Wireless Vascular Access Guidance System for Catheter Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for vascular access, such as ultrasound imaging and ECG-based guidance, are complex and require multiple devices, making it challenging to accurately guide catheters to the desired location in the vasculature, especially due to variations in patient anatomy and blood vessel size and patency.
Innovation Solution
A wireless system combining ultrasound imaging and ECG-based tracking, using a handheld scanner and mobile platform, to provide real-time visualization and guidance for catheter placement, allowing simultaneous ultrasound imaging and ECG signal detection to ensure accurate catheter positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate devices (ultrasound imaging device, ECG-based tracking device, fluoroscopy device) are used for vascular access guidance, then comprehensive catheter placement guidance is achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to coordinate multiple systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ultrasound imaging, ECG-based tracking, and fluoroscopy capabilities into a single integrated catheter placement guidance system. The system includes an ultrasound transducer, ECG electrodes, and fluoroscopy detector that work together as one unified device, eliminating the need to coordinate multiple separate devices while maintaining comprehensive guidance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions simultaneously: ultrasound imaging for real-time visualization, ECG monitoring for electrical activity detection, and fluoroscopy for radiographic imaging. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to replace multiple specialized devices, improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive guidance capabilities.
2Reliability
If multiple separate devices are used for vascular access guidance, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but ease of operation worsens due to the need to manage multiple independent systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple independent monitoring and imaging functions into a single integrated device that can be operated as one unified system. The ultrasound transducer, ECG electrodes, and fluoroscopy detector are coordinated through a single control interface, eliminating the complexity of managing multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system is organized into distinct functional modules (ultrasound imaging module, ECG monitoring module, fluoroscopy module) that can be independently optimized but work together through a unified control system. This modular segmentation within integration allows for easier operation while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
3Reliability
If traditional separate devices are used, then specific imaging functions are performed well, but loss of time increases due to the need to switch between different devices and imaging modes
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system enables continuous simultaneous operation of ultrasound imaging, ECG monitoring, and fluoroscopy without requiring switching between devices. All imaging and monitoring functions operate continuously and concurrently, providing uninterrupted guidance throughout the catheter placement procedure and eliminating time losses associated with device transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining multiple imaging and monitoring functions into a single integrated system, the patent eliminates the time required to switch between separate devices. The unified system provides seamless access to all imaging modes simultaneously, significantly reducing the total time required for catheter placement while maintaining placement accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This integrated system simplifies vascular access by providing accurate and reliable catheter location information, improving the ease of use and effectiveness in both adult and pediatric populations across various clinical environments.
Implementation Method 1
a) to image a blood vessel and guide a catheter needle into the blood vessel
Implementation Method 2
b) to place the catheter at a desired location using ecg-based tracking
Data Source
AI summary
A system for facilitating vascular access is disclosed. The system includes an imaging device including a transducer configured for ultrasound image data acquisition, an ECG signal acquisition device configured to acquire ECG signal data via one or more leads, wherein a first lead is directly connected to skin of a patient, and a mobile application configured to render a graphical user interface to be displayed on a display screen of a mobile device, wherein the graphical user interface illustrates a representation of at least one of the ultrasound image data or the ECG signal data that is wireless transmitted to the mobile device.