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. 2009 Oct;20(10):1380-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2009.07.002. Epub 2009 Aug 21.

Peripherally inserted central catheter placement using the Sonic Flashlight

Nikhil B Amesur  1 , David C Wang, Wilson Chang, David Weiser, Roberta Klatzky, Gaurav Shukla, George D Stetten
Affiliations

Peripherally inserted central catheter placement using the Sonic Flashlight

Nikhil B Amesur et al. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2009 Oct.

Abstract

The Sonic Flashlight is an ultrasound (US) device that projects real-time US images into patients with use of a semireflective/transparent mirror. The present study evaluated the feasibility of use of the Sonic Flashlight for clinical peripherally inserted central catheter placements, originally with the mirror located inside a sterile cover (n = 15), then with the mirror outside (n = 11). Successful access was obtained in all cases. Results show that this new design improved visibility, as judged subjectively firsthand and in photographs. The study demonstrated the feasibility of the Sonic Flashlight and the new design to help assure sterility without degrading visibility, allowing further clinical trials involving physicians and nurses.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
View of the brachial artery and vein through the half-silvered mirror of the Sonic Flashlight. The perceived location of the vessels is independent of viewpoint.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Geometric relationships for Real Time Tomographic Reflection (RTTR). The mirror bisects the angle between the display and the virtual image. By fundamental laws of optics, the virtual image will appear at its physical location, independent of viewer position.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(Top) Virtual image of 2 simulated vessels in a phantom seen through the half-silvered mirror with the plastic probe cover over the base only. (Bottom) The same virtual image seen through the half-silvered mirror with the plastic probe cover over the mirror. Note the degradation of image quality.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(Top) The Sonic Flashlight, separated into 3 pieces, from left to right: hood, mirror with holder, and base. (Bottom) The assembled Sonic Flashlight with the plastic probe cover enveloping only the base.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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