Coaxial cable vascular access system for use in various needles

摘要

A vascular access system for accurately locating body structures, such as blood vessels within a patient includes a flexible probe for applying Doppler ultrasonic techniques that has a relatively adjustable length relative to a needle assembly. The flexible probe has a coaxial cable design that includes a piezoelectric element at a proximal end of the probe. The piezoelectric element is used for emitting ultrasonic signals and for receiving ultrasonic signals that are reflected off of various body structures within a patient. The intensity of the reflective ultrasonic signals is used to determine the location of a preselected body structure. The flexible probe is adaptable for use within a variety of needles for a variety of applications.