Susan M Steele

US Patent:

59761105, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

Jan 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/006643

Inventors:

Roy A. Greengrass - Chapel Hill NC
Susan M. Steele - Durham NC
David H. Gleason - Durham NC

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61M 5178

US Classification:

604158

Abstract:

A catheter system having an epidural needle, an electrically conductive stimulation wire attached to the needle, a multi-purpose connector, which is adapted to connect to intravenous tubing for supplying local anesthesia, and an epidural catheter for supplying regional anesthesia. When the connector and needle are connected to each other, an operator can insert the needle into a patient with the needle's distal end within the nerve sheath and proximate to the nerve plexus. A voltage is applied via the wire to determine correct positioning. Then, the operator can slide the catheter through the connector and needle until the catheter's distal end is protruding out of the needle's distal end and into the nerve sheath, proximate to the nerve plexus. Then, the needle (and its associated wire) and the connector (and its associated tubing) are slidably removed from the catheter, and the catheter may be left in place.