NEUROVASCULAR PUNCTURE-AVOIDANT SHEATH

Abstract

A device and method for a guidance sheath is provided which is configured to prevent laceration or puncture of nerves, blood vessels and surrounding tissue, during positioning of a coaxially located needle employed for various medical procedures, such as, the administration of an anesthetic blockade, neuromonitoring, electromyography or a therapeutic intervention.

Claims

1. A sheath comprising: a body having an elongated cylindrical shape, said body having a first end opposite a second end; an axial passage communicating through said body from an opening on said first end to a second opening at said second end of said body; said first end of said body adapted for an operative engagement with a handle having a needle projecting therefrom into said axial passage wherein in said operative engagement, manipulation of said handle translates a distal end of said needle to project from said second opening; an annular recess in an exterior surface of said body adjacent said second end; a substantially spherical portion of said body positioned at said second end of said body adjacent said annular recess; and said spherical portion having a curved surface extending radially away from said second opening to an edge of said annular recess, whereby a needle with said handle in operative engagement with said first end of said sheath, is protected from contact with body tissue until said manipulation of said handle translates said distal end of said needle to project from said second opening.

2. The sheath of claim 1 wherein said operative engagement of said first end of said body with a handle comprises threads formed into said axial passage at said first end of said body which are complimentary to threads formed said handle of said needle.

3. The sheath of claim 1 wherein said operative engagement of said first end of said body with a handle comprises an interior surface of said axial passage at said first end of said body sized for a sliding frictional engagement with a surface on said handle surrounding said needle.

4. The sheath of claim 1 wherein said spherical portion has a diameter which is between 20 to 95 percent of a diameter of a first portion of said body extending between said first end and said annular recess.

5. The sheath of claim 2 wherein said spherical portion has a diameter which is between 20 to 95 percent of a diameter of a first portion of said body extending between said first end and said annular recess.

6. The sheath of claim 3 wherein said spherical portion has a diameter which is between 20 to 95 percent of a diameter of a first portion of said body extending between said first end and said annular recess.

7. The sheath of claim 4 wherein said annular recess has a diameter sized between 30 to 80 percent of said diameter of said spherical portion.

8. The sheath of claim 5 wherein said annular recess has a diameter sized between 30 to 80 percent of said diameter of said spherical portion.

9. The sheath of claim 6 wherein said annular recess has a diameter sized between 30 to 80 percent of said diameter of said spherical portion.

10. The sheath of claim 1 additionally comprising: a surfacing positioned on an exterior circumferential surface of said spherical portion of said body; and said surfacing configured to enhance reflections of sound from a transducer employed to produce ultrasound images.

11. The sheath of claim 2 additionally comprising: a surfacing positioned on an exterior circumferential surface of said spherical portion of said body; and said surfacing configured to enhance reflections of sound from a transducer employed to produce ultrasound images.

12. The sheath of claim 3 additionally comprising: a surfacing positioned on an exterior circumferential surface of said spherical portion of said body; and said surfacing configured to enhance reflections of sound from a transducer employed to produce ultrasound images.

13. The sheath of claim 6 additionally comprising: a surfacing positioned on an exterior circumferential surface of said spherical portion of said body; and said surfacing configured to enhance reflections of sound from a transducer employed to produce ultrasound images.

14. The sheath of claim 7 additionally comprising: a surfacing positioned on an exterior circumferential surface of said spherical portion of said body; and said surfacing configured to enhance reflections of sound from a transducer employed to produce ultrasound images.

15. The sheath of claim 8 additionally comprising: a surfacing positioned on an exterior circumferential surface of said spherical portion of said body; and said surfacing configured to enhance reflections of sound from a transducer employed to produce ultrasound images.

16. The sheath of claim 9 additionally comprising: a surfacing positioned on an exterior circumferential surface of said spherical portion of said body; and said surfacing configured to enhance reflections of sound from a transducer employed to produce ultrasound images.

17. The sheath of claim 10 wherein said surfacing is a polymeric coating having microspheres encapsulated therein.

18. The sheath of claim 15 wherein said surfacing is a polymeric coating having microspheres encapsulated therein.

19. The sheath of claim 16 wherein said surfacing is a polymeric coating having microspheres encapsulated therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0028] FIG. 1 depicts the device herein in an engaged position with the sheath surrounding a needle positioned within an axial passage therein, and a substantially spherical portion positioned at distal end, adjacent an annular recess.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the device similar to that of FIG. 1, having a first end adapted for removable or other operative engagement with a body engaged at a first end of a needle extending into the axial passage of the body forming the sheath.

