Automated compulsory blood extraction system

• US 6,340,354 B1
• Filed: 05/17/1997
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Christopher L. Rambin
• Original Assignee: Christopher L. Rambin
• Inventors: Rambin, Christopher L
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anhtuan T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thissell, Jeremy
• Application Number:
  US08/858,097
• Time in Patent Office: 1,711 Days
• Field of Search: 604/35, 604/147, 604/319, 604/540, 604/541, 604/19, 604/22, 604/543, 604/115, 606/167, 606/170, 606/171, 606/176-178, 606/82, 606/169, 600/573, 600/580, 600/583
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/205 Vaccinating by means of needles or other puncturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32093 for skin incisions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14514 using means for aiding extraction of interstitial fluid, e.g. microneedles or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150099 by negative pressure, other than vacuum extraction into a syringe by pulling on the piston rod or into pre-evacuated tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150221 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150229 Pumps for assisting the blood sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150389 Hollow piercing elements, e.g. canulas, needles, for piercing the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150473 Double-ended needles, e.g. used with pre-evacuated sampling tubes hollow piercing element tip design A61B5/150396; needle sets for catheters A61M25/06; needles for bringing media into the body A61M5/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150511 Details of construction of shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150755 Blood sample preparation for further analysis, e.g. by separating blood components or by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15105 Purely manual piercing, i.e. the user pierces the skin without the assistance of any driving means or driving devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15125 comprising a vacuum or compressed fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1514 by use of gaseous agents, e.g. using suction aspiration or pressurized gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15144 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for retracting the piercing unit into the housing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the treatment of thrombosis, venous insufficiency, and the like, and in particular to an Automated Compulsory Blood Extraction System (ACBES) configured to provide an efficient and safe means for the measured extraction of blood utilizing a device providing, in effect, an artificial leech, but without the infection, control, care, and other limitations associated with the medicinal leech. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes recent micro technological advances to provide a micro mechanical device which mimics and improves upon the bloodletting properties of the medicinal leech utilizing a micro mechanical valve, micropump, and micro sensor arraignment cooperating with a tertiary jaw array having teeth situated thereon. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates an extraction device which may have a head size of one centimeter or less, and which may be utilized in number about the affected area of the patient to provide controlled, precision, pulsed blood extraction via vacuum induction, supplying a controlled dosage of anticoagulant, histamine anesthetic, or the like. Alternative embodiments of the present invention include an independent, single needle, stationary design configured primarily for emergency use, a multi-needle piston design, a large extraction area array design including concentric needles of adjustable depth, and a deep extraction needle design.

Claims

1. A mechanical apparatus for stimulating blood circulation in tissue in a patient, comprising:

a device having a housing having a base having formed therein an extraction chamber having a periphery,

a blade having a cutting edge associated with said extraction chamber, said blade configured to move relative to said base so as to penetrate the tissue so as to facilitate the discharge of blood from the tissue;

said periphery of said extraction chamber configured to form a seal with the tissue of the patient about said blade when said blade is applied to the patient, said extraction chamber further comprising suction means for providing suction within said extraction chamber to collect the blood discharged from the tissue of the patient.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suction means further comprising sealing means for sealingly engaging a portion of tissue of said patient to said extraction chamber in the vicinity of said impaired tissue.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said sealing means comprises a lip situated about said periphery of said extraction chamber, said lip configured to contact and sealingly engage tissue with the initiation of said suction means.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein there is further provided medication dispensing means configured to dispense medication upon tissue in the vicinity of said extraction chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said medication is selected from a group of medication including antihistamine, anticoagulant, anesthetic, or antibiotic.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein there is further provided a diaphragm situated within said extraction chamber, said diaphragm forming a wall of said extraction chamber.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said diaphragm is comprised of flexible, somewhat elastic material.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said blade is mounted to said diaphragm.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said apparatus further comprises blade pivot means for pivoting said edge of said blade.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said blade pivot means is initiated by a piston, said piston motivated by fluid pressure provided by a fluid pressure source.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said blade has a cutting edge configured for cutting tissue.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said cutting edge is serrated.

13. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein there is further provided a beam configured of flexible material, said beam having first and second end, said first end communicating with said housing, said second end situated within said extraction chamber.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said blade is mounted to said second end of said beam in a generally lateral fashion.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said apparatus further comprises blade pivot means for selectively pivoting said edge of said blade.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said blade pivot means is initiated by a piston, said piston motivated by fluid pressure provided by a fluid pressure source.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said piston motivation is communicated to said second end of said beam, causing said beam to flex, thereby rocking said blade supported by said beam.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there is further provided reciprocating means to reciprocate said blade relative to said base.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there is further provided medication dispensing means configured to dispense medication upon tissue in the vicinity of said extraction chamber.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said medication is selected from a group of medication including antihistamine, anticoagulant, anesthetic, or antibiotic.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said blade is pivotally affixed to said device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said apparatus further comprises blade pivot means to selectively pivot said edge of said blade.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said blade pivot means is initiated by a piston, said piston motivated by fluid pressure provided by a fluid pressure source.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said periphery of said extraction chamber measures about 1 centimeter.

25. An apparatus for treatment of venous insufficiency in impaired tissue in a patient, comprising:

a device having a housing having a base having formed therein an extraction chamber having a periphery,

a blade having a cutting edge associated with said base, said blade configured to move relative to said base so as to penetrate tissue in the vicinity of said extraction chamber, providing a penetration area

said periphery of said extraction chamber configured to form a seal with the tissue about said penetration area, said extraction chamber further comprising suction means for providing suction within said extraction chamber, so as to urge fluid from said penetration area.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein said blade is configured to selectively communicate with said collection means to pierce said seal sealing said collection conduit.

27. The method of stimulating circulation in tissue, comprising the steps of:

a) placing a device having an extraction chamber in the vicinity of the tissue;

b) positioning a penetration member against the tissue in the vicinity of said extraction chamber;

c) reciprocating said penetration member, so as to form an incision in said tissue by way of said reciprocating motion;

d) forming a seal with the tissue about the incision with said extraction chamber, and initiating a suction in the extraction chamber, so as to draw blood from said incision;

e) suctioning a desired amount of blood from the patient so as to stimulate circulation; and

f) removing the device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein in after step “

a.”

there is further provided the step “

a1.”

of dispensing to the impaired tissue an anticoagulant and anesthetic.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step “

e”

there is further provided the step “

e1,”

of relieving the suction.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said penetration member comprises a plurality of needles.

31. An apparatus for treatment of tissue in a patient, comprising:

a device having a housing having a base having formed therein an extraction chamber having a periphery,

a blade emanating from said base, said blade having a cutting edge configured to move relative to said base in such a manner as to cut and penetrate tissue situated in the vicinity of said extraction chamber, so as to form an incision;

said periphery of said extraction chamber configured to engage the tissue about said incision so as to form a seal with said tissue, said extraction chamber further comprising suction means for providing suction within said extraction chamber so as to form a pressure differential in said extraction chamber to urge fluid from said incision.