Device for locating and puncturing blood vessels

A device for sterile packing of at least part of an ultrasonic Doppler unit wherein the Doppler unit includes a non-sterile probe having an ultrasonic wave transmission axis, an electronic unit and a cable electrically interconnecting the probe and the electronic unit, the probe having an axial slot with a slot bottom for positioning a hypodermic needle parallel to and substantially coaxial with the axis of ultrasonic waves emitted by the probe, the device comprising the combination of:

• a cap having a non-sterile interior volume for receiving at least the distal end of the probe and a sterile exterior surface for facing toward a patient's skin;
• a guide tube penetrating said cap from one side to the other side having a sterile interior surface for receiving the hypodermic needle, said guide tube being dimensioned to enter said axial slot and lie at said slot bottom when said distal end of said probe is inserted into said cap;
• and
• an exteriorly sterile packaging element for receiving at least said cable of said Doppler unit, said packaging element being attached to said cap and having a closable opening through which said probe and at least part of said cable is insertable.