CONTINUOUS NERVE BLOCK ASSEMBLY

摘要

An assembly and method for continuous blockage of a nerve in a patient. The assembly includes a needle comprising a hollow needle conduit having a shaft portion and a tip portion, a generally non-conductive layer disposed along a length of the conduit shaft portion, and an echogenic surface extending along at least a portion of the needle. A catheter having a bore for transmittal of an anesthetic to the nerve is receivable in the shaft portion of said needle. Following insertion of the needle tip in the vicinity of the nerve by electrical nerve stimulation and ultrasound visualization, the catheter is passed through the needle conduit such that the distal end of the catheter extends beyond the distal tip of the needle. The catheter has an echogenic portion, such as a ribbon wrapped around the distal end of the catheter, and the catheter echogenic portion is guidable in the vicinity of the nerve under ultrasound imaging. Following placement of the catheter, the needle may be removed, leaving the catheter in position for delivering continuous, spaced doses of the anesthetic over a selected period of time.