Anatomical fluid evacuation apparatus and method

• US 6,478,769 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas (University of Arkansas System)
• Original Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas (University of Arkansas System)
• Inventors: Parker, L. Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CAMTU TRAN
• Application Number:
  US09/511,424
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 604/540, 604/541, 604/543, 604/65, 604/66, 604/67, 604/272, 600/554, 600/373, 600/546, 600/547, 600/587
• US Class Current: 604/66
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3401 Puncturing needles for the peridural or subarachnoid space or the plexus, e.g. for anaesthesia local anaesthesia A61M19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/67 Containers incorporating a piston-type member to create suction, e.g. syringes cupping glasses A61M1/08; with a flexible member creating suction A61M1/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/46 having means for controlling depth of insertion

Abstract

An apparatus and method for evacuating an anatomical fluid from a body cavity is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus and method is particularly useful in the performance of a pericardiocentesis procedure under emergency conditions. The apparatus consists of a needle and an integrated alarm that uses the needle tip as the probe for a current sensor. As the needle tip approaches conductive media, such as myocardial tissue, the audible alarm sounds, thereby warning the operator to stop the progress of the needle to prevent contact with such tissue.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the evacuation of fluids from an anatomical cavity, said apparatus comprising:

a) a needle having a proximal and distal end;

b) a power source in electrical communication with said needle;

c) a sensor in electrical communication with said needle and said power source, wherein said sensor is operable to discriminate between myocardial tissue and non-myocardial tissue; and

d) an alarm in electrical communication with said sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alarm is activated when the distal end of said needle approaches myocardial tissue.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said alarm is a piezoelectric speaker.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said electric power source is at least one battery.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one battery comprises a watch battery.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a) a switch in communication with said power source; and

b) a test button in communication with said switch.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a housing connected to said needle near the proximal end of said needle, said housing providing a mounting point for said power source, said alarm, and said test button.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a syringe connected to the proximal end of said needle.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising electrical wiring connecting said needle, said power source, said alarm, and said test button.

10. A method for evacuating fluids from an anatomical cavity while avoiding the penetration of myocardial tissue, said method comprising the steps of:

a) inserting a needle into the cavity, said needle having a proximal and distal end, said needle connected to an electrical power source, a current sensor connected to said power source wherein said sensor is operable to discriminate between myocardial tissue and non-myocardial tissue, and said sensor connected to an alarm;

b) stopping the insertion of the needle when the alarm sounds;

c) evacuating fluids from the cavity;

d) removing the needle from the cavity.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the anatomical cavity is the pericardial sac.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the conductive medium is myocardial tissue.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the alarm is a piezoelectric speaker.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the electric power source is at least one battery.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one battery comprises a watch battery.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of activating a test button in communication with the power source prior to the insertion step.