Regional anesthetic method and apparatus
US7931594B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 2006 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/3784
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for regional anesthesia using ultrasound to assist in locating the anesthetic needle are disclosed. One or more piezo-electric crystal transducers is placed either at the tip of the needle or near the tip of the needle on a stylet which is inserted into the lumen of the needle. The transducer(s) are pulsed with ultrasonic frequency, the reflected ultrasonic signals from structures are detected and converted into a digital signal and may be displayed in an oscilloscopic format to indicate anatomical structures forward to the needle and allow the medical professional to avoid errors and/or increase efficiency and accuracy. An array of transducers can be pulsed in a phased array fashion to generate a 2D image, or a single transducer can be pulsed to generate a 1D image. A 2D image can also be obtained by mechanically sweeping a single transducer, for example by means of a miniature motor in or at the base of a needle or stylet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.