Echogenic nerve block apparatus and system

摘要

An apparatus for performing a nerve block procedure, the apparatus being composed of an echogenic needle or an echogenic soft tissue tunneling device and an echogenic catheter configured for controlled delivery of a medication. The apparatus may further include a sheath such that at least one of the needle or tunneling device and sheath is echogenic. The present invention also encompasses a system for performing a nerve block procedure, the system includes introducing an echogenic needle in the general area of a nerve bundle, positioning the echogenic needle adjacent the nerve bundle utilizing sonic imaging techniques, introducing an echogenic catheter configured for controlled delivery of a fluid through the echogenic needle, withdrawing the echogenic needle, positioning the echogenic catheter adjacent the nerve bundle utilizing sonic imaging techniques, and delivering fluid to the nerve bundle through the echogenic catheter.

主权项

1. An apparatus for performing a nerve block procedure, the apparatus comprising an echogenic needle and an echogenic catheter insertable through the echogenic needle and configured for controlled delivery of a medication, the echogenic catheter comprising an elongated tubular member having walls and an echogenic catheter tip, the echogenic catheter tip comprising one of: an echogenic insert entirely within the tubular member or; an echogenic plug including a support that resides within the tubular member, the echogenic insert and echogenic plug having a shape that reflects an effective amount of acoustic waves so the catheter tip is satisfactorily visible during sonic imaging, the shape being selected from gear shapes, hourglass shapes, hemisphere-terminated cylinder shapes, and multi-faceted geometric shapes formed by interlocking polygons, the echogenic insert and the echogenic plug having edges that engage the walls of the tubular member to prevent the echogenic insert and echogenic plug from moving relative to the elongated tubular member, wherein the edges and the walls of the tubular member, when engaged, define a plurality of grooves or notches between the edges and the walls of the tubular member.