| Intrathecal catheter having a stylet with a curved tip -> Monitor Keywords |
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Intrathecal catheter having a stylet with a curved tipRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Means For Introducing Or Removing Material From Body For Therapeutic Purposes (e.g., Medicating, Irrigating, Aspirating, Etc.), Treating Material Introduced Into Or Removed From Body Orifice, Or Inserted Or Removed Subcutaneously Other Than By Diffusing Through Skin, Material Introduced Or Removed Through Conduit, Holder, Or Implantable Reservoir Inserted In Body, Body Piercer, Obturator Rod, Or Stylet Axially Movable Within Body Entering Conduit While Latter Is Disposed In Body, Having Curved PortionIntrathecal catheter having a stylet with a curved tip description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060282043, Intrathecal catheter having a stylet with a curved tip. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/690,253, filed Jun. 14, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of surgical instruments and methods, and more particularly to an intrathecal catheter having a stylet with a curved forward end. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Human and animal subjects suffering from chronic pain have several options available to help alleviate the pain. One option is intrathecal drug delivery, in which a low dose of a medication, typically a narcotic such as morphine, is delivered to the intrathecal space (i.e., within the spinal canal). A typical system for intrathecal drug delivery includes a drug delivery pump implanted in the patient's abdomen, which has a reservoir for the medication, and a catheter leading from the pump into the intrathecal space. The pump releases the medication at a set rate, and the medication flows from the pump, through the catheter to the site of delivery in the intrathecal space. Intrathecal drug delivery is beneficial because typically smaller doses of the medication can be used to gain relief, as compared to the dosages of those medications taken orally. [0004] However, implanting the device is not without risk. Inadvertently implanting the catheter into the spinal cord can result in permanent injury to the spinal cord, potentially resulting in irreversible paralysis. For example, there is some risk that the practitioner, when placing the guide needle or the styletted catheter within the spinal canal, might puncture the spinal cord with the sharp tip of the guide needle and/or the styletted catheter and subsequently accidentally thread the styletted catheter into the center of the spinal cord. And since typically, most practitioners choose to perform this operation under general anesthesia in which the patient is completely unaware of the procedure, the patient will not know something is wrong until he or she wakes up, and in a more egregious case, the patient may wake up paralyzed from the waist down. [0005] Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus and method that allows a catheter for an intrathecal drug delivery system to be guided more safely into proper placement within the intrathecal space. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Advantageously, the present invention provides an intrathecal catheter having a curved forward end for placement in the intrathecal space. The intrathecal catheter includes a guide wire or a stylet, within the catheter, that has a curved tip, and the tip of the catheter itself conforms to the shape of the stylet tip. Thus, the catheter provides a blunt forward end, which minimizes the likelihood of puncturing tissue, such as the spinal cord. [0007] In an example form, the present invention provides an apparatus including a catheter for an intrathecal drug delivery system and a stylet, wherein the stylet has a curved forward end. Thus, the catheter has a tip that can conform to the curved forward end of the stylet. Preferably, the curved forward end of the stylet is in the shape of a "J" or a "C." Also preferably, the curved forward end of the stylet is formed of a resilient and flexible material. [0008] In one embodiment, the catheter has a single lumen for housing the stylet and for carrying a fluid from a fluid source to target tissue. Preferably, the catheter has a biocompatible body with at least one opening extending along the body near its distal end for drug delivery to target tissue. [0009] In another form, the present invention provides a method for introducing a catheter for an intrathecal drug delivery system into the intrathecal space. The method includes the steps of inserting a stylet having a curved forward end into an intrathecal catheter; inserting the intrathecal catheter into an incision in the body; and guiding the intrathecal catheter into the intrathecal space by manipulation of the combination of the stylet and the catheter. The method can further include the steps of removing the stylet from the intrathecal catheter such that the catheter tip straightens out in the intrathecal space; anchoring the intrathecal catheter to adjacent tissue; and connecting the intrathecal catheter to a drug delivery pump. [0010] In yet another example form, the present invention includes a kit for intrathecal drug delivery. The kit can include one or more of the following items packaged in a single kit: an intrathecal catheter, a stylet having a curved forward end, a drug delivery pump, a guide needle, an insertion device, a tunneling tool, and suturing supplies. [0011] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a catheter having a stylet with a curved forward tip according to an example embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 2 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an end portion of the catheter of FIG. 1. [0014] FIG. 3 depicts a pictorial representation of advancing the catheter of FIG. 1 through the intrathecal space. [0015] FIG. 4 depicts a pictorial representation of the catheter of FIG. 1 implanted in the intrathecal space. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS [0016] The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. [0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-4 a catheter 10 having an associated flexible stylet or guidewire 12 extending therethrough for an intrathecal drug delivery system is shown by way of an example embodiment. Intrathecal drug delivery systems, commonly referred to as morphine pumps, and methods of implanting such pumps are generally well known. Intrathecal drug delivery systems typically include a catheter 10 and a drug delivery pump 13, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the catheter 10 has a biocompatible body 14 constructed of a biocompatible and flexible material. Preferably, the body 14 has a single lumen or canal 16 extending therethrough for carrying a medication from the pump 13 to the intrathecal space and for housing the stylet 12. Alternatively, the catheter 10 can include dual lumens, one for carrying a medication and one for housing the stylet 12. [0018] In an example embodiment, the catheter 10 has a length of about 60 to about 90 cm, an internal diameter in the range of about 0.4 to about 0.6 mm and more preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 0.6 mm. In an example embodiment, the catheter 10 has an internal diameter of about 0.53 mm. The external diameter can be about 1.0 to about 3.0 mm, and more preferably from about 1.4 mm to about 2.0 mm, though those skilled in the art will understand that the dimensions can be larger or smaller. Preferably, the catheter 10 has a closed distal end 17. The distal end 17 also preferably includes at least one and preferably a plurality of lateral openings, slots, or holes 18 in the body 14 of catheter 10 through which the medication can be pumped. As shown in the figures, the catheter 10 has three such openings 18, though those skilled in the art will understand that the catheter can have more or fewer openings. Those skilled in the art will also understand how to determine the placement of the openings and the spacing between the openings 18. Continue reading about Intrathecal catheter having a stylet with a curved tip... Full patent description for Intrathecal catheter having a stylet with a curved tip Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Intrathecal catheter having a stylet with a curved tip patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. 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