Multiplanar ultrasonic vascular sensor assembly, system and methods employing same, apparatus for movably affixing a sensor assembly to a body and associated methods

摘要

An apparatus, method and system for cannulation of blood vessels. The apparatus comprises a sensor assembly including two linear transducer arrays oriented perpendicular to each other to form a "T" shape to provide ultrasound images of at least one blood vessel in a portion of a patient's body in two perpendicular planes and optionally determine flow direction within the at least one blood vessel. The sensor assembly may be disposed within a graphically marked cover to facilitate orientation of the sensor assembly on the patient and guidance of a needle towards a desired target vessel during the cannulation procedure. The cover may also include associated structure to cooperate with a reference location element to place, align and secure the sensor assembly to the patient's skin at a desired location.