Cannulated sensing device

• US 8,062,259 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2009
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lyons, Christopher Michael, Nycz, Jeffrey H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenberg; Rebecca E
• Application Number:
  US12/639,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20100094255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164.01, 604/890.1, 604/272, 604/264, 604/280, 604/158, 604/164.07, 60417001-17002, 604/164.09
• US Class Current: 604/164.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00106 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A cannulated sensing device is disclosed and can include a housing that can have a proximal end and a distal end. A cannula can extend from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing. Further, a sensor can be attached to the distal end of the housing.

Claims

1. A cannulated sensing device, comprising:

a housing having an axis, a proximal end and a distal end;

a cannula having a lumen extending axially from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing, and the lumen is configured to receive a needle of an injecting device;

a circuit extending into the lumen to couple with the needle;

a sensor attached to the distal end of the housing to sense hard tissue, soft tissue, fluid, or a combination thereof axially beyond the distal end of the housing, and an axial reach of the sensor is extended when the needle couples with the circuit;

a microprocessor in communication with the sensor.

2. The cannulated sensing device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply connected to the microprocessor and the sensor.

3. The cannulated sensing device of claim 2, further comprising a transmitter attached to the distal end of the housing, wherein the transmitter is in communication with the microprocessor.

4. The cannulated sensing device of claim 2, further comprising a power switch coupled to the power supply.

5. The cannulated sensing device of claim 2, wherein the microprocessor and the power supply are a located within the housing.

6. The cannulated sensing device of claim 1, further comprising a display device configured to indicate whether the cannulated sensing device senses hard tissue, soft tissue, fluid, or a combination thereof.

7. The cannulated sensing device of claim 6, wherein the sensor and the display device are incorporated into the housing.

8. The cannulated sensing device of claim 1, further comprising an annunciator configured to indicate whether the cannulated sensing device senses hard tissue, soft tissue, fluid, or a combination thereof.

9. The cannulated sensing device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is activated when the needle is inserted within the cannula of the cannulated sensing device.

10. The cannulated sensing device of claim 9, wherein the sensor is deactivated when the needle is withdrawn from the cannula of the cannulated sensing device.

11. The cannulated sensing device of claim 9, further comprising a needle sensor on the needle adjacent a distal end of the needle, a first conductor extending substantially along a length of the needle from the needle sensor to the proximal end of the needle.

12. The cannulated sensing device of claim 11, further comprising a second conductor extending substantially along the length of the needle from the needle sensor to the proximal end of the needle.