The invention relates to a kind of medical apparatus and instruments, particularly a lumbar puncture needle with Stylet retaining facility which holds the pointed Stylet within instrument thus minimizing the risk if injury to healthcare workers.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is performed in lower back, in the lumbar region. A needle is placed between two lumbar bones (vertebrae) during a lumbar puncture to extract a cerebrospinal fluid sample which is the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord to protect them from injury.
[0003] Lumbar puncture may be used to diagnose extreme infections such as meningitis, other central nervous system diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome and multiple sclerosis, or brain or spinal cord cancers. It is also sometimes used to inject anesthetic medications or chemotherapy drugs into the cerebrospinal fluid.
[0004] Conventional Lumbar Puncture needle has a pointed Stylet, which is removed during procedure and often re inserted to adjust position of needle. Handling a pointed Stylet and reinserting has a chance of needle stick injury.
[0005] Conventional Lumbar Puncture needle has two detachable parts, one is sheath of needle, which is a hollow structure with non-cutting beveled edge at one end and a hub on another end. Second part is a Stylet, which is a pointed metallic structure which goes through the hollow part of sheath, making it complete Lumbar puncture needle.
[0006] During procedure, after piercing the dura sheath, clinician removes the Stylet to see CSF coming in hub. Syringe can be attached to hub for the purpose of giving intrathecal medications as well. CSF pressure can be measured by attaching manometer to hub.
[0007] US5053046A discloses a Dural sealing needle which has the capability of sealing its opening after withdrawal. A first conventional spinal needle or cannula is used for standard diagnostic or therapeutic use. A second cannula is inserted concentrically into the first needle and includes a dural seal having an absorbable suture extending from the second cannula. A Stylet is inserted into the second cannula dislodging the seal into the subarachnoid space. The cannulate are removed and the suture is pulled to set the dural seal in the spinal puncture.
[0008] US20080065017A1 discloses a support needle with a non-cutting piercing tip and an exteriorly mounted flexible needle. The spinal needle assembly further comprises a central Stylet slidably mounted in the support needle to prevent the entry of matter through an opening in the distal end.
[0009] CN106037895A discloses a Dual-channel acoustic-guided epidural puncture needle which is composed of a pressure-taking device, an epidural puncture needle tube, a spinal needle assembly, a needle seat, and a syringe pump connector.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides a lumbar puncture needle with Stylet retaining facility.
[0011] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a lumbar puncture needle with Stylet retaining facility; wherein the apparatus holds the pointed Stylet within a needle.
[0013] Further object of the present invention is to provide a lumbar puncture needle with Stylet retaining facility; wherein the apparatus minimizes the risk of injury to healthcare workers.
[0014] Furthermore, object of the present invention is to provide a lumbar puncture needle with Stylet retaining facility; wherein the apparatus provides a non-cutting tip requiring no specific edge positioning.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lumbar puncture needle with Stylet retaining facility; wherein the apparatus provides a port for fluid collection and drug administration.
[0016] The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention provides a Stylet retaining lumbar puncture apparatus. The apparatus includes a needle, a Stylet, an operating member and an enclosure.
[0018] In an embodiment, the needle receives a fluid from a subject’s body. In one more embodiment, the needle is adapted to inject a drug in the subject’s body. The needle is having a sheath configured thereon and a hollow sheath configured there inside. The Stylet is having a piercing end. The piercing end punctures the subject’s body. The Stylet is having a pointed expansion at the piercing end.
[0019] The Stylet is movable in the hollow sheath. The operating member is connected to the Stylet at an end other than the piercing end. The operating member operates the Stylet between a piercing position to a non-piercing position. The operating member is having a locking member. The operating member is movable in the enclosure.
[0020] The enclosure is made from a transparent material. The encloser is biased to the operating member using a biasing member. The biasing member is a coil spring or a spring. Further, the encloser is connected to the needle. The encloser is having a locking slot and an unlocking slot. The locking slot and the unlocking slot are parallel to each other. The locking slot and the unlocking slot are separated apart by an extension. The locking slot enables the locking movement of the locking member. Similarly, the unlocking slot enables the unlocking movement of the locking member. A length of the unlocking slot is more than a length of the locking slot.
