Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters by Nurses using the Sonic Flashlight

Our lab has developed a novel ultrasound device for guiding invasive procedures called the Sonic Flashlight (SF). The SF replaces the conventional ultrasound (CUS) monitor with a small display and a semi-reflective/transparent mirror to reflect real-time US images into the body. Looking through the mirror, the virtual US image appears to float beneath the skin, precisely where the scan is being obtained. The SF merges the US image, probe, needle, operator's hands, and patient into the same field of view, making procedures more intuitive. In contrast, CUS displaces hand-eye coordination by forcing Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) are often placed in patients requiring multiple doses of intravenous (IV) medicine or multiple draws of blood samples. These are commonly done by experienced nurses on the IV team, who travel throughout the hospital to place these lines at the patient's bedsides (in lieu of a costly trip to the radiology department). PICC placement is ubiquitiously performed under ultrasound guidance, allowing the clinician visualization of the target vessel prior to needle puncture. We propose here the use of a new ultrasound device for guidance of PICC placement, and demonstrate its feasibility for use by IV team nurses on the hospital floors. We also demonstrate that IV team nurses can adapt to the SF quickly. Abstract