IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT

摘要

Systems, devices, and methods towards improved diagnosis and therapy in connection with central venous catheters (including PICC lines). Included among the many improvements broadly contemplated herein are: arrangements via which a venous catheter can move passively into position in central venous circulation; arrangements via which a catheter can be actively guided without the use of a needle or guide wire; arrangements via which a catheter can be packaged to facilitate easy, rapid, and positionally accurate deployment by medical personnel while maintaining device sterility; and arrangements via which a catheter tip can be imaged during and after insertion.