CANNULATED SENSING DEVICE

• US 20100094255A1
• Filed: 12/16/2009
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lyons, Christopher M., Nycz, Jeffrey H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,062,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• 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
• 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

1-37. -37. (canceled)

38. 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;

a sensor attached to the distal end of the housing;

a microprocessor in communication with the sensor.

39. The cannulated sensing device of claim 38, further comprising a power supply connected to the microprocessor and the sensor.

40. The cannulated sensing device of claim 39, further comprising a transmitter attached to the distal end of the housing, wherein the transmitter is in communication with the microprocessor.

41. The cannulated sensing device of claim 38, further comprising a display device configured to indicate whether the cannulated sensing device senses hard tissue, soft tissue, fluid, or a combination thereof.

42. The cannulated sensing device of claim 38, further comprising an annunciator configured to indicate whether the cannulated sensing device senses hard tissue, soft tissue, fluid, or a combination thereof.

43. The cannulated sensing device of claim 39, further comprising a power switch coupled to the power supply.

44. The cannulated sensing device of claim 39, wherein the microprocessor and the power supply are a located within the housing.

45. The cannulated sensing device of claim 41, wherein the sensor and the display device are incorporated into the housing.

46. The cannulated sensing device of claim 38, wherein the cannula comprises a lumen configured to receive a needle of an injecting device.

47. The cannulated sensing device of claim 38, wherein the sensor is activated when a needle is inserted within a cannula of a cannulated sensing device.

48. The cannulated sensing device of claim 47, wherein the sensor is deactivated when the needle is withdrawn from the cannula of the cannulated sensing device.

49. The cannulated sensing device of claim 47, further comprising a first conductor extending substantially along a length of the needle from the sensor to the proximal end of the needle.

50. The cannulated sensing device of claim 49, further comprising a second conductor extending substantially along the length of the needle from the sensor to the proximal end of the needle.

51. 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.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

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

53. The method of claim 52, 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.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the indication includes a visual signal.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein the indication includes an audible signal.

56. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

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