement of a catheter in an epidural space of a spine of a subject, comprising:

• (A) providing:
• (i) a subject in need of having a catheter inserted in the spine;
• (ii) a non-metal-containing catheter having first and second ends;
• (iii) an aqueous solution capable of conducting electricity and suitable for administration in the epidural space of said spine of said subject;
• and
• (iv) a connector configured for attachment to said second end of said catheter, said connector having a conductive element in communication with a source of electricity;
• (B) contacting the epidural space of said spine of said subject with said first end of said catheter;
• (C) attaching said connector to said second end of said catheter;
• (D) administering said aqueous solution through said catheter into said epidural space;
• (E) conducting electricity with said conductive element of said connector under conditions such that said aqueous solution conducts electricity to said epidural space;
• and
• (F) measuring the motor response of said subject caused by said conducting of electricity.

A method for confirming the placement of a catheter in an epidural space of a spine of a subject, comprising:

• (A) providing:
• (i) a subject in need of having a catheter inserted in the spine;
• (ii) a catheter having first and second ends, said catheter comprising a metal element disposed the length of said catheter and housed completely within said catheter such that no metal is exposed outside said first end of said catheter;
• (iii) an aqueous solution capable of conducting electricity and suitable for administration in the epidural space of said spine of said subject;
• and
• (iv) a connector configured for attachment to said second end of said catheter, said connector having a conductive element in communication with a source of electricity;
• (B) contacting the epidural space of said spine of said subject with said first end of said catheter;
• (C) attaching said connector to said second end of said catheter;
• (D) administering said aqueous solution through said catheter into said epidural space;
• (E) conducting electricity with said conductive element of said connector under conditions such that said aqueous solution conducts electricity to said epidural space;
• and
• (F) measuring the motor response of said subject caused by said conducting of electricity.

A method for confirming the placement of a catheter in an epidural space of a spine of a subject, the catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the method comprising the steps of:

• (A) inserting the distal end of the catheter into the spine of the subject for contact with the epidural space;
• (B) injecting into the epidural space an aqueous solution capable of conducting electricity and suitable for administration in the epidural space;
• (C) conducting electricity to the distal end of the catheter under conditions such that the aqueous solution conducts the electricity to the epidural space;
• and
• (D) observing an involuntary motor response of the subject caused by conducting the electricity to the distal end of the catheter in order to confirm the placement of the catheter in the epidural space.