The present invention is related in general to an apparatus and method to access the bone marrow and specifically to an apparatus and method for accessing the bone marrow of a human's sternum.
Every year, millions of patients are treated for life-threatening emergencies in the United States. Such emergencies include shock, trauma, cardiac arrest, drug overdoses, diabetic ketoacidosis, arrhythmias, burns, and status epilepticus just to name a few. For example, according to the American Heart Association, more than 1,500,000 patients suffer from heart attacks (myocardial infarctions) every year, with over 500,000 of them dying from its devastating complications. In addition, many wounded soldiers die unnecessarily because intravenous (IV) access cannot be achieved in a timely manner. Many soldiers die within an hour of injury, usually from severe bleeding and/or shock.
An essential element for treating all such emergencies is the rapid establishment of an IV line in order to administer drugs and fluids directly into the circulatory system. Whether in the ambulance by paramedics, in the emergency room by emergency specialists or on the battlefield by an Army medic, the goal is the same—to start an IV in order to administer life-saving drugs and fluids. To a large degree, the ability to successfully treat such critical emergencies is dependent on the skill and luck of the operator in accomplishing vascular access. While it is relatively easy to start an IV on some patients, doctors, nurses and paramedics often experience great difficulty establishing IV access in approximately 20 percent of patients. The success rate on the battlefield is much lower where Army medics are only about 29 percent successful in starting an IV line during emergency conditions in the field. These patients are probed repeatedly with sharp needles in an attempt to solve this problem and may require an invasive procedure to finally establish an intravenous route.
In the case of patients with chronic disease or the elderly, the availability of easily-accessible veins may be depleted. Other patients may have no available IV sites due to anatomical scarcity of peripheral veins, obesity, extreme dehydration or previous IV drug use. For these patients, finding a suitable site for administering lifesaving drugs becomes a monumental and frustrating task. While morbidity and mortality statistics are not generally available, it is known that many patients with life-threatening emergencies have died of ensuing complications because access to the vascular system with life-saving IV therapy was delayed or simply not possible. For such patients, an alternative approach is required.
The intraosseous (IO) space provides a direct conduit to the systemic circulation and, therefore, is an attractive alternate route to administer IV drugs and fluids. Intraosseous infusion has long been the standard of care in pediatric emergencies when rapid IV access is not possible. The military used hand-driven IO needles for infusions extensively and successfully during World War II, but the needles were cumbersome, difficult to use, and often had to be driven into the bone. Drugs administered intraosseously enter the circulation as rapidly as they do when given intravenously. In essence, the bone marrow is considered to be a large non-collapsible vein.
Although effective in achieving IO access, the currently available IO infusion devices suffer from several significant limitations. Current devices are single-use only and bulky, which limits the number of devices a medic can take into the field. Manually inserted IO needles are very difficult to use in hard adult bones. Current devices frequently penetrate not only the anterior bone cortex, but may also the posterior cortex. In addition, some current devices pose a significant risk of shattering the bone upon use. After the needle is inserted, many current devices suffer from a high rate of dislodgement from the bone because of the non-axial manner in which they must be inserted. Dislodgement often leads to extravasation (leakage of fluid from the entry points of the needle).
