Selectable Angle Needle Guide

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/426,297, filed Dec. 22, 2010, titled “Selectable Angle needle Guide,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/500,550, filed Jun. 23, 2011, titled “Needle Guide with Selectable Aspects,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Briefly summarized, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a needle guide assembly for inserting a needle into the body of a patient in order to access a subcutaneous target, such as a vessel. In one embodiment, the needle guide assembly comprises a needle guide body that is configured to at least indirectly and removably attach to an image producing device, such as an ultrasound probe. The needle guide body defines at least first and second elongate guide channels. Each guide channel defines a unique insertion angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ultrasound probe. Further, each guide channel is configured to accept needles of differing gauges.

[0003] In addition, other needle guide assemblies are disclosed that include multiple guide channels for inserting a needle at a variety of insertion angles into the patient's body. Related methods are also disclosed.

[0004] These and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

[0018] Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are neither limiting nor necessarily drawn to scale. It is to be understood that the words “including,” “has,” and “having,” as used herein, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a needle guide assembly for guiding a needle or other elongate implement into a body of a patient. In one embodiment, the needle guide is removably attached in a direct or indirect manner to an ultrasound probe so as to enable insertion of the needle via the needle guide assembly while an intended subcutaneous target of the needle is being imaged by the ultrasound probe. Further, in one embodiment, the needle guide assembly includes multiple differently angled needle guide channels that are selectable by a user to enable the needle to be directed at a desired angle into the patient's body toward the subcutaneous target. Thus, the ability to direct a needle at a variety of angles with a single guide assembly is achieved.

[0020] FIGS. 1A-1D depict one example of a needle guide assembly, generally designated at 10, according to one embodiment. As shown, the needle guide assembly 10 includes a body 12 for attaching the assembly to an image producing device, as will be described further below. In one embodiment, the image producing device includes a handheld probe of an ultrasound imaging device, though other imaging devices can also be utilized, such x-ray and MRI-based systems, for example. Optionally, the needle guide assembly can be attached to other components in addition to image producing devices. The needle guide body 12 in the present embodiment includes thermoplastic, but in other embodiments other materials can be employed, including other types of plastic, metals, metal alloys, ceramics, etc.

[0021] As shown in the perspective shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the needle guide body 12 in the present embodiment defines three front faces 22A, 22B, and 22C. At the bottom of each of the front faces 22A-22C, a corresponding guide channel 20A, 20B, and 20C is defined. Each guide channel 20A-20C defines a unique angle of attack, or needle insertion angle, for a needle disposed therein. Correspondingly, each front face 22A-22C is oriented so as to be disposed at substantially a right angle with the longitudinal length of the respective guide channel 20A-20C, as best seen in FIG. 1C. As will be seen further below, the unique angling of each guide channel facilitates proper placement of a needle into a patient so as to access a desired target at a particular subcutaneous depth, such as a vessel, for instance.

[0022] Each of the front faces 22A-22C includes a concavely shaped contoured surface 24 that slopes toward an open proximal end 26A, 26B, 26C of the respective guide channel 20A-20C. The contoured surfaces 24 assist in guiding a needle tip placed thereon toward the respective guide channel proximal end opening, thus easing needle insertion into the guide channel. It is appreciated that the front faces can be contoured in other ways as well.

[0023] Also, as best seen in FIG. 1D, the proximal ends 26A-26C of the guide channels 20A-20C extend slightly proximal to the respective front faces 22A-22C so as to further ease insertion of the needle tip into the particular guide channel.

