Spinal needle

• US 6,558,353 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walter A. Zohmann
• Original Assignee: Walter A. Zohmann
• Inventors: Zohmann, Walter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C.
• Application Number:
  US09/769,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20020099335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 604/158, 604/161, 604/164.01, 604/164.07, 604/168.01, 604/170.02, 606/167, 606/184, 606/185, 606/186
• US Class Current: 604/158
• 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 2017/00424 ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00455 Orientation indicators, e.g. recess on the handle

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward an improved spinal needle. A needle hub is disposed about a proximate end of a hollow needle. The needle hub side port indicators provide visual and tactual verification by a user of the orientation of the side port on the needle. The needle hub also includes a window with a magnified view. The invention provides a stylet cap disposed about a proximate end of a stylet that freely slides inside the hollow needle and needle hub. The stylet cap forms a pressure fit with the needle hub, and can be engaged in the pressure fit from any axial orientation.

Claims

1. A spinal needle hub system comprising:

an introducer-hub component, wherein the introducer-hub component is fixably coupled to a proximal end of an introducer having a distal beveled edge, and wherein the introducer-hub component includes at least one indicator that provides visual and tactual verification of the orientation of said distal beveled edge to a user;

a needle-hub component that is selectively coupled to the introducer-hub component, wherein the needle-hub component is fixably coupled to a proximal end of the needle, and wherein the needle-hub component includes at least one indicator that provides visual and tactual verification to a user; and

a stylet-hub component that is selectively coupled to the needle-hub component, wherein the stylet-hub component is fixably coupled to a proximal end of a stylet.

2. A spinal needle hub claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) the introducer-hub component and (ii) the needle-hub component includes a transparent portion to indicate fluid flow.

3. A spinal needle hub system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one indicator of the needle-hub component is configured for alignment with the at least one indicator of the introducer-hub component.

4. A spinal needle hub system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) the introducer-hub component and (ii) the needle-hub component includes a magnifying window.

5. A spinal needle system comprising:

an introducer having channel extending from a proximal end of the introducer to a distal beveled end of the introducer;

a needle having a channel extending from a proximal end of the needle to a distal end of the needle, wherein the needle is configured to selectively extend through the channel of the introducer;

a stylet having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the stylet is configured to selectively extend down the channel of the needle; and

a three-part hub system having a transparent portion to indicate fluid flow,

wherein the three-part hub system comprises;

(i) an introducer-hub component, wherein the introducer-hub component is fixably coupled to the proximal end of the introducer, and wherein the introducer-hub component includes at least one indicator that provides visual and tactual verification of the orientation of said introducer'"'"'s distal beveled edge to a user;

(ii) a needle-hub component that is selectively coupled to the introducer-hub component, wherein the needle-hub component is fixably coupled to the proximal end of the needle, and wherein the needle-hub component includes at least one indicator that provides visual and tactual verification to the user; and

(iii) a stylet-hub component that is selectively coupled to the needle-hub component, wherein the stylet-hub component is fixably coupled to the proximal end of the stylet.

6. A spinal needle system as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one indicator of the needle-hub component is configured for alignment with the at least one indicator of the introducer-hub component.

7. A spinal needle system as recited in claim 5, wherein at least one of (i) the introducer-hub component and (ii) the needle-hub component includes a magnifying window.

8. A spinal needle system as recited in claim 5, wherein the distal end of the needle is tapered.

9. A spinal needle system as recited in claim 5, wherein the needle includes an aperture near the distal end.

10. A spinal needle system as recited in claim 9, wherein a portion of the stylet occludes the aperture when the stylet is in a fully extended position.

11. A spinal needle system as recited in claim 9, wherein the stylet does not occlude the aperture when the stylet is in a retracted position.

12. A spinal needle system as recited in claim 5, wherein the distal end of the introducer includes a blade.

13. A spinal needle system as recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one indicator of the introducer-hub component provides visual and tactual verification to the user as to a direction and angle of a cut performed by the blade.

14. A spinal needle system as recited in claim 5, wherein the stylet-hub component is pivotally coupled to the needle-hub component in any position within a 360°

pivot range.

15. A spinal needle kit comprising:

an introducer having channel extending from a proximal end of the introducer to a distal beveled end of the introducer;

a needle having a channel extending from a proximal end of the needle to a distal end of the needle, wherein the needle is configured to selectively extend through the channel of the introducer;

a stylet having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the stylet is configured to selectively extend down the channel of the needle; and

a three-component hub system that is configured to be interconnected, wherein the hub system has a transparent portion to indicate fluid flow and comprises;

(i) an introducer-hub component that includes at least one indicator to provide visual and tactual verification of the orientation of said introducer'"'"'s distal beveled end to a user;

(ii) a needle-hub component that is fixably coupled to the proximal end of the needle, and wherein the needle-hub component includes at least one indicator that provides visual and tactual verification to a user; and

(iii) a stylet-hub component that is fixably coupled to the proximal end of the stylet.

16. A spinal needle kit as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one indicator of the needle-hub component is configured for alignment with the at least one indicator of the introducer-hub component.

17. A spinal needle kit as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of (i) the introducer-hub component and (ii) the needle-hub component includes a magnifying window.