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Updated: Apr 30, 2026

An Ultrasonic Tool for Nerve Conduction Block in Diabetic Rat Models
Published on: October 20, 2017
Application of echogenic technology for catheters used in ultrasound-guided continuous peripheral nerve blocks
Edward R Mariano1, Romy Dju Hiee Yun, T Edward Kim
1MAS, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care Service, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, 112A, Palo Alto, CA 94304 USA. emariano@stanford.edu.
Abstract:
Limited data exist regarding the echogenicity of perineural catheters, but visualization is crucial to ensure accurate placement and efficacy of the subsequent local anesthetic infusion. The objective of this study was to determine the comparative echogenicity of various regional anesthesia catheters. In an in vitro porcine-bovine model, we compared the echogenic qualities of 3 commercially available regional anesthesia catheters and 1 catheter under development to optimize echogenicity. Outcomes included visual echogenicity ranking, image quality, and scanning time, as assessed by 2 blinded investigators. The experimental catheter was found to be more echogenic than 2 of the 3 comparators.

