Needle insertion systems and methods

Abstract

Embodiments of a needle insertion system and method are disclosed. One method embodiment includes transmitting a sound beam along an axis to contact a blood vessel; receiving the reflected sound beam from the blood vessel; processing the reflected sound beam to detect the location of the blood vessel; and, responsive to the detection, receiving a needle in a guideway that is oriented parallel to the axis.

1 . A needle insertion method, comprising:
 transmitting a sound beam along an axis to contact a blood vessel;   receiving the reflected sound beam from the blood vessel;   processing the reflected sound beam to detect the location of the blood vessel; and   responsive to the detection, receiving a needle in a guideway that is oriented parallel to the axis, wherein receiving a needle in a guideway that is oriented parallel to the axis includes receiving the needle in the guideway that is oriented coincident with the axis.   
     
     
         2 . A needle insertion method, comprising:
 transmitting a sound beam along a first axis to contact a blood vessel;   receiving a reflected sound beam reflected from the blood vessel along the first axis;   processing the reflected sound beam to detect the location of the blood vessel; and   responsive to the detection, receiving a needle in a guideway that is oriented along a second axis that enables the needle to intersect the first axis in proximity to the blood vessel.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein transmitting includes transmitting a pulsed ultrasonic beam focused within the body to a diameter of approximately 1 millimeter. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further including providing feedback to a user in response to the detection. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein providing feedback includes providing the feedback at least until the needle contacts the blood vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further including providing at least one of an audible sound, a visual display signal, and a tactile signal to a user in response to the detection. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein receiving a needle in a guideway includes receiving the needle along the second axis that has a depth-dependent offset relative to the first axis. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein receiving a needle in a guideway further includes contacting the blood vessel with the needle proximally to where the sound beam was reflected from the blood vessel. 
     
     
         9 . A needle insertion system, comprising:
 a transducer assembly configured to radiate a sound beam along a first axis and detect a blood vessel responsive to receiving a reflected sound beam; and   a coupler that is configured to reflect the sound beam along a second axis to and from the blood vessel, the coupler configured with a guideway that is oriented parallel to the second axis, wherein the guideway is oriented coincidentally with the second axis.   
     
     
         10 . A needle insertion system, comprising:
 a transducer assembly configured to radiate a sound beam along a first axis and detect a blood vessel responsive to receiving a reflected sound beam; and   a coupler that is configured to reflect the sound beam along a second axis to and from the blood vessel, the coupler configured with a guideway that is oriented along a third axis that enables the needle to intersect the second axis in proximity to the blood vessel.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the transducer assembly includes a transducer set back a defined distance from a skin surface on which the coupler rests, the transducer configured to radiate a pulsed ultrasonic beam focused within the body to approximately 1 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the transducer assembly includes an output module that is configured to provide at least one of an audible sound, a visual display signal, and a tactile signal to a user in response to the detection of the blood vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the guideway is configured to receive the needle along the third axis that has a depth dependent offset relative to the second axis. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the guideway is receptive to a needle that can be advanced in a direction oriented along the third axis to contact the blood vessel in a location that is proximal to where the sound beam intersects the third axis. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the transducer assembly includes at least one of a switch, transmitter electronics, receiver electronics, an oscillator, a power amplifier, a pulse generator, and a processor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the coupler includes a chamber that contains a coupling material. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the coupler includes a reflective portion that reflects the sound beam from the transducer assembly through a window to the blood vessel, and from the blood vessel through the window to the transducer portion. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the coupler is at least one of attachable and detachable from the transducer assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the coupler is capable of disassembly. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the guideway is configured with a slot that enables separation of the coupler and the needle. 
     
     
         21 . A coupler that acts as an interface between a needle and a skin surface through which the needle is to advance to contact a blood vessel, the coupler comprising:
 means for receiving a reflected sound beam along a first axis; and   means for receiving a needle along an axis that is parallel to the first axis, wherein the means for receiving a needle is oriented coincidentally with the first axis.   
     
     
         22 . A coupler that acts as an interface between a needle and a skin surface through which the needle is to advance to contact a blood vessel, the coupler comprising:
 means for reflecting a transmitted sound beam along a first axis and a reflected sound beam reflected from a blood vessel along the first axis; and   means for receiving a needle along a second axis that is oriented to enable the needle to intersect the first axis in proximity to a blood vessel in which the needle is to be inserted.   
     
     
         23 . The coupler of  claim 22 , wherein the means for receiving a needle is a guideway. 
     
     
         24 . The coupler of  claim 23 , wherein the guideway is slotted. 
     
     
         25 . The coupler of  claim 22 , wherein the means for receiving a reflected sound beam includes means for receiving a transmitted sound beam along a third axis. 
     
     
         26 . The coupler of  claim 25 , wherein the means for receiving a reflected sound beam includes a chamber configured to contain a coupling material, a reflective portion, a window, and a transducer assembly attachment means.