In a macro-fluid exchange, a hollow needle, such as a syringe needle, is provided for penetrating the fluid conduit of the animal. The syringe needle is coupled to a plenum chamber having an inlet and outlet port. The plenum chamber is coupled to the syringe needle via the intermediary of a standard quick disconnect coupling fitting. The plenum chamber is carried at the end of a drive rod which is coupled to a micrometer drive head. The micrometer drive head is slidably and pivotably coupled to a pedestal for adjusting the height and angle of inclination of the needle relative to a reference base support. The needle is positioned adjacent to the incised trachea or a blood vessel of a small animal and the micrometer drive head is operated for penetrating the fluid conduit of the animal

Johnson, J. E., Jr.

Swartz, P. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

•EPLY TO
ATTN OF GP
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546
JUL 3 1 1980
NST-44
TO: XS?/Scientific & Technical Information Division
Attn: Miss Winnie M. Morgan
FROM: GP/Office of Assistant General
Counsel for Patent Matters
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in
SUBJECT: Announcement of NASA-Owned U.S. Patents in STAR
In accordance with the procedures agreed upon by Code GP and Code
KSI, the attached NASA-owned U.S. Patent is being forwarded for
abstracting and announcement in HAS A STAR.
CO >-!
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y. The following information is provided:
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U.S. Patent No.
Government or
Corporate Employee
Supplementary Corporate
Source (if applicable)
NASA Patent Case No.
7
NOTE - If this patent covers an invention made by a corporate employee
of a NASA Contractor, the following is applicable:
YES NO / /
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Pursuant to Section 305(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act,
the name of the Administrator of NASA appears on the first page of the
patent; however, the name of the actual inventor (author) appears at
the heading of column No. 1 of the Specification, following the words
"...with respect to an invention of ..."
Bonnie L. Henderson
Enclosure
F!
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19810006091 2020-03-21T09:09:38+00:00Z
United States Patent [i9]
Johnson, Jr. et al.
[ii]
[45]
- n
4,212,297
Jul. 15, 1980
[54] MICRO-FLUID EXCHANGE COUPLING
APPARATUS
[76] Inventors: Robert A. Frosch, Administrator of
the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, with respect to an
invention of John E. Johnson, Jr.,
Baltimore, Md.; Paul F. Swartz, San
Carlos, Calif.
[21] Appl. No.: 951,422
[22] Filed: Oct. 16, 1978
[51] Int. C1.3 A61M 16/00
[52] U.S. a 128/207.14; 128/204.18;
128/207.28; 128/DIG. 26; 128/236; 128/DIG.
6; 128/DIG. 9; 128/DIG. 12; 128/DIG. 16
[58] Field of Search 128/DIG. 6, DIG. 9,
128/DIG. 26, 351, 134, 145.5, 145.6, 145.8,
184, 208, 213, 222, 223, 247, 218 N, 214 R, 218
A, 240, 305.3, 218 R, 215, 276, 236, DIG. 12,
DIG. 16, 204.18, 207.28
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
1,793,068 2/1931 Dickinson 128/218 N
2,266,231 12/1941 Mazzeo et al 128/DIG. 26
3,915,165 10/1975 Rambosek 128/266
3,964,481 6/1976 Gourland et al 128/218 A
4,108,176 8/1978 Walden 128/218 A
Primary Examiner—Henry J. Recla
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Darrell G. Brekke; John R.
Manning; Armand McMillan
[57] ABSTRACT
In a micro-fluid exchange apparatus for exchanging
fluid with an organ, such as the trachea or a blood
vessel of a small animal, such as a rat or a mouse, a
hollow needle, such as a syringe needle, is provided for
penetrating the fluid conduit of the animal. The syringe
needle is coupled to a plenum chamber having an inlet
and outlet port. The plenum chamber is coupled to the
syringe needle via the intermediary of a standard quick
disconnect coupling fitting. The plenum chamber is
carried at the end of a drive rod which is coupled to a
micrometer drive head. The micrometer drive head is
slidably and pivotably coupled to a pedestal for adjust-
ing the height and angle of inclination of the needle
relative to a reference base support. The needle is posi-
tioned adjacent to the incised trachea or a blood vessel
of a small animal and the micrometer drive head is
operated for penetrating the fluid conduit of the animal.
In the case of a micro-respirator, an oxygen respirator
pump is coupled in gaseous .communication with the
input and output ports of the plenum chamber for sup-
plying oxygen and withdrawing exhaled gas from the
small animal.