In accordance with teachings of the present invention, various embodiments of an apparatus to access the bone marrow of a human's sternum are provided including various embodiments of a means to control depth of penetration into the bone marrow. In some embodiments, an apparatus of the invention includes a tissue penetrator configured to penetrate the sternum, a power mechanism operable to drive the tissue penetrator into the sternum (driver), and a depth control mechanism operable to control the depth of penetration of the tissue penetrator into the sternum. The tissue penetrator may include a pressure-sensitive probe capable of transmitting pressure changes to a sensor within the apparatus. The power mechanism may include axial force delivered by an operator. A driver may include a power source selected from the group consisting of a motor, a battery, a coiled spring, compressed gas, and a solar power cell. A tissue penetrator may include an outer cannula and an inner trocar. A tissue penetrator assembly may include a tissue penetrator, a connector such as a luer lock, a collar, and/or a blade. A depth control mechanism may include a trigger, physical stops at preset positions, a revolutions-per-minute (RPM) sensor, a torque sensor, a power sensor, a reverse clutch, a gear, an ultrasound sensor, and/or a depth probe or sensor. A trigger may be operably connected to the motor and/or a switch such that upon meeting a preset condition (e.g. change in RPM or torque, change in power consumption, physical contact with bone), tissue penetrator advancement is either terminated or proceeds to a preset depth level.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the driving force for tissue penetration is derived in whole or in part from the application of pressure by the operator. The applied pressure may activate a driver according to the invention. When the applied pressure surpasses a preset threshold, it may engage a manual driver means whereby operator action (e.g. pressure or movement) directly advances the tissue penetrator.
The present invention also provides a tissue penetrator that includes a means, whereby the tissue penetrator itself serves as the depth probe. Thus, the tissue penetrator itself may include a sensor operably linked to a trigger that, in turn, is operably linked to the driver.
In addition, the present invention provides a method of rapidly establishing access to intraosseous circulation via the intraosseous space including contacting a subject with an apparatus having a tissue penetrator configured to penetrate the sternum, a driver operable to drive the tissue penetrator into the sternum, and a depth control mechanism operable to control the depth of penetration of the tissue penetrator into the sternum and deploying the tissue penetrator.
A more complete and thorough understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
Some preferred embodiments of the invention and its advantages are best understood by reference to
The sternum, as shown in
According to one non-limiting embodiment, an apparatus of the invention may include (a) a driver operable to drive at least a portion of a tissue penetrator into the intraosseous space, (b) a tissue penetrator configured to penetrate the anterior cortex of a sternum, and (c) a depth control mechanism operable to control the depth of penetration of the tissue penetrator into the sternum. For example, in some embodiments, the depth control mechanism may include a pressure-sensing tissue penetrator that transmits pressure changes on insertion to a sensor. The sensor then activates a trigger which in turn activates a motor or other mechanism to cause the tissue penetrator to insert into the intraossesous space a pre-selected depth.
Devices of the invention may be configured in any convenient form. For example, in some embodiments, the tissue penetrator, driver, and depth control mechanism may be arranged in separate housings or bundled in a single housing. Housings of the invention may be formed in any suitable configuration including, without limitation, shapes like a cylinder, a barrel, a bullet, a carpenter's drill, a pistol, or any other convenient form.
Driver
The driver provides power to the tissue penetrator. The power to penetrate the skin, muscle, and anterior cortex may be supplied to the tissue penetrator by any suitable means including, without limitation, one or more of the following: a battery, a spring, compressed gas, manual force, and any other mechanical or electrical source of rotation or reciprocation. The power may also be supplied directly or indirectly (e.g. using gears) by the operator and/or the patient. In addition to batteries, electric power may come from any other suitable source including conventional hospital or home wall outlets. The power source may be operably coupled with a motor. Motors of the invention may be selected from the group consisting of DC motors, AC motors, compressed gas motors, wound spring motors, and reciprocating motors. Motors of the invention may also be coupled to one or more gears, which may optionally be positioned in one or more gear boxes.
According to the embodiment of the invention shown in
According to the embodiment of the invention shown in
Tissue Penetrator
Typically, a tissue penetrator will include an outer sheath, such as a needle and an inner trocar. Tissue penetrators of the invention may include in various combinations a needle, a needle set, a cannula, a trocar, a stylet, a catheter, or combinations thereof. Needles that are suitable for use in the present invention may be from about twenty gauge to about ten gauge. In some preferred embodiments, a tissue penetrator includes an outer needle or cannula and an inner trocar or stylet. In these embodiments, the trocar or stylet may prevent clogging of the needle by bone fragments during the drilling process. The tissue penetrator may include a needle set in which the component trocar and cannula are ground together to produce a matched set of a specific design to facilitate passage through bone.
