Systems and methods for injecting and aspirating fluids

Abstract

Devices and systems for injecting fluids and/or other materials into a targeted anatomical location, in particular, a joint or intra-articular space, include a handpiece assembly having a needle extending from its distal end, 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. Medicaments, formulations and/or other fluids or materials contained within vials that are secured to a cassette or other portion of 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An injection system for delivering at least two different medicaments into a patient using a single needle penetration, comprising:
 a fluid delivery module comprising a first loading area configured to receive a first container and a second loading area configured to receive a second container;   a disposable handpiece assembly in fluid communication with the fluid delivery module;   wherein the handpiece assembly is configured to removably receive a needle assembly at a distal end of the handpiece assembly, said needle assembly comprising a needle;   wherein the handpiece assembly comprises tubing that places the handpiece assembly and the needle assembly in fluid communication with the fluid delivery module; and   a control module comprising at least one controller, said at least one controller configured to receive instructions for delivery of the first medicament and the second medicament to the patient;   wherein the control module is configured to be removably secured to the handpiece assembly;   wherein the first container comprises a first medicament;   wherein the second container comprises a second medicament, wherein the second medicament is different than said first medicament;   wherein the first loading area is configured to securely receive varying sizes and shapes of the first container, and wherein the second loading area is configured to securely receive varying sizes and shapes of the second container;   wherein the injection system is configured to receive instructions for delivering the first and second medicaments to the handpiece assembly;   wherein the fluid delivery module is configured to transfer at least a portion of the first medicament from the first container to a first reservoir of the fluid delivery module;   wherein the fluid delivery module is configured to transfer at least a portion of the second medicament from the second container to a second reservoir of the fluid delivery module;   wherein the handpiece assembly is maneuverable to position the needle within the patient to facilitate delivery of the first medicament and the second medicament into said patient with a single penetration of said needle; and   at least one motor housed within the fluid delivery module to mechanically transfer the first medicament and the second medicament to the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the first loading area and the second loading area are configured to receive nonspecific fluid containers. 
     
     
         3 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first container and the second container is an original manufacturer's vial. 
     
     
         4 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second medicaments are delivered simultaneously to a target anatomical location of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second medicaments are delivered sequentially to a target anatomical location of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second loading areas and the first and second reservoirs are included in a disposable cassette, said disposable cassette being removably positioned within a corresponding recess of the fluid delivery module. 
     
     
         7 . The injection system of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second medicaments exiting the first and second reservoirs, respectively, are configured to be combined within the disposable cassette, upstream of the handpiece assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery module further comprises a third loading area configured to receive a third container containing a third medicament, wherein the injection system is configured to receive instructions for simultaneously or sequentially delivering the first, second and third medicaments through the handpiece assembly to a patient. 
     
     
         9 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller comprises at least one button, dial, knob, switch, rollerball or rollerwheel. 
     
     
         10 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery module comprises a display configured to provide status information of an injection procedure.