Patent ID: 6245044
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
An epidural needle having a hollow bore therethrough useful for releasably fixing a position of a spinal needle disposed within the bore of the epidural needle comprises:an elongate tube defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end, a distal end and an axial hollow bore having an inside diameter therethrough;a hub having a proximal end, a distal end and an open passageway having an inside diameter substantially similar to said hollow bore therethrough, said distal end of said hub being fixedly attached to said proximal end of said elongate tube so that said hollow bore of said elongate tube is in fluid communication and substantial axial alignment with said open passageway, said hub further having a cavity therein disposed between said proximal end and said distal end of said hub;a resilient member having an opening therethrough with an inner diameter, substantially similar to said inside diameter of said hollow bore, said resilient member disposed in said cavity so that said opening is substantially axially aligned and in fluid communication with said open passageway; anda clamp having a releasable latch disposed about said resilient member, said clamp being selectively movable between an open position wherein said inner diameter of said resilient member is substantially unaffected, a clamp position wherein said clamp causes a strain to at least a portion of said resilient member thereby reducing said inner diameter of said opening through at least a portion of said resilient member, and a latch position wherein said latch releasably retains said clamp in said clamp position; and wherein a practitioner using said epidural needle to position a spinal needle having an outside diameter less than said inside diameter of said hollow tube may freely axially move the spinal needle within said hollow bore with respect to said epidural needle and fix a position of the spinal needle relative to said epidural needle by said reduction of said inner diameter of said opening through said resilient member to a diameter less than the outside diameter of the spinal needle by movement of said clamp to said clamp position and said latch position thereby to grasp releasably the spinal needle sufficiently to fix the relative position of the spinal needle.