Devices, systems and methods for determining proper placement of epidural catheters
First Claim
1. A method for confirming the placement of a catheter in an epidural space of a spine of a subject, comprising:
- (A) providing;
(i) a subject in need of having a catheter inserted in the spine;
(ii) a catheter having first and second ends;
(iii) an aqueous solution capable of conducting electricity and suitable for administration in the epidural space of said spine of said subject; and
(iv) an electrical conduction means;
(B) contacting the epidural space of said spine of said subject with said first end of said catheter, (C) attaching said electrical conduction means to said second end of said catheter;
(D) administering said aqueous solution through said catheter into said epidural space; and
(E) conducting electricity with said electrical conduction means under conditions such that said aqueous solution conducts electricity to said epidural space.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for determining the proper placement of an epidural catheter prior to administration of anesthetic is described. In a preferred embodiment, an aqueous fluid is introduced into an epidural catheter that has been inserted into the spine of a subject. Motor reactions by the subject in response to electrical current applied through the aqueous solution is monitored. By monitoring the motor response with respect to electrical stimulation, the proper placement of an epidural catheter can be differentiated from the placement of the catheter in subarachnoid, subcutaneous or epidural intravascular placement. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, a wire is disposed within the catheter tube to facilitate the passage of electric current. However, to avoid electrochemical reaction of the wire with the aqueous solution and/or the subject'"'"'s dural tissue, the wire does not extend completely to the distal end of the catheter tube.
188 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for confirming the placement of a catheter in an epidural space of a spine of a subject, comprising:
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(A) providing;
(i) a subject in need of having a catheter inserted in the spine;
(ii) a catheter having first and second ends;
(iii) an aqueous solution capable of conducting electricity and suitable for administration in the epidural space of said spine of said subject; and
(iv) an electrical conduction means;
(B) contacting the epidural space of said spine of said subject with said first end of said catheter, (C) attaching said electrical conduction means to said second end of said catheter;
(D) administering said aqueous solution through said catheter into said epidural space; and
(E) conducting electricity with said electrical conduction means under conditions such that said aqueous solution conducts electricity to said epidural space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for confirming the placement of a catheter in an epidural space of a spine of a subject, comprising:
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(A) providing;
(i) a subject in need of having a catheter inserted in the spine;
(ii) a non-metal-containing catheter having first and second ends;
(iii) an aqueous solution capable of conducting electricity and suitable for administration in the epidural space of said spine of said subject; and
(iv) a connector configured for attachment to said second end of said catheter, said connector having a conductive element in communication with a source of electricity;
(B) contacting the epidural space of said spine of said subject with said first end of said catheter;
(C) attaching said connector to said second end of said catheter;
(D) administering said aqueous solution through said catheter into said epidural space;
(E) conducting electricity with said conductive element of said connector under conditions such that said aqueous solution conducts electricity to said epidural space; and
(F) measuring the motor response of said subject caused by said conducting of electricity. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for confirming the placement of a catheter in an epidural space of a spine of a subject, comprising:
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(A) providing;
(i) a subject in need of having a catheter inserted in the spine;
(ii) a catheter having first and second ends, said catheter comprising a metal element disposed the length of said catheter and housed completely within said catheter such that no metal is exposed outside said first end of said catheter;
(iii) an aqueous solution capable of conducting electricity and suitable for administration in the epidural space of said spine of said subject; and
(iv) a connector configured for attachment to said second end of said catheter, said connector having a conductive element in communication with a source of electricity;
(B) contacting the epidural space of said spine of said subject with said first end of said catheter;
(C) attaching said connector to said second end of said catheter;
(D) administering said aqueous solution through said catheter into said epidural space;
(E) conducting electricity with said conductive element of said connector under conditions such that said aqueous solution conducts electricity to said epidural space; and
(F) measuring the motor response of said subject caused by said conducting of electricity. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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23. A method for confirming the placement of a catheter in an epidural space of a spine of a subject, the catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the method comprising the steps of:
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(A) inserting the distal end of the catheter into the spine of the subject for contact with the epidural space;
(B) injecting into the epidural space an aqueous solution capable of conducting electricity and suitable for administration in the epidural space;
(C) conducting electricity to the distal end of the catheter under conditions such that the aqueous solution conducts the electricity to the epidural space; and
(D) observing an involuntary motor response of the subject caused by conducting the electricity to the distal end of the catheter in order to confirm the placement of the catheter in the epidural space. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification