APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED NEEDLE PLACEMENT FOR DRUG DELIVERY

• US 20140200445A1
• Filed: 07/31/2012
• Published: 07/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Boezaart, Andre P., Ihnatsenka, Barys
• Granted Patent: US 9,724,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4209 by using holders, e.g. positioning frames
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/065 Guide needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body

Abstract

In one embodiment, apparatus for facilitating ultrasound-assisted needle placement for drug delivery includes an ultrasound probe cover adapted to receive an ultrasound probe, the cover comprising a first wall and a needle guide associated with the first wall, the needle guide comprising an element adapted to guide a needle into a patient adjacent the cover.

Claims

1. Apparatus for facilitating ultrasound-assisted needle placement for drug delivery, the apparatus comprising:

an ultrasound probe cover adapted to receive an ultrasound probe, the cover comprising a first wall and a needle guide associated with the first wall, the needle guide comprising an element adapted to guide a needle into a patient adjacent the cover.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the needle guide comprises an elongated member that extends from the first wall and wherein the element is a slot adapted to receive a shaft of the needle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elongated member includes multiple slots positioned at different distances from the first wall, each slot adapted to receive the shaft of the needle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wall is a front wall and the needle guide is a first needle guide that extends from the first wall, and wherein the cover further comprises a lateral wall from which a second needle guide extends, wherein the first needle guide is adapted to guide the needle during an out-of-plane approach and the second needle guide is adapted to guide the needle during an in-plane approach.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a base plate adapted to contact the patient, the base plate comprising an ultrasound window and an absorbent member adapted to hold sterilizing fluid.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the base plate further includes a peripheral skirt adapted to retain the sterilizing fluid in place between the cover and the patient.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mirror provided on the first wall adjacent the needle guide, the mirror being adapted to assist a physician in aligning the needle with the cover.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mirror comprises a vertical line with which the needle can be aligned.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mirror further comprises a scale that provides an indication of the depth of insertion of the needle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a reference element that provides an indication of a 45°

approach angle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a needle support that extends out from the first wall, the needle support being adapted to support the needle in a desired orientation relative to the cover.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cover comprises mounting elements with which the needle support mounts to the cover.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a needle holder associated with the needle support, the needle holder being adapted to securely hold the needle.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the needle holder comprises clamping jaws adapted to grip the needle support and needle clamping elements adapted to clamp onto the needle.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein when the needle holder is configured so that when the clamping jaws are closed, the needle can easily slide between the needle clamping elements but when the clamping jaws are open, the needle clamping elements securely clamp onto the needle.

16. A needle holder comprising:

first and second members, each member including a clamping jaw and a finger tab, each finger tab comprising a needle clamping element;

a pin that connects the first and second members together in a manner in which the jaws oppose each other, the tabs oppose each other, and the needle clamping elements oppose each other, the needle clamping elements together defining an inner circular opening through which a needle shaft can pass;

wherein the jaws separate and the needle clamping elements close when the tabs are brought closer to each other.

17. The needle holder of claim 16, further comprising a biasing element that urges the finger tabs apart and the clamping jaws together.

18. A method for facilitating ultrasound-assisted needle placement for drug delivery, the method comprising:

attaching a sterile cover to an ultrasound probe;

placing a needle in a needle guide of the cover; and

advancing the needle into a patient with the assistance of the needle guide.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising securing the needle in a desired position relative to the cover using needle support means and holding means associated with the cover.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising advancing a catheter or a guidewire through the needle while is secured by the support means and holding means.