US 11,724,033 B2
Method and apparatus for delivering drugs to the spine of a patient, and/or for delivering other materials and/or devices to the spine of a patient
Gabriel Garcia Diaz, Merced, CA (US); Tov Vestgaarden, Largo, FL (US); and Jason Schinis, Largo, FL (US)
Assigned to Pain Away Solutions, LLC, Merced, CA (US)
Filed by Pain Away Solutions, LLC, Merced, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 1, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/61,022.
Application 17/061,022 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/380,777, filed on Apr. 10, 2019, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/908,717, filed on Oct. 1, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/655,666, filed on Apr. 10, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0085872 A1, Mar. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. A61M 5/20 (2006.01); A61M 5/32 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61M 5/2033 (2013.01) [A61B 17/3403 (2013.01); A61M 5/3295 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0092 (2013.01); A61B 2090/3966 (2016.02); A61M 2210/1003 (2013.01)] 42 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drug delivery system comprising:
a plurality of needles;
a needle guide for guiding and holding the plurality of needles during insertion into a patient's spine;
a syringe containing a drug which is to be delivered into the patient's spine;
a port multiplier comprising an inlet port connectable to the syringe and a plurality of outlet ports; and
a plurality of tubes for providing fluid connections between the plurality of outlet ports of the port multiplier and the plurality of needles;
wherein the needle guide comprises:
a frame comprising two frame supports connected to one another by at least one adjustable arm, wherein each of the frame supports comprises a frame lumen and a pair of slots communicating with the frame lumen; and
a plurality of needle supports selectively movably mounted to the frame, wherein each of the needle supports is configured to guide and hold a needle of the plurality of needles during insertion into the patient's spine;
wherein each of the needle supports is reconfigurable between (i) a first configuration wherein each needle support is movable axially along the frame and rotatable relative to the frame; and (ii) a second configuration wherein each needle support is axially and rotatably fixed relative to the frame; and
wherein each of the needle supports comprises:
a spherical body slidably disposed in the frame lumen of each frame support, wherein the spherical body comprise a threaded bore; and
a body having a threaded projection sized to pass through each slot in either frame support and to be threadingly received in the threaded bore of the spherical body, wherein the threaded projection has a width less than a width of each slot formed in either frame support, and further wherein a needle lumen extends through the body and the threaded projection, the needle lumen being sized to slidably receive and support one of the plurality of needles;
such that (i) the body can be spaced from either frame support, whereby to allow each needle support to move longitudinally within the frame lumen of either frame support and to pivot relative to a longitudinal axis of either frame support; and (ii) the body can be brought into engagement with either frame support, whereby to lock each needle support against longitudinal movement and to prevent pivotal movement of each needle support.
 
10. A drug delivery system comprising:
a plurality of needles;
a needle guide for guiding and holding the plurality of needles during insertion into a patient's spine;
a syringe containing a drug which is to be delivered into the patient's spine;
a port multiplier comprising an inlet port connectable to the syringe and a plurality of outlet ports; and
a plurality of tubes for providing fluid connections between the plurality of outlet ports of the port multiplier and the plurality of needles;
wherein the needle guide comprises:
a frame comprising two frame supports connected to one another by at least one adjustable arm, wherein each of the frame supports comprises a frame lumen and a pair of slots communicating with the frame lumen; and
a plurality of needle supports selectively movably mounted to the frame, wherein each of the needle supports is configured to guide and hold a needle of the plurality of needles during insertion into the patient's spine;
wherein each of the needle supports is reconfigurable between (i) a first configuration wherein each needle support is movable axially along the frame and rotatable relative to the frame; and (ii) a second configuration wherein each needle support is axially and rotatably fixed relative to the frame; and
wherein each of the needle supports comprises:
a tubular body slidably disposed in the frame lumen of either frame support, wherein the tubular body comprises a pair of diametrically-opposed openings; and
a tapered member having a first portion smaller than the pair of diametrically-opposed openings and a second portion larger than the pair of diametrically-opposed openings, and a needle lumen extending through the tapered member, the needle lumen being sized to slidably receive and support one of the plurality of needles;
such that (i) the first portion of the tapered member can be disposed in the pair of diametrically-opposed openings, whereby to allow the tubular body to move longitudinally within the frame lumen of either frame support and to rotate relative to a longitudinal axis of either frame support; and (ii) the second portion of the tapered member can be disposed in the pair of diametrically-opposed openings, whereby to lock the tubular body against longitudinal movement and to prevent rotational movement of the tubular body.