Catheter System

Abstract

An injection adaptor hub for a medical catheter.

1 . An injection adaptor for a catheter; the catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end of the catheter being configured for insertion into bodily tissue; the proximal end being configured to remain outside of the bodily tissue; the catheter including a catheter lumen; the catheter lumen having a proximal opening at the proximal end of the catheter, and a distal opening at the distal end of the catheter; the adaptor including an adaptor lumen, a first port, and a second port; the adaptor lumen connecting the first port and the second port; the first port being configured to create a first fluid-tight seal with the proximal opening of the catheter lumen, and thereby connect the adaptor lumen to the catheter lumen; the second port being configured to create a releasable and resealable second fluid-tight seal with a stylet inserted through the second port of the adaptor; the stylet including an elongated shaft configured to be inserted through the second port of the adaptor and into the catheter lumen when the first port of the adaptor creates the first fluid-tight seal with the proximal opening of the catheter lumen, wherein the stylet is an electrode configured to permit electrical signals to be conducted to an active tip of the catheter and thereby delivered to tissue in contact with the active tip. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the injection adaptor includes a third port connected to the adaptor lumen and adapted for fluid injection into the adaptor lumen such that fluid injected into the third port flows into the catheter lumen when the first port of the adaptor creates the first fluid-tight seal with the proximal opening of the catheter lumen. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electrode is an RF electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electrode includes a temperature-sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus in  claim 1  wherein the stylet includes a stylet port for fluid injection and a channel through which fluid injected into the stylet port flows into the adaptor lumen when the stylet is inserted through the second port of the adaptor and the second port of the adaptor creates the second fluid-tight seal with the stylet. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus in  claim 1  wherein the stylet includes a stylet port for fluid injection and a channel through which fluid injected into the stylet port flows into the catheter lumen when the stylet is inserted through the second port of the adaptor, the second port adaptor creates the second fluid-tight seal with the stylet, and the first port of the adaptor creates the first fluid-tight seal with the proximal opening of the catheter lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the catheter is an epidural catheter. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first fluid-tight seal is releasable and resealable. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the adaptor includes a tuohy-borst adaptor. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first fluid-tight seal is a permanent connection. 
     
     
         12 . A system that includes a catheter, an injection adaptor, and an electrode, wherein the injection adaptor includes a first port configured to create a fluid-tight seal between the adaptor and the catheter, a second port configured to create a releasable fluid-tight signal between the adaptor and the electrode, a third port configured to conduct fluid into an inner lumen of the catheter, and a channel through which the electrode can pass into an inner lumen of the catheter when the catheter is positioned in the first port and the electrode is positioned in the second port; the catheter includes a conductive region configured to conduct electrical current to a living body and an opening through which fluid within an inner lumen of the catheter can flow into the living body; and the electrode is configured to conduct electrical current to the conductive region of the catheter. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  where in the fluid-tight seal between the adaptor and the catheter is releasable. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the electrode is an RF electrode. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the catheter is an epidural catheter. 
     
     
         16 . A system that includes a catheter, an injection adaptor, and an injection stylet wherein the catheter includes a lumen through which fluid can be injected into a living body; the injection adaptor includes a first port configured to create a fluid-tight seal between the adaptor and the catheter, a second port configured to create a releasable fluid-tight signal between the adaptor and a stylet for the catheter, and a lumen connecting the first port and the second port; the injection stylet includes an injection port configured for the injection of fluids, an outflow port configured for the outflow of fluids, and an elongated channel connecting the injection port and the outflow port, wherein the channel is configured to position the outflow port within the lumen of the injection adaptor when the injection stylet is positioned in the second port of the injection adaptor. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus in  claim 16  wherein the fluid-tight seal between the adaptor and the catheter is releasable. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus in  claim 16  wherein the injection stylet includes an RF electrode. 
     
     
         19 . A system that includes a catheter, an injection adaptor, and an injection stylet wherein the catheter includes a lumen through which fluid can be injected into tissue; the injection adaptor includes a first port configured to create a fluid-tight seal between the adaptor and the catheter, a second port configured to create a releasable fluid-tight signal between the adaptor and a stylet for the catheter, and a lumen connecting the first port and the second port; the injection stylet includes an injection port configured for the injection of fluids, an outflow port configured for the outflow of fluids, an elongated channel connecting to the injection port and the outflow port, wherein the channel is configured to position the outflow port within the lumen of the catheter when the catheter is positioned in the first port of the adaptor and the injection stylet is positioned in the second port of the injection adaptor. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus in  claim 19  wherein the fluid seal between the catheter and the adaptor is releasable. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus in  claim 19  wherein the injection stylet includes a connection to an RF generator. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus in  claim 1  wherein the second port forms the second fluid-tight seal at any position in one or more ranges of positions along the stylet shaft.