Apparatus for use in cannulation of blood vessels

• US 4,887,606 A
• Filed: 01/11/1989
• Issued: 12/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Escalon Vascular Ip Holding, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alan R. Selfridge, Paul G. Yock
• Inventors: Yock, Paul G., Selfridge, Alan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis
• Application Number:
  US07/296,272
• Time in Patent Office: 342 Days
• Field of Search: 128/662.05, 128/662.06
• US Class Current: 600/461
• 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 2017/3413 guided by ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0833 involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/427 Locating point where body is to be pierced, e.g. vein location means using ultrasonic waves, injection site templates

Abstract

Apparatus for use in cannulation of blood vessels includes a hollow needle having a sharpened end for penetrating tissue, a trocar including a transducer mounted on one end for positioning within the hollow needle for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves through the sharpened end of the needle. The trocar further includes a support rod for the transducer and ultrasound damping material attaching the transducer to the support rod. Electrical conductors are provided through the support rod or on the surface of the support rod in contact with electrodes on the front and back surfaces of the transducer for transmitting electrical signals to and from the transducer. A syringe portion is detachably detached from the needle for receiving the back flow of blood when the needle is inserted into a blood vessel.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in cannulation of blood vessels comprising

a hollow needle having a sharpened end for penetrating tissue,

a stylet positioned within said needle and including an ultrasound transducer at one end for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves through the sharpened end of said needle,

a support rod for supporting said transducer,

means attaching said transducer to said support rod,

coaxial electrical conductors associated with said support rod for transmitting electrical signals to and from said transducer, including a wire extending through said support rod electrically connected with a back surface of said transducer, and a metal conductor on the surface of said rod electrically interconnected with a front surface of said transducer, said metal conductor and support rod being spaced from said needle to facilitate back flow of blood when a blood vessel is penetrated, and

a syringe portion detachably attached to said needle.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said transducer includes metal contacts on said front and back surfaces of said transducer.

3. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means attaching said transducer to said rod includes an ultrasound damping material.

4. For use in apparatus for cannulation of blood vessels, a stylet for positioning within a hollow needle and comprising a support rod, an ultrasound transducer at one end of said support rod for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, means attaching said transducer to said support rod, and coaxial electrical conductors associated with said support rod for transmitting electrical signals to and from said transducer including a wire extending through said support rod in contact with a back surface of said transducer, and a metal conductor on the surface of said rod in contact with a front surface of said transducer.

5. Apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said transducer includes metal contacts on said front surface and said back surface.

6. The trocar as defined by claim 4 wherein said means attaching said transducer into said rod includes an ultrasound damping material.