Anesthesia conduction catheter for delivery of electrical stimulus

Abstract

A catheter is comprised of a flexible cylindrical tube defining a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip. The tube has a plurality of openings formed therethrough to form a diffusion area. The catheter includes a conductive end cap enclosing a distal tip. A flexible conductive member is attached to the conductive end cap and extends to the proximal portion where it is attached to the inside diameter of the flexible tube. The member is movable within the tube.

1 .- 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A system, comprising:
 a catheter comprising: a flexible cylindrical tube defining a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip, said tube having a plurality of openings formed therethrough; a conductive end cap closing said distal tip; and a flexible conductive member attached at one end to said conductive end cap and at another end to said proximal portion so as to be movable within said tube;   a needle;   a flexible delivery sheath carrying said catheter;   an electrical connector; and   a removable stylet, a portion of said stylet disposed within said catheter, and an end portion of said stylet opposite the portion disposed within said catheter connected to said electrical connector.   
     
     
         55 . A system, comprising:
 a catheter comprising: a flexible cylindrical tube defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, said tube having a plurality of openings formed therethrough and having a closed end; and a flexible coil attached to an inside surface of said tube at said proximal and said distal portion so as to form an annular area between an outside diameter of said coil and said inside diameter of said tube, said coil having adjacent turns spaced to enable fluid to leak into said annular area;   a needle;   a flexible delivery sheath carrying said catheter;   an electrical connector; and   a removable stylet, a portion of said stylet disposed within said catheter, and an end portion of said stylet opposite the portion disposed within said catheter connected to said electrical connector.   
     
     
         56 . A system, comprising:
 a catheter comprising: a flexible cylindrical tube defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, said tube having a plurality of openings formed therethrough and a distal tip; a conductive end cap closing said distal tip; and a flexible conductive coil attached to said conductive end rep and to an inside diameter of said tube at said proximal portion so as to form an annular area between an outside diameter of said coil and said inside diameter of said tube, said coil having adjacent turns spaced to enable fluid to leak into said annular area;   a needle;   a flexible delivery sheath carrying said catheter;   an electrical connector; and   a removable stylet, a portion of said stylet disposed within said catheter, and an end portion of said stylet opposite the portion carricd disposed within said catheter connected to said electrical connector.   
     
     
         57 . A method of placing a stimulating catheter, comprising:
 inserting a needle into a patient;   applying an electrical stimulus to said needle;   feeding a stimulating catheter having a stylet extending thereinto, into said needle, said stylet being in electrical communication with said catheter;   applying an electrical stimulus to said stylet; and   removing said stylet from said catheter.   
     
     
         58 . A restimulating device, comprising:
 a stylet; and   an electrical connector having one end adapted for connection with a source of electrical stimulus and another end connected to said stylet.   
     
     
         59 . A method of verifying the placement of a stimulating catheter, comprising:
 inserting a stylet into a catheter through a connector connected to one end of said catheter, said catheter of the type having a conductive member running substantially the length of the catheter; such that the stylet electrically contacts the conductive membrane and   applying an electrical stimulus to said stylet.