Continuous anesthesia nerve conduction apparatus, system and method thereof

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a continuous anesthesia nerve conduction apparatus and method thereof, and more particularly to a method and system for use in administering a continuous flow or intermittent bolus of anesthetic agent to facilitate a continuous or prolonged nerve block. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The sheath also includes an embedded conductive element for transmitting an electrical signal from a proximal portion of the sheath to a distal portion of the sheath. A cannula is arranged in the at least one lumen of the sheath and has a distal end protruding from a distal portion of the sheath. The cannula is electrically coupled to at least a portion of the embedded conductive element and is configured to provide nerve stimulation.

1 - 194 . (canceled) 
     
     
         195 . An over-the-needle catheter system, comprising:
 an over-the-needle catheter; and   a sleeve for the over-the-needle catheter, the sleeve comprising:
 a body having a length extending from a first end to a second end, the body comprising a hollow passageway extending from the first end to said second end, wherein the sleeve is configured to be arranged collinearly with the over-the-needle catheter and, when the sleeve is arranged collinearly with the over-the-needle catheter, a region of both the sleeve and the over-the-needle catheter is configured to bend at a bent portion and the bent portion is configured to prevent leakage from the insertion site of the patient. 
   
     
     
         196 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 195 , wherein said first end of said sleeve comprises a tapered edge, said tapered edge configured to be inserted into the insertion site of the patient. 
     
     
         197 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 196 , wherein a diameter of said second end of the body is 2 percent to 15 percent greater than a diameter of said first end of the body. 
     
     
         198 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 195 , wherein the bent portion comprises a substantially 90-degree angle. 
     
     
         199 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 195 , wherein the bent portion includes an angle between 80 degrees and 110 degrees. 
     
     
         200 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 195 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a flexible material, said flexible material comprising at least one of a polymeric material and an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         201 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 200 , wherein the flexible material is configured to establish a seal between the over-the-needle catheter system and the insertion site of the patient. 
     
     
         202 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 200 , wherein the flexible material is configured to inhibit movement of the over-the-needle catheter system with respect to the insertion site of the patient when the over-the-needle catheter system is inserted into the insertion site. 
     
     
         203 . An over-the-needle catheter system, comprising:
 an over-the-needle catheter; and   a sleeve configured to be disposed around a portion of an outer diameter of the over-the-needle catheter, wherein, when the sleeve is around the portion of the outer diameter of the over-the-needle catheter, the sleeve and the over-the-needle catheter are configured to bend at a bent portion of the over-the-needle catheter system and the bent portion is located at the insertion site of the patient.   
     
     
         204 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 203 , wherein the bend includes a substantially 90-degree angle. 
     
     
         205 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 203 , wherein the bend includes an angle between 80 degrees and 110 degrees. 
     
     
         206 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 203 , wherein the sleeve includes a tapered edge, the tapered edge configured to be inserted into the insertion site of the patient. 
     
     
         207 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 203 , wherein a first diameter of a first end of the sleeve is 2 percent to 15 percent greater than a second diameter of a second end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         208 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 203 , wherein the sleeve further comprises at least one of a polymeric material and an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         209 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 203 , wherein the sleeve includes a friction material configured to establish a seal between the over-the-needle catheter system and the insertion site of the patient. 
     
     
         210 . The over-the-needle catheter system of  claim 203 , wherein the sleeve is configured to inhibit movement of the over-the-needle catheter system with respect to the insertion site of the patient. 
     
     
         211 . A concentric feature for an over-the-needle catheter system, comprising:
 a body having a length extending from a first end to a second end, said body comprising a hollow passageway extending from said first end to said second end, said hollow passageway configured to fit around a portion of an outer diameter of the over-the-needle catheter, at least a portion of the concentric feature is configured to pass through an insertion site of a patient, said concentric feature is configured to minimize or prevent leakage from the insertion site of the patient.   
     
     
         212 . The concentric feature of  claim 211 , wherein the concentric feature comprises a tapered region, said tapered region is configured to be inserted into the insertion site of the patient. 
     
     
         213 . The concentric feature of  claim 211 , wherein the concentric feature comprises a sleeve. 
     
     
         214 . A method for using an over-the-needle catheter assembly to provide treatment to a targeted site within a patient, the method comprising:
 providing a catheter having a proximal end and distal end, the catheter coaxially mounted onto a needle and including a sleeve around an outer diameter of the catheter;   inserting simultaneously the catheter and the needle into an insertion site of the patient until the distal end of the catheter reaches the targeted site and a first end of the sleeve passes through the insertion site;   removing the needle from the catheter while the distal end of the catheter remains within the patient adjacent to the targeted site; and   administering a treatment fluid to the targeted site via the catheter.   
     
     
         215 . The method of  claim 214 , wherein said first end of said sleeve comprises a tapered edge. 
     
     
         216 . The method of  claim 214 , further comprising bending the sleeve such that the sleeve has a linear portion and a bent portion. 
     
     
         217 . The method of  claim 213 , wherein the bent portion includes an angle between 80 degrees and 110 degrees.