ECHOGENIC NEEDLE

摘要

An echogenic needle may have at least one V-shaped spiral groove formed at its distal portion adjacent to its patient end. The walls of the groove are orthogonal to each other. The groove is titled at a given angle from a neutral position toward the proximal end of the needle so that when the needle is inserted into the patient at an insertion angle under ultrasound imaging, the ultrasound wave emitted from the ultrasound transducer is reflected in a substantially reverse direction back to the transducer by at least one wall of the spiral groove. A pair of crisscrossing grooves may be spirally wound about the distal portion of the needle with each groove being tilted to the given angle to enhance echogeneity. The echogeneity of the needle may also be enhanced by increasing the pitch density of each groove while maintaining the crisscrossing groves at their neutral position.

主权项

1. A needle for viewing under ultrasound imaging whereby an ultrasound wave is directed to the needle from an ultrasound transducer so that a reflection image of the needle may be received by the transducer, comprising:
a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end including a sharp tip, one and other grooves spirally formed clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, from at least adjacent the sharp tip along a distal portion of the shaft so that the one and other grooves crisscross each other a predetermined distance along the distal portion, the one and other grooves each being at a neutral position relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, each of the one and other grooves has an increased pitch density that enhances the reflection of the ultrasound wave directed to the shaft as an improved reflection image back to the transducer.