Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Frederick C Houghton

Peter Michael Edic

Robert J Strowe

Joseph J Gregg

Richard L Griffith

Jonathan C Newell

Ralph F Messina

Richard G Giddes

Lawrence Partika

Mary B Clinton

A self-contained electrolocation apparatus of the present invention includes an electrically conducting needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow bore therethrough. The invention further includes a non-conductive tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being mounted over the needle cannula so that the distal end of the non-conductive tube is proximal to the distal end of the needle cannula. The non-conductive tube has a conductive layer thereon, whereby the needle cannula and the conductive layer respectively define first and second conductors coaxially spaced from one another by the non-conductive tube. There is a grip fixedly attached to the needle cannula for manipulating the apparatus. The grip has an electrical stimulus generator circuit within it that is electrically connected to the first conductor and the second conductor. The stimulus generator circuit is capable of applying a potential across the conductors so that when the needle is positioned in a patient's tissue and the electrical stimulus generator circuit is activated, the potential is sufficient to induce a preselected current thereby providing a charge pulse between the distal end of the conductive layer and the distal end of said needle cannula through the patient's tissue. The charge pulse is sufficient to induce a twitch response in the patient.

Bi-level charge pulse apparatus to facilitate nerve location during peripheral nerve block procedures

An electrolocation apparatus is provided for locating a nerve to which anesthesia may be delivered. The apparatus includes a needle assembly having an electrically conductive needle cannula non-conductive tube secured over the needle cannula, and a conductive plating on the tube. The conductors are connected to a stimulator that generates alternating high and low charge pulses with a constant low current level. The high charge pulses generate noticeable muscle twitches immediately after insertion of the needle into the patient. Muscle twitches responsive to the high charge pulses will peak in magnitude, and muscle twitches responsive to the low charge pulses will become observable as the needle approaches the targeted nerve, and will be indistinguishable from the muscle twitches responsive to the high charge pulses when the needle is in a position for administration of anesthetic.

Bi-level charge pulse apparatus to facilitate nerve location during

A regulating device for variably regulating the length of a combined spinal epidural needle and the method of practicing same is disclosed. In one variant, the regulating device features a pair of substantially concentricity disposed sliding members to which each of the epidural needle and spinal needle may be separately fitted. A spring element is provided to selectably engage the spinal needle. The spring element includes one end fixed to the sliding member securing the epidural needle, a free end manipulable by a user, and at least one passage or opening disposed between the fixed and free ends through which the spinal needle passes. The opening is configured to permit either gripping or free sliding of the spinal needle depending on the practitioner's actuation of the spring element. By actuation of the spring element, the practitioner may control axial movement between the sliding members, thereby regulating the extension of the spinal needle relative to the epidural needle. The sliding members may be configured in a variety of shapes or dimensions to accommodate various combinations of spinal and epidural needles. The device may be provided pre-assembled with either one or both of the spinal needle or epidural needle, or it may be employed with a spinal needle, epidural needle, or both separately sourced.

Method and apparatus for variably regulating the length of a combined

Apparatus and method are provided for containing blood flashback during insertion of a guide wire into a blood vessel. The apparatus includes a barrel having a flashback chamber. An inner cannula in the flashback chamber communicates with an inserter needle mounted on the barrel. The inner cannula includes an aperture communicating with the flashback chamber. A porous vent plug is slidably disposed in the chamber in fluid-tight engagement with both the barrel and the inner cannula. The vent plug can be slid from a proximal position where the aperture in the inner cannula is exposed to a distal position where the aperture in the inner cannula is blocked. A guide wire in the inner cannula blocks blood flow. The vent plug and the guide wire are retained proximally of the aperture in the inner cannula until blood flashback is observed. The vent plug is then axially advanced to cover the aperture and stop further blood flow. The guide wire can then be advanced safely into the blood vessel.

Apparatus and method for vascular guide wire insertion with blood

Biopsy procedure tray

An adapter is provided for enabling the single-handed use of a syringe for aspiration. An assembly including such an adapter is also provided. The adapter includes an elongate body portion including a first end portion which functions as a thumb pad and a second end portion secured to the syringe barrel. A winged member is secured to the syringe plunger and includes a pair of flanges extending outside the adapter. The syringe plunger may be retracted using only one hand by pulling the flanges of the winged member with the index and middle fingers while maintaining the thumb upon the first end portion of the adapter.

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Sussex, NJ, United States of America

Frederick C Houghton