EPIDERMIS ANCHORING SYSTEM FOR DELIVERY TOOL
An anchor system is configured for securing a delivery tool to skin. The system includes an outer housing forming an internal lumen along an axis with a distal foot with a surface configured to be secured to a patient’s skin. A carriage sleeve is slidably positioned within the internal lumen. A distance gauge on the carriage sleeve is visible through a window for providing a user an indication of a distance of movement of the carriage sleeve. An actuator is coupled to the outer housing, wherein the actuator is actuated to slidably move the carriage sleeve through the internal lumen.
1 . An anchor system for securing a delivery tool to skin, comprising:
an outer housing forming an internal lumen along an axis, the outer housing having a distal foot with a surface configured to be secured to a patient’s skin;
a carriage sleeve slidably positioned within the internal lumen, wherein the carriages sleeve is configured to be attached to the delivery tool;
a window on the outer housing, wherein a distance gauge on the carriage sleeve is visible through the window for providing a user an indication of a distance of movement of the carriage sleeve; and
an actuator coupled to the outer housing, wherein the actuator is actuated to slidably move the carriage sleeve through the internal lumen.
2 . The anchor system of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the distal foot is flat.
3 . The anchor system of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the distal foot is contoured.
4 . The anchor system of claim 1 , wherein the distal foot is a flared body.
5 . The anchor system of claim 1 , wherein the delivery tool is a spinal needle.
6 . The anchor system of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive on the surface of the distal foot, the adhesive configured to adhere the distal foot to skin.
7 . The anchor system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a rotatable thimble.
8 . The anchor system of claim 1 , wherein the anchor system has a plurality of distal feet each configured to be secured to a patient’s skin.
9 . The anchor system of claim 1 , wherein each distal foot is coupled to at least one actuating joint configured to adjust a trajectory angle of the delivery device relative to an entry site and a target area.
10 . The anchor system of claim 1 , wherein the distal foot is detachable.
11 . The anchor system of claim 1 , wherein the outer housing is configured to lock a position of the delivery tool in place at a target location on the skin or table.
12 . A method of securing a delivery tool to a patient, comprising:
attaching an external anchor system to a skin surface of a patient;
inserting a delivery tool into a carriage sleeve of the external anchor system and securing the delivery tool to the carriage sleeve;
sliding the delivery tool along an axis defined by the external anchor so that the delivery tool penetrates the skin surface of the patient; and
actuating an actuator of the external anchor so that the carriage sleeve and the delivery tool collectively move along the axis.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the delivery tool is inserted into the carriage sleeve while the carriage sleeve is coupled to the external anchor.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the delivery tool is inserted into the carriage sleeve prior to coupling the carriage sleeve to the external anchor.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the actuator is a rotatable thimble and wherein actuating the actuator comprises rotating the thimble so that the carriage sleeve and the delivery tool collectively move along the axis.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the external anchor has a window on an outer housing of the external anchor, wherein a distance gauge on the carriage sleeve is visible through the window for providing a user an indication of a distance of movement of the carriage sleeve.
17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the delivery tool is a spinal needle.
18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the external anchor system is secured to the skin surface using an adhesive.