Knee Aspirate Facilitator

Tech ID:  2007-02

Summary

Diagnostic aspiration and injection of medication into joints are procedures commonly indicated in medical practice today.   It is anticipated that the need for joint injections will increase due to the increased prevalence of osteoarthritis and anticipated growth in the number of novel biological compounds used in treatment.  However, Primary Care and ER physicians do not perform joint aspirations as often as clinically indicated because they are difficult to performsafely and without pain to the patient.   Dr. Meehan has designed a novel device that displaces the surrounding joint fluid, which greatly distends the joint fluid thereby increasing the success of a diagnostic “joint tap”.  Administration of medications to the joint may also be facilitated, since such administration is more successful when administered into fluid near the joint.

Simple, reusable device for knee joint aspiration and injection procedures

Advantages of Invention

• Allows physicians who do not have the comprehensive training in joint aspirations of Rheumatologists and Orthopedic Surgeons to perform an easier, more successful, safer, and less painful procedure.
• Improved patient comfort and lower risks for a medically important but underutilized procedure.
• Facilitates successful aspiration and injections by Rheumatologists and Orthopedic Surgeons when more technical challenges (e.g. obesity, small joints) exist.

State of Development 

At prototype stage

Patent

Published US Patent Application #20080086070 and International patents pending.

Inventors 

Richard Meehan, MD

Licensing Status - This technology is available for licensing

For Further Information, Contact:
Emmanuel Hilaire, PhD
Licensing Associate
Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization Program
National Jewish Health
1400 Jackson Street, Room M206a
Denver, CO 80206
Voice: (303) 398-1053
Fax: (303) 270-2352
hilairee@njc.org