Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Placement Using the Sonic Flashlight

• Published in: Journal of vascular and interventional radiology Vol. 20; no. 10; pp. 1380 - 1383
• Main Authors: Amesur, Nikhil B., MD, Wang, David C., MD, PhD, Chang, Wilson, MD, PhD, Weiser, David, BS, Klatzky, Roberta, PhD, Shukla, Gaurav, BS, Stetten, George D., MD, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2009
• Subjects: Catheterization, Central Venous - instrumentation; Catheterization, Central Venous - methods; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Humans; Radiology; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography, Interventional - instrumentation; PICC; peripherally inserted central catheter
• ISSN: 1051-0443; 1535-7732
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2009.07.002

The Sonic Flashlight is an ultrasound (US) device that projects real-time US images into patients with use of a semireflective/transparent mirror. The present study evaluated the feasibility of use of the Sonic Flashlight for clinical peripherally inserted central catheter placements, originally with the mirror located inside a sterile cover ( n = 15), then with the mirror outside ( n = 11). Successful access was obtained in all cases. Results show that this new design improved visibility, as judged subjectively firsthand and in photographs. The study demonstrated the feasibility of the Sonic Flashlight and the new design to help assure sterility without degrading visibility, allowing further clinical trials involving physicians and nurses.