Cannulated sensing device

• US 20080021398A1
• Filed: 07/06/2006
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Nycz, Jeffrey H., Lyons, Christopher M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,666,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/164.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• 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 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00106 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A cannulated sensing device is disclosed and can include a housing that can have a proximal end and a distal end. A cannula can extend from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing. Further, a sensor can be attached to the distal end of the housing.

Claims

1. A cannulated sensing device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end and a distal end;

a cannula extending from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing; and

a sensor attached to the distal end of the housing.

2. The cannulated sensing device of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor in communication with the sensor.

3. The cannulated sensing device of claim 2, further comprising a power supply connected to the microprocessor and the sensor.

4. The cannulated sensing device of claim 3, further comprising a transmitter attached to the distal end of the housing, wherein the transmitter is in communication with the microprocessor.

5. The cannulated sensing device of claim 1, further comprising a display device configured to indicate whether the cannulated sensing device senses hard tissue, soft tissue, fluid, or a combination thereof.

6. The cannulated sensing device of claim 1, further comprising an annunciator configured to indicate whether the cannulated sensing device senses hard tissue, soft tissue, fluid, or a combination thereof.

10. The cannulated sensing device of claim 1, wherein the cannula comprises a lumen configured to receive a needle of an injecting device.

11. The cannulated sensing device of claim 10, further comprising a first spring loaded contact extending into the lumen, wherein the first spring-loaded contact is configured to contact the needle when the needle is inserted in the lumen.

12. The cannulated sensing device of claim 11, further comprising a second spring loaded contact extending into the lumen, wherein the second spring loaded contact is configured to contact the needle when the needle is within the lumen and wherein the second spring loaded contact is configured to contact the first spring loaded contact when the needle is not within the lumen.

13. The cannulated sensing device of claim 12, wherein the sensor of the cannulated sensing device is activated while the first spring-loaded contact is in electrical contact with the second spring loaded contact.

14. The cannulated sensing device of claim 13, wherein the sensor of the cannulated sensing device is deactivated while the first spring-loaded contact is not in electrical contact with the second spring loaded contact.

15. The cannulated sensing device of claim 14, wherein a sensor incorporated into the needle is activated when the needle contacts the first spring loaded contact, the second spring loaded contact, or a combination thereof.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

16. An injecting device, comprising:

a barrel;

a plunger within the barrel;

a needle extending from the barrel, wherein the needle includes a proximal end and a distal end; and

a sensor incorporated in the needle substantially near the distal end of the needle.

17. The injecting device of claim 16, wherein the sensor is activated when the needle is inserted within a cannula of a cannulated sensing device.

18. The injecting device of claim 17, wherein the sensor is deactivated when the needle is withdrawn from the cannula of the cannulated sensing device.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. A method of treating a patient, comprising:

placing a distal end of a cannulated sensing device on skin of the patient; and

receiving an indication from the cannulated sensing device that the cannulated sensing device is sensing subcutaneous fluid.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

moving the cannulated sensing device along the skin until receiving an indication that the cannulated sensing device is sensing subcutaneous fluid.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving an indication from the cannulated sensing device includes receiving an indication that subcutaneous fluid is located along a longitudinal axis of the cannulated sensing device.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

inserting a needle of an injecting device into a cannula within the cannulated sensing device.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

angling the cannulated sensing device without relocating the distal end of the cannulated sensing device before inserting the needle within the cannula.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

sliding the needle through a lumen within the cannula and into the patient.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving an indication from the cannulated sensing device that a distal end of the needle is within fluid within the patient.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

depressing a plunger on the injecting device to deliver a therapeutic agent to the fluid within the patient.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the therapeutic agent includes hyaluronic acid.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

34. A kit, comprising:

an injecting device having a needle and a first sensor incorporated in the needle; and

a cannulated sensing device having a second sensor and a cannula, wherein the cannula is configured to receive the needle therethrough.

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)