ULTRASOUND VISIBLE CATHETER

• US 20150238730A1
• Filed: 02/27/2015
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: George Washington University
• Original Assignee: George Washington University
• Inventors: Corman, Adam, Sikka, Neal K., Castro, Nathan J., Holmes, Benjamin, Almansouri, Hawaa
• Application Number:
  US14/633,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20150238730A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/006 having a special surface topography or special surface properties, e.g. roughened or knurled surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers

Abstract

A catheter can be used in arterial and/or venous placement, in conjunction with ultrasound positioning. The catheter itself is made of the same materials, and is sized using the standard gauges, as current existing catheters. However, the catheter has a microtexture on the outer surface of the catheter. This microtexture efficiently and effectively reflects propagated ultrasound waves in situ, to provide a brighter and clearer image of the catheter when being placed in a patient'"'"'s vessel, with ultrasound imaging equipment.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

an outer surface; and

at least one reflective member provided on the outer surface, said at least one reflective member configured to reflect an ultrasound signal.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein said at least one reflective member extends outwardly from said outer surface.

3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein said at least one reflective member is a recess in said outer surface.

4. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of reflective members provided on the outer surface.

5. The catheter of claim 4, wherein said plurality of reflective members form a pattern on the outer surface that reflects an ultrasound signal.

6. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter is made entirely of polyurethane.

7. A catheter comprising:

a catheter body having an outer surface; and

a plurality of reflective members provided on the outer surface of said catheter body, the plurality of reflective members forming a pattern that reflects an ultrasound signal.

8. The catheter of claim 7, wherein said reflective member extends outwardly from said outer surface.

9. The catheter of claim 7, wherein said reflective member is a recess in said outer surface.

10. The catheter of claim 7, wherein the catheter is made entirely of polyurethane.

11. The catheter of claim 7, wherein the catheter body is tubular.