Ultrasound-equipped catheter stylet system

An apparatus, comprising:

• a catheter comprising an echolucent tip having a thickness and geometry configured to permit transmission of ultrasound therethrough and to modify propagation of the ultrasound passing through the echolucent tip;
• and a stylet configured for insertion into the catheter, the stylet comprising:
• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and an ultrasound transceiver coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the ultrasound transceiver configured to transmit and receive A-mode ultrasound signals along an axis of the shaft, wherein, when the stylet is inserted into the catheter, the ultrasound transceiver is positioned adjacent the echolucent tip such that the A- mode ultrasound signals are transmitted through the echolucent tip and echoes are received through the echolucent tip.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a catheter comprising an echolucent tip configured to permit transmission of ultrasound therethrough;
• and a stylet configured for insertion into the catheter, the stylet comprising:
• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an ultrasound transceiver coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the ultrasound transceiver configured to transmit and receive A-mode ultrasound signals along an axis of the shaft;
• and a position sensor coupled to the stylet and configured to generate position data corresponding to transmission and reception of the A-mode ultrasound signals, the position data indicating a spatial position of the distal end of the shaft relative to a reference point;
• wherein, when the stylet is inserted into the catheter, the ultrasound transceiver is positioned adjacent the echolucent tip such that the A- mode ultrasound signals are transmitted through the echolucent tip and echoes are received through the echolucent tip.