Imaging-guided joint injection system

Abstract

Systems for injecting fluids and/or other materials into a targeted anatomical location, in particular, an intra-articular space, include a handpiece assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle extending from the distal end of the handpiece assembly, a fluid delivery module comprising a cassette and a fluid transfer device. A conduit is generally configured to place the fluid delivery module in fluid communication with the handpiece assembly. Medications, formulations and/or other fluids or materials contained within vials that are secured to the fluid delivery module can be selectively delivered into an anatomy through a needle located at the distal end of the handpiece assembly. In some embodiments, ultrasound or other imaging technologies can be used to locate a joint or other targeted anatomical location.

1 . An imaging-assisted injection system for delivering at least one medicament to a target anatomical location of a patient, comprising:
 a handpiece assembly having a distal end, said handpiece assembly configured to receive a needle along the distal end;   wherein said handpiece assembly is configured to be grasped and manipulated in order to position the needle within the patient and advance the needle to the target anatomical location;   at least one controller operatively coupled to the handpiece assembly, said at least one controller configured to regulate the delivery of at least one medicament through the handpiece assembly and the needle;   wherein the at least one medicament is stored within at least one fluid container;   an imaging device configured to assist a user to accurately advance the needle to the target anatomical location;   a display configured to provide status information of an injection procedure;   wherein the display is additionally configured to provide at least one real-time image obtained by the imaging device; and   wherein the at least one medicament is configured to be selectively transferred from the at least one fluid container and through an interior of the handpiece assembly and through the needle by moving at least one plunger within the at least one fluid container; and   at least one motor configured to move the at least one plunger within the at least one fluid container to mechanically transfer at least one medicament to and through the handpiece assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device comprises an ultrasound device. 
     
     
         3 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller comprises at least one of a button, a dial, a knob, a switch, a rollerball, a rollerwheel and a foot pedal. 
     
     
         4 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller is permanently or removably attached to the handpiece assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller is separate from the handpiece assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the status information comprises a volume of the at least one medicament delivered through the handpiece assembly or a remaining volume of the at least one medicament to be delivered for an injection procedure. 
     
     
         7 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is operatively coupled to a memory device configured to store data related to the injection procedure. 
     
     
         8 . The injection system of  claim 7 , wherein the stored data comprises at least one of: a patient name, a date and time of the injection procedure, a duration of the injection procedure, a type and dosage of the at least one medicament delivered to the patient, a volume of the at least one medicament delivered to the patient and at least one image of the patient's anatomy captured by the imaging device during the injection procedure. 
     
     
         9 . The injection system of  claim 7 , wherein the stored data is used to generate a summary report related to the injection procedure. 
     
     
         10 . The injection system of  claim 7 , wherein the stored data is used for at least one of: patient billing purposes, health insurance purposes, confirmation of completion of an injection procedure, reordering of medicaments and other record-keeping purposes. 
     
     
         11 . The injection system of  claim 7 , wherein the memory device is positioned with the fluid delivery module. 
     
     
         12 . The injection system of  claim 7 , wherein the memory device comprises at least one external network or external device that is operatively coupled to the injection system. 
     
     
         13 . An imaging-assisted injection system for delivering at least one medicament to a target anatomical location of a patient, comprising:
 a handpiece assembly comprising a needle along its distal end;   wherein said handpiece assembly is configured to be grasped and manipulated by a user in order to advance the needle to the target anatomical location;   at least one controller operatively coupled to the handpiece assembly, said at least one controller configured to regulate the delivery of at least one medicament through the handpiece assembly and the needle;   wherein the at least one medicament is stored within at least one fluid reservoir;   a display configured to provide status information of an injection procedure;   wherein the status information comprises a volume of the at least one medicament delivered through the handpiece assembly or a remaining volume of the at least one medicament to be delivered for an injection procedure;   wherein the display is additionally configured to provide a real-time image obtained by an imaging device, wherein the imaging device is configured to assist a user to accurately advance the needle to the target anatomical location;   wherein the at least one medicament is configured to be selectively transferred from the at least one fluid reservoir and through the handpiece assembly and the needle by moving at least one plunger within the at least one fluid reservoir; and   at least one motor configured to move the at least one plunger within the at least one fluid reservoir to mechanically transfer at least one medicament through the handpiece assembly and the needle;   wherein the system is operatively coupled to a memory device configured to store data related to the injection procedure.   
     
     
         14 . The injection system of  claim 13 , wherein the imaging device comprises an ultrasound device. 
     
     
         15 . The injection system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one controller is permanently or removably attached to the handpiece assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The injection system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one controller is separate from the handpiece assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The injection system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one controller comprises at least one of a button and a foot pedal. 
     
     
         18 . The injection system of  claim 13 , wherein the stored data comprises at least one of: a patient name, a date and time of the injection procedure, a duration of the injection procedure, a type and dosage of the at least one medicament delivered to the patient, a volume of the at least one medicament delivered to the patient and at least one image of the patient's anatomy captured by the imaging device during the injection procedure. 
     
     
         19 . The injection system of  claim 13 , wherein the stored data is used to generate a summary report. 
     
     
         20 . The injection system of  claim 13 , wherein the memory device is included in the injection system or the memory device comprises at least one external network or external device that is operatively coupled to the injection system.