Devices, systems and methods for determining proper placement of epidural catheters

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides systems and methods for determining the proper insertion and for confirming the proper placement of a spinal or epidural catheter.
In one embodiment, a method comprises: a) providing: i) a subject in need of having a catheter inserted in the spine; ii) an epidural catheter having first and second ends; iii) an aqueous solution capable of conducting electricity and suitable for administration in the epidural space of said spine of said subject; and iv) an electrical conduction means; b) contacting the epidural space of the spine of said subject with said first end of said catheter; c) attaching said electrical conduction means to said second end of said catheter; d) administering said aqueous solution through said catheter into said epidural space; and e) conducting electricity with said electrical conduction means under conditions such that said aqueous solution conducts electricity in said epidural space.
In a preferred embodiment, the methods further comprise the step f) measuring the motor response of said subject caused by said conducting of electricity.
While the present invention is not limited by the type of electrical conduction means, in one embodiment, the electrical conduction means comprises a connector configured for attachment to said second end of said catheter and having a conductive element in communication with a source of electricity.
In another embodiment, the methods comprise: a) providing: i) a subject in need of having a catheter inserted in the spine; ii) a non-metal-containing epidural catheter having first and second ends; iii) an aqueous solution capable of conducting electricity and suitable for administration in the epidural space of said spine of said subject; and iv) a connector configured for attachment to said second end of said catheter, said connector having a conductive element in communication with a source of electricity; b) contacting the epidural space of said spine of said subject with said first end of said catheter; c) attaching said connector to said second end of said catheter; d) administering said aqueous solution through said catheter into said epidural space; e) conducting electricity with said conductive element of said connector under