Patent ID: 8882673
Filing Date: 2014-11-11
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A procedure for performing an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) procedure, comprising: scanning a patient's abdomen with an ultrasound probe, and identifying and marking the external oblique, internal oblique, and TAP; placing an introducer sheath over a fluid delivery needle such that the distal end of the needle extends beyond the distal end of the sheath, the needle having echogenic properties for ultrasound imaging; ultrasonically guiding the needle and sheath into the TAP; injecting a local anesthetic or saline/anesthetic combination through the needle and creating a liquid pool in the TAP; removing the needle from the sheath while maintaining the sheath within the TAP and subsequently advancing a catheter through the sheath and into the pooled liquid in the TAP; withdrawing the sheath while maintaining the catheter located within the TAP; and with the catheter located in the TAP, connecting the catheter to a local anesthetic source for providing a defined volume of anesthetic to the catheter site in the TAP at a controlled delivery rate.