IMAGING-ASSISTED ARTICULAR INJECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Systems for injecting fluids and/or other materials into a targeted anatomical location, in particular, an intra-articular space, include a handpiece assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle extending from the distal end of the handpiece assembly, a fluid delivery module comprising a cassette and a fluid transfer device. A conduit is generally configured to place the fluid delivery module in fluid communication with the handpiece assembly. Medications, formulations and/or other fluids or materials contained within vials that are secured to the fluid delivery module can be selectively delivered into an anatomy through a needle located at the distal end of the handpiece assembly. In some embodiments, ultrasound or other imaging technologies can be used to locate a joint or other targeted anatomical location.
1 . A method of locating a target anatomical location of a patient and injecting at least two different medicaments into said target anatomical location using a single needle penetration, comprising:
providing an injection system comprising a fluid delivery module and a handpiece, said handpiece having at least one controller;
wherein the fluid delivery module comprises a first loading area configured to secure a first container and a second loading area configured to secure a second container;
wherein the first container comprises a first medicament;
wherein the second container comprises a second medicament;
wherein said handpiece is configured to be in fluid and data communication with the fluid delivery module;
wherein the fluid delivery module is configured to selectively transfer a portion of at least one of the first medicament and the second medicament to the handpiece;
wherein a distal end of said handpiece is configured to receive a needle;
wherein said handpiece is maneuverable to position the needle within the patient;
locating the needle at or near the target anatomical location using an imaging device, wherein said imaging device is in data communication with the injection system;
wherein said injection system is configured to combine the first and second medicaments prior to delivery to the patient or configured to administer the first and second medicaments sequentially, depending on the instructions received by said injection system; and
delivering a volume of at least one of the first medicament and the second medicament to the patient through the needle based on instructions received by the injection system.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery module is configured to receive instructions for delivering the first and second medicaments using the least one controller positioned on said handpiece.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the imaging device comprises an ultrasound device.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is operatively connected to the injection system using a hardwired or a wireless connection.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one function of the imaging device is configured to be selectively controlled by the injection system.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one function is selectively controlled using at least one imaging controller of the handpiece.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least one imaging controller of the handpiece comprises a button, dial, switch, knob, rollerball or rollerwheel.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery module comprises a motor to facilitate the delivery of the first and second medicaments to the handpiece.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second medicaments are delivered simultaneously through the handpiece to the patient.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second medicaments are delivered sequentially through the handpiece to the patient.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first medicament comprises an anesthetic and the second medicament comprises a steroid.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery module comprises a display configured to display a status of an injection procedure.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the display comprises a touchscreen that is configured to receive instructions that help control an injection procedure.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the status comprises a volume of at least one of the first medicaments and the second medicament already delivered to the patient or remaining within the fluid delivery module.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first container is a nonspecific container.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the nonspecific container comprises a vial as supplied by a drug manufacturer.
17 . A system for injecting at least two fluids into an anatomy of a patient, the system comprising:
a handpiece assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, said handpiece comprising at least one controller;
a needle extending from the distal end of the handpiece assembly;
a fluid delivery module configured to securely receive a first container comprising a first fluid and at least a second container comprising a second fluid;
wherein the fluid transfer device is configured to selectively transfer a volume of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid into the patient;
a first conduit configured to convey the first fluid from the fluid delivery module to the needle;
a second conduit configured to convey the second fluid from the fluid delivery module, through the handpiece assembly and to the needle;
wherein said first and second conduits are routed through an interior of the handpiece assembly; and
an imaging device operatively connected to at least one of the fluid delivery module and the handpiece assembly, said imaging device configured to help a user advance the needle to a target location of the anatomy of the patient;
wherein the transfer of the least one of the first and second fluids from the fluid delivery module to the needle is at least partially controlled using the at least one controller of the handpiece assembly.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the imaging device comprises an ultrasound device.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one controller comprises at least one button, dial, knob, switch, rollerball or rollerwheel
20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the first container is a nonspecific container.