1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures
,25
r.
"'<*
U.S. Patent Jul. 15, 1980 Sheet 1 of 2 4,212,297
U.S. Patent Jul. 15, 1980 Sheet 2 of 2 4,212,297
sfy5T<^-/g v«[- •> c.t-tf 'a/r/. %
(a)
56
(d)
(e)
36
4,212,297
10
MICRO-FLUID EXCHANGE COUPLING
APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to micro-
fluid exchange apparatus, such as a micro-respirator, for
coupling equipment into fluid communication with a
fluid conduit, such as the trachea or a blood vessel of a
small animal, such as a rat or mouse.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, human tracheostomy devices have been
provided for coupling a respirator in fluid communica-
tion with the trachea of a human. Such a device consists
of a tube which is fed through an incision in the trachea.
The tube is coupled to a "T" connector. One arm of the
"T" is connected to a source of oxygen to be fed into
the lungs of the human, whereas the other arm of the
 20
"T" connector is coupled to a pump for pumping the
exhaled breath from the patient. Such a device is dis-
closed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,584,450 issued Feb. 5, 1952.
It is also known from the prior art to provide a micro-
injection unit in which a 2 cc syringe is held in a mount- 25
ing bracket and driven by a 25 mm micrometer head.
The mounting bracket and micrometer head are
mounted to a base plate. This micro-injection unit has
also been adapted for use in stereotaxic instruments in
which a piece of needle stock is held in an electrode
 30
holder to which is attached a flexible tube. The flexible
tube in turn is attached to the needle held on the syringe
which is driven by the micrometer head. Such a micro-
injection unit is commercially available as model 1208,
from David Kopf Instruments of Tujunga, Calif. 35
There has developed a need for a micro-respirator or
microperfusion device which will allow surgery to be
performed on small animals, such as rats, mice, etc., by
one experimenter. More particularly, it is desired to
provide a micro-respirator, whereby a blunt needle 40
(Cannula) head is held steadfastly in place without caus-
ing pressure on structures below or to the side of the
trachea while performing thoracic surgery on small
animals such as rats or mice by one experimenter.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 45
The principal object of the present invention is the
provision of an improved micro-fluid exchange cou-
pling apparatus for exchanging gas or liquid with the
organs of small animals, such as rats or mice. . so
In one feature of the present invention, a plenum
chamber having inlet and outlet ports is coupled in fluid
communication with a hollow needle for penetrating a
vessel of a small animal and the plenum chamber is
coupled to a micrometer head for translation of the 55
needle into the vessel.
In another feature of the present invention, the mi-
crometer head, plenum chamber and needle are pivota-
bly coupled to a pedestal for selecting the angle of incli-
nation of the needle relative to a base support, which is 60
to support the animal during the procedure.
In another feature of the present invention, an oxygen
respirator pump is coupled to the input and output ports
of the plenum chamber to control the air pressure and
inhale and exhale periods for the small animal during a 65
surgery procedure.
Other features and advantages of the present inven-
tion will become apparent upon a perusal of the follow-
ing specification taken in connection with the accompa-
nying drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic drawing, partly in
block diagram form, depicting a micro-respirator sys-
tem incorporating features of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion of
the structure of FIG. 1 delineated by line 2—2,
FIGS. 3 (a-J) is a composite piece part drawing for
the micrometer driven syringe structure of FIG. 2 and
incorporating features of the present invention,
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of
the structure of FIGs. 3 (d) and (/) delineated by line
4—4 and,
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of
the structure of FIG. 2 taken along line 5—5 in the
direction of the arrows.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIGS. 1-5 there is shown a micro-
respirator system 11, incorporating features of the pres-
ent invention, for respirating a small animal, such as a
mouse or a rat 12 during a surgical procedure to be
performed on the mouse or rat 12 by a single experi-
menter.
The rat or mouse 12 is anesthetized and strapped
down to a reference base support 13 in a spread eagle
fashion as shown in FIG. 1. An incision 14 is made in
the neck of the animal 12 over the trachea 15 and the
skin and muscles are separated and tied to the reference
support 13 for exposing the trachea 15. A small hole is
made in the trachea to receive the tip of a syringe needle
16.
