Intravenous catheter insertion guide

Abstract

A venous catheter insertion guide is configured to reduce pain that a patient may experience during catheter insertion. The venous catheter insertion guide may include two platforms positioned on opposite sides of the insertion site. The upstream platform may include an ultrasonic transducer or another type of heating element for increasing the temperature of tissue near the insertion site. This heating of the tissue may cause relaxation of the target blood vessel and increase its cross-sectional area prior to catheter insertion. The downstream platform may also include an ultrasonic transducer for stimulating nerves downstream of the insertion site during catheter insertion. Stimulation of the downstream nerves may reduce pain signals transmitted to the central nervous system in response to catheter insertion. This application also relates to a method for relieving pain at the surgical site.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical devices, and in particular to intravenous catheter insertion guides. Background Technology

[0002] Intravenous (IV) catheter devices are commonly used for various infusion therapies. For example, IV catheter devices can be used to infuse fluids (such as saline solutions, various medications, and total parenteral nutrition) into patients. IV catheter devices can also be used to draw blood from patients.

[0003] A common type of venous catheter device is the peripheral venous (“PIVC”) catheter with a needle sheath. As the name suggests, the needle sheath catheter is fitted around a needle with a sharp distal tip. The catheter and needle can be assembled such that the distal tip of the needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter, with the bevel of the needle facing upwards away from the patient's skin. The catheter and needle are typically inserted at a shallow angle through the skin and into the patient's vascular system. The process of inserting the catheter and needle through the patient's skin and into the vascular system can be painful or even frightening for some patients.

[0004] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to solutions to any drawbacks or embodiments that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is provided merely to illustrate an exemplary technical field in which certain implementations described herein can be practiced. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure generally relates to a venous catheter insertion guide configured to reduce pain that a patient may experience during catheter insertion. The venous catheter insertion guide may include two platforms positioned on opposite sides of the insertion site. The upstream platform may include an ultrasound transducer or another type of heating element for increasing the temperature of tissue near the insertion site. This heating of the tissue may cause relaxation of the target blood vessel and increase its cross-sectional area prior to catheter insertion. The downstream platform may also include an ultrasound transducer for stimulating nerves downstream of the insertion site during catheter insertion. Stimulation of the downstream nerves may reduce pain signals transmitted to the central nervous system in response to catheter insertion.

[0006] The upstream platform may also include various angled surfaces or components that can serve as a guide for the insertion of the catheter. The upstream platform may further include a light source for illuminating the insertion site, thereby providing better contrast between the target vessel and surrounding tissue. Therefore, the venous catheter insertion guide constructed according to embodiments of this disclosure can simplify the insertion process while also reducing pain or discomfort that the patient may experience.

[0007] In some embodiments, a venous catheter insertion guide may include an upstream platform and a downstream platform. The upstream platform may be configured to be positioned on the patient's skin upstream of the planned insertion site. The downstream platform may be configured to be positioned on the patient's skin downstream of the planned insertion site, opposite the upstream platform. The downstream platform may include a neurostimulation component for stimulating nerves downstream of the planned insertion site.

[0008] In such an embodiment, the upstream platform may include a heating element for heating tissue surrounding the planned insertion site. The heating element may be an ultrasonic transducer. In some embodiments, the upstream platform may include a light source. The upstream platform may include a body having an inwardly curved front portion, and the light source may include a near-infrared light strip extending along the inwardly curved front portion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the upstream platform may include a body having a top forming a first angled support surface configured to support the conduit device at a first angle. In such embodiments, the upstream platform may include an elevated support structure forming a second angled support surface configured to support the conduit device at a second angle. The second angle may be greater than the first angle. The body may include a channel in which connecting elements of the elevated support structure are movable to reposition the elevated support structure.

[0010] In some embodiments, the neurostimulation component of the downstream platform may be an ultrasound transducer. In some embodiments, the upstream and downstream platforms may be configured to be secured to the patient's skin. Each of the upstream and downstream platforms may include an adhesive or strip, by which the respective platform is secured to the patient's skin.

[0011] In some embodiments, a venous catheter insertion guide may include an upstream platform having a heating element for heating tissue surrounding the insertion site, a light source for emitting light at the insertion site, and one or more angled support surfaces for supporting the catheter device when the catheter is inserted at the insertion site. The venous catheter insertion guide may also include a downstream platform containing a neurostimulation element for stimulating nerves downstream of the insertion site. In such embodiments, the neurostimulation element may be an ultrasound transducer.

