Abstract:
An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in which the apparatus comprises a locking button for coupling the needle guide to a transceiver bracket and an unlocking button for unlatching the locking button from a coupling position, where both buttons are pushed in the same direction to accomplish their respective locking and unlatching.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of an application filed on Sep. 11, 2002, having Ser. No. 10/065,029 and entitled METHOD AND DISPOSABLE APPARATUS FOR GUIDING NEEDLES. This application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     In recent years, handheld medical imaging transceivers, such as ultrasound and gamma ray transceivers, have been used extensively for various medical imaging situations. 
     In the past, the physician or medical professional typically will cover an ultrasound transceiver with a sterile sheath. Usually, under the sheath is a mounting bracket attached to the transceiver. A needle guide is then typically attached over the sheath and coupled to the underlying bracket. 
     While these needle guides have been used extensively in the past, they do have some drawbacks. First of all, these needle guides require considerable attention and handto-eye coordination to be properly used. Additionally, these types of needle guides are often relatively expensive. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and apparatus for guiding needles in an efficient manner. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for guiding a needle in an efficient manner. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to include a plastic spring-like member. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to include, on the front side of the needle path, an enlarged base for guiding a needle into a grasping mechanism. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to include an enlarged base on a back side of the needle path for protecting the sheath from puncture by the moving needle. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to include a base-to-bracket attachment mechanism which is adapted for positive attachment to the bracket with a predetermined grasping force in a non-reusable manner. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to achieve improved efficiency in guiding needles. 
     It is yet another feature of the present invention to include a double push-button locking and unlocking mechanism. 
     It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide for the ability to unlock the needle guide while maintaining a force thereon which positions the needle guide in place. 
     The present invention is an apparatus and method for guiding needles designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “surprise detachment-less” manner in a sense that the surprise or startling detachment of the needle guide from it affixed location, has been greatly reduced. Additionally, the system is carried out in a two-step manner in that the force used to unlock a needle guide is separate and distinct from the force used to remove the needle guide. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is an apparatus and method including a needle guide with a double push-button locking and unlocking mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial cut-away side view of the apparatus of the present invention in a closed orientation. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the needle guide of  FIG. 1  in an open orientation prior to closing. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a needle guide of  FIG. 2 , which has a top enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area and a bottom enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the reverse side of the needle guide of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the needle guide of the present invention, which is configured to mate with a bracket different from the bracket depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a reverse side of the needle guide of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the double push-button needle guide of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the double push-button needle guide of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the double push-button needle guide of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more specifically referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a needle guide, bracket and medical imaging transceiver system of the present invention, generally designated  100 . The system  100  includes a medical imaging transceiver  102 , which could be any type of imaging system or device, and a transceiver bracket  104 , which is coupled to said medical imaging transceiver  102  for the purpose of facilitating coupling with needle guides and other instruments. Transceiver bracket  104  can be coupled to medical imaging transceiver  102  in any suitable manner, such as clamps, screws, adhesive, etc. Transceiver/bracket covering sterile sheath  106  is disposed about transceiver bracket  104  and medical imaging transceiver  102  in a well-known manner. While it has been well known in the industry to use a sterile sheath, it should be understood that it is not always necessary to use a sterile sheath in conjunction with any of the apparatuses of the present invention or in any method of the present invention. In many procedures, it may be preferred to use a sterile sheath, but it is at least conceivable that from an economic standpoint, there may be applications where not incurring the cost of a sterile sheath may be preferred. Needle guide assembly  110  is shown having a movable base portion  120 , stationary base portion  130 , and a needle-grasping member  140 , all of which could be made of any suitable material; however, a plastic material is preferred. 
     Movable base portion  120  includes a bullet-nose receiving hole  122  therein which, when viewed through the cut-away portion outlined by cut-away line  121 , includes a bullet-nose removal inhibitor surface  123 . Movable base portion  120  also includes a movable base handle end  124  which pivots about movable base pivot point  126 . On an opposing end from movable base handle end  124 , is movable base bracket grasping surface  128 , which is configured to grasp a surface of transceiver bracket  104  when movable base handle end  124  is disposed in a closed and locked orientation. 