According to the invention, a tissue penetrator assembly includes a tissue penetrator. It may further include a collar, a connector, a hub, and combinations thereof. Collars of the invention, when present, may serve as depth control mechanisms. Connectors or hubs may serve as a means to connect an inserted catheter to a source of fluids or drugs including without limitation, blood, intravenous fluids of various formulations and any other fluid or medication suitable for intravenous administration.
In some embodiments, a connector or hub may be any structure that supports or permits unidirectional or bidirectional access to the intraosseous space. Connectors may include one or more locking mechanisms to prevent accidental disconnections between a source of intravenous fluid and the inserted cannula. Connectors such as Luer locks may be male or female. In some preferred embodiments, a connector is a luer lock.
According to the present invention, a tissue penetrator assembly may further include a hub with a flange to protect the skin and to stabilize the device after insertion into a human's sternum. The hub also provides a handle to remove the IO needle after use. The hub flange is the flat end of the hub that is nearer to the skin. Hubs may be made of any material, preferably a material that may be rendered sterile.
In one specific embodiment, shown in
In some embodiments of the invention, the tissue penetrator may be propelled into the IO space without rotation. This may be by direct manual force, or by a reciprocating action. In some embodiments, the needle may be rotated about its longitudinal axis in order to facilitate entry into the IO space. The needle may be rotated even where a driver including a spring is used. One way to rotate a spring-driven needle is to rotatably couple it with the housing. For example, a spring-driven needle may be fixedly attached to a coupling end having male threads on its outer circumference. This coupling end may be mated with a housing with corresponding female threads on its inner circumference. Consequently, as the spring propels the coupling end and attached needle through the housing, the coupling end would rotate. A spring may also be used to drive a tissue penetrator into the IO space by an impact force without rotation.
As a further aid to IO entry, a small incision may be made in the patient's skin at the site where IO entry is desired. For example, if a collar is included with the apparatus, a skin incision will facilitate passage of the tissue penetrator to the bone. The incision may be formed using any suitable surgical blade, which may optionally form part of the tissue penetrator assembly. One or more blades may be included. Blades may be configured to be collapsible, removable, or retractable.
For example, according to the embodiment shown in
Depth Control Mechanism
According to the teachings of the present invention, sternal IO access devices may incorporate a mechanism to prevent over-penetrating the sternum, which could potentially damage underlying structures in the chest cavity. This mechanism may include mechanical stops, electrical stops, depth detectors, and combinations thereof. An electrical stop may prevent the operator from over-drilling by interrupting drill rotation and/or advancement when it detects that the needle tip has penetrated into the sternal IO space. An electrical stop may include a pressure-sensing tissue penetrator connected to a sensor that activates a trigger to control the driver such that a tissue penetrator is inserted to a pre-selected depth in the IO space. An electrical stop may also accurately detect the location of the cortex so that the tissue penetrator may be safely advanced to a predetermined depth in the IO space. An electrical stop may include a torque detector, an ultrasound probe, a mechanical probe, or a fluid detector.
Mechanical stops include a preset drill depth (similar to a stop on a commercial drill), a collar attached to a needle or tissue penetrator, and a reverse clutch mechanism that prevents further drilling once the needle tip enters the intraosseous space of the sternum. Mechanical stops may have a fixed position or may be adjustable. If the mechanical stops are adjustable, they may be preset or adjusted while drilling is in progress. As shown in
The embodiment shown in
Another non-limiting embodiment of a mechanical stop is a gear that engages ridges on the drive shaft (
The invention also provides embodiments in which a reverse clutch mechanism is used to arrest bone penetration (
As pictured, vertical engaging pin is spring loaded. Pin 62 may be configured to remain engaged only so long as lateral forces (torque) during the drilling process are maintained above a certain level. One may select or adjust the threshold torque required to maintain engagement, by selecting springs with a particular spring constant. As soon as the torque falls below this threshold, as it would when the needle penetrates the anterior cortex and enters the IO space, pin 62 withdraws, disengaging the driver.
