Contact and penetration depth sensor for a needle assembly

• US 20030120297A1
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Beyerlein, Dagmar Bettina
• Granted Patent: US 7,247,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/185
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a needle to contact and penetrate tissue. The apparatus also includes a device coupled to the needle, wherein the device detects the needle contacting the tissue, and measures depth of tissue penetration.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a needle to contact and penetrate tissue; and

a device coupled to the needle, the device adapted to measure a depth of tissue penetration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a needle sheath disposed around a portion of the device and the needle to provide protection for the tissue from the needle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes:

a first conductive component coupled to the needle, the first conductive component moves proximally upon contact with and penetration into the tissue; and

a second conductive component disposed at a predetermined distance from the first conductive component, the second conductive component arranged to generate an electrical signal upon contact with the first conductive component, wherein one of the first conductive component and the second conductive component is selected to move in response to a resistive force by the tissue upon penetration by the needle.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first conductive component is conductive at least at a portion where the first conductive component contacts the second conductive component.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second conductive component is conductive at least at a portion where the first conductive component contacts the second conductive component.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a spring assembly coupled to the needle and the first conductive component, said spring adapted to separate the first conductive component from the second conductive component.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the spring assembly includes a spring machined out of proximal portion of the needle.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

weld joints arranged to couple the spring to a proximal and a distal part of the needle.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a slip-fit joint arranged to couple the needle tip to the proximal portion of the needle assembly.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a weld joint arranged to attach proximal end of the spring assembly to proximal portion of the needle.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

an insulator disposed on the needle in a region between the first conductive component and the second conductive component, the region including an area where the first conductive component is slidably moving to prevent the second conductive component from contacting the needle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the needle includes a tube to enable delivery of fluid through the needle.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

a spring-loaded needle to contact and penetrate a tissue wall;

a first conductive element coupled to the needle, the first conductive element slidably movable upon contact with and penetration into the tissue wall; and

a second conductive element disposed at a predetermined distance from the first conductive element, the second conductive element arranged to generate an electrical signal upon contact with the first conductive element.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the predetermined distance indicates distance penetrated by the needle into the tissue wall.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the predetermined distance is approximately 0.5 millimeter.

16. A method, comprising:

penetrating a tissue wall with a needle assembly, the needle assembly comprising;

a needle,

a first conductive element coupled to the needle, and

a second conductive element disposed at a predetermined distance away from the first conductive element,

wherein the needle penetrates the tissue wall and such penetration allows the first conductive element to slidably move toward the second conductive element; and

delivering an appropriate treatment agent through the needle assembly once contact between the first conductive element and the second conductive element is made.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing an electrical connectivity from the first and second conductive elements to signal a contact between the first conductive element and the second conductive element.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein providing an electrical connectivity includes extending insulated wires from the contact and penetration sensor to each of the first and second conductive elements.