Needle Stabilizer

• US 20080006551A1
• Filed: 06/05/2006
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kristin Ann Tolley, Mary-Catherine Marshall
• Original Assignee: Kristin Ann Tolley, Mary-Catherine Marshall
• Inventors: Marshall, Mary-Catherine, Tolley, Kristin Ann
• Granted Patent: US 8,308,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/365
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3407 including a base for support on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints

Abstract

A stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing the position of a needle when penetrating the skin of a patient, the apparatus has a frame structure with a base for placement against the skin in the vicinity of an intended needle entry point. A flexible diaphragm is supported by the frame structure and is spaced apart from the base of the frame structure to be disposed at a position away from the skin. The flexible diaphragm is configured to releasably grip the shaft of the needle at a distance from the needle entry point.

Claims

1. A stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing the position of a needle when penetrating the skin of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a) a frame structure having a base for placement against the skin in the vicinity of an intended needle entry point; and

b) a flexible diaphragm supported by the frame structure and spaced apart from the base of the frame structure to be disposed at a position away from the skin, wherein the flexible diaphragm is configured to releasably grip the shaft of the needle at a distance from the needle entry point.

2. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame structure is skeletal to allow visibility of the needle entry point.

3. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is treated with an adhesive material for holding the base against the skin.

4. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises an adhesive member for application against the skin.

5. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the adhesive member is a wound dressing.

6. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the adhesive member is patterned.

7. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame structure is formed from a plastic.

8. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible diaphragm is formed from an elastomer.

9. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible diaphragm is formed from a rubber material.

10. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame structure and the flexible diaphragm are formed from the same material.

11. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible diaphragm is fabricated to have an aperture.

12. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is formed to apply suction against the skin.

13. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 7 wherein the plastic is an acrylic.

14. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame structure forms a tripod extending from the base to the flexible diaphragm.

15. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the needle entry point lies within an area bounded by the base.

16. A stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing the position of a needle when penetrating the skin of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a) a frame structure having a base for adhesive placement against the skin in the vicinity of an intended needle entry point; and

b) a flexible apertured diaphragm supported by the frame structure and spaced apart from the base of the frame structure to be disposed at a position away from the skin,

wherein the aperture of the flexible diaphragm is configured to releasably grip the shaft of the needle at a distance from the needle entry point.

17. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 16 wherein the flexible apertured diaphragm is formed from an elastomer.

18. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 16 wherein the base comprises a patterned membrane.

19. The stabilizing apparatus of claim 16 wherein the frame structure and the flexible apertured diaphragm are formed from the same material.

20. A method for stabilizing the position of a puncturing instrument comprising:

a) adhering a base portion of a frame structure to the skin of a patient in the vicinity of an intended entry point for the puncturing instrument;

b) inserting the puncturing instrument through a flexible diaphragm supported by the frame structure at a distance spaced apart from the skin; and

,

c) penetrating the tip of the puncturing instrument beneath the skin of the patient at the entry point.