Medical Tool for Reduced Penetration Force

Abstract

A medical device is provided having reduced penetration. The device includes a body having a central hollow channel and a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body. The piezoelectric transducer has a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel. A tubular member is associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue. The tubular member may be a hypodermic needle, a trocar needle, or a catheterization needle.

1 .- 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A medical device comprising:
 a body having a central hollow channel;   a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body, the piezoelectric transducer having a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel; and   a tubular member associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue;   wherein the tubular member is a hypodermic needle.   
     
     
         35 . The medical device of  claim 34 , wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first mass and a second mass and all of which comprise respective central hollow channels. 
     
     
         36 . The medical device of  claim 35 , wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating the tubular member at a frequency in the range of 20-50 kHz. 
     
     
         37 . The medical device of  claim 34 , wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce a sinusoidal displacement of the tubular member. 
     
     
         38 . The medical device of  claim 34 , wherein the hypodermic needle is an IV needle. 
     
     
         39 . The medical device of  claim 34 , wherein the hypodermic needle is a spinal needle. 
     
     
         40 . The medical device of  claim 34 , wherein the hypodermic needle is an epidural needle. 
     
     
         41 . The medical device of  claim 34 , wherein the hypodermic needle is a pencil point tipped needle. 
     
     
         42 . The medical device of  claim 34 , wherein the hypodermic needle is an introducer needle. 
     
     
         43 . The medical device of  claim 34 , wherein the hypodermic needle is a regional block needle. 
     
     
         44 . The medical device of  claim 35 , wherein the tubular member having
 a proximal open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and   a distal open end;   wherein the tubular member is hollow with open ends formed opposite one another and wherein the central hollow channel of the body, the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and the tubular member form a continuous bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the medical device.   
     
     
         45 . A medical device comprising:
 a body having a central hollow channel;   a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body, the piezoelectric transducer having a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel; and   a tubular member associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue;   wherein the tubular member is a trocar needle.   
     
     
         46 . The medical device of  claim 45 , wherein the trocar needle is a bone biopsy trocar needle. 
     
     
         47 . The medical device of  claim 45 , wherein the trocar needle has an inner stylet shaft and a cannula, wherein the inner stylet shaft extends through the cannula. 
     
     
         48 . The medical device of  claim 45 , further comprising a trocar access port of which the trocar needle is a part thereof. 
     
     
         49 . The medical device of  claim 45 , wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first mass and a second mass and all of which comprise respective central hollow channels. 
     
     
         50 . The medical device of  claim 45 , wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating the tubular member at a frequency in the range of 20-50 kHz. 
     
     
         51 . The medical device of  claim 45 , wherein the tubular member having:
 a proximal open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and   a distal open end; and   wherein the tubular member is hollow with open ends formed opposite one another and wherein the central hollow channel of the body, the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and the tubular member form a continuous bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the medical device.   
     
     
         52 . A medical device comprising:
 a body having a central hollow channel;   a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body, the piezoelectric transducer having a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel; and   a tubular member associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue,   wherein the tubular member is a catheterization needle.   
     
     
         53 . The medical device of  claim 52 , wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first mass and a second mass and all of which comprise respective central hollow channels;
 wherein the tubular member having   a proximal open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer, and   a distal open end;   wherein the tubular member is hollow with open ends formed opposite one another and wherein the central hollow channel of the body, the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and the tubular member form a continuous bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the medical device.