[0024] The needle guide assembly 10 in the present embodiment is configured so as to be movable with respect to the ultrasound probe or other device with which it is connected. FIGS. 1A and 1C show one implementation of this, wherein the needle guide body 12 includes a track 30 configured to slidably engage a rail 60 (FIGS. 4 and 5) associated with the probe, thus enabling the needle guide body to slide with respect to the probe, as will be further discussed below. As shown, the track 30 includes an L-shaped configuration to assist the needle guide in remaining physically engaged with the rail 60. Note that this is but one example of fixtures to provide connection between the probe and the needle guide; indeed, various other connection schemes can be employed. In addition, it is appreciated that the needle guide can be indirectly or indirectly and temporarily or permanently attached to other surfaces of the ultrasound probe, including side surfaces, end surfaces, etc.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a proximal end view of the guide channel 20B, which is representative of the other guide channels 20A and 20C, and thus the description here equally applies to each guide channel. As shown, the guide channel 20B includes two arms 40 that each extend distally from the proximal end 26B along the length of the needle guide body 12 to enclose an elongate volume into which a portion of the needle is disposed when the needle is inserted into the guide channel 20B. Cross sectionally, the arms 40 are shaped to extend from the needle guide body 12 and terminate toward each other such that an opening 42 is defined between the terminal arm ends. The opening 42 runs the entire length between the arms 40 so as to define a slot through which a needle or other suitable elongate device can be removed from the guide channel 20A-20C when desired. Notches 44 are also included in each arm 40 proximate attachment of the arm with the main portion of the needle guide body 12. The shape of the arms 40, together with the notches 44, enables the guide channel 20B to expand when needed to receive therewithin needles of a variety of gauges. This in turn offers flexibility for the needle guide 10 and enables it to be used to guide a variety of needles into the patient while still maintaining a suitable amount of directional constraint for the needle such that it enters the patient's body at the intended needle insertion angle. The notches 44 are particularly suited to facilitating expansion of the channel size while maintaining suitable amounts of force imposed on the needle by the arms 40, resulting in the above-mentioned constraint. Note that in one embodiment at least the arms 40 include a thermoplastic or other suitably compliant material to enable bending thereof, as just described.

[0026] It is appreciated that the number, size, shape, placement, etc. of the guide channels on the needle guide can vary from what is shown and described herein. Further, though all are similarly configured in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1D, it is appreciated that the particular configuration of the guide channels can vary one from another on the same needle guide. Thus, these and other expansions of the principles discussed herein are contemplated.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows the needle guide assembly 10 disposed in a storage tray 52 together with a probe cap 54. An ultrasound probe 50 is shown with a head thereof removably inserted into the probe cap 54, in preparation for removing the probe cap and the needle guide assembly 10 from the tray 52. As such, it is appreciated that in the present embodiment the tray 52 is an example of a manner in which the needle guide assembly can be packaged, sterilized, and stored prior to use by a clinician, though other packaging configurations are also contemplated.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows the manner of attachment of a head portion 56 of the ultrasound probe 50 with the probe cap 54. FIGS. 4 and 5 show details of the rail 60 that extends from the probe cap 54 and serves as a fixture for attachment of the needle guide assembly 10 thereto. Note that, though a probe cap is used here for attachment, in other embodiments the needle guide assembly can be attached directly to the probe itself, or directly/indirectly to another device. Further details regarding probe caps with which the needle guide assembly described herein can be used can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/206,396, filed Aug. 9, 2011, and entitled “Support and Cover Structures for an Ultrasound Probe Head,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0029] As shown, the rail 60 includes an L-shaped cross sectional shape to match the shape of the track 30 and to assist in maintaining engagement with the needle guide assembly 10, though it is appreciated that other rail shapes can also be employed. FIG. 6 shows the rail 60 of the probe cap 54 slidably inserted into the track 30 defined by the needle guide assembly 10 such that needle guide assembly is in position for use in guiding a needle into the body of a patient. Note that the probe 50 includes an arrow 66 that indicates the lateral center of the device, for alignment purposes during use. As best seen in FIG. 4, a notch 64 is included on the rail 60 that is aligned with the probe arrow 66 when the probe cap 54 is properly attached the probe 50, and can be used to assist the clinician in aligning a needle with the center of the probe head 56 when no needle guide is used.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows that a plurality of detents 62 are included on the rail 60. The detents 62 are spaced so as to individually engage with a nub 34, disposed in the track 30 (FIG. 1C) when a respective one of the guide channels 20A-20C are aligned with the arrow 66 of the probe 50, i.e., in position to guide a needle into the body of the patient.

[0031] With the needle guide assembly 10 attached to the probe cap 54 of the probe 50 via the track 30 and rail 60 engagement described above and as shown in FIG. 6, the needle guide assembly can be employed to guide a needle into the body of a patient. As mentioned and as seen in FIG. 6, each guide channel 20A-20C defines a unique needle insertion angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the probe 50 (or, optionally, the skin surface of the patient when the cap-covered probe head 56 is positioned against the skin in the orientation shown in FIG. 6). The front faces 22A-22C of the needle guide body 12 in FIG. 6 are marked with a depth number indicating the depth at which a needle inserted through the corresponding guide channel 20A-20C would intercept the plane of the image produced by the ultrasound probe.

