Methods for injecting anesthetics

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 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of delivering an anesthetic to a target anatomical location of a patient using an injection system, the method comprising:
 securing a container containing an anesthetic to a fluid delivery module of an injection system, wherein the container is configured to be secured to a loading area of a fluid delivery module, the loading area being configured to receive various sizes and shapes of the container;   wherein the fluid delivery module comprises an identification device configured to detect an identifier associated with the container; and   obtaining information regarding the anesthetic contained in the container using the identification device, wherein the identification device is configured to obtain the information regarding the anesthetic by detecting the identifier associated with the container;   transferring anesthetic from the container to a reservoir of the fluid delivery module;   wherein the injection system comprises a handpiece assembly, the handpiece assembly comprising at least one conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir of the fluid delivery module, wherein a distal end of the handpiece assembly comprises a needle;   positioning the needle within a target anatomical location of the patient for the subsequent delivery of the anesthetic through the handpiece assembly; and   delivering a desired volume of anesthetic from the reservoir of the fluid delivery module to the patient through the handpiece assembly by manipulating at least one controller;   wherein the injection system is configured to be placed in data communication with an imaging device to assist in accurately advancing the needle into the patient.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein detecting information regarding the anesthetic comprises detecting at least one of a type, a dosage, a concentration, a manufacturer and an expiration date of the anesthetic. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the identification device comprises a RFID reader, a barcode scanner or another reader. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the identifier associated with the container comprises at least one of a RFID code, a barcode, a graphical pattern, a color pattern, a numerical code and a machine-readable code. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the identification device is configured to automatically or manually detect the identifier associated with the container. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the identification device is configured to automatically detect the identifier associated with the container, either before or after the container is secured to the loading area. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the injection system comprises a display configured to provide status information related to the delivery of the anesthetic to the target anatomical location. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least some information regarding the anesthetic and detected by the identification device is provided on the display. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the imaging device comprises an ultrasound device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one controller comprises at least one of a button and a foot pedal. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising aspirating a volume of native bodily fluid from the patient at least partially through the needle. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein aspirating a volume of native bodily fluid from the patient comprises applying a negative pressure to the at least one conduit. 
     
     
         23 . A method of delivering an anesthetic to a target anatomical location of a patient using an injection system, the method comprising:
 securing a container containing an anesthetic to a loading area of a fluid delivery module of an injection system, wherein the loading area is configured to receive various sizes and shapes of the container, and wherein the container comprises an identifier relating to information regarding the anesthetic;   detecting the identifier of the container using an identification device of the injection system;   transferring anesthetic from the container to a reservoir of the fluid delivery module to at least partially fill the reservoir;   moving a handpiece assembly to position a needle secured along a distal end of the handpiece assembly to a target anatomical location of the patient, wherein the handpiece assembly comprises a fluid conduit that is in fluid communication with the reservoir of the fluid delivery module; and   injecting a desired volume of anesthetic from the reservoir to the patient through the fluid conduit and the needle of the handpiece assembly;   wherein the injection system is configured to be placed in data communication with an imaging device to assist in accurately advancing the needle into the patient.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the information regarding the anesthetic comprises at least one of a type, a dosage, a concentration, a manufacturer and an expiration date of the anesthetic. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the identification device comprises a RFID reader, a barcode scanner or another reader. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the identifier associated with the container comprises at least one of a RFID code, a barcode, a graphical pattern, a color pattern, a numerical code and a machine-readable code. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the identification device is configured to automatically or manually detect the identifier associated with the container. 
     
     
         28 . A method of delivering an anesthetic to a target anatomical location of a patient using an injection system, the method comprising:
 securing a container containing a medicament to a loading area of a fluid delivery module of the injection system, wherein the loading area is configured to receive various sizes and shapes of the container, and wherein the container comprises an identifier relating to information regarding the medicament;   detecting the identifier of the container using an identification device of the injection system;   transferring medicament from the container to a reservoir of the fluid delivery module to a reservoir of the fluid delivery module;   wherein the injection system comprises a handpiece assembly coupled to the fluid delivery module, the handpiece assembly comprising at least one conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein a distal end of the handpiece assembly comprises a needle;   moving the handpiece assembly to position the needle at or near a target anatomical location of the patient, wherein the injection system is configured to be placed in data communication with an imaging device to assist in accurately advancing the needle into the patient and to the target anatomical location; and   injecting a desired volume of medicament from the reservoir to the patient through the at least one fluid conduit and the needle of the handpiece assembly.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the medicament comprises an anesthetic. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the identification device comprises a RFID reader, a barcode scanner or another reader.