Becton, Dickinson and Company
IV CATHETER INSERTION GUIDE

Abstract:

An IV catheter insertion guide is configured to reduce the pain a patient may experience during catheter insertion. The IV catheter insertion guide may include two platforms that can be positioned on opposing sides of the insertion site. An upstream platform can include an ultrasonic transducer or another type of heating component for increasing the temperature of tissue near the insertion site. This heating of the tissue can cause the targeted vessel to relax and increase its cross-sectional area prior to insertion of the catheter. A downstream platform can also include an ultrasonic transducer for stimulating nerves downstream from the insertion site during the insertion of the catheter. The stimulation of the downstream nerves may reduce the pain signal that is transmitted to the central nervous system in response to the catheter insertion.