IV Catheter Insertion Guide

Abstract

The IV catheter insertion guide is configured to reduce pain a patient may experience during catheter insertion. The IV catheter insertion guide can include two platforms that can be positioned on opposite sides of an insertion site. The upstream platform can include an ultrasound transducer or another type of heating element to increase the temperature of tissue near the insertion site. This tissue heating can relax the target vessel and increase its cross-sectional area prior to catheter insertion. The downstream platform can also include an ultrasound transducer to stimulate nerves downstream from the insertion site during catheter insertion. Stimulating downstream nerves can reduce pain signals transmitted to the central nervous system in response to catheter insertion.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Intravenous (IV) catheter devices are commonly used for various infusion therapies. For example, intravenous catheter devices may be used to infuse fluids, such as saline, various medications, and total parenteral nutrition, into a patient. Intravenous catheters may also be used to withdraw blood from a patient.

[0002] A common type of intravenous catheter device is the over-needle peripheral intravenous ("IV") catheter ("PIVC"). As the name suggests, an over-needle catheter is a catheter that can be fitted over a needle with a sharp distal end. The catheter and needle can be assembled so that the distal tip of the needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter and the bevel of the needle points away from the patient's skin. Typically, the catheter and needle are inserted into the patient's vascular system at a shallow angle through the skin. Inserting the catheter and needle through the patient's skin and into the vascular system can be painful or even frightening for some patients. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any shortcomings or that operate only in such environments. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present disclosure generally relates to an IV catheter insertion guide configured to reduce pain that a patient may experience during catheter insertion. The IV catheter insertion guide can include two platforms that can be positioned on opposite sides of an insertion site. The upstream platform can include an ultrasound transducer or another type of heating element to increase the temperature of tissue near the insertion site. This tissue heating can relax the target blood vessel and increase its cross-sectional area prior to catheter insertion. The downstream platform can also include an ultrasound transducer to stimulate nerves downstream from the insertion site during catheter insertion. Stimulating the downstream nerves can reduce pain signals transmitted to the central nervous system in response to catheter insertion.

[0005] The upstream platform may also include various angled surfaces or components that can act as a guide for insertion of the catheter. The upstream platform may further include a light source to illuminate the insertion site, thereby providing better contrast between the target vessel and the surrounding tissue. Thus, an IV catheter insertion guide configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may simplify the insertion process while reducing any pain or discomfort the patient may experience.

[0006] In some embodiments, the IV catheter insertion guide can include an upstream platform and a downstream member. The upstream member can be configured to be placed on the patient's skin upstream of the intended insertion site. The downstream platform can be configured to be placed on the patient's skin downstream of the intended insertion site opposite the upstream platform. The downstream platform can include a nerve stimulation member for stimulating nerves downstream of the intended insertion site.

[0007] In such embodiments, the upstream platform can include a heating element for heating tissue surrounding the intended insertion site. The heating element can be an ultrasound transducer. In some embodiments, the upstream platform can include a light source. The upstream platform can include a body having an inwardly curved front surface, and the light source can include a near-infrared light bar extending along the inwardly curved front surface.

[0008] In some embodiments, the upstream platform can include a body having a top forming a first angled support surface configured to support the catheter device at a first angle. In such embodiments, the upstream platform can include an elevated support structure forming a second angled support surface configured to support the catheter device at a second angle. The second angle can be greater than the first angle. The body can include a groove through which a coupling element of the elevated support structure can be moved to reposition the elevated support structure.

[0009] In some embodiments, the neural stimulation member 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 strap that secures the respective platform to the patient's skin.

[0010] In some embodiments, the IV catheter insertion guide may include an upstream platform having a heating element for heating tissue surrounding the insertion site, a light source for irradiating the insertion site with light, and one or more angled support surfaces for supporting the catheter device while the catheter of the catheter device is inserted into the insertion site. The IV catheter insertion guide may also include a downstream platform including a neural stimulation element for stimulating nerves downstream from the insertion site. In such embodiments, the neural stimulation element may be an ultrasound transducer.

