Methods for image-guided delivery of anesthetics into the anatomy

Abstract

Devices and systems for injecting fluids, such as anesthetics, to or near nerve tissue or other targeted anatomical location are disclosed herein. A conduit is generally configured to place the fluid delivery module in fluid communication with a needle that is configured to be inserted into the patient's anatomy. One or more medicaments (e.g., anesthetics) and/or other materials contained within containers (e.g., vials) that are secured to the injection system can be selectively delivered into an anatomy through the needle. Nerve stimulation and/or imaging technologies (e.g., ultrasound) can be used to locate a targeted anatomical location. Aspiration can be used to confirm needle location. An overlay on the imaging display can include, in addition to real-time imaging data, data and other information relating to back pressure at or near the needle tip, volumes or other amounts of fluids delivered by and remaining within the system, stimulation level and/or the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of delivering an anesthetic to a target anatomical location of a patient, comprising:
 positioning a container containing an anesthetic to an injection system;   wherein the container is configured to be secured to a loading area of a fluid delivery module of the injection system, said loading area being configured to securely receive various sizes and shapes of the container;   wherein the fluid delivery module comprises at least one fluid reservoir within its interior;   wherein at least one fluid conduit is configured to be placed in fluid communication with the at least one fluid reservoir, said at least one fluid conduit comprising a distal end;   selectively transferring at least a portion of the anesthetic from the container through the at least one fluid conduit via the at least one fluid reservoir;   removably securing a stimulation needle along the distal end of the at least one fluid conduit, said stimulation needle being configured to provide electrical stimulation to an anatomy of the patient;   wherein the fluid delivery module comprises at least one motor, said at least one motor being configured to facilitate the transfer of the fluid through the at least one fluid conduit and to the stimulation needle; and   manipulating at least one controller to regulate at least one aspect of the delivery of the anesthetic from the fluid delivery module to the target anatomical location of the patient according to a delivery scheme; and   wherein the injection system comprises a display configured to provide status information related to the delivery of the anesthetic to the target anatomical location; and   wherein the system is configured to be placed in data communication with an imaging device to assist in accurately advancing the stimulation needle into the anatomy of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation needle is configured to be in electrical communication with a nerve stimulator device via at least one lead. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selectively delivering an electrical impulse to the stimulation needle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the nerve stimulator device is operatively coupled to the fluid delivery module. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display is additionally configured to provide at least one real-time image obtained by the imaging device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device comprises an ultrasound device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller comprises a foot pedal assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising aspirating a volume of native bodily fluid from the anatomy of the patient through the stimulation needle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein aspirating a volume of native bodily fluid is performed, at least in part, to ensure that the needle is appropriately positioned within the anatomy of the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein aspirating a volume of native bodily fluid comprises applying a negative pressure to the at least one fluid conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a second container containing a second medicament to the fluid delivery module of the injection system, wherein the injection system is configured to sequentially or simultaneously deliver the second medicament through the at least one fluid conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anesthetic comprises one or more of mepivacaine, ropivacaine, ropivacaine with epinephrine, mepivacaine with epinephrine and dextrose (D5W). 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display is additionally configured to provide data relating to an electrical impulse provided to the stimulation needle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, during delivery of the anesthetic to the at least one fluid conduit, the display is additionally configured to provide data relating to a back pressure against which the anesthetic is being delivered. 
     
     
         15 . A method of delivering an anesthetic to a target anatomical location of a patient, comprising:
 positioning a container containing an anesthetic to an injection system;   wherein the container is configured to be secured to a loading area of a fluid delivery module of the injection system, said loading area being configured to securely receive various sizes and shapes of the container;   wherein the fluid delivery module comprises at least one fluid reservoir within its interior;   wherein at least one fluid conduit is configured to be placed in fluid communication with the at least one fluid reservoir, said at least one fluid conduit comprising a distal end;   selectively transferring at least a portion of the anesthetic from the container through the at least one fluid conduit via the at least one fluid reservoir;   removably securing a needle along the distal end of the at least one fluid conduit;   wherein the fluid delivery module comprises at least one motor, said at least one motor being configured to facilitate the transfer of the fluid through the at least one fluid conduit and to the needle; and   manipulating at least one controller to regulate at least one aspect of the delivery of the anesthetic from the fluid delivery module to the target anatomical location of the patient according to a delivery scheme; and   wherein the injection system comprises a display configured to provide status information related to the delivery of the anesthetic to the target anatomical location;   wherein the display is additionally configured to provide at least one real-time image obtained by the imaging device; and   wherein the system is configured to detect a back-pressure associated with a delivery of the anesthetic through the at least one fluid conduit.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the distal end of the at least one conduit is configured to receive a stimulation needle, said stimulation needle being configured to provide an electrical impulse to an anatomy of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the imaging device comprises an ultrasound device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one controller comprises a foot pedal assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising aspirating a volume of native bodily fluid from the anatomy of the patient through the needle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the display is additionally configured to provide data relating to at least one or more of the following: the back-pressure associated with a delivery of the anesthetic through the at least one fluid conduit, a volume of the anesthetic delivered to the patient, a volume of the anesthetic remaining to be delivered to the patient and an electrical output provided to the needle.