The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 28, 1992
Filed:
Oct. 23, 1990
Andrew B Freeman, Dallas, TX (US);
H A Hein, Dallas, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
A dual lumen catheter member having distal and proximal end portions is configured to be longitudinally passed entirely through a hollow needle member insertable into the epidural space of a patient, and is provided on its distal end with an inflatable balloon element. With the needle member inserted, the distal catheter end is passed therethrough into the epidural space. The needle member is then withdrawn and removed from the catheter member past its proximal end. The proximal end of the catheter member is then removably inserted into an inlet fitting and frictionally locked therein. The installed inlet fitting defines sealingly separated outward extensions of the lumen inlets which are spaced longitudinally apart on the proximal catheter end portion. Pressurized fluid is injected into one of these inlet extensions to inflate the balloon element, and an anesthetic fluid is flowed into the other extension, and through its associated lumen, into the epidural space through the distal catheter end therein. The inflated balloon element prevents dislodgement of the distal catheter end from the epidural space and also inhibits its migration therein into, for example, adjacent blood vessels, the subarachnoid space, or out a nerve root sleeve. In an alternate embodiment of the catheter member, the balloon lumen is filled with a pressurized fluid and opens outwardly through the catheter into a second balloon element proximally spaced from the distal tip balloon. Under normal conditions, this pressurized fluid holds the second balloon in an inflated condition while the distal tip balloon is deflated. After the inserted needle is removed past the second balloon member a clip member is forced over the second balloon to compress it and maintain the distal tip balloon in an inflated condition within the epidural space.