     Needle guide assembly  110  includes stationary base portion  130 , which includes a stationary base-biasing portion  132 , which has a stationary base bracket mating portion  134  and a stationary base spring biasing member  136 . Stationary base spring biasing member  136  is configured to provide a biasing force on needle-grasping member  140 . Stationary base portion  130  further includes a stationary lock end  137  having a bullet-nose lock male member  139 . Bullet-nose lock male member  139  is well known in the art for providing positive attachment between items in a manner that separation of the items results in a destruction of the future capability of the bullet-nose lock male member  139  to firmly attach the items, which mates with bullet-nose removal inhibitor surface  123  of bullet-nose receiving hole  122  in movable base portion  120 . Stationary base portion  130  further includes a stationary base needle entrance-guiding channel  138  disposed along an outside top edge of stationary base portion  130 . 
     Disposed above stationary base portion  130  is needle-grasping member  140 , which has a needle-grasping end  142  with a needle receiving void  144  therein disposed in axial alignment with stationary base needle entrance-guiding channel  138 , so that a needle can be simultaneously in both stationary base needle entrance-guiding channel  138  and needle receiving void  144 . Needle-grasping member  140  includes a needle-grasping member handle end  146 , which when depressed toward stationary base biasing portion  132 , causes needle-grasping end  142  to pivot about needle-grasping member pivot point  148 . Stationary base spring biasing member  136  provides a resisting force upon needle-grasping member handle end  146 , which urges needle-grasping end  142  into contact with stationary base portion  130 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown needle guide assembly  110  of  FIG. 1  wherein movable base portion  120  is oriented in an open position prior to being closed and locked. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of the needle guide assembly  110  of  FIG. 2 . Stationary base portion  130  is shown having a top enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  302  and a bottom enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  304 . Top enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  302  and bottom enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  304  may be optional features, depending upon the particular needs of a particular application. Since the transceiver/bracket covering sterile sheath  106  ( FIG. 1 ) is disposed adjacent to stationary base portion  130 , the top enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  302  and the bottom enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  304  perform the functions of shielding transceiver/bracket covering sterile sheath  106  from puncture at a location of transceiver/bracket covering sterile sheath  106  where risk of puncture by the needle during insertion is highest. In a preferred embodiment, top enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  302  and bottom enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  304  extend at least one-fourth (¼) of an inch beyond the needle-grasping member. In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, top enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  302  extends at least threeeighths (⅜) of an inch beyond the needle-grasping member  140 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the reverse side of the needle guide of  FIG. 1 , in a closed and locked position. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention where the components labeled the same as in  FIGS. 1-4  are similar in function, but have differing shape and orientation. 
       FIG. 6  is a reverse side of the needle guide of  FIG. 5 , which is obtained by rotating the device of  FIG. 5  so that the opposite side of needle-grasping member handle end  146  is found on the left side of the drawing. 
     In operation, the apparatus and method of the present invention as described and shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , could function as follows: 
     A transceiver bracket  104  is mounted on a medical imaging transceiver  102 . A transceiver/bracket covering sterile sheath  106  is pulled over the medical imaging transceiver  102  and transceiver bracket  104  combination. Stationary base portion  130  is mated with transceiver bracket  104  by first engaging stationary base bracket mating portion  134  with transceiver bracket  104 , and then movable base handle end  124  is pivoted so that movable base bracket grasping surface  128  contacts the sheathed transceiver bracket  104 , and stationary lock end  137  is disposed adjacent the movable base handle end  124 . Bullet-nose lock male member  139  is thereby inserted into bullet-nose receiving hole  122  and mates with bullet-nose removal inhibitor surface  123 . A needle is placed against top enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  302  and moved into stationary base needle entrance-guiding channel  138 , where it is readily guided into needle-receiving void  144 . The needle exits needle-receiving void  144 , traverses bottom enlarged sheath puncture-protecting area  304 , and is then available for interaction with a patient. Once the procedure is finished, the needle can be removed by pressing needle-grasping member handle end  146 , which causes needle-grasping end  142  to move from stationary base portion  130 , thereby permitting disengagement of the needle from the needle guide assembly  110 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there is shown a needle guide  700 , in a locked configuration, having a needle guide base portion  702  which mates with a medical imaging transceiver or transceiver bracket (not shown). The transceiver bracket may be similar to the bracket shown in  FIG. 1 , which has a lip or enlarged end. Needle guide base portion  702  includes a base portion needle funneling area  704 , which is a widened area of base portion needle slot  706  for aiding in the insertion of a needle into base portion needle slot  706 . Needle guide base portion  702  includes a base portion clamp pivoting area  708 , which may act as a fulcrum for needle guide clamping lever  710 . Needle guide clamping lever  710  may also include a clamping lever needle funneling area  712  and a clamping lever handle end  714 . Clamping lever needle retaining portion  716  may be a cover or retainer over a portion of a needle disposed in base portion needle slot  706 . Needle guide base portion  702  is coupled to the medical imaging system transceiver via pivoting locking mechanism  720 , which includes a locking button  722  and pivoting locking mechanism grasping member  724 . When locking button  722  is pushed inward toward the medical imaging transceiver pivoting locking mechanism grasping member  724 , it pivots into place and locks the needle guide  700  with the medical imaging transceiver. Pressing or sliding outwardly and downwardly unlocking button  730  causes locking button  722  and the latch lip  728  to be released and be free to pivot forward and thereby unlocks the needle guide from the transceiver. There is shown a pivoting locking mechanism pivoting area  726 . 
