Intraosseous infusion device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is embodied in a simple, easy to use, intraosseous infusion device that is self-threading and that provides assured access to the bone marrow of a patient.
The device includes an elongated needle that results in little damage to the bone during insertion and little leakage from the bone of liquids infused into the bone marrow.
The intraosseous infusion device of the present invention includes a base having a lower surface configured for placement against the skin of the patient.
An upper frame is mounted to the base and the elongated needle is fixed to the upper frame.
A fitting is provided for receiving liquid to be delivered to the patient's bone marrow and for supplying the liquid to a bore in the needle.
In the preferred embodiment, the base includes a cam surface and the upper frame includes a cam follower.
The cam surface is configured to cause the upper frame to rotate relative to the base as the needle moves longitudinally between a retracted position within the base and an extended position below the base.
Rotation of the needle assists in bone penetration and eliminates or substantially reduces bone splintering caused by direct (non-rotating) piercing.
Rotation of the needle during access also eliminates or substantially reduces the possibility of blockage of the needle ports due to the "coring" effect present in non-pencil point type needles.
The longitudinal distance travelled by the needle between the retracted and extended positions is fixed by the length of the cam surfaces in the longitudinal direction.
Alternatively, the base may include a positive stop that contacts the upper frame upon completion of the penetrating stroke, preventing further relative movement.
In either case, the depth of penetration of the needle into the patient's body is assured.
A feature of the present invention is that the cam surface may include upper and lower cam lockouts.
The lower cam lockout fixes the needle in its extended position, wherein the needle may be connected to an infusion source to deliver drugs or other liquids to the bone marrow