[0032] Thus, in the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the guide channel 20B is aligned with the probe arrow 66 such that a needle 70 that is passed therethrough enters the center of the image produced by the probe 50. As indicated on its front face 22B, the needle insertion angle of the guide channel 20B is such that the needle 70 will intercept the image plane of the probe 50 approximately 0.5 cm below the surface of the skin.

[0033] Thus, during an ultrasound imaging procedure, a clinician can observe an image produced by the ultrasound probe of an intended subcutaneous target, such as a vein, when the probe is placed against the skin of the patient. Once the target is imaged by the probe, the clinician can inspect the image and determine or observe the depth of the target under the skin. The clinician can then laterally slide the needle guide body along the probe rail 60 until the guide channel 20A-20C that is marked with a depth corresponding to the depth of the target is aligned with the center of the probe, indicated by the arrow 66 on the probe head 56. Note that the needle guide body 12 is maintained in the selected position via engagement of the nub 34 in the track 30 (FIG. 1C) with the corresponding detent 62 on the rail 60 (FIG. 5). In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, for example, the nub 34 is engaged with the middle detent 62 so as to maintain the guide channel 20B aligned with the center of the probe 50 indicated by the arrow 66. The needle 70 can then be inserted into the selected guide channel 20A-20C (e.g., guide channel 20B in the example shown in FIG. 6) and with continued use of the ultrasound image, the needle can be guided to the intended subcutaneous target.

[0034] If a deeper or shallower insertion angle is desired in order to access a deeper or shallower target, respectively, the needle guide assembly 10 can be laterally slid so that the guide channel having the desired target interception depth as marked on the front face 22A-22C is centered with the probe arrow 66. A needle or other suitable elongate instrument can then be inserted through the guide channel and into the patient's skin while the probe 50 is held in place against the skin to continue imaging the target. This is illustrated in FIG. 7, wherein the needle guide assembly 10 is positioned as described and the needle 70 is inserted through the guide channel 20A so as to intercept the ultrasound imager plane at a depth under the skin of approximately 0.25 cm. Note the relatively more shallow needle insertion angle of the guide channel 20A (as evidenced by the less steeply angled needle 70) in FIG. 7 in comparison with the needle insertion angle of the guide channel 20B in FIG. 6.

[0035] As described above, each guide channel 20A-20C includes a slot defined by the longitudinal opening 42 between the guide channel arms 40 (FIGS. 1B, 2). Once the target has been accessed, the needle 70 can be removed from engagement with the needle guide assembly 10 by gently pulling the assembly away from the needle such that the needle pulls through the slot of the guide channel 20A-20C and separates from the needle guide assembly.

[0036] As was mentioned, the needle guide assembly 10 can include guide channels defining other needle insertion angles and corresponding image plane interception depths. One example of this is shown in FIG. 8, wherein the needle guide assembly body 12 defines needle guide channels 20A, 20B, and 20C that include relatively steeper needle insertion angles than those of the assembly shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, which are useful for accessing relatively deeper subcutaneous targets within the body of the patient. Thus, it is appreciated that guide channels of a variety of needle insertion angles can be included on the needle guide. In addition, the needle guide assembly can define different numbers and positions of guide channels other than what is explicitly shown and described herein. Moreover, the various guide channels and/or front faces corresponding thereto can be color-coded to assist the user in selecting a desired insertion angle. It is also appreciated that, though disclosed herein as being able to accommodate needles of multiple gauges, the guide channels of the needle guide assemblies of other embodiments can be configured for accommodating needles of only a single gauge, if desired. These and other variations to the needle guide assembly are therefore contemplated.

[0037] FIGS. 9A-9C depict details of a needle guide assembly 110, according to another embodiment, including a base 112 defining a cavity 122 for attaching the assembly to a corresponding fixture on an ultrasound probe or other suitable device, and a platform 114. The platform 114 includes a plurality of differently angled guide channels 120 and is slidably attached to the base 112 so as to enable the platform to slide laterally with respect to the base.