The syringe needle 16 is connected in fluid communi-
cation with a plenum chamber 17 via the intermediary
of a standard quick disconnect syringe fitting 18. A pair
of tubes 19 and 20 are coupled in fluid communication
with the plenum chamber 17. The tubes 19 and 20 are
orthogonally displaced peripherally with respect to
each other so as to facilitate coupling of tubes to the
tubes 19 and 20. A respirator pump 22 is provided to
control the air pressure and the inhale-exhale periods or
respiration. Oxygen mixtures are supplied to the pump
22 from a compressed air tank 23. The inhale valve
portion, not shown, of the respirator pump 22 is con-
nected to inhale tube 20 of the plenum chamber 17 by
means of tubing 24 and the exhale valve, not shown, of
the respirator pump 22 is connected to the exhale tube
19 of the plenum chamber 17 via tubulation 25.
A micrometer head 26 is coupled to the plenum
chamber 17 for imparting axial translation to the ple-
num chamber 17 and thence to the syringe needle 16 for
advancing the needle 16 through the hole into the tra-
chea 15 for providing fluid communication between the
respirator pump 22 and the trachea of the animal 12.
The micrometer head 26 is pivotably coupled to a ped-
estal 27 which is supported from the reference base
support 13.
The pedestal 27 includes an upstanding elongated
plate 28 mounted to a plate-like foot portion 29. The
upstanding portion 28 includes a vertical slot 31 to re-
ceive a stud 32 which is horizontally directed through
and which slides vertically in the slot 31. The stud 32 is
fixedly coupled to a cylindrical holder 33 having a
transverse bore 34 extending therethrough. A Telfon
sleeve 35 is mounted within the bore 34 and surrounds
4,212,297
the micrometer head 26 slideably received within the
sleeve 35. A nylon cylindrical sleeve 36 receives the
cylindrical holder 33 therewithin and a knurled nut 37 is
threadably mated with the stud 32. A Telfon washer 38
is disposed in between the nut 37 and the vertical plate 5
28.
The vertical position of the micrometer head 26 is
determined by loosening the nut 37 and adjusting the
height of the stud 32 with respect to the foot 29 and
reference base support 13. The angle of inclination be- 10
tween the micrometer head 26 and the reference base
support 13 is selected by loosening the knurled nut 37
and adjusting the angle of inclination of the micrometer
head 26. After the adjustment is made, the knurled nut
37 is tightened, thereby frictionally locking the microm- 15
eter head 26 to the plate 28 via the frictional engage-
ment between the outer end of the cylindrical sleeve 36
and the inner side edge of the micrometer head 26.
Once the angle of inclination is established, the
knurled end 39 of the micrometer head 26 is rotated in 20
the clockwise direction so as to advance the plenum
chamber 17 with attached syringe needle 16 into and
through the opening in the trachea 15 so as to place the
respirator pump 22 in gas communication with the tra-
chea for respirating the animal 12. The thorax of the 25
small animal can then be opened and surgery performed
by a single experimenter.
The quick disconnect coupling 18 is designed to fit
standard syringe needles of any size for the small tra-
cheas of mice as well as the larger tracheas of rats. The 30
micrometer scale 42 is observed while translating the
syringe needle 16 into the trachea 15 a predetermined
distance (2-4 mm for a mouse). The fluid exchange
apparatus of the present invention is also particularly
useful for perfusing rats and mice with fixative for elec- 35
Iron microscopy.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the piece parts of the mi-
crometer head 26 , plenum chamber 17, quick discon-
nect fitting 18, and syringe needle 16 are shown in
greater detail. More particularly, in FIG. 3 (a) the stan- 40
dard syringe needle 16 is depicted. The syringe needle
includes a square collar portion 43 to be grasped by the
fingers of the operator for threadably inserting the sy-
ringe needle into the quick disconnect coupling 18. The
fingers grasp the rectangular collar 43 for turning the 45
needle 16 for threadably mating a rectangular flange 44
at the end of a tubular segment 45 with internal threads
46 of the quick disconnect coupling 18, shown in FIG.
3(6).
The quick disconnect coupling 18 includes a hollow 50
cylindrical housing 47 with a re-entrant bore 48 at one
end to receive the male portion 49 of the plenum cham-
ber 17 as shown in FIG. 3 (c). A male tubular portion 51
of the quick disconnect 18 is received within the tubular
segment 45 of the syringe needle 16. An annular re- 55
entrant bore, which is internally threaded at 46, sur-
rounds tube 51 and receives the flanged end 44 of the
syringe needle 16.