     Unlocking button  730  is preferably a resilient material, so that it can be bent out of the way as pivoting locking mechanism  720  is pushed into the locked position. In a preferred embodiment, all of the components of the needle guide  700  are made of the same plastic material. However, it should be understood that in certain uses, such as for a reusable needle guide, other materials, such as surgical steel, could be used as well. If a non-resilient material is used for unlocking button  730  and unlocking button lever arm  902 , then it would be necessary to permit pivoting of unlocking button lever arm  902  and/or unlocking button  730  so as to allow the latching to occur. Similarly, needle guide clamping lever  710  could be resilient, or it could be rigid and pivot with a spring or other biasing mechanism to keep the needle in place. It should be understood that the needle retaining portion of the present invention is merely representative of the many types of needle retaining devices that could be used with the innovative dual locking button approach of the present invention. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown the needle guide  700 , in a locked position, from a side view. This side view exposes some of the structure which performs the locking and unlocking functions of pivoting locking mechanism  720  and unlocking button  730  respectively. Unlocking button lever arm  902  is shown such that when unlocking button  730  is pressed or pivoted, along dotted line  731 , away from latch lip  728 , it causes pivoting locking mechanism  720  to be released and be free to push away or rotate locking button  722  along dotted line  721  into an unlocked position. The position is an unlocked position because when locking button  722  rotates on dotted line  721 , pivoting locking mechanism grasping member  724  also pivots away, along dotted line  723 , from engagement with the transceiver bracket, thereby unlocking the needle guide from the transceiver bracket. Needle guide base locking side wall and pivoting locking mechanism grasping member  724  together help retain the needle guide base portion  702  in place with the transceiver, which has a portion disposed in the area between needle guide base locking side wall and needle guide base opposing wall  906 . 
     In operation, the needle guide of  FIGS. 7-9  could function as follows: 
     Needle guide  700  is placed over a transceiver bracket with an enlarged end lip. A sterile sheath may be used, or it may be omitted. The needle guide  700  may be disposable, or it may be reusable. Needle guide base portion  702  is slipped over the enlarged lip end of the transceiver bracket, so that needle guide base opposing wall  906  and needle guide base locking side wall surround the enlarged lip end. When needle guide base portion  702  is placed on the bracket, pivoting locking mechanism  720  is initially in an unlocked and forward position and is not engaged by unlocking button  730  at the latch lip  728 . Pivoting locking mechanism  720  is then pressed or rotated, so that locking button  722  moves closer to unlocking button  730 . Latch lip  728  eventually engages latch end  738  of unlocking button  730 . As locking button  722  is rotated further backward, unlocking button  730  pivots backward as well. Once latch lip  728  passes latch end  738  of unlocking button  730 , unlocking button  730 , which is resilient, springs forward and latches pivoting locking mechanism  720  in a locked position. To unlock the needle guide, unlocking button  730  is pushed along dotted line  731 , so that latch end  738  of unlocking button  730  clears latch lip  728  of pivoting locking mechanism  720 . Once this occurs, pivoting locking mechanism  720  is free to pivot to an unlocked position, so that locking button  722  pivots along dotted line  721  and pivoting locking mechanism grasping member  724  pivots along dotted line  723 . 
     Throughout this description, reference is made to a medical imaging system, because it is believed that the beneficial aspects of the present invention would be most readily apparent when used in connection with medical imaging; however, it should be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to imaging, and should be hereby construed to include other medical tools, equipment and methodologies as well, where it is desirable to guide a needle, canula or other elongated member. Also, throughout this description, the needle guide is suggested to mate with a transceiver bracket, which is a very common practice of needle guides. However, it is possible, and the present invention is intended to include, mating the needle guide directly to the transceiver, which may or may not have an integrated mounting section formed thereon. 
     It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps, and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.