[0012] In such an embodiment, the one or more angled support surfaces may include a first angled support surface formed on the body of the upstream platform and a second angled support surface formed on an elevated support structure connected to the body. The elevated support structure may be repositioned relative to the body.

[0013] In some embodiments, a method for reducing pain at a surgical site may include: positioning an upstream platform and a downstream platform on opposite sides of the surgical site; activating a nerve stimulation component in the downstream component before performing the surgery; and performing the surgery when the nerve stimulation component is activated. In some embodiments, the method may further include activating a heating component in the upstream platform before performing the surgery. In some embodiments, the method may further include activating a light source on the upstream platform before performing the surgery.

[0014] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative and explanatory, and do not limit the invention as claimed. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and tools shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of this disclosure unless claimed. Therefore, the following detailed description is not restrictive. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The exemplary embodiments will be described and explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, including additional features and details, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 An example of a venous catheter insertion guide comprising an upstream platform and a downstream platform according to one or more embodiments is shown;

[0017] Figure 2A for Figure 1 The front view of the upstream platform of the venous catheter insertion guide shown in the figure;

[0018] Figure 2Bfor Figure 1 A top view of the upstream platform of the venous catheter insertion guide shown in the image;

[0019] Figure 2C for Figure 1 Side view of the upstream platform of the venous catheter insertion guide shown;

[0020] Figure 2D for Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of the upstream platform of the venous catheter insertion guide shown in the figure;

[0021] Figure 3A To indicate that it can be included in Figure 1 A block diagram of the circuitry in the upstream platform of the venous catheter insertion guide shown in the figure;

[0022] Figure 3B To indicate that it can be included in Figure 1 A block diagram of the circuitry in the downstream platform of the venous catheter insertion guide shown; and

[0023] Figures 4A-4D Provide how to use Figure 1 An example of a guide for inserting a venous catheter. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1 Examples of a venous catheter insertion guide 100 constructed according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are provided. The venous insertion guide 100 includes an upstream platform 200 and a downstream platform 300. Figure 2A-2D Provides additional views of the upstream platform 200, while Figure 3A and 3B Circuitry that may be included in the upstream platform 200 and the downstream platform 300 is shown. In this document, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the direction of blood flow in a blood vessel. Therefore, when the venous catheter insertion guide 100 is used to insert a catheter into a vein in a patient's arm, the upstream platform 200 will typically be located distal to the insertion site (i.e., toward the hand), while the downstream platform 300 will typically be located proximal to the insertion site. However, embodiments of this disclosure should not be limited to how the upstream platform 200 and the downstream platform 300 can be positioned. Therefore, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" can be considered merely to distinguish between the two platforms.

[0025] The upstream platform 200 includes a body 210, which comprises a top 210a, a bottom 210b, a front portion 210c, and a rear portion 210d. In the depicted embodiment, the body 210 has a generally crescent shape, but it can have any other suitable shape. The bottom 210b is intended to rest on the patient's skin and can therefore be flat or curved to conform to the contours of the patient's body (e.g., the contours of a forearm). A first angled support surface 211 can be formed in the top 210a. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the first angled support surface 211 can be in the shape of a partially inverted cone with a apex 211a positioned at the front portion 210c. However, other shapes and configurations of the first angled support surface 211 can also be employed. Thus, the first angled support surface 211 can represent any angled surface in the top 210a that slopes downward toward the front portion 210c and extends to the front portion 210c. The channel 212 may also be formed in the top 210a or along the rear 210d. The channel 212 may extend around the top 210a along part or all of the rear 210d. Therefore, the channel 212 may have a curved shape or a semi-circular shape.

[0026] The upstream platform 200 may also include an elevated support structure 220 connected to the body 210 via a connecting element 221. The elevated support structure 220 may form a second angled support surface 220a, which is elevated above a first angled support surface 211. In some embodiments, the connecting element 221 may be configured to slide along a channel 212, thereby allowing adjustment of the position of the second angled support surface 220a relative to the body 210. In some embodiments, the connecting element 221 may be configured to move into and out of the channel 212, thereby allowing adjustment of the height of the second angled support surface 220a relative to the body 210. In some embodiments, the connecting element 221 may be removed from the channel 212, thereby allowing the elevated support structure 220 to detach from the body 210. In some embodiments, the upstream platform 200 may not include the elevated support structure 220, in which case the body may not include the channel 212.

