White sheet

The white sheet is used to provide a sterile surface along the bed, as well as to protect the bed from soiling. It is placed as part of the setup procedure.

Blue sheet

The blue sheet is used to provide a sterile field for performing the lumbar puncture. Note that there is an adhesive layer on one side of the sheet. This is exposed and the adhesive is applied to the patient to hold the sheet in place. This sheet has a rectangular opening in the middle through which one performs the lumbar puncture.

Sponge sticks

These are used to apply proviodine to the patient's back in order to sterilize the skin as part of the setup procedure.

Gauze

Gauze is used to wipe away excess proviodine from the lumbar puncture site.

Test tubes

There are four test tubes provided for the collection of CSF. Note that they are labeled one through four. These should be opened and placed upright when one sets up the tray. One gathers the CSF beginning with tube one and ending with tube four.

Bandaid

The bandaid is placed over the lumbar puncture site at the completion of the procedure to prevent mild bleeding from the skin puncture site.

Manometer

The manometer is used to measure the opening pressure of the CSF. It is a set of graded plastic tubes that connect together. The maximum height of the CSF column can then be read off of the side of the manometer. It attaches to the top portion of the stopcock by the flexible manometer tubing. The manometer tubing allows one to connect the manometer to the rear outlet of the stopcock allowing for some more flexible movement of the manometer if desired.

Stopcock

The stopcock connects the lumbar puncture needle to the manometer (or manometer tubing). It has a lever that controls which of the three openings of the stopcock are open. One connects the lumbar puncture needle to the stopcock and the stopcock to the manometer to measure opening pressures.

Lidocaine

The lumbar puncture tray is equipped with 1% lidocaine to use as local anesthetic for the skin and deeper structures.

20 gauge needle

This needle is used to administer local anesthetic to the deeper structures of the back.

Syringe and 25 gauge needle

This setup is used to provide local anesthesia to the skin. The 25 gauge needle is removed and the provided 20 gauge needle is placed on the syringe. This is then used to provide local anesthesia to the deeper tissues of the back.

Spinal needle

The lumbar puncture kit comes with a 20 gauge spinal needle that is used to obtain the CSF. Note that this needle has a removable stylet. The stylet should be in place anytime the lumbar puncture needle is advanced or removed. The needles in this tray are the Quincke type and have a sharp cutting tip.

Proviodine tray

This tray holds the proviodine (which must be added to your tray separately). One dips the sponge stick into the proviodine and then presses the sponge into the raised ridges, expelling the excess proviodine.

Gloves

Standard sterile gloves must be used for handling sterile equipment and in performing the lumbar puncture.

18 gauge needle

This needle is used to mark the site of the lumbar puncture. By pressing the blunt en of the needle into the patient's back, a small circular mark is left on the skin. This mark is used to help in finding your lumbar puncture site once the site is prepped and draped.