Patent ID: 6102867
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for placing a distal tip of an elongated flexible member at a desired location in a patient's body, comprising the steps of:installing a surgical port in a desired portal in said body, said port having a lumen sized to accommodate an ultrasonic probe in a sheath;placing a tubular sheath in said port, said tubular sheath defining a lumen for receiving an ultrasonic probe and comprising means for guiding a rigid elongated member into the vicinity of the tip of the ultrasonic probe,inserting an ultrasonic probe into said tubular sheath, such that a transducer of said probe is positioned to image said desired location within said body for placement of a distal tip of said elongated flexible member,inserting a distal tip of a relatively rigid elongated tubular member through a skin puncture spaced from said portal, employing said means for guiding to guide said distal tip into the vicinity of said transducer, and thence into a desired position for placement of a distal tip of said elongated flexible member, while employing said transducer to monitor the location of the distal tip of the relatively rigid elongated tubular member,passing a second member along a lumen of said relatively rigid elongated tubular member, such that a tip of said second member is disposed at the desired location of the tip of said elongated flexible member,withdrawing said relatively rigid elongated tubular member while leaving said second member in place, andwithdrawing said tubular sheath and ultrasonic probe from said surgical port.