[0011] In such embodiments, 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 coupled to the body, and the elevated support structure may be repositionable relative to the body.

[0012] In some embodiments, a method for reducing pain at a treatment site can include positioning an upstream platform and a downstream platform on opposite sides of a treatment site, activating a neural stimulation member of the downstream platform before performing the treatment, and performing the treatment while the neural stimulation member is activated. In some embodiments, the method can also include activating a heating member in the upstream platform before performing the treatment. In some embodiments, the method can also include activating a light source on the upstream platform before performing the treatment.

[0013] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claimed invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings. It is also to be understood that embodiments may be combined or other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the invention, unless so claimed. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an IV catheter insertion guide including an upstream platform and a downstream platform according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 2A]2A is a front view of the upstream platform of the IV catheter insertion guide shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a top view of the upstream platform of the IV catheter insertion guide shown in FIG. [Figure 2C] 2C is a side view of the upstream platform of the IV catheter insertion guide shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 2D] 2D is a side cross-sectional view of the upstream platform of the IV catheter insertion guide shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating circuitry that may be included in the upstream platform of the IV catheter insertion guide illustrated in FIG. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating circuitry that may be included in the downstream platform of the IV catheter insertion guide illustrated in FIG. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A shows an example of how to use the IV catheter insertion guide of FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B shows an example of how to use the IV catheter insertion guide of FIG. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C illustrates an example of how the IV catheter insertion guide of FIG. 1 can be used. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D illustrates an example of how the IV catheter insertion guide of FIG. 1 can be used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. 1 provides an example of an IV catheter insertion guide 100 configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The IV catheter insertion guide 100 includes an upstream platform 200 and a downstream platform 300. FIGS. 2A-2D provide additional views of the upstream platform 200, and FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate circuits that may be included in the upstream platform 200 and the downstream platform 300, respectively. As used herein, "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the direction of blood flow within a blood vessel. Thus, when the IV catheter insertion guide 100 is used to insert a catheter into a vein in a patient's arm, the upstream platform 200 is typically positioned distal to the insertion site (i.e., toward the hand), while the downstream platform 300 is typically positioned proximal to the insertion site. However, embodiments of the present disclosure should not be limited by how the upstream platform 200 and the downstream platform 300 may be positioned. Therefore, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" may be considered merely to distinguish between the two platforms.

[0016] The upstream platform 200 includes a body 210 including a top portion 210a, a bottom portion 210b, a front portion 210c, and a rear portion 210d. In the depicted embodiment, the body 210 has a general crescent shape, but can have any other suitable shape. The bottom portion 210b is intended to be placed on a patient's skin and, therefore, may be flat or curved to match the contours of the patient's body (e.g., the contours of the forearm). A first angled support surface 211 may be formed on the top portion 210a. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the first angled support surface 211 may be a partial inverted cone shape with the apex 211a located at the front portion 210c. However, other shapes and configurations of the first angled support surface 211 may also be employed. Thus, the first angled support surface 211 may represent any angled surface within the top portion 210a that is angled downward toward and extends to the front portion 210c. The groove 212 can also be formed along the apex 210a or, in some cases, the rear portion 210d. The groove 212 can extend around the apex 210a, along part or all of the rear portion 210d. Thus, the groove 212 can have a curved or semicircular shape.

[0017] The upstream platform 200 may also include an elevated support structure 220 coupled to the main body 210 via a coupling element 221. The elevated support structure 220 may form a second angled support surface 220a that is one step higher than the first angled support surface 211. In some embodiments, the coupling element 221 may be configured to slide along the groove 212, thereby allowing the position of the second angled support surface 220a relative to the main body 210 to be adjusted. In some embodiments, the coupling element 221 may be configured to move in and out of the groove 212, thereby allowing the height of the second angled support surface 220a relative to the main body 210 to be adjusted. In some embodiments, the coupling element 221 is removable from the groove 212, thereby allowing the elevated support structure 220 to be removed from the main body 210. In some embodiments, the upstream platform 200 may not include the elevated support structure 220, in which case the main body may not include the groove 212.

