摘要 |
A method is claimed for the intravascular catheterization of a higher mammal without fluoroscopy, which comprises inserting into a peripheral blood vessel a steerable catheter which has a Doppler ultrasound transceiver at its tip, generating from signals produced by the ultrasound transceiver a continuous indication of the direction of blood flow direction relative to the catheter tip, visually displaying the indication on a display monitor, and advancing the catheter towards the heart in accordance with the indication of blood flow direction until the catheter is positioned at a desired location within the circulatory system of the mammal. A device for use in carrying out the inventive method is also claimed. |