Shallow angle needle guide apparatus and method
AssigneeCIVCO Medical Instruments Co., Inc.
InventorsGerald S. Szczech, Craig Cermak, Brett Severence
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A needle guide for use with an imaging instrument is disclosed. The needle guide is suitable for delivery of a needle at a shallow angle into a patient during imaging analysis. Thus, the needle guide is well suited to the controlled collection of biopsy tissue or other sample material near the surface of a patient.
Claims53
A needle guide system for delivering a needle during imaging analysis, the needle guide system comprising:
- a needle path defined between an entrance for the needle into a needle guide and an exit for a front end of the needle out of the needle guide and into outer surface of a patient, the needle path comprising a curved portion configured and dimensioned for bending the needle between the entrance and the exit;
- an ultrasound probe configured to be placed proximate the outer surface of a patient;
- wherein the exit is disposed proximate an edge of the ultrasound probe that in part defines a region of imaging;
- and
- wherein the needle guide is coupled to the ultrasound probe.
A needle guide system for delivering a needle during imaging analysis, the needle guide system comprising:
- a needle guide comprising:
- a curved channel configured for receiving a needle;
- the channel having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a needle path therebetween, wherein the needle path proximate the inlet portion is disposed at an angle with respect to the needle path proximate the outlet portion;
- an ultrasound probe configured to be placed proximate skin of a patient;
- wherein the outlet portion is disposed proximate an edge of the ultrasound probe that in part defines a region of imaging;
- and
- wherein the needle guide system is configured such that the system remains outside of a patient during imaging analysis.
A shallow angle needle guide system configured and arranged for guiding a needle into outer surface of a patient undergoing imaging analysis, the needle guide system comprising:
- a needle guide comprising:
- an inlet, the inlet configured and arranged such that the needle partially placed within the needle guide will form an angle of at least 30 degrees with the outer surface of the patient;
- an outlet, the outlet configured and arranged such that a portion of the needle exiting the needle guide will form an angle of less than 30 degrees with the outer surface of the patient;
- an ultrasound probe configured to be placed proximate the outer surface of the patient;
- wherein the outlet is disposed proximate an edge of the ultrasound probe that in part defines a region of imaging;
- and
- wherein the needle guide system is configured such that the system remains outside of the patient during imaging analysis.
A system for directing a needle comprising:
- an ultrasound probe configured to be placed adjacent skin of at patient;
- a sterile cover configured and dimensioned to separate surfaces of the ultrasound probe from direct contact with the skin of the patient;
- a needle guide coupled to the ultrasound probe and fixed in position with respect thereto, the needle guide comprising a curved portion configured to receive and guide a needle out an exit of the needle guide and toward a region of imaging by the ultrasound probe;
- wherein the exit is disposed proximate an edge of the ultrasound probe that in part defines the region of imaging.
A method of directing a needle in a percutaneous procedure comprising:
- placing an ultrasound probe adjacent skin of a patient proximate a location for performing the procedure through the skin;
- coupling a needle guide to the ultrasound probe in a fixed position with respect thereto, the needle guide comprising a curved portion;
- guiding a needle within the curved portion of the needle guide and out an exit of the needle guide so that the needle is oriented toward a region of imaging by the ultrasound probe.
A method of directing a needle in a percutaneous procedure comprising:
- placing an ultrasound probe adjacent skin of a patient proximate a location for performing the procedure through the skin;
- coupling a needle guide to the ultrasound probe in a fixed position with respect thereto, the needle guide comprising a plurality of curved paths definable between a plurality of separate entrances to the needle guide and at least one exit to the needle guide;
- selecting one of the curved paths;
- guiding a needle within the selected curved path so that the needle penetrates the skin while oriented toward a region of imaging by the ultrasound probe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.