Doppler Guided IV Needle Improves Access to Veins

A new intravenous (IV) needle guided by Doppler ultrasound minimizes the need for multiple sticks and helps to ensure central access to the intended vessel for infusion therapy. Doppler ultrasound provides easier targeting and access to veins.

Uses for the Doppler-guided IV needle include radial access for heart procedures, accessing arterial vessels to monitor blood pressures in critical care units, and delivering anesthetics and various infusion therapies. Escalon Vascular Access, a subsidiary of Escalon Medical Corp. (Wayne, PA, USA) developed the IV needle. The company says the needle could be particularly helpful in the area of oncology, where patients must have their veins accessed frequently for chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.

"Based on our early results targeting the oncology market, we will be expanding our focus to other cancer center facilities,” said Richard J. DePiano, chairman and chief executive officer of Escalon. "Our strategy will include training and educating clinicians onsite in the cancer center in the use of our Doppler Guided Needles.”