Device for targeted catherized delivery of medications

Abstract

Apparatus and method for catheterized delivery or infusion of medication and anaesthesia are disclosed. The perforating catheter is first used to perforate the periodontal ligament and/or the cortical plate of bone tissue, and is then left in place and used as a catheter for insertion of a hypodermic needle of smaller gauge to deliver medication or anaesthesia to a target area. The perforator is a bevelled needle for drilling into the ligament or bone tissue. For drilling, the device comprises an adaptor which transmits the rotational movement from a dental hand piece or the like to the bevelled needle. A cap is also included for protecting the bevelled needle during storage of the device. The adaptor may have a rod which extends axially into the bevelled needle when the device is assembled for drilling. The rod is used to prevent the debris resulting from drilling from blocking the passage in the bevelled needle. As well, the rod reinforces the needle and maintains the alignment between the perforator and the adaptor for improved drilling efficiency. An adapter is disclosed which couples with the catheter once in place easing access to supply medication to difficult to reach areas.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . A method of administering rapid anesthesia to a dental patient utilizing a two-piece dental anesthetizing device comprising:
 selecting a site for intra-osseous injection in a dental region of a patient;   connecting a driving shank of a first piece of said two-piece dental anesthetizing device to a motorized dental handpiece; said first piece of said dental anesthetizing device being removably assembled to a second piece of said dental anesthetizing apparatus and, as assembled, said first piece having a solid rod having a smooth outer surface along its entire length, which is communicably coaxially connected to said driving shank, removably extending through a length of a hollow perforating needle structure of said second part, said hollow perforating needle structure having a smooth outer surface and a constant outer diameter for minimizing patient discomfort when drilling into said dental region of a patient and when removing said hollow perforating needle structure after drilling;   placing a drill tip end of said dental anesthetizing device against a gingival region of a patient at said selected site for intra-osseous injection; wherein said hollow perforating needle structure and said driving shank are removably rotationally, lockingly engaged to one another via first and second coupling structures such that when said driving shank and said solid rod are caused to rotate, said hollow perforating needle structure, including said drill tip end, rotates coaxially in unison therewith;   operating said motorized dental handpiece to rotate said drill tip end via rotation of said driving shank thereby to rapidly drill through said gingival region of a patient and into an intra-osseous region, said solid rod inserted in said hollow perforating needle structure blocking debris from entering said hollow perforating needle structure during said rapid drilling;   stopping operation of said motorized dental handpiece when a predetermined drill depth has been reached, said predetermined drill depth being defined by a circumferentially extending collar fixedly located a select distance from said drill tip end along a length of said hollow perforating needle structure, said select distance being predetermined and fixed to correspond to a length of hollow perforating needle structure sufficient to obtain a drilling depth corresponding to a desired intra-osseous dental region;   axially withdrawing said motorized dental handpiece with said driving shank of said first part remaining connected thereto thereby removing said solid rod from insertion in said hollow perforating needle structure while leaving said drill tip end of said hollow perforating needle structure in place proximal said desired intra-osseous dental region of the patient;   inserting a hypodermic needle into said hollow perforating needle structure and injecting a dose of anesthetic into said desired intra-osseous dental region;   removing said hypodermic needle from said hollow perforating needle structure; and   removing said hollow perforating needle structure from the patient by linearly withdrawing it from said intra-osseous and gingival regions.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further wherein during the drilling step, said drill tip end penetrates one or more dental regions, alone, or in combination, selected from the group consisting of: gingival crest, gingival sulcus, periodontal ligament, and cortical plate. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further wherein during the drilling step, said motorized dental handpiece is operated at high speed until resistance against said drill tip end is felt as substantially reduced. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  further wherein during the drilling step, said motorized dental handpiece is operated in at high speed until said collar contacts said gingival region of the patient. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  further wherein during the drilling step, said motorized dental handpiece is operated in short bursts until resistance against said drill tip end is felt as substantially reduced. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9  further wherein during the drilling step, said motorized dental handpiece is operated in short bursts until said collar contacts said gingival region of the patient. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8  further wherein said first and second coupling structures are rotationally engaged to one another via a non-threaded male/female mechanical relationship such that separation of said first and second coupling structures is effected by simple withdrawal of one connecting structure from the other coupling structure by linearly withdrawing said motorized dental handpiece, connected to said first part, away from said second part. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising an additional method step of: using a finger tip to hold said collar in place during said method step of axially withdrawing said motorized dental handpiece. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the method step of disposing said two-piece dental anesthetizing device.