A detection device for recognizing the epidural space is provided. The detection device includes an upper case having a predetermined shape and a lower case coupled to the upper case to form a predetermined space part. A connection tube is provided at a predetermined position of the space part, one end of the connection tube communicates with a paracentesis needle part and the connection tube communicates with a pressure sensor for measuring pressure at a predetermined position of an outer peripheral part thereof. When the paracentesis needle part reaches the epidural space, the device allows a medicine injection catheter to be inserted into the connection tube thereby reaching the epidural space, with the connection tube and the paracentesis needle part connected to each other.

A device for safe epidural drug delivery configured to be used with standard epidural stylet and needle. The correct placement of an epidural needle and stylet within the epidural space is provided with the device comprising at least one position sensor for determining the relative position of both an epidural needle and stylet and relative to one another.

A needle is provided that has terminals located at or near its tip. The terminals are connectable to an impedance calculating circuit configured to enable the impedance calculating circuit to apply an alternating current input electrical signal to the terminals. The terminals are further configured to enable the impedance calculating circuit to measure a resultant electrical signal and calculate an impedance of biological tissue surrounding the tip. The needle may further include light transmitting media, that extends along the needle, and that is connectable to a light circuit. The light circuit may include an emitter/detector pair for transmitting light from the emitter, along the media, and emitting the light from the tip. A reflection of the emitted light may be transmitted from the tip to the detector and the light circuit may calculate the light absorption of the tissue.

Various implementations include a device for locating a position in a body. The device includes a first body portion. The first body portion has a first longitudinal axis. The device includes a second body portion. The second body portion is slidably coupled to the first body portion. The second body portion has a second longitudinal axis. The device includes a first set of markers disposed on the first body portion for measuring along the first longitudinal axis. The first set of markers includes at least two radiopaque markers. The device also includes a second set of markers disposed on the second body portion for measuring along the second longitudinal axis. The second set of markers includes at least two radiopaque markers. The first body portion is slidable along the second longitudinal axis. The second body portion is slidable along the first longitudinal axis.

An exemplary tissue detection and location identification apparatus can include, for example, a first electrically conductive layer at least partially (e.g., circumferentially) surrounding a lumen, an insulating layer at least partially (e.g., circumferentially) surrounding the first electrically conductive layer, and a second electrically conductive layer circumferentially surrounding the insulating layer, where the insulating layer can electrically isolate the first electrically conductive layer from the second electrically conductive layer. A further insulating layer can be included which can at least partially surrounding the second electrically conductive layer. The first electrically conductive layer, the insulating layer, and the second electrically conductive layer can form a structure which has a first side and a second side disposed opposite to the first side with respect to the lumen, where the first side can be longer than the second side thereby forming a sharp pointed end via the first side at a distal-most portion. The exemplary configuration can be used for (a) determination/detection of a tissue type using impendence of the electrically conductive layers, and/or (ii) determination of a location of at least one portion of the insertion device/apparatus. Another exemplary apparatus can include, for example, a base structure comprising a lumen extending along a length thereof, and at least one optically-transmissive layer circumferentially surrounding the base structure and provided at least at a distal end of the base structure. For example, in operation, the optically-transmissive layer can be configured to transmit a particular optical radiation at the distal end thereof toward a target tissue.

A system (5, 405) for infusing medication into a subject is provided. The system (5, 405) includes an injection system (50, 450) for controlling fluid flow from a fluid reservoir to a needle. A sensor (20) detects a characteristic indicative of fluid pressure in the needle. The injection system (50, 450) controls the flow of fluid to the needle in response to the characteristic detected by the sensor (20), which continuously detects the characteristic as the needle is inserted into the subject. The system may include a light assembly (100) connected with the injection system. The light assembly (100) may provide a continuously variable signal indicative of the fluid pressure in the needle. The system (5, 405) may further provide a mechanism that provides cues to the operator to insert the needle at a particular rate. The system may further include a conductive element (334) for providing electric nerve stimulation.

Methods for normalization of blood pressure for individuals with spinal cord injuries include providing such individuals with spinal cord electrical stimulation optimized for cardiovascular function. An electrode array provides specific stimulation configurations identified to maintain systolic blood pressure within targeted normative ranges without skeletal muscle activity.

In one embodiment, a system for locating a tip of a catheter that has been inserted into a patient includes an implantable catheter having a distal tip, a pulsed light source that is co-located with the distal tip of the implantable catheter, the pulsed light source being configured to emit pulses of light into surrounding patient tissue, an optoacoustic sensor configured to be applied so a skin surface of the patient at a position proximate to the pulsed light source and to sense optoacoustic waves generated when the pulses of light are absorbed by the surrounding patient tissue, and an optoacoustic console configured to receive optoacoustic wave signals from the optoacoustic sensor and to display an indication of the optoacoustic wave signals to a medical professional to provide an indication of the location of the pulsed light source and, therefore, the distal tip of the implantable catheter.

A detection system can include a device, a circuit, and at least one indicator. The device can include polymer needle having a distal end and a proximal end. A needle lumen can be extended along a longitudinal axis of the polymer needle. The distal end can include an insertion tip. An elongate sleeve can include a first end and a second end. The polymer needle can be located within an inner bore of the elongate sleeve. The insertion tip of the polymer needle can be disposed at a distance from the elongate sleeve. A first electrode can be coupled to the device and a second electrode can be electrically isolated from the first electrode. The circuit can be configured to provide a signal based on an electrical characteristic between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least one indicator can be communicatively coupled to the circuit and configured to provide an output based on the signal.

An intervertebral spacer assembly having a plurality of articulated intervertebral spacers coupled in series, each intervertebral spacer releasably and connectable to an adjacent intervertebral spacer, each intervertebral spacer having a cannula extending from a first exterior surface of a tail portion through a nose portion to reach a second exterior surface of the nose portion.