[0030] FIG. 3 depicts the device herein in a similar fashion to that of FIG. 2, and showing the first end in another configuration adapted for operative engagement with the body engaged to a first end of the needle.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows the device in a similar fashion to that of FIG. 1, and depicts the second end having the substantially spherical portion adjacent an annular recess, which is encircled by dotted line referring to the enlarged shapes of FIGS. 4a and 4b and 4c.

[0032] FIG. 4a shows a substantially spherical portion with an elongated globe-like or substantially circular shape having a curved surface radially communicating around and away from the second opening, toward the annular recess which is positioned in-between a first linear portion of the body of the sheath and the spherical portion. Also shown are the three diameters D1, D2, and D3.

[0033] FIG. 4b shows the substantially spherical portion similar to that of FIG. 4a, but with more elongated sides to form a more substantially spherical shape, and which positions a curved wall surface extending radially around the second opening to the annular recess.

[0034] FIG. 4c depicts the substantially spherical portion similar to that of FIGS. 4a and 4b, but with a sidewall having a less pronounced curved surface, and which positions a curved end surface extending radially from the second opening toward the annular recess.

[0035] FIG. 5 depicts the exterior surface of the sheath at and adjacent the distal end, configured with a surfacing of the exterior surface adapted to enhance a sonic, RF, or computer aided electronic video display depiction thereof.

[0036] FIG. 6, depicts the exterior surface of the sheath at a first portion running toward the first end from the annular recess, configured with a surfacing adapted configured to enhance a sonic, RF, or computer generated video display depiction thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-6, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIGS. 1-2, the sheath device 10 herein in an engaged position, wherein the elongated cylindrical body 11 of the sheath or device 10 surrounds a needle 12 extending axially through an axial passage 14 of the cylindrical body 11 of the device 10. The axial passage 14 communicates between a first opening 16 at a first end 18 of the cylindrical body 11 of the sheath device 10, to a second opening 20 located at a distal end 22 thereof.

[0038] As shown, a first end 16 of the body of the body 11 of the sheath device 10 is adapted to operatively engage with a handle 24 or similar component which is engaged to a first end of the needle 12 to position the needle totally withing the axial passage 14. Such an engagement may be sliding between the two or for instance cooperative threads on the body 11 and the handle 24 or frictional engagement.

[0039] This of the body 11 at the first end 18 thus is adapted to engage the body 11 to the handle 24 of the needle, in a manner whereby manipulation of the handle 24, while holding a grip 15 or other part of the sheath device 10, will translate the needle 12 within the axial passage 14, and thereby translate the distal end 26 of the needle 12, to project through and extend from the second opening 20.

[0040] Particularly preferred in all modes of the device 10 herein, is a substantially spherical portion 30 positioned at or adjacent the distal end 22 of the body 11 of the sheath device 10 opposite the first end 18 thereof. Also preferred adjacent to the spherical portion 30 is an annular recess 32 in-between a larger linear first portion of the body 11 of the sheath device 10, and the spherical portion 30 at the distal end 22 of the body 11 defining the sheath device 10.

[0041] By substantially spherical is meant any globular or flattened spherical shape, or similar modified spherical shape, which when positioned on the distal end 22 of the body 11 of the sheath device 10, will position a curved surface on the distal end 22 which radially extends from and around the second opening 20, and if present, to an annular recess 28 in-between the spherical portion 30 and a linear first portion of the body 11 of the sheath device 10 extending from the annular recess 28 toward the first end 18 thereof.

[0042] Thus the substantially spherical portion 30 can be round like a globe, or for example be egg-shaped, almond shaped, “blimp” shaped, or otherwise bulbous shaped, having the curved surface extending radially around and away from the second opening 20, and if present, continuing to and intersection of the curved surface of the spherical portion 30, with the annular recess 28. Thus a substantially spherical shape or bulbous curved shape, which positions a curved surface extending around and radially from the second opening 20, toward the first end 18 of the body 11 or toward and intersecting and edge of the annular recess 28, is considered within the scope of this patent.

[0043] While it is noted that a spherical portion 30 can be placed at the distal end of the body 11 without the annular recess 28, to inclusion of the recess 28 is preferable. The substantially curved shape of the spherical portion 30 and the adjacent annular recess 28, in addition to significantly reducing lacerations and punctures of tissue as noted above, provides a significantly enhanced view on an electronic display, of the distal end 22 location of the body 11 of sheath device 10 when it is used with ultrasound, RF, or computer aided depictions of the sheath device 10 within the body of a patient.

[0044] As noted, shown in FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the sheath device 10 similar to that of FIG. 1, having a first end 18 of the body 11 forming the sheath device 10, adapted for operative engagement with a handle 24 engaged to a first end of the needle 12. As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, this operative engagement allows the user to manipulate the handle 24 relative to the body of the sheath 11 which remains fixed in position, and to translate the distal end of 26 of the needle 12 to extend from the second opening 20, or retract the needle 12 entirely back into the axial passage 14.