[0018] Both the first angled support surface 211 and the second angled support surface 220a can be used to support the IV catheter device during catheter insertion. As shown in FIG. 2D , the second angled support surface 220a can have a larger angle (e.g., 20°) relative to the base 210b, and therefore the patient's skin, than the first angled support surface 211 (e.g., 5°). These different angles can simplify the catheter insertion process. For example, a clinician may first place the IV catheter device on the second angled support surface 220a to penetrate the skin at a sharper angle, and then place the IV 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 groove 212 matches the conical shape of the first angled support surface 211. As a result, the second angled support surface 220 a is oriented toward the apex 211 a regardless of where the elevated support structure 220 may be positioned within the groove 212 .

[0019] The upstream platform 200 also includes a light source 230 disposed on the front portion 210c that can illuminate the skin surrounding the insertion site. The light source 230 can emit near-infrared light, thereby enhancing the contrast between the blood vessels 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 bar that extends 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 can also, or alternatively, be disposed on the bottom portion 210b, thereby directly irradiating the skin beneath the body 210 with near-infrared light.

[0020] 3A, the upstream platform 200 can also include an ultrasonic transducer 240 configured to emit ultrasound waves into the tissue below and surrounding the upstream platform 200. The ultrasound waves heat the skin and tissue around the target blood vessel, relaxing the vessel walls. Relaxation of the vessel walls increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the blood vessel, making it easier to insert a catheter into the vessel. In some embodiments, other types of heating elements besides an ultrasonic transducer can be used to heat the tissue, including, for example, a heating coil or near-infrared light.

[0021] The upstream platform 200 may also include a power source 250 that may be used to power the light source 230 and the ultrasonic transducer 240 (or another heating element). In some embodiments, the power source 250 may be a rechargeable battery, while in other embodiments, the power source 250 may represent an external power source.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3B, the downstream member 300 may also include an ultrasonic transducer 320 (or other "neurostimulation member"). Unlike the ultrasonic transducer 240, which is intended to heat tissue surrounding the insertion site, the ultrasonic transducer 320 is intended to use ultrasound to stimulate nerves downstream from the insertion site (i.e., nerves leading from the insertion site to the central nervous system). The downstream member 300 may include a power source 310 for powering the ultrasonic transducer 320. In some embodiments, the power source 310 may be separate from the power source 250 (e.g., two separate batteries), or in other embodiments, the power source 310 may be the same (e.g., an external power source powering the components within the downstream platform 200 and the upstream platform 300).

[0023] 4A-4D illustrate an example of how the IV catheter insertion guide 100 can be used. In FIG. 4A, the upstream platform 200 and the downstream platform 300 are shown positioned on a patient's forearm. The upstream platform 200 and the downstream platform 300 can be positioned on opposite sides of the intended insertion site. The upstream platform 200 can be positioned distal to the downstream platform 300 and oriented with its front portion 210a facing toward the downstream platform 300. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 201b of the upstream platform 200 and the bottom surface of the downstream platform 300 can include an adhesive or suction device, or each platform can include a strap 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 the upstream platform and the downstream platform 300 can be integrated into the same sleeve, sheet, or other material that can be placed on or around the patient's arm.

[0024] With upstream platform 200 and downstream platform 300 positioned on opposite sides of the intended insertion site, the clinician may activate ultrasound transducer 240 and ultrasound transducer 320. In some embodiments, the clinician may activate ultrasound transducer 240 before preparing the IV catheter device to ensure sufficient skin and tissue heating when the IV catheter device is ready for use. Alternatively, the clinician may not activate ultrasound transducer 320 until the clinician intends to insert the catheter. Thus, the timing of activation of ultrasound transducer 240 or ultrasound transducer 320 is not critical.

[0025] 4B, the clinician is ready to insert the catheter and has activated light source 230 to illuminate the skin surrounding the proposed insertion site. As discussed above, light source 230 can emit near-infrared light, which can cause the blood vessels surrounding the proposed insertion site to appear with greater contrast.

