×

Ultrasound stylet

  • US 10,123,766 B2
  • Filed: 12/10/2012
  • Issued: 11/13/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A stylet for use in medical procedures, comprising:

  • an elongate member comprising a stiff wire tubular assembly configured to receive a catheter and configured for placing the catheter into a tissue;

    an indicator configured to selectively activate a first status prompt to indicate a desired alignment of the elongate member;

    wherein the stiff wire tubular assembly further comprises a non-imaging ultrasonic device fixed to a distal end of the elongate member, and further wherein the non-imaging ultrasonic device is configured to selectively generate ultrasonic waves in a direction longitudinally aligned with the elongate member, and to detect scattered ultrasonic waves;

    a microprocessor operably connected to the non-imaging ultrasonic device and configured to control the selective generation of ultrasonic waves, and to process the detected scattered ultrasonic waves to detect an internal tissue-fluid boundary;

    wherein the microprocessor is operably connected to the indicator, and the microprocessor causes the indicator to activate the first status prompt when the internal tissue-fluid boundary is detected, indicating the elongate member is aligned with the detected internal tissue-fluid boundary, prior to placing the catheter into the tissue.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×