Syringe system

Abstract

A medical device is provided having a needle or a catheter, insertable into a living body, which defines a plurality of holes in fluid communication with a central lumen. The holes may be of various patterns located and angled to create a desired injectate cloud pattern when an injectate is forced through the central lumen and through the plurality of holes. One embodiment provides various designs including a moveable sheath or stylet used to selectively occlude one or more of the holes while in use, thereby providing an operating physician a way to manipulate the cloud pattern anytime during the introduction of the injectate. A reducer may be used in conjunction with these needles which provides an increased degree of control when injecting very small quantities of fluid.

1 . A medical device capable of creating a cloud of injectate, in tissue, having a predetermined shape, size and concentration, the device comprising: 
 an elongate member having a side wall defining a central lumen and having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end operably attachable to an injectate providing catheter such that said catheter is in fluid communication with said lumen;    a plurality of holes defined by said side wall and extending from said lumen to an exterior of said side wall;    wherein each of said holes is constructed and arranged to act in concert with each of the other holes to create said shaped cloud when said injectate is forced through said lumen.    
   
   
       2 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said elongate member comprises a hypodermic needle, said distal end sharpened to provide skin piercing or tissue entry capability.  
   
   
       3 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said elongate member comprises a catheter.  
   
   
       4 . The medical device of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of holes is axially displaced from said distal end.  
   
   
       5 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said distal end defines at least one hole of a predetermined diameter extending to said lumen.  
   
   
       6 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said distal end comprises a solid end wall.  
   
   
       7 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of holes are linearly aligned to form a single line of holes parallel to a longitudinal axis of said member.  
   
   
       8 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of holes are linearly aligned to form a single line of holes which forms an angle to a longitudinal axis of said member such that said line of holes wraps around said member to create a spiral pattern therearound.  
   
   
       9 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of holes progressively increase in diameter such that proximal holes are smaller than distal holes, thereby providing a relatively common flow rate to each of said holes.  
   
   
       10 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of holes progressively decrease in diameter such that proximal holes are larger than distal holes, thereby providing a greater flow rate through said proximal holes than said distal holes.  
   
   
       11 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said holes have central axes which are perpendicular to a central axis of said elongate member.  
   
   
       12 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of holes has a central axis which projects distally from said lumen and forms an acute angle with a central axis of said elongate member.  
   
   
       13 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of holes has a central axis which projects proximally from said lumen and forms an obtuse angle with a central axis of said elongate member.  
   
   
       14 . The medical device of  claim 1  further comprising a sheath slideably disposed over said member, said sheath slideable from a proximal position whereby an open distal end of said sheath is proximally displaced from said holes to a distal position whereby said distal end of said sheath is distally displaced from said plurality of holes, said sheath constructed and arranged to occlude said holes when positioned thereover.  
   
   
       15 . The medical device of  claim 14  wherein said sheath defines at least one opening positionable over one or more of said plurality of holes such that during an operation whereby injectate is being administered, predetermined holes may be selected, opened and reoccluded, thereby changing the shape of the cloud as desired.  
   
   
       16 . The medical device of  claim 14  wherein said sheath comprises a tapered distal end enabling said sheath to slide relative to and under surrounding tissue without imparting damage thereto.  
   
   
       17 . The medical device of  claim 1  further comprising an elongate stylet slideably disposed within said central lumen and defining its own central lumen and an opening leading thereto, said stylet having a proximal end attachable to said injectate providing catheter such that said member is in fluid communication therewith, said stylet slideable relative to said member from a proximal position, whereby a distal end of said stylet is proximally displaced from said holes, to a distal position, whereby said distal end of said stylet is distally displaced from said plurality of holes, said stylet constructed and arranged to interact with said holes when positioned thereunder.  
   
   
       18 . The medical device of  claim 17  wherein said stylet comprises a closed distal end such that as the stylet is advanced distally through said elongate member, the resulting cloud grows in a distal direction as holes become aligned with said opening.  
   
   
       19 . The medical device of  claim 17  wherein said stylet opening is defined by said stylet distal end such that when said stylet is in said proximal position, fluid flows to all of said plurality of holes and the cloud assumes a longest possible shape and as the stylet is advanced distally, said holes are progressively occluded such that the cloud shortens from a proximal end.  
   
   
       20 . The medical device of  claim 17  wherein said stylet defines at least one opening in fluid communication with said stylet inner lumen and positionable under one or more of said plurality of holes such that during an operation whereby injectate is being administered, predetermined holes may be selected, opened and reoccluded, thereby changing the shape of the cloud as desired.