nerve block surgical drapes

Abstract

In one embodiment, such a device includes a surgical drape with a fenestration formed therein, and a neurostimulator attached to the outside of the surgical drape. One or more electrical conductors may also be attached to the drapes and the neurostimulator. Conductive material may be disposed on the patient-facing side of the surgical drape. A connector may be attached to the surgical drape, the connector terminating in an electrical conductor and configured to allow attachment of an external nerve block needle. An attached neurostimulator may be configured to provide a pause indication. In another embodiment, the device includes a surgical drape having at least one electrical conductor attached to the drape. At least one second connector may be attached to the surgical drape and configured to be in electrical communication with and terminate at the second end of the one or more electrical conductors.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to medical drapes and, more particularly, to nerve block surgical drapes including various additional features for use in nerve stimulation and / or local anesthesia procedures. Background technique [0002] Nerve stimulation is a common method used to locate nerves during local anesthesia, prior to injection of the local anesthetic. More specifically, electrical nerve stimulation is used to obtain a defined response (eg, evoked motor response (EMR), muscle twitch, or patient sensation) to pinpoint a peripheral nerve or nerve plexus with a needle. Thereafter, the needle is used to inject anesthetic in close proximity to the nerve to block nerve conduction and provide sensory and / or motor block for surgery, and / or eventually analgesia for pain control. These procedures require sterile conditions. To achieve aseptic conditions, physicians commonly use single-use fenestrated or non-fenestrated drapes / drapes. Howev...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, disconnection of such electrodes often occurs during surgery due to dryness of the patient's skin or oily / smooth skin condition after applying moisturizing lotion, etc.

A similar issue of risk of disconnection occurs when the gel on the EKG leads dries / dries out causing false connections and / or poor adhesion to the skin

While many neurostimulators include some functionality to detect electrical disconnection and result in an open circuit, this may not be easily detectable in a busy, noisy clinical environment, however, an electrical failure may result in incorrectly or dangerously placed needles that are too far apart. Approach or placement into a nerve and subsequent nerve damage

Also, the application of the ground electrode is another step in the surgical procedure, thus increasing the possibility of error

Images