Ethan S Lauer

US Patent:

20110218416, Sep 8, 2011

Filed:

Mar 3, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/039996

Inventors:

Ethan S. Lauer - Austin TX, US
Patrick Hemstreet - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

A61B 5/04

US Classification:

600377

Abstract:

The invention is a needle electrode module, such as for use in neurodiagnostic monitoring, that helps minimize the risk of needle-stick injuries. As described, the needle electrode module includes a means for preventing the exposure of the distal end of a needle element until the module is placed against a surface. In an embodiment, the distal end of a needle element may be retracted into the needle electrode module when the needle electrode module is removed from the punctured surface and, once retracted, the distal end of the needle may be prevented from being accidentally re-exposed. Several embodiments use a mechanical mechanism to hold the distal end of the needle element in the retracted or exposed positions and a spring force to retract the distal end of the needle. Another embodiment uses suction to hold the distal end of the needle element in the exposed position and the force necessary to deform the body of the needle electrode module to retract the distal end of the needle element in the retracted position and maintain it in the retracted position.