# US 10,307,135 B2 · Intravascular ultrasound needle guide

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- Number: US 10,307,135 B2
- Document ID: US10307135B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/548,895
- Filed: 2014-11-20
- Published: 2015-05-21
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2013-11-20
- Assignees: Advanced Access Solutions, Inc.
- Applicants: Advanced Access Solutions, Inc.
- Inventors: Michael T Naumann; Thomas J Brannigan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307135B2

## CPC

- A61B 8/0841: {for locating instruments}
- A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
- A61B 8/445: {Details of catheter construction}
- A61B 17/3403: {Needle locating or guiding means}
- A61M 25/10: Balloon catheters ({A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02;} inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 {; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00})
- A61B 2017/3413: {guided by ultrasound}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

An intravascular ultrasound “(IVUS”) device having an intrinsic or attachable needle guide is disclosed. In some embodiments, a sheath having a needle guide is used in connection with an IVUS device. The devices may be used in performing minimally invasive image-guided surgical procedures. The devices may be configured to maintain a needle placed through guide in the plane of the IVUS-array to improve visualization of the needle. In some embodiments, the device is used to facilitate the creation of a tract through the liver from the inferior vena cava to the portal vein using IVUS-guidance in a direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt procedure. The devices, systems, and methods can improve patient safety by decreasing the risk of off-target punctures, decrease procedure times, and allow procedures to be performed from a single access site.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A unitary probe for performing an intravascular medical procedure, the unitary probe comprising:
a body having a proximal end, a distal end, an ultrasonic array, and a needle guide, the ultrasonic array being fixed in the body and having a visualization area radiating outwardly from a side of the body, the needle guide being fixed in the body and prevented from both rotating or translating relative to the probe, the needle guide having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the lumen of the needle guide being sized and shaped so that a flexible needle having a pre-curved shape passing through the lumen is straightened by the lumen and then reassumes its pre-curved shape when exiting the distal opening while maintaining an in-plane relationship with the visualization area of the ultrasonic array,
wherein the needle guide further comprises a distal portion, the distal portion being configured to selectively articulate from a first position that is generally parallel to the probe and to a second position that is angled away from the probe.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The unitary probe of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the lumen of the needle guide has a non-round shape so that the needle is inhibited from rotation within the needle guide.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The unitary probe of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic array is positioned at the distal end of the body.