[0045] In FIG. 2, this operative engagement is a threaded engagement between threads 19 on the handle 24 and mating threads 19 on the first end 18 of the body 11 of the sheath device 10. In FIG. 3, this engagement is shown as a frictional or sliding engagement of mating surfaces 21 of the handle 24 with a complimentary mating surface 21 at the first end of the body 11 of the sheath device 10. The depicted modes of operative engagement allow manipulation of the handle 24 relative to the body 11 to axially translate the needle 12 along the axial passage 14 to thereby extend the distal end of the needle, from the second opening 20.

[0046] As can be seen in FIG. 4, all modes of the sheath device 10 include the substantially spherical portion 30 positioned on the distal end 22 of the body 11, adjacent to an annular recess 28. This spherical portion 30 as shown in FIG. 4, is encircled by dotted line which refers to the enlarged shapes of substantially spherical portions 20 shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b and 4c. These depictions are exemplars of current preferred configurations of substantially spherical shapes of the spherical portion 30, but which should not be considered limiting as noted herein.

[0047] FIG. 4a depicts a spherical portion 30 with a round or more globular spherical shape, which formed on the distal end 22 positions a curved surface which radially communicates around the second opening 20, and toward the annular recess 28. In all modes the annular recess 28 is positioned in-between the spherical portion 30 and the linear first portion 13 of the body 11 of the sheath device 10 extending from the first end 18 to the annular recess 28.

[0048] Also shown in FIG. 4a are the diameter of the first portion 13 of the body 11 of the sheath device 10, extending from the annular recess 28 toward the first end 18 of the body 11, and the diameter D2 of the annular recess 28, and the diameter D3 of the spherical portion 30. To significantly enhance electronically generated depictions of the sheath device 10 on a video display or the like, it has been found that forming D3 the diameter of the spherical portion 30 to be substantially 20 to 95 percent of the diameter of the first portion D1, and forming the diameter D2 of the annular recess, between 30 to 80 percent of the diameter D3 of the spherical portion 30 works well to yield a more discernable electronic image of the distal end of the body 11 of the sheath device 10. On such electronically generated images from sonic waves or RF energy communicated to the device 10 while withing the patient, a dimensioning of the diameter D2 of the annular recess 28 smaller than D3 the diameter of the spherical portion, causes the distal end 22 to be much more clearly visible on the display screen, at a wide variety of angles of the body 11 to the electronic sensor or the sonic generator for ultrasound.

[0049] FIG. 4b shows the spherical portion 30 formed with an elongated circular or flattened spherical shape. This shape positions the preferred curved exterior surface radially extending around the second opening 20 as in all preferred modes of the device 10 herein. This curved surface extends radially from and around the second opening 20 toward the annular recess 28, which as noted is located in-between a linear first portion 13 of the body 11 and the spherical portion 30 of the body 11 of the sheath device 10.

[0050] FIG. 4c depicts the spherical portion 30 formed with a more elongated circular or flattened spherical shape than that of FIG. 4b. This also guards against tissue lacerations and perforations, by positioning the curved exterior surface radially extending around the second opening 20, as in all preferred modes of the device 10 herein. This curved surface extends radially from the second opening 20 toward the annular recess 28, located in-between a linear first portion 13 of the body 11 and the spherical portion 30 of the body 11 of the sheath device 10.

[0051] FIG. 5 depicts the exterior surface of the body 11 of the sheath device 10 at and adjacent the distal end 22, configured with an exterior surfacing 34 placed on the exterior circumferential surface of the body 11 of the sheath device 10. This surfacing 34 better reflects RF energy or sonic waves, back to their receiving device to enhance a sonic, RF, or computer-aided video screen depiction thereof.

[0052] FIG. 6, depicts the exterior surfacing 34 positioned on the exterior circumferential surface of the body 11 of the sheath device 10 along a section of the first portion 13 running from the annular recess 28 toward the first end 18. As with the surfacing of FIG. 5, it better reflects and or focuses or reacts with RF energy or sonic waves from a transducer, to enhance a sonic, RF, or computer aided depiction thereof, which as noted aids out of plane needle tip visualization as well as angles approaching or extending away from the viewer.

[0053] Such surfacing 34 can be formed of reflecting material for RF and sonic waves, from a group of reflective materials, including dimpled or otherwise structural surfacing of the exterior surface of the body 11, or a polymeric coating layer thereon which has nano particles such as nano glass or plastic microspheres encapsulated within the cured polymeric coating layer upon the exterior surface of the body 11 of the device 10.

[0054] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the neurovascular puncture-avoidant sheath invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.