Probe

• US 6,585,665 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Diametrics Medical Limited (Allegro Biodiesel Corp.)
• Inventors: Hendry, Stuart, Chapman, Derek
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAMPBELL, THOR S
• Application Number:
  US09/786,277
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 600/887, 600/561, 604/158, 604/161, 604/160, 604/159, 604/162, 604/164.13, 604/175, 128/DIG.26
• US Class Current: 600/581
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09125 Device for locking a guide wire in a fixed position with respect to the catheter or the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0102 Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters

Abstract

A method of positioning a sensor in a human or animal body tissue comprising the steps of: i. providing a flexible stylet capable of penetrating the tissue, ii. providing flexible tubing having a bore capable of receiving separately the stylet and the probe; iii. positioning the stylet received in the tubing in the tissue; iv. removing the stylet; v. inserting the probe in the bore of the tubing; and vi. removing the tubing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning and fixing a probe in human or animal brain tissue;

the apparatus comprising;

(a) a cranial bolt for fixing a probe in a desired position in brain tissue,

(i) said cranial bolt having a passage therethrough sized to accommodate the probe;

(b) a flexible stylet capable of penetrating the tissue; and

(c) flexible peelable tubing having a bore dimensioned for receiving separately the stylet and the probe;

(i) the probe being receivable in the flexible peelable tubing;

(ii) the flexible peelable tubing being receivable in the passage in the bolt; and

(iii) the flexible peelable tubing being capable of being peeled away while retaining the probe in place.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the flexible peelable tubing has a frangible link extending the length thereof.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

(a) an adapter mounted on the cranial bolt;

the adapter including means for sealing the apparatus after positioning the probe in the brain tissue.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the adapter includes a hole for withdrawing the flexible tubing.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) the adapter includes a shutter moveable between a first position in which the hole is open and a second position in which the hole is closed by the shutter.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) the shutter comprises a resilient portion oriented to block the hole and provide a fluid tight seal when the shutter is in the second position.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) the adapter includes a flange; and

(b) the shutter comprises detents arranged to engage the flange on the adapter when the shutter is in the second position, and lock the shutter in the second position.

8. An apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising:

(a) a screw-threaded member turnable to urge the shutter from the first position to the second position.

9. A method of positioning and fixing a probe in brain tissue of a human or animal comprising steps of:

(i) fixing a cranial bolt into a hole in a skull of the human or animal body;

(ii) providing a flexible stylet capable of penetrating the brain tissue;

(iii) providing a flexible tubing having a bore capable of receiving separately the stylet and the probe;

(iv) positioning the stylet in the tubing and passing the stylet and tubing through a passage in the cranial bolt and into the brain tissue;

(v) removing the stylet while retaining the tubing in the brain tissue;

(vi) using the stylet as a depth gauge, inserting the probe into the tubing; and

(vii) peeling away the tubing while retaining the probe in place.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

(i) said step of peeling away the tubing while retaining the probe in place includes retaining the probe in place using an adapter attached to the cranial bolt.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising:

(i) providing a seal for the adapter to prevent loss of CSF or introduction of infection after peeling away the tubing.