[0021] The biasing member is extended when the locking member is in the unlocking slot. Therefore, the operating member pushes the Stylet out from the needle towards the piercing position.
[0022] After piercing the subjects body using the Stylet, the locking member is moved from an unlocking slot to the locking slot. Therefore, the biasing member is contracted. The operating member pulls the Stylet inside the needle towards the non-piercing position. The fluid flows from a needle are collected using a port configured on the enclosure. Further, the port is used for injecting a drug in the subject’s body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0024] These and other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following text figure, with like reference numbers referring to like structures across the views, wherein:
[0025] Figure 1(a) illustrates the side view of the Stylet Retaining Lumbar Puncture Needle in which Stylet at tip position.
[0026] Figure 1(b) illustrates the top view of the Stylet Retaining Lumbar Puncture Needle in which Stylet at tip position.
[0027] Figure 2(a) illustrates the side view of the Stylet Retaining Lumbar Puncture Needle with Stylet there inside.
[0028] Figure 2(b) illustrates the top view of the Stylet Retaining Lumbar Puncture Needle with a Stylet there inside.
[0029] Figure 3 depicts the perspective view of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.
[0031] As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein are solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, and the like are included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[0032] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element, or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[0033] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, several materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0034] The present invention relates to kind of medical apparatus and instruments, particularly a lumbar puncture needle with Stylet retaining facility.
[0035] The present invention provides a lumbar puncture apparatus with Stylet retaining facility. The apparatus holds the pointed Stylet within a needle throughout and after the procedure. The apparatus minimizes the risk of injury to healthcare workers. The apparatus provides a facility for fluid collection and drug administration. From herein afterwards the apparatus is referred as an apparatus (100).
[0036] As best illustrated in figure 1a, the apparatus (100) includes a needle (1), a Stylet (3), an operating member (8) and an enclosure (6).
[0037] In an embodiment, the needle (1) receives a fluid from a subject’s body. The subject referred here may be a human being, a mammal or any other living creature belongs to a phylum Chordata. In one more embodiment, the needle (1) is adapted to inject a drug in the subject’s body. The needle (1) is having a predefined set of dimensions. In an embodiment the tip of needle (1) is not beveled, therefore the subject’s body is saved from an additional cut. The needle (1) is a metallic cylindrical member having a cavity thereinside. The needle (1) is having a sheath (2) configured thereon for protecting the needle (1) from external factors. Further, the needle (1) is having a hollow sheath configured on inner surface of the needle (1). The hollow sheath prevents direct contact of a biological fluid or drug with the needle (1) surface. The hollow sheath is having a gooseneck (10) configuration at an open end. The gooseneck (10) configuration allows the hollow sheath to orientate in any direction during a procedure. This facility allows a user to use same puncture with variety of variations. This reduces risk of repetition of the puncture for the same operation.
[0038] Further, the Stylet (3) is having a piercing end. The piercing end punctures the subject’s body from where a fluid sample needs to be extracted or where drug to be injected. The Stylet (3) is having a pointed expansion at the piercing end. The pointed expansion ensures an easy piercing in the subject’s body.
[0039] In an embodiment, the Stylet (3) is snugly and coaxially fitted into the hollow sheath (2) of the needle (1). The Stylet (3) is movable in the hollow sheath (2). The Stylet (3) moves in the forward and reverse direction along a length of the needle (1). The operating member (8) is connected to the Stylet (3) at an end other than the piercing end. The operating member (8) operates the Stylet (3) between a piercing position to a non-piercing position. More specifically, the piercing position referred herein refers to a position of the Stylet (3) piercing end when outside the needle (1). The non-piercing position referred herein refers to a position of the Stylet (3) piercing end when inside the needle (1). The operating member (8) is having a locking member (4). In an embodiment, the locking member (4) is an extension made on the topmost surface of the operating member (8). In one more embedment, the locking member (4) is an extension made on any surface of the of the operating member (8). The operating member (8) is movable in the enclosure (6).
[0040] As best illustrated in figure 2a, the enclosure (6) is made from a transparent material like a glass, a fiber, a plastic or a like. The transparent enclosure (6) allows visibility of the biological fluid in the enclosure (6) to the user, for ensuring the piercing.
