Steroid delivery system

#The present invention generally relates to pain management systems, and more specifically, a steroid delivery system for the treatment of localized musculoskeletal or neurogenic pain. Most specifically, the present invention relates to a prepackaged orthopedic steroid delivery system including an improved mixing syringe pre-filled with local anesthetic and corticosteroid, a variety of needles, local antiseptics, and ethyl chloride, if used.

#Steroid injections are often used to treat localized musculoskeletal or neurogenic pain. In practice, the corticosteroid is often mixed with a local anesthetic and injected into a patient's joint, tendon sheath, or adjacent to a painful ligament or inflamed nerve. The corticosteroid acts over several days to manage inflammation and pain, while the local anesthetic works immediately, but only temporarily. If the injection is properly placed, the local anesthetic will instantly numb the patient's pain, and the practitioner can be reasonably assured that the corticosteroid will be injected in the proper area to effectively manage pain. A successful local treatment of musculoskeletal or neurogenic pain improves the patient's function and decreases the need for systemic medications and even surgery, in some cases.

#In the current state of the art, the preparation of such an injection requires a practitioner to gather a variety of supplies including the corticosteroid and anesthetic, a syringe and needles, and local anesthetic, among other things. The length of time it takes to prepare the injection can depend on the availability and accessibility of the supplies and the efficiency and organization of the medical office and staff. Lack of even one item, whether it is misplaced, out of stock, outdated, contaminated or in another area, can extend preparation time. The entire process can be very time consuming and can be a limiting factor in the number of such treatments a practitioner can administer in one day.

#FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the steroid delivery system of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the improved mixing syringe for use in the steroid delivery system of the present invention.

#FIG. 3a is a side view of one embodiment of a syringe barrel for use in the steroid delivery system of the present invention.

#One embodiment of the steroid delivery system 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The steroid delivery system 10 consists of a kit 12 containing all of the medical supplies necessary to administer a corticosteroid and anesthetic treatment including, but not limited to, an improved mixing syringe 14 prefilled with a volume of local anesthetic and corticosteroid, a variety of hypodermic needles 16, local antiseptic wipes (e.g. povidine, isopropyl alcohol) 18, an antiseptic swab 20 and a local surface anesthetic (not shown), such as ethyl chloride, if used. All of the desired items for administering the treatment are contained within a sterile package 22 so that the items may be removed and immediately used. As stated above, the time it currently takes to administer this treatment is highly dependent on the availability and accessibility of all of the necessary supplies. By bundling all of the supplies into one kit, the preparation time will be greatly reduced and increase the likelihood that such an injection can be achieved on short notice.

#Furthermore, the prepackaged kit 12 can be produced in a variety of corticosteroid to anesthetic ratios and quantities, for the treatment of pain in different areas of the body, such as a joint, a tendon sheath, a ligament, or a nerve. One having skill in the art is familiar with the particular volumes and strengths of both the anesthetic and corticosteroid that are safe and effective for the relief of pain and inflammation in certain areas of the body. In addition, by providing a variety of hypodermic needles 16 of different lengths and gauges, one kit 12 may be used to treat a variety of areas. For example, at least one 25 gauge needle, and at least one 22 gauge needle may be provided in one kit 12. Moreover, the needles can be provided in varying lengths, such a spinal-length needle.

#Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3A-3C, the improved mixing syringe 14 for use in the corticosteroid delivery system 10 of the present invention, having a proximal end 24 and a distal end 26, comprises a hypodermic needle 28 having a neck 30, a barrel 32, a mixing assembly 34 and a retracting assembly 36. Hypodermic needle 28 would be provided separately of the syringe 14 within the sterile kit 12 and would be connected by the practitioner immediately before administration. Barrel 32 is a conventional syringe barrel known in the art, having a nozzle 38 for accepting a hypodermic needle, a fluid dispensing orifice 40, a hollow cylinder 42 and a grip 44. Distal end 46 of barrel 32 has is contoured to maximize effluent flow and to minimize fluid retained in barrel 32 as a plunger or stopper is displaced to abut the distal end. Prior to use and during the mixing phase, orifice 40 is closed and sealed by a removable cap 48.