Postoperative anesthetic delivery device and associated method for the postoperative treatment of pain

• US 5,458,582 A
• Filed: 06/15/1992
• Issued: 10/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Nakao, Naomi L.
• Inventors: Nakao, Naomi L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US07/898,510
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 604/258, 604/65-67, 604/264, 604/280-284, 623/12, 606/191-194
• US Class Current: 604/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06185 hollow or tubular hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 19/00 Local anaesthesia syringes therefor A61M5/00; Hypothermia A61M5/42 takes precedence; cooling blood in a bypass of the arterial system A61M1/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0021 characterised by the form of the tubing A61M25/0054 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/003 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the distal part of the catheter, e.g. filters, plugs or valves catheter tips A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202

Abstract

An anesthesia delivery device comprising an elongate flexible tubular member in the form of a hollow suture made of bioabsorbable material, the tubular member having a proximal end portion with a continuous cylindrical side wall and a distal end portion provided with a plurality of apertures spaced longitudinally along the distal end portion. The delivery device further comprises an injection pump or other component connected to the proximal end portion of the tubular member for injecting a local anesthetic into the tubular member. A timer can be provided for determining a time for an injection of the local anesthetic into a patient in which the distal end portion of the tubular member is implanted.

Claims

1. Anesthesia supply means for post-operatively supplying anesthesia to the interior of a surgical wound along at least one line of sutures joining tissue at the source of the post-operative pain in the interior of the wound, the site of the surgical wound being closed following surgery, the supply means comprising an elongate flexible tubular member made of bioabsorable material, said tubular member having a proximal end portion with a continuous side wall and adapted to project from the closed wound, and a distal end portion for laying along one or more lines of sutures joining tissue closing the interior of the wound, said distal end portion comprised of at least one tubular member provided with a plurality of anesthesia discharge apertures spaced longitudinally along said distal end portion.

2. The anesthetic supply means of claim 1 wherein said distal end portion of said tubular member includes a plurality of branches, each of said branches being provided with a plurality of apertures spaced longitudinally along the respective branch.

3. Anesthesia supply means for post-operatively supplying anesthesia to the interior of a surgical wound along at least one line of sutures joining tissue at the source of the post-operative pain in the interior of the wound, the site of the surgical wound being closed following surgery, the supply means comprising an elongate flexible tubular member made of bioabsorabable material, said tubular member having a proximal end portion with a continuous side wall and a distal end portion for laying along one or more lines of sutures joining tissue closing the interior of the wound, said distal end portion provided with a plurality of anesthesia discharge apertures spaced longitudinally along said distal end portion, said tubular member having a diameter approximately equal to that of a suture thread, said distal end portion of said tubular member including a plurality of branches, each of said branches being provided with a plurality of anesthesia discharge apertures spaced longitudinally along the respective branch, further comprising means connected to said proximal end portion for injecting a local anesthetic into said tubular member.

4. The anesthetic supply means of claim 3 wherein said means for automatically injecting includes timing means for determining a time for an injection of said local anesthetic into a patient in which said distal end portion is implanted, said means for automatically injecting further including pumping means connected to said timing means for pumping said aliquot of said local anesthetic into said tubular member in response to a signal from said timing means.