Abstract A method of testing the position of a needle assembly in the epidural space of a patient's body, the needle assembly having a tip and an elongated passageway communicating between the tip and a shallow open cavity, comprising the steps of positioning the tip and a distal passageway portion of the assembly inside the patient's body with the tip located adjacent the epidural space and with the cavity located outside the patient's body in an upright position, placing a testing liquid in the upright cavity of the assembly, and advancing the assembly into the body while determining whether the testing liquid passes from the cavity to the passageway or the exterior of the needle assembly to ascertain the position of the needle assembly tip in the patient's body.
A method of testing the position of a needle assembly in the epidural space of a patient's body, the assembly having a tip and an elongated passageway communicating between the tip and a shallow open cavity, comprising the steps of: positioning the tip and a distal passageway portion of the assembly inside the patient's body with the tip located adjacent the epidural space and with the cavity located outside the patient's body in an upright position; placing a testing liquid in the upright cavity of the assembly; and advancing the assembly into the body while determining whether the testing liquid passes from the cavity to the passageway or the exterior of the needle assembly to ascertain the position of the needle assembly tip in the patient's body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of testing the position of a needle assembly in the epidural space of a patient's body, the assembly having a tip and an elongated passageway communicating between the tip and a shallow open cavity, comprising the steps of: positioning the tip and a distal passageway portion of the assembly inside the patient's body with the tip located adjacent the epidural space and with the cavity located outside the patient's body in an upright position; placing a testing liquid in the upright cavity of the assembly; and advancing the assembly into the body while determining whether the testing liquid passes from the cavity to the passageway or the exterior of the needle assembly to ascertain the position of the needle assembly tip in the patient's body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of withdrawing the assembly slightly from the patient's body and repeating the placing and advancing steps if the testing liquid passes from the cavity to the exterior of the needle assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of stopping advancement of the assembly if the testing liquid passes from the cavity into the passageway.