A new device for ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access

Area of Science:

• Vascular Access
• Medical Device Innovation
• Ultrasound-Guided Procedures

Background:

• Difficult peripheral venous access necessitates advanced techniques, often invasive and costly.
• A novel echogenic venous catheter (JLB) was designed for cannulating medium to large veins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the JLB venous catheter.
• To assess the feasibility of rapid bedside placement in patients with challenging venous access.

Main Methods:

• A multi-center observational study involving 1000 patients from June 2015 to February 2018.
• Inclusion criteria: age ≥18, difficult superficial venous access, need for rapid infusion, or patient preference.
• Ultrasound guidance was used for placement by attending physicians or residents.

Main Results:

• The JLB catheter was successfully placed in 1000 patients, primarily in the internal jugular vein (95.1%).
• Mean procedure time was approximately 240 seconds with a mean of 1.21 attempts.
• Low rates of early complications (4/1000) including hematoma and phlebitis; no major complications reported.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary data suggest the JLB venous catheter is safe, cost-effective, and rapid for bedside placement.
• The device shows promise as an alternative for patients with difficult venous access.