Ultrasonic vascular imaging system and method of blood vessel cannulation
US6755789B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4227
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus, method and system for cannulation of blood vessels. The apparatus comprises a sensor assembly including two linear transducer arrays oriented perpendicularly to each other to form a “T” shape to provide substantially simultaneous ultrasound images of at least one blood vessel in a portion of a patient's body in two perpendicular planes. The apparatus may also include one or more Doppler transducer elements to transmit and receive one or more Doppler beams at an incident angle beneath one of the transducer arrays and in alignment therewith to determine blood flow direction and velocity within the at least one blood vessel. The sensor assembly may be disposed within an elongated, flexible, protective sheath and secured to a graphically marked cover to facilitate orientation of the sensor assembly on the patient and guidance of a needle towards a desired target vessel during the cannulation procedure. The cover may also include associated structure to cooperate with a reference location element to place, align and secure the sensor assembly to the patient's skin at a desired location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.