The reverse clutch mechanism may also be configured as concentric rings, one embodiment of which is illustrated in
Depth control mechanisms of the invention may include one or more depth sensors or probes. In one embodiment, depth sensors or probes may include pressure sensors. An example of this embodiment is shown in
Depth control using an IO device of the present invention may proceed in two stages as shown in
According to the embodiment of the invention shown in
The first stage of insertion is initiated when an operator contacts the device with the skin. Other activation methods are also possible. Upon contacting skin 92 and applying pressure, a first sensor activates advancement of the tissue penetrator assembly. As the tissue penetrator advances, third penetration shoulder 54 is stopped by annular stop 50. The rest of the tissue penetrator assembly continues to advance such that second penetration shoulder 53 contacts third penetration shoulder 54 (
This contact together with continued application of pressure by the operator initiates the second stage by triggering a second sensor to activate motor 22. Motor 22 then propels first penetration shoulder 51 the preset or operator-set distance to second penetration shoulder 53. This, in turn, advances the tip of tissue penetrator 40 through anterior cortex 95 and into IO space 96 as shown in
Depth Probes or Sensors
Devices of the present invention may include various depth probes or sensors that detect the location of the needle, the bone, or both. Sensors are preferably connected to a control mechanism (e.g. a logic board) that determines whether needle advancement shall begin, continue, or terminate. Control mechanisms may also be mechanical or triggers. Sensor detection and controller evaluation may be intermittent, periodic or continuous.
For example, an ultrasonic detector may be used to locate the sternal cortex. In the non-limiting embodiment, shown in
Bone cortex is very dense requiring considerable force to penetrate. As soon as the needle or drill passes through the cortex and enters the intraosseous space a pronounced change is noted in the force required to advance the needle. Resulting changes may be a decrease in torque and an increase in motor revolutions per minute (RPM). These changes can be measured and used to switch off the motor or activate a brake to prevent additional, potentially dangerous drilling activity.
Thus, sensors of the invention may detect torque, revolutions per minute (RPM), backpressure, power consumption or any other relevant measure of needle advancement. In the embodiment shown in
Probes and sensors of the invention may be operably coupled to a driver, a tissue penetrator, a depth control mechanism, or portions or combinations thereof. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tissue penetrator itself may be or include a depth probe or sensor.
Reusable Handle/Disposable Cartridge
The present invention provides intraosseous access devices with a reusable handle and a disposable cartridge containing the needle, one embodiment of which is illustrated in
Reusable handle 19 includes housing 10, spring 25, and engaging lock 17. Engaging lock 17 engages detent 16 upon insertion of cartridge 15 into handle 19. As a result, cartridge 15 may “pop” or snap into reusable handle 19 (
As shown in
The reusable handle, which here includes housing 10 and spring 25, may be removed leaving tissue penetrator assembly 30 behind (
Methods
One aspect of the invention is a method of establishing access to the intraosseous space including contacting the skin covering the manubrium of a subject with a device including a driver, a tissue penetrator, and a depth control mechanism, deploying the tissue penetrator. The term “subject” may include any vertebrate with a sternum. The term “operator” may include anyone who uses a device of the invention including, without limitation, a health care professional and the subject. The term “deploying the tissue penetrator” may mean advancing the tissue penetrator from its starting position a sufficient distance to situate the tip of the tissue penetrator in the IO space. The method may further include detaching the driver from the tissue penetrator after insertion of the tissue penetrator is achieved.
For example, according to the embodiments pictured in
In a related embodiment shown in
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alternations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
93134480 A | Nov 2004 | TW | national |
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/449,503 filed May 30, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,328, and entitled “Apparatus and Method to Provide Emergency Access to Bone Marrow,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/384,756 filed May 31, 2002. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/519,462, filed Nov. 12, 2003, and foreign priority to Taiwan Patent Application Serial No. 93134480, filed Nov. 11, 2004, and entitled “Apparatus and Method for Accessing the Bone Marrow of the Sternum.”
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