Surgical chair for percutaneous spinal catheter insertion

Abstract

A novel method of spinal catheter insertion via seated lumbar puncture using a surgical chair in which the patient is forward-facing is provided. The chair provides a stable, safe platform for patients, and reduces the need for additional personnel to maintain the patient's position. The seated position provides for ergonomically desirable alignment of the spinous processes, aiding in the successful lumbar puncture and spinal catheter insertion.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A surgical chair comprising: 
 a frame;    a seat attached to said frame;    a face-rest attached to said frame;    a chest-pad attached to said frame at a position between said seat and said face-rest, said seat, face-rest and chest-pad mounted on said frame such that when a patient sits in said seat and said patient's face rests in said face-rest then at least a desired portion of said patient's spine is presented in an ergonomic manner to a medical professional so that said professional can perform a procedure on said spine.    
     
     
         2 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein said seat and said face-rest are adjustable.  
     
     
         3 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein said chair further comprises at least one knee-pad attached to said frame for receiving said patient's knees when said patient is seated.  
     
     
         4 . The chair according to  claim 3  wherein the knee-pads are removable.  
     
     
         5 . The chair according to  claim 3  wherein the knee-pads are adjustable.  
     
     
         6 . The chair according to  claim 3  wherein said frame supports said seat, face-rest, chest-pad and knee-pads such that said patient can slide sideways into a seated position within said chair without raising his or her leg over same frame.  
     
     
         7 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein said chair further comprises an arm rest.  
     
     
         8 . The chair according to  claim 6  wherein said arm rest is adjustable to allow said patient's arms to be positioned at substantially the same height as said patient's chest.  
     
     
         9 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein said face rest is donut shaped to support the periphery of said patient's face while providing a pathway for breathing through a centre of said donut shape.  
     
     
         10 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein said desired portion is said patient's lumbosacral spine.  
     
     
         11 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion thereof is made from a radioluscent material.  
     
     
         12 . A prepackaged sterile tray of parts for use in performing a spinal catheter insertion comprising a lumbar puncture tray, a separate spinal catheter tray, and separate collection of gauze sponges, iodine solution, sutures, needle holders, and scissors.  
     
     
         13 . A spinal catheter having a narrow end for insertion into a lumbar puncture and a waist at a predetermined distance from said narrow end, said waist being wider than said narrow end such that said waist provides a seal between an exterior of said catheter and said puncture.