Inventors:
Kenneth Drasner - San Francisco CA
Mark L. Rigler - San Francisco CA
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA
International Classification:
A61M 500
Abstract:
The catheter system for delivering an anesthetic solution to the subarachnoid space of a patient comprises a small diameter catheter section joined to a larger diameter extension tube. The small diameter catheter section is introduced to the subarachnoid space, typically using an introducer needle, and anesthetic can be delivered to the catheter section through the large diameter tube extension. In this way, total flow resistance to the delivery of the anesthetic is reduced without the corresponding increase in the portion of the catheter which is introduced to the subarachnoid space.