Patent ID: 8663116
Filing Date: 2014-03-04
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for positioning a catheter tip of a catheter within a human body, the method comprising: obtaining an elongated member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an ultrasonic beacon operably attached to said distal end portion of the elongated member, and a power supply releasably attachable to the proximal end portion of the elongated member and releasably electrically connectable to energize the ultrasonic beacon; inserting the distal end portion of the elongated member with the ultrasonic beacon into an anatomical structure of the human body; positioning an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver adjacent to the outer surface of the human body and to the ultrasonic beacon; powering the ultrasonic beacon with the power supply; observing on a display an ultrasound image of the internal structure of the human body and an image representing the energized ultrasonic beacon based on ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasound transmitter/receiver; disconnecting the power supply from a proximal end portion of the elongated member; inserting the catheter tip over the proximal end portion of elongated member; positioning the catheter tip relative to the elongated member; and removing the elongated member from the catheter.