[0027] Both the first angled support surface 211 and the second angled support surface 220a can be used to support the venous catheter device during catheter insertion. For example... Figure 2DAs shown, the second angled support surface 220a, relative to the bottom 210b and therefore relative to the patient's skin, can have a larger angle (e.g., 20°) than the angle (e.g., 5°) of the first angled support surface 211. These different angles can simplify the catheter insertion process. For example, a clinician can first position the venous catheter device on the second angled support surface 220a to pierce the skin at a steeper angle, and then position the venous catheter device on the first angled support surface 211 to advance the catheter through the blood vessel at a narrower angle. In the depicted embodiment, the curved shape of the channel 212 matches the tapered shape of the first angled support surface 211. As a result, the second angled support surface 220a will be oriented toward the apex 211a, regardless of where the elevated support structure 220 can be positioned within the channel 212.

[0028] The upstream platform 200 also includes a light source 230 positioned on the front portion 210c, which illuminates the skin around the insertion site. The light source 230 emits near-infrared light, providing enhanced contrast between the blood vessel and the surrounding tissue and skin. In the depicted embodiment, the front portion 210c has a concave (or inwardly curved) shape, and the light source 230 is in the form of a light strip extending across the front portion 210c. In such an embodiment, the light emitted by the light source 230 will be concentrated around the insertion site. In some embodiments, the light source 230 may also, or alternatively, be positioned on the bottom portion 210b, thereby emitting near-infrared light directly into the skin beneath the body 210.

[0029] like Figure 3A As shown, the upstream platform 200 may also include an ultrasonic transducer 240 configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the tissue below and around the upstream platform 200. These ultrasonic waves can warm the skin and tissue around the target blood vessel, thereby relaxing the vessel wall. Relaxation of the vessel wall can increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the blood vessel, making it easier for a catheter to be inserted into the vessel. In some embodiments, in addition to the ultrasonic transducer, another type of heating element may be used to warm the tissue, including, for example, heating coils or near-infrared light.

[0030] The upstream platform 200 may also include a power supply 250, which can be used to power the light source 230 and the ultrasonic transducer 240 (or another heating element). In some embodiments, the power supply 250 may be a rechargeable battery, while in other embodiments, the power supply 250 may represent an external power source.

[0031] like Figure 3BAs shown, the downstream platform 300 may also include an ultrasonic transducer 320 (or other "neurostimulation component"). Unlike the ultrasonic transducer 240, which is primarily used to heat the tissue surrounding the insertion site, the ultrasonic transducer 320 is primarily used to stimulate nerves downstream of the insertion site (i.e., nerves from the insertion site toward the central nervous system) using ultrasonic waves. The downstream platform 300 may include a power supply 310 for powering the ultrasonic transducer 320. In some embodiments, the power supply 310 may be separate from the power supply 250 (e.g., two separate batteries), or in other embodiments it may be the same (e.g., an external power supply powering components in both the downstream platform 200 and the upstream platform 300).

[0032] Figures 4A-4D Examples of how to use a venous catheter insertion guide 100 are provided. Figure 4A In this embodiment, upstream platform 200 and downstream platform 300 are shown placed on a patient's forearm. Upstream platform 200 and downstream platform 300 may be positioned on opposite sides of the planned insertion site. Upstream platform 200 may be positioned distal to downstream platform 300 and may be oriented such that its anterior portion 210a faces downstream platform 300. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 201b of upstream platform 200 and the bottom surface of downstream platform 300 may include adhesives or suction devices, or each platform may include a band or other structure or material for securing the platform to the skin, so that the clinician does not need to hold either platform in place. In other embodiments, both upstream and downstream platforms 300 may be integrated into the same sleeve, sheet, or other material that can be positioned on or around the patient's arm.

[0033] With the upstream platform 200 and downstream platform 300 positioned on opposite sides of the planned insertion site, the clinician can activate ultrasound transducers 240 and 320. In some embodiments, the clinician may activate ultrasound transducer 240 before preparing the intravenous catheter device so that the skin and tissue are adequately heated once the device is ready for use. On the other hand, the clinician may not activate ultrasound transducer 320 until he or she is about to insert the catheter. Therefore, the timing of activating ultrasound transducer 240 or ultrasound transducer 320 is not critical.

[0034] Go to Figure 4B Suppose a clinician is preparing to insert a catheter, and therefore the clinician has activated light source 230 to illuminate the skin around the planned insertion site. As mentioned above, light source 230 can emit near-infrared light, which can make the blood vessels around the planned insertion site appear with greater contrast.

