Intervertebral Disc Puncture and Treatment System
A pre-assembled, telescoping needle system comprising an outer needle surrounding a finer gauge needle which, after percutaneous penetration by the outer needle, extends to penetrate the intervertebral disc into which the injectable is to be delivered.
1 . A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient having an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrous and a nucleus pulposus, comprising the steps of:
a) providing a therapeutic delivery system, comprising:
i) an outer needle having a distal end, and
ii) an inner needle received within the outer needle and having a distal end,
b) inserting the outer needle into the patient at a location dorsal of the intervertebral disc,
c) advancing the outer needle to abut the annulus fibrosus, and
d) advancing only the inner needle into the nucleus pulposus.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the inner needle has an outer surface having i) a first proximal outer diameter, and ii) a second distal outer diameter, wherein the first proximal outer diameter is greater than the second distal outer diameter.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the delivery system further comprises:
iii) a syringe in fluid connection with the inner needle, wherein the syringe contains a therapeutic agent.
4 . The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of:
e) actuating the syringe to inject the therapeutic agent into the nucleus pulposus.
5 . The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of:
e) removing the inner needle from the outer needle, and
f) inserting a second inner needle into the outer needle.
6 . A needle system for delivery of a therapeutic agent, comprising:
a) an outer needle having an outer surface having a transverse throughhole, and a detent provided in the throughhole, the detent having a projection extending inwardly, and
b) an inner needle having an outer surface having a plurality of axially spaced grooves,
wherein the projection of the detent is shaped to be received in the plurality of axially spaced grooves.
7 . The system of claim 6 wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a first proximal outer diameter upon which the grooves are located and a second distal outer diameter, wherein the first proximal outer diameter is greater than the second distal outer diameter.
8 . The system of claim 7 wherein the system further comprises:
c) an annular plug disposed within a distal end of the outer needle and adapted to fit between the inner and outer needles.
9 . The system of claim 6 further comprising:
c) a syringe in fluid connection with the inner needle, wherein the syringe contains a therapeutic agent.
10 . The system of claim 6 wherein the system is pre-assembled.
11 . The system of claim 6 wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a plurality of depth markings.
12 . A needle system for delivery of a therapeutic agent, comprising:
a) an outer needle having an inner surface having a first thread, and
b) an inner needle having an outer surface having a second thread,
wherein the first thread is adapted to mate with the second thread.
13 . The system of claim 12 wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a first proximal outer diameter upon which the second thread is located and a second distal outer diameter, wherein the first proximal outer diameter is greater than the second distal outer diameter.
14 . The system of claim 13 wherein the system further comprises:
c) an annular plug disposed within a distal end of the outer needle and adapted to fit between the inner and outer needles.
15 . The system of claim 12 further comprising:
c) a syringe in fluid connection with the inner needle, wherein the syringe contains a therapeutic agent.
16 . The system of claim 12 wherein the system is pre-assembled.
17 . The system of claim 12 wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a plurality of depth markings.
18 . A needle system for delivery of a therapeutic agent, comprising:
a) an outer needle having an inner surface, and
b) an inner needle having an outer surface,
wherein one of the needles has a tab extending from its surface, the other needle has a channel in its surface, and
wherein the tab is received in the channel.
19 . The needle system of claim 18 wherein the channel has a plurality of alternating axial portions and lateral portions.
20 . The needle system of claim 18 wherein the inner surface of the outer needle has the tab and the outer surface of the inner needle has the channel.
21 . The needle system of claim 18 wherein the inner surface of the outer needle has the channel and the outer surface of the inner needle has the tab.
22 . The system of claim 18 wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a first proximal outer diameter upon which the tab or channel is located and a second distal outer diameter, wherein the first proximal outer diameter is greater than the second distal outer diameter.
23 . The system of claim 22 wherein the system further comprises:
c) an annular plug disposed within a distal end of the outer needle and adapted to fit between the inner and outer needles.
24 . The system of claim 18 further comprising:
c) a syringe in fluid connection with the inner needle, wherein the syringe contains a therapeutic agent.
25 . The system of claim 18 wherein the system is pre-assembled.
26 . The system of claim 18 wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a plurality of depth markings.