The plenum chamber 17 (see FIG. 3 (c)) inlcudes an
axially directed bore 52 which is coupled in fluid com- 60
munication with the axial bore through the quick dis-
connect coupling 18. A pair of radial bores 53 and 54
intersect the longitudinal bore 52 at 90 degree intervals
about the periphery of the plenum chamber 17. The
bores 53 and 54 receive the ends of tubes 19 and 20. A 65
re-entrant bore 55 in the plenum member 17 receives the
male end 56 of a cylindrical drive rod 57 (see FIG. 3
W).
The drive rod includes a longitudinally directed key
slot 58. A re-entrant threaded bore 59 is provided at the
other end of the drive rod 57. The drive rod is received
axially within a sleeve 61 (see FIG. 3 (e)) having a pair
of adjustable set screws 62 extending radially inwardly
of the sleeve 61 for sliding within the key slot 58. The
set screws 62 are disposed in axial alignment with the
longitudinal axis of the sleeve 61 and serve to prevent
rotation of the drive rod 57 within the sleeve 61 while
permitting axial translation of the drive rod 57 within
the sleeve 61. Internal acme threads 63 are provided at
one end of the sleeve 61 for threadably mating with
externally threads of a drive nut 64 of FIG. 3 (/).
The drive nut 64 includes the knurled knob portion 39
with an axially directed tubular extension 65 provided
with external acme threads 66 for threadably mating
with the internal threads 63 of the sleeve 61. A cylindri-
cal collar 67 is affixed to the knob 39 via set screw for
rotation and axial translation therewith.
The collar 67 also serves as a dust shield to protect
the threads 66. The inner end 69 of the outer collar 67
serves, in cooperation with the scale 42, to determine
the axial position of the syringe 61. A re-entrant bore 72
is provided at the inner end of the inside tubular portion
65 of the drive nut 64. A retaining ring 73 is carried at
the inner lip of the re-entrant bore 72.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the coupling of the drive
nut 64 to the drive rod 57 is shown in greater detail. A
cap screw 75 is threaded into the internal bore 59 of the
drive rod 57 and the shank of the cap screw 75 is circled
by a thrust ball bearing assembly 76. The outer race of
the ball bearing assembly 76 is captured by the retaining
ring 73 against relative axial translation between the
drive nut 64 and the outer race for transmitting axial
thrust to the drive rod 57 while permitting relative
rotation between the drive nut 64 and the drive rod 57.
Thus, in operation, rotation of the drive nut via
knurled knob 39 causes the drive nut 64 to travel within
the sleeve 61 and to transmit axial translation to the
drive rod 57. The drive rod 57 is held against rotation
by means of the set screws 62 riding in the key slot 58.
The amount of axial translation of the drive and thus of
the plenum 17 and the syringe 16 is monitored by ob-
serving the position of the inner end 69 of the drive nut
64 relative to the scale 42 provided on the outer surface
of the sleeve 61.
What is claimed is:
1. In a micro-fluid exchange apparatus for exchang-
ing fluid within an organ of a small animal such as a rat
or mouse via the intermediary of a hollow needle for
penetrating a fluid conduit of the small animal for con-
necting the hollow needle in fluid exchanging relation
with the fluid conduit such as a trachea or blood vessel
of the small animal;
plenum means comprising a chamber having inlet and
outlet port means for connection in fluid communi-
cation with the hollow needle for passage of fluid
therethrough into and out of the fluid conduit of •
the small animal via the intermediary of the hollow
needle;
pedestal means for pivotably holding the hollow nee-
dle at any one of a selected number of angles of
inclination relative to a reference base support to
which the small animal is to be held during the
procedure;
translating means for translating the hollow needle
into the fluid conduit of the small animal or along
4,212,297
the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow nee-
dle;
said translating means including an elongated hollow
sleeve adapted to be secured to said pedestal
means, a drive rod axially translatable within said
sleeve means, key means for keying said drive rod
means to said sleeve means to allow axial transla-
tion therewithin without substantial rotation there-
between;
means for coupling the hollow needle and said ple-
num means to said drive rod for axial translation
therewith;
10
said sleeve means including a threaded portion;
rotatable drive means having a threaded portion for
mating with said threaded portion of said sleeve
means for axial translation within said sleeve means
for effecting relative rotation between said sleeve
means and said rotatable drive means;
means for coupling said rotatable drive means to said
drive rod; and
readout means coupled to said drive rod for axial
. translation therewith for reading out the axial posi-
tion of said drive rod relative to said sleeve means.
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Micro-fluid exchange coupling apparatus

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