[0038] In greater detail, the platform 114 is shaped such that each guide channel 120 defines a unique needle insertion angle for a needle disposed therein. As with the needle guide assembly of FIGS. 1A-1D, the needle guide assembly 110 is slidably adjustable with respect to the ultrasound probe to enable the clinician to laterally slide the platform 114 of the assembly until the guide channel 120 that matches the required depth to the intended subcutaneous target as imaged by the probe is aligned with the center of the probe. The needle can then be inserted into the selected guide channel 120 and with continued use of the ultrasound imaging, the needle can be guided to the intended target. Note again that, as with the other embodiments herein, the number, shape, angle, and configuration of the needle guide channels can vary from what is shown and described. Note also that the needle guide assemblies herein can be configured to guide other elongate implements in addition to needles. Further, note that the needle guide assembly can be configured such that the guide channel to be used is positioned at some point other than at the lateral center of the ultrasound probe or other device to which the assembly is operably attached.

[0039] FIG. 9B shows the dovetail-type engagement of the platform 114 with the base 112 to enable relative sliding therebetween. Nubs or other interference features can be included on the base 112, the platform 114, or both to enable each guide channel 120 to lock into place when positioned for use. The base 112 can be removable from the ultrasound probe/cap via a snap-fit engagement of the cavity 112 thereof with a suitable fixture on the probe, or permanently affixed thereto. Note that the design of the cavity and fixture can vary from what is shown and described herein, as may be appreciated. In other embodiments the platform can include a semi-circular, parabolic, elliptical, or other non-linear shape to enable the platform to arcuately or otherwise slide about the base. Note that the dovetail-type engagement between the platform and the base can be replaced by other engagement schemes that enable relative movement therebetween.

[0040] FIGS. 10A and 10B depict another example of a needle guide assembly 210, which includes a base 212 and a stepped platform 214. The platform 214 includes multiple needle guide channels 220 oriented at similar needle insertion angles but at differing distances from a needle insertion point on the skin of the patient when the needle guide assembly 210 is attached to an ultrasound probe. The differing distances of the guide channels 220 from the needle insertion site on the skin (caused by the stepped platform 214) enables each guide channel to guide a needle to a unique depth of intersection with the image plane of the ultrasound probe, and thus to targets at different subcutaneous depths. Thus, a clinician can select a desired one of the needle guide channels 220 that corresponds to the ultrasonically imaged depth of the subcutaneous target. In one embodiment, the clinician slides the ultrasound probe laterally to align the selected needle guide channel 220 with the imaged target as the needle guide assembly is not slidable in the design shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, though the needle guide can be made movable in other embodiments. Note again that the number and indicated angles of the needle guide assembly 210 as illustrated in the accompanying figures are only examples and other configurations are, of course, possible. In another embodiment, it is appreciated that the guide channels define differing needle insertion angles independent of their separation via the stepped platform. In yet another embodiment, the guide channels are not parallel to one another, but are disposed on the platform so as to converge toward one another.

[0041] FIGS. 11A and 11B show a needle guide assembly 310 according to another embodiment, including a body 312 defining a cavity 322 for attachment to a probe, probe cap, or the like. A platform 314 including a slotted needle guide channel 320 is also included. In particular, the platform 314 includes a notched arm 316 that is slidably disposed between two arcuate rails 318 of the body 312. So configured, the platform 314 is slidable along the rails 318 to enable the insertion angle of the guide channel 320 to be modified as desired by the user so as to enable a needle inserted therein to intercept an imaged subcutaneous target, such as a vessel. In one embodiment, the insertion angle with respect to the skin of the patient can vary from about a few degrees to about 90 degrees or more. Note that depth markers can be included on the rails 318 or other portion of the needle guide assembly 310. Note further that in one embodiment the platform can be configured to be releasably lockable to the rails so as to maintain the needle guide channel at a desired angle.

[0042] FIGS. 12A and 12B show the manner of releasable engagement of the needle guide assembly 310 with a fixture 332 of a probe cap 330, according to one possible mounting scheme. Of course, other direct or indirect engagement schemes of the probe/probe cap with this or the other needle guide assemblies disclosed herein can be employed.

[0043] Embodiments of the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the embodiments is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.