[0041] Furthermore, the encloser is biased to the operating member (8) using a biasing member (7). The biasing member (7) is a coil spring or a spring. The biasing member (7) holds the operating member (8) inside the enclosure (6). Further, the encloser is connected to the needle (1) at an opposite surface to a biased surface. The encloser is having a locking slot (5) and an unlocking slot. The locking slot (5) and the unlocking slot are parallel to each other. The locking slot (5) and the unlocking slot are separated apart by an extension. The locking slot (5) and the unlocking slot together forms a shape of an ‘U’ or inverted ‘U’. The locking slot (5) enables the locking movement of the locking member (4). Similarly, the unlocking slot enables the unlocking movement of the locking member (4). A length of the unlocking slot (not numbered) is more than a length of the locking slot (5).
[0042] As shown in figure 1b, the biasing member (7) is extended as stored spring energy gets released, when the locking member (4) is in the unlocking slot. Therefore, the operating member (8) pushes the Stylet (3) out from the needle (1) towards the piercing position.
[0043] After piercing the subjects body using the Stylet (3), the locking member (4) is moved from an unlocking slot to the locking slot (5). Therefore, the biasing member (7) is contracted as well illustrated in figure 2b and the spring energy is stored in the biasing member (7). The operating member (8) pulls the Stylet (3) inside the needle (1) towards the non-piercing position. The fluid flows from a needle (1) are collected using a port (9) configured on the enclosure (6). Further, the port (9) is used for injecting a drug in the subject’s body.
[0044] In a given example, a user punctures a subject’s body using the Stylet (3). Further, the user orients the open end of the hollow sheath (2) as per requirement. After conforming the puncture, the user moves the locking member (4) from an unlocking position to a locking position, thereby the Stylet (3) moves from the piercing position to the non-piercing position. The fluid flowing from the punctured location starts flowing through the cavity of the hollow sheath (2) towards the encloser. The user can collect the fluid using the port (9).
[0045] In one more example, the user injects required quantity of drug in the subject’s body using the same port (9).
[0046] The present invention provides an advantage of providing the apparatus (100) that holds the pointed Stylet (3) within the needle (1). The apparatus (100) minimizes the risk of injury to the subject. The apparatus (100) provides a facility of the fluid collection and the drug administration. Further, the apparatus (100) reduces the overall piercing time. The apparatus (100) is user friendly.
[0047] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the 5 embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing the broadest scope consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.

We Claim:

1. A Stylet (3) retaining lumbar puncture apparatus, an apparatus (100) comprising:
a needle (1) for receiving a fluid from a subject’s body and for injecting a drug in the subject’s body; the needle (1) is having a sheath (2) configured thereon; and a hollow sheath (2) configured there inside having a gooseneck (10) configuration at an open end;
a Stylet (3) having a piercing end for piercing the subject’s body; wherein the Stylet (3) is movable in the hollow sheath (2);
an operating member (8) connected to the Stylet (3) at an end other than the piercing end for operating the Stylet (3) between a piercing position to a non-piercing position; wherein the operating member (8) is having a locking member (4);
an encloser biased to the operating member (8) using a biasing member (7) and connected to the needle (1); wherein the encloser is having a locking slot (5) and an unlocking slot parallel to each other and separated apart by an extension for enabling the locking and unlocking movements of the locking member (4) respectively; wherein a length of the unlocking slot (5) is more than a length of the locking slot (5); wherein the operating member (8) is movable in the enclosure (6);
wherein initially, the locking member (4) is in the unlocking slot (5) offering an extension to the biasing member (7), thereby the operating member (8) pushes the Stylet (3) out from the needle (1) towards the piercing position;
wherein after piercing the subjects body using the Stylet (3), the locking member (4) is moved from an unlocking slot to the locking slot (5) offering contraction of the biasing member (7), thereby the operating member (8) pulls the Stylet (3) inside the needle (1) towards the non-piercing position; the fluid flows from a needle (1) are collected using a port (9) configured on the enclosure (6).
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Stylet (3) is having a pointed expansion at the piercing end.
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enclosure (6) is made from a transparent material.
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the port (9) is used for injecting a drug in the subject’s body.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biasing member (7) is a coil spring or a spring.
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a diameter of the hollow sheath (2) is more than a diameter of the Stylet (3).