Integrated needle-catheter systems and methods of use
In some embodiments, disclosed herein are systems and methods of treating a patient that can include the steps of accessing the sphenopalatine fossa, and cannulating the inferior orbital fissure from the sphenopalatine fossa to access the retro-orbital space. The sphenopalatine fossa can be accessed via various routes, including percutaneously. Accessing the sphenopalatine fossa can include the step of inserting a needle-catheter system into the sphenopalatine fossa. Integrated needle-catheter systems as described herein can also be configured to access the trigeminal ganglion, epidural space, intrathecal space, and other desired anatomical locations.
1 . A needle-catheter system comprising:
a needle for creating percutaneous access, the needle comprising a central lumen, an elongate metal shaft portion having a proximal nondeflectable segment and a distal deflectable segment, and a sharp distal tip;
a catheter for cannulation, the catheter comprising a central lumen and a catheter shaft, the needle-catheter system movable from a first configuration in which the catheter shaft is housed within the central lumen of the needle to a second configuration in which the catheter shaft extends distally beyond a distal end of the needle;
one or more pull wires operably connected to a distal steerable segment for active steering, the distal steerable segment being a portion of the needle or the catheter;
a catheter handle; and
a collet lock operably connected distally to the catheter handle; and
a collet nut configured to:
engage with the collet lock when rotated in a first direction to lock an axial position of the catheter shaft relative to the catheter handle and/or the needle when the catheter is in the second configuration; and
disengage from the collet lock when rotated in a second direction to unlock the axial position of the catheter shaft relative to the catheter handle and or the needle.
2 . The needle-catheter system of claim 1 , wherein the catheter comprises one or more electrodes configured to ablate tissue.
3 . The needle-catheter system of claim 1 , wherein an axial length of the elongate metal shaft portion of the needle is between about 2 inches and about 4 inches.
4 . The needle-catheter system of claim 1 , wherein the distal deflectable segment of the needle comprises the distal steerable segment, the one or more pull wires operably connected between a proximal hub of the needle and the distal deflectable segment.
5 . The needle-catheter system of claim 4 , wherein the distal steerable segment is configured to be deflected at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the needle, the angle being between about 10 degrees and about 20 degrees.
6 . The needle-catheter system of claim 1 , wherein the catheter comprises the distal steerable segment.
7 . The needle-catheter system of claim 1 , further comprising a stylet configured to extend at least partially through the central lumen of the catheter.
8 . The needle-catheter system of claim 7 , wherein the stylet comprises a threaded surface configured to reversibly attach to a proximal hub of the catheter.
9 . The needle-catheter system of claim 1 , further comprising an elongate catheter holder operably connected distally of the catheter handle.
10 . The needle-catheter system of claim 9 , wherein the catheter shaft is configured to translate axially relative to the catheter holder, and wherein an axial position of the catheter holder relative to the catheter handle and/or the needle is reversibly lockable.