Epidural catheter needle
OwnerTeodulo Avesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A needle comprising a hollow shaft having opposed distal and proximal ends, the hollow shaft having a lumen extending from the proximal end of the shaft and terminating at an opening on a top of and proximal to the distal end of the needle shaft. A cutting surface is at the distal end of the hollow shaft adapted to be inserted into a patient, wherein the cutting surface is on the bottom of the distal end of the hollow shaft.
Claims20
In an epidural needle comprising a hollow shaft having opposed distal and proximal ends, the distal end having a cutting surface for insertion into a patient's epidural space, the needle shaft having a lumen extending from the proximal end of the needle shaft and terminating at an opening on the top of the distal end of the needle shaft and configured to allow an epidural catheter for introducing liquid anesthesia into the patient to be threaded through the proximal end of the needle until a portion of the catheter exits through the opening in the needle shaft;
- the improvement comprising the cutting surface, wherein the cutting surface is on the bottom of the distal end of the hollow shaft.
A needle comprising:
- a hollow shaft having opposed distal and proximal ends, the hollow shaft having a lumen extending from the proximal end of the shaft and terminating at an opening on a top of and proximal to the distal end of the needle shaft;
- and
- a cutting surface at the distal end of the hollow shaft adapted to be inserted into a patient, wherein the cutting surface is on the bottom of the distal end of the hollow shaft.
A method of installing a catheter in the epidural space comprising:
- (a) pushing a needle into the epidural space with a cutting surface of the needle substantially parallel to the dura fibers of the patient, wherein the needle comprises a substantially straight cutting surface;
- (b) feeding a catheter through the needle and into the epidural space;
- (c) removing the needle, while holding the catheter stationary;
- and
- (d) securing the catheter.
An epidural needle kit comprising:
- an epidural needle;
- a lumen through the epidural needle having a end on a top surface of a distal end of the needle;
- a stylet adapted to fit inside the lumen of the epidural needle;
- a catheter adapted to fit inside the lumen of the epidural needle;
- and
- a hub adapted to connect to a proximal end of the epidural needle;
- the improvement comprising a cutting surface on the epidural needle, wherein the cutting surface is on a bottom surface of the distal end of the needle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.