[0026] Turning to FIG. 4C, the clinician can position the IV catheter device on the second angled surface 220a of the elevated support structure 220 so that the needle and catheter are oriented at an acute angle (e.g., 20°) toward the skin. In this orientation, the clinician can puncture the skin and begin needle and catheter insertion. Notably, during this step, the ultrasound transducer 320 can be activated so that nerves downstream of the insertion site are stimulated during insertion. Based on gate control theory, stimulating downstream nerves is believed to reduce the ability of downstream nerves to relay pain signals generated at the insertion site to the central nervous system. As a result, a mild sensation may be felt as the needle or catheter is inserted, rather than a sharp pain.

[0027] 4D , the clinician can place the IV catheter device on the first angled surface 211 and complete the insertion process at a shallower angle (e.g., 5°). To do so, the clinician either slides the elevated support structure 220 within the groove 212 or removes it from the groove 212 so that the IV catheter device can be moved directly down onto the first angled surface 211. However, in some cases, the clinician may move the IV catheter device rather than moving the elevated support structure 220.

[0028] In the above-described embodiment, the upstream platform 200 and the downstream platform 300 form part of an IV catheter insertion guide. However, in some embodiments, similarly configured upstream and downstream platforms can perform similar functions for other types of procedures. For example, the upstream and downstream platforms can be positioned on opposite sides of other locations on the skin where potentially painful procedures are to be performed, such as a burn to be treated, a cut to be sutured, or a mole or skin growth to be removed. In such cases, the ultrasound transducer of the downstream platform can be activated to reduce the ability of downstream nerves to transmit pain signals to the central nervous system during the procedure. Similarly, the upstream platform can provide a guide for instruments used during the procedure, near-infrared or other light to illuminate the site of the procedure, and / or heating for the surrounding tissue.

[0029] All examples and conditional language described herein are intended for educational purposes to aid in understanding the invention and concepts provided by the inventor to further the technology, and should be construed as not being limited to the specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. 1. An IV catheter insertion guide, comprising: an upstream platform configured to be placed on the patient's skin upstream of the intended insertion site, the upstream platform including a body having a top defining a first angled support surface configured to support the catheter device at a first angle; a downstream platform configured to be placed on the patient's skin downstream of the intended insertion site opposite the upstream platform, the downstream platform including a nerve stimulation member for stimulating a nerve downstream from the intended insertion site; An IV catheter insertion guide comprising:

2. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 1 , wherein the upstream platform includes a heating element for heating tissue surrounding the intended insertion site.

3. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 2 , wherein the heating element is an ultrasonic transducer.

4. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 1 , wherein the upstream platform comprises a light source.

5. 5. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 4, wherein the upstream platform comprises a body having an inwardly curved front portion, and the light source comprises a near-infrared light bar extending along the inwardly curved front portion.

6. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 1 , wherein the upstream platform comprises an elevated support structure forming a second angled support surface configured to support a catheter device at a second angle.

7. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 6 , wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.

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

9. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 8 , wherein the body includes a groove through which a coupling element of the elevated support structure is movable to reposition the elevated support structure.

10. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 1 , wherein the nerve stimulation member is an ultrasound transducer.

11. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 1 , wherein the upstream platform and the downstream platform are configured to be secured to the patient's skin.

12. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 11 , wherein the upstream platform and the downstream platform each include an adhesive or strap that secures the respective platform to the patient's skin.

13. 1. An IV catheter insertion guide, comprising: an upstream platform having a heating element for heating tissue surrounding an insertion site, a light source for irradiating the insertion site with light, and one or more angled support surfaces for supporting the catheter device while the catheter of the catheter device is inserted into the insertion site; a downstream platform including a nerve stimulation member for stimulating a nerve downstream from the insertion site; An IV catheter insertion guide comprising:

14. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 13 , wherein the nerve stimulation member is an ultrasound transducer.

15. 14. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 13, wherein the one or more angled support surfaces comprise a first angled support surface formed on a body of the upstream platform and a second angled support surface formed on an elevated support structure coupled to the body.

16. The IV catheter insertion guide of claim 15 , wherein the elevated support structure is repositionable relative to the body.

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