Invention Novelty
A medical device that utilizes transmission ultrasonography to enable ultrasound-guided placement of central venous catheters.
Value Proposition
Central venous catheters in children are typically placed with the use of fluoroscopy, which emits potentially
harmful ionizing radiation. Ultrasound has the potential of permitting safe real-time guidance, but, until now, ultrasound-assisted catheter systems have not permitted adequate visualization with standard handheld ultrasound probes. A group of clinicians and engineers at Johns Hopkins have developed a novel method to enable ultrasound-guidance of central venous catheters. Advantages of this technology include:
› a catheter placement system that gives accurate anatomical detail of the location of the probe for ultrasound-guided placement of central venous catheters
› an ideal therapeutic procedure for pediatric patients due to little to no ionizing radiation
› more convenient and portable equipment than fluoroscopy
Technical Details
To reduce complications and harmful exposure to non-ionizing radiation, the medical field needs advances that improve central venous access procedures, such as PICC lines, tunneled central lines, and dialysis catheters. Ultrasound (US) can be used for planning access, guiding insertion, and identifying complications of these catheters. US is recommended over landmark techniques because it reduces risk of complications, shortens the time to successful cannulation, and reduces overall costs. Basic, hand-held ultrasound machines with Brightness-mode and Doppler mode are commonly used for the procedure.
However, even when US is used for venipuncture, ionizing radiography and fluoroscopy are typically used for wire navigation and catheter tip confirmation.
Johns Hopkins researchers developed an intravascular probe that can accurately register and display
intrathoracic instrumentation. The patented intravascular system will work with any commercially available
US system, limiting the need for capital investment. Together these two devices provide the location of the
probe and catheter as well as the associated graphical representation of vascular anatomy. The resulting
real-time and accurate location monitoring of the catheter within the existing anatomical environment
can be overlaid onto traditional B-mode or Doppler representations. These beneficial details can improve a
common clinical procedure and prevent today’s numerous complications which include bleeding, puncture,
duct injury, infection, catheter migration, embolization, myocardial perforation, and nerve injury. Most
importantly, the advanced and reliable insight provided by the probe eliminates the existing need for ionizing
radiation to confirm catheter placement.
IDEAL PARTNER
To develop and commercialize the prototype and pre-clinical data into a medical device and software that could be incorporated into devices utilizing transmission ultrasonography.
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT
Prototype and pre-clinical data
Data Availability
Under CDA/NDA
Patent Status
U.S. Patent 11,406,353
Issued 9 Aug. 2023
U.S. Patent 9,636,083
Issued 2 May 2017