[0035] Go to Figure 4CClinicians can position the intravenous catheter device on a second angled surface 220a of the elevated support structure 220, oriented the needle and catheter towards the skin at a steep angle (e.g., 20°). In this orientation, the clinician can puncture the skin and begin insertion of the needle and catheter. Notably, during this step, an ultrasound transducer 320 can be activated to stimulate nerves downstream of the insertion site during the insertion process. It is believed that, based on gating theory, stimulation of the downstream nerves will reduce their ability to transmit pain signals generated at the insertion site to the central nervous system. As a result, the patient may experience only mild sensations, rather than severe pain, when the needle and catheter are inserted.

[0036] Go to Figure 4D Clinicians can position the venous catheter device on the first angled surface 211 and perform the insertion procedure at a shallow angle (e.g., 5°). To do this, clinicians can slide the raised support structure 220 within the channel 212 or remove it from the channel 212 to allow the venous catheter device to move directly downwards onto the first angled surface 211. However, in some cases, clinicians may move the venous catheter device instead of the raised support structure 220.

[0037] In the example above, the upstream platform 200 and the downstream platform 300 form part of a guide for intravenous catheter insertion. However, in some embodiments, similarly constructed upstream and downstream platforms can perform similar functions for other types of surgery. For example, the upstream and downstream platforms can be positioned on opposite sides of a burn to be treated, an incision to be sutured, a mole to be removed, or a skin growth, or any other location on the skin where potentially painful surgery may be performed. In such cases, an ultrasound transducer in the downstream platform can be activated to reduce the ability of downstream nerves to transmit pain signals to the central nervous system during surgery. Similarly, the upstream platform can provide guidance for any instruments used during surgery, near-infrared light or other light for illuminating the surgical site and / or heating surrounding tissues.

[0038] All examples and conditional language cited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader's understanding of this disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventors to the art, and should be construed as not being limited to such specifically enumerated examples and conditions. Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An intravenous catheter insertion guide, comprising: The intravenous catheter insertion guide includes: an upstream platform configured to be positioned on a patient's skin on an upstream side of a planned insertion site; and a downstream platform configured to be positioned on a patient's skin on a downstream side of the planned insertion site opposite the upstream platform, the downstream platform including a nerve stimulation member for stimulating a nerve downstream of the planned insertion site; wherein the upstream platform includes a body having a top forming a first angled support surface configured to support a catheter device at a first angle, the first angled support surface formed in an inverted partial conical shape having an apex.

2. The venous catheterization guide according to claim 1, wherein, The upstream platform includes a heating member for heating tissue around the planned insertion site.

3. The venous catheterization guide of claim 2, wherein, The heating member is an ultrasonic transducer.

4. The venous catheterization guide of claim 1, wherein, The upstream platform includes a light source.

5. The venous catheterization guide according to claim 4, wherein, The upstream platform includes a body having an inwardly curved front portion, and the light source includes a near-infrared light bar extending along the inwardly curved front portion.

6. The venous catheterization guide of claim 1, wherein, The upstream platform includes an elevated support structure forming a second angled support surface configured to support a catheter device at a second angle.

7. The venous catheterization guide according to claim 6, wherein, The second angle is greater than the first angle.

8. The venous catheterization guide of claim 6, wherein, The elevated support structure is repositionable relative to the body of the upstream platform.

9. The venous catheterization guide according to claim 8, wherein, The body includes a channel in which a coupling element of the elevated support structure is movable to reposition the elevated support structure.

10. The venous catheterization guide of claim 1, wherein, The nerve stimulation member is an ultrasonic transducer.

11. The venous catheterization guide of claim 1, wherein, The upstream platform and the downstream platform are configured to be secured to a patient's skin.

12. The venous catheterization guide of claim 11, wherein, Each of the upstream platform and the downstream platform includes an adhesive or a strap by which the respective platform is secured to a patient's skin.

13. An intravenous catheter insertion guide, comprising: The intravenous catheter insertion guide includes: an upstream platform having a heating member for heating tissue around an insertion site, a light source for emitting light on the insertion site, and one or more angled support surfaces for supporting a catheter device when a catheter of the catheter device is inserted at the insertion site; and a downstream platform including a nerve stimulation member for stimulating a nerve downstream of the insertion site; wherein the one or more angled support surfaces include a first angled support surface formed in an inverted partial conical shape having an apex on a body of the upstream platform, wherein the first angled support surface is configured to support a catheter device at a first angle.

14. The venous catheterization guide of claim 13, wherein, The nerve stimulation member is an ultrasonic transducer.

15. The venous catheterization guide of claim 13, wherein, The one or more angled support surfaces further include a second angled support surface formed on an elevated support structure coupled to the body.

16. The venous catheterization guide of claim 15, wherein, The elevated support structure is repositionable relative to the body.

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