Ultrasound-guided catheter enhances precision in regional anesthesia

For many minor orthopedic or surgical interventions, local or regional anesthesia is sufficient. However, accurate placement of the catheter is crucial for the effectiveness and safety of the procedure. Until now, this has required extensive experience, higher doses of anesthetic, or X-ray guidance, each of which poses disadvantages for patients. 

A new project at the Institute for Circular Economy of Bio:Polymers (ibp) at Hof University of Applied Sciences, supported by the Bavarian Research Foundation (BFS), aims to overcome these challenges. Together with ALPO Medizintechnik GmbH and with clinical support from Kliniken Hochfranken, a catheter tube is being developed that is clearly visible under ultrasound. 

The core principle behind the development lies in optimizing the acoustic impedance of the catheter material, a property that determines how ultrasound waves are reflected between different substances. This adjustment allows the catheter to appear distinctly in ultrasound images, improving its visibility without the need for contrast agents or ionizing radiation. 

"This makes the otherwise invisible plastic tube easy to locate, without the side effects of contrast agents or X-ray radiation," explains Franziska Bauer, research associate. 

This approach enables image-guided catheter placement that is safer for patients and less complex for clinicians. 

Initial testing involved synthetic tissue models such as ballistic gel and phantom tissue. However, these materials led to artifacts and reduced image quality. The research team turned to real muscle tissue: 

“Real muscle tissue provides realistic conditions and allows a valid assessment of visibility. In these tests, the new catheter proved its ultrasound compatibility – a crucial step on the road to medical approval,” says Franziska Bauer. 

Pork loin offered a lifelike medium to evaluate the catheter under conditions that closely resemble clinical application. 

Before the catheter can be used in medical practice, it must undergo and pass a series of regulatory assessments focused on: 

• Patient safety 

• Device performance 

• Clinical evaluation 

Once approved, the catheter could offer multiple benefits: 

• Reduced need for anesthetic agents 

• Lower risk of side effects 

• No radiation exposure 

• Simplified procedