211 results about "Central venous catheter" patented technology

In an aspect, embodiments of the invention relate to the effective and accurate placement of intravascular devices such as central venous catheters, in particular such as peripherally inserted central catheters or PICC. One aspect of the present invention relates to vascular access. It describes devices and methods for imaging guided vascular access and more effective sterile packaging and handling of such devices. A second aspect of the present invention relates to the guidance, positioning and placement confirmation of intravascular devices without the help of X-ray imaging. A third aspect of the present invention relates to devices and methods for the skin securement of intravascular devices and post-placement verification of location of such devices. A forth aspect of the present invention relates to improvement of the workflow required for the placement of intravascular devices.

Methods of locating a tip of a central venous catheter (“CVC”) relative to the superior vena cava, sino-atrial node, right atrium, and/or right ventricle using electrocardiogram data. The CVC includes at least one electrode. In particular embodiments, the CVC includes two or three pairs of electrodes. Further, depending upon the embodiment implemented, one or more electrodes may be attached to the patient's skin. The voltage across the electrodes is used to generate a P wave. A reference deflection value is determined for the P wave detected when the tip is within the proximal superior vena cava. Then, the tip is advanced and a new deflection value determined. A ratio of the new and reference deflection values is used to determine a tip location. The ratio may be used to instruct a user to advance or withdraw the tip.

A multiple lumen catheter having a soft, tapered multiple lumen distal tip for insertion into a body vessel. One of the lumens is sized to pass over a guidewire such that the catheter can be inserted into the body vessel using the Seldinger technique. At least one medical implement lumen is used for placement or positioning of a biomedical sensor or other medical implement. For example, at least one optical fiber passing through the medical implement lumen may transmit and receive light at the distal tip for measuring oxygen saturation of the blood. The catheter may have a cylindrical catheter body to which the soft distal tip attaches. The soft tip reduces the possibility of vessel or tissue puncture and abrasion. The tip is constructed of a soft plastic or pliable material that yields easily when force is applied. For example, the tip may be made of a softer material than the catheter body, or if made of the same material, the tip can be configured with thinner walls or a higher air-to-material ratio cross-section. Various geometrical configurations and combinations of materials can be used to decrease the resistance of the tip to an applied load. One particular useful application for the catheter of the present invention is as a central venous catheter equipped with fibers for measuring oximetry. The fibers extend to the distal end of the tip and are preferably secured therein with minimal adhesive so as to limit the stiffness added to the tip. One particular useful construction is to secure the fibers within the medical implement lumen using adhesive only along a length of between about 0.5–3.5 mm.

The invention includes a method of locating a tip of a central venous catheter (“CVC”) having a distal and proximal pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava, right atrium, and/or right ventricle. The method includes obtaining a distal and proximal electrical signal from the distal and proximal pair and using those signals to generate a distal and proximal P wave, respectively. A deflection value is determined for each of the P waves. A ratio of the deflection values is then used to determine a location of the tip of the CVC. Optionally, the CVC may include a reference pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava from which a reference deflection value may be obtained. A ratio of one of the other deflection values to the reference deflection value may be used to determine the location of the tip of the CVC.

A peripherally inserted central venous catheter having a position indicator is used in a method of detecting movement of a catheter tip within a patient's superior vena cava. The PICC comprises a catheter having a proximal end with distance marks at measured intervals, an anchor wing system secured to the catheter's proximal end, at least one extension leg secured to the anchor wing system and the position indicator attached to the extension leg. The position indicator has an area for marking a distance signifying an initial external length of catheter which extends from the point the catheter enters the patient to the point it is attached to the anchor wing and/or marking an initial full length or the internal length of catheter which is fully within the patient. Any movement of the catheter's tip is detected by comparing the current external distance mark with the initial external distance mark.

Devices and systems for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. In an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a first pole and a second pole, the first pole and the second pole configured to generate an electric field within a mammalian body sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements therein, and an elongated body configured for at least partial insertion into a blood vessel of the mammalian body and advancement through a vasculature, said advancement dependent upon the plurality of field measurements indicative of one or more locations of a portion of the elongated body within the vasculature. In at least one embodiment, the elongated body is configured as a stylet. In another embodiment, techniques for identifying and locating obstructions in the vessel in which a device is disposed are disclosed.

A multiple lumen catheter having a soft, tapered multiple lumen distal tip for insertion into a body vessel. One of the lumens is sized to pass over a guidewire such that the catheter can be inserted into the body vessel using the Seldinger technique. At least one medical implement lumen is used for placement or positioning of a biomedical sensor or other medical implement. For example, at least one optical fiber passing through the medical implement lumen may transmit and receive light at the distal tip for measuring oxygen saturation of the blood. The catheter may have a cylindrical catheter body to which the soft distal tip attaches. The soft tip reduces the possibility of vessel or tissue puncture and abrasion. The tip is constructed of a soft plastic or pliable material that yields easily when force is applied. For example, the tip may be made of a softer material than the catheter body, or if made of the same material, the tip can be configured with thinner walls or a higher air-to-material ratio cross-section. Various geometrical configurations and combinations of materials can be used to decrease the flexible resistance of the tip to an applied load. One particular useful application for the catheter of the present invention is as a central venous catheter equipped with fibers for measuring oximetry. The fibers extend to the distal end of the tip and are preferably secured therein with minimal adhesive so as to limit the stiffness added to the tip. One particular useful construction is to secure the fibers within the medical implement lumen using adhesive only along a length of between about 0.5-3.5 mm.

A central venous catheter is provided having a proximal tube segment, a distal tube segment and a transition tube segment interposed between the proximal and distal tube segments which are preferably formed as a single integrated tube containing polymer material of different durometer and varying amounts of radiopaque filler material. The polymer durometer of the proximal segment is higher than the polymer durometer of the distal segment. By contrast, the percentage by weight of the filler material contained in the distal segment is higher than that of the proximal segment. The variation in the polymer durometer and the filler amount along the length of the tube provide the desired tensile strength, hardness, chemical resistance and fatigue resistance at the proximal segment and at the same time provide the desired flexibility and radiopacity at the distal segment.

An indwelling fiber optic probe can be used to make in vivo blood glucose measurements through a central venous catheter. The fiber optic probe can operate in the near-infrared spectral region. The optical measurement can be backscattering, transmission, or a combination of both, depending on the optical configuration.

A central venous catheter kit enables health care workers quickly and controllably gain ultrasound supported access to vascular tissue for catheterization. Ultrasound support requires gel for reducing acoustic impedance and reflectance loss, which gel is included in the kit, as well as at least two newly conceived devices, the first for gripping the guide wire in an otherwise gelled environment, and the second for marking the skin for proper needle localization. State of the art kit components are thus included in the kit, in addition to the scanning gel and the noted device(s). The devices each comprise certain finger- or digit-grippable structure, and textured surfacing for enhancing the frictional contact between the user's digits and the devices.

An easily removable, non-irritating stretchable sleeve or chest wrap for protecting and securing a PICC line or chest catheter tubing and cap extending externally from the insertion point. The sleeve or chest wrap is easily attached to a patient's arm or body, securing the small length of the external PICC line or the central venous catheter, protecting the tubing and cap from external contaminants, and allowing easy access to the PICC line or the central venous catheter for administration of drugs or nutrients, and access for blood draws. This sleeve allows the patient freedom of movement and is comfortable enough to prevent skin irritation over long-term usage.

Devices and systems for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. In an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a first pole and a second pole, the first pole and the second pole configured to generate an electric field within a mammalian body sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements therein, and an elongated body configured for at least partial insertion into a blood vessel of the mammalian body and advancement through a vasculature, said advancement dependent upon the plurality of field measurements indicative of one or more locations of a portion of the elongated body within the vasculature. In at least one embodiment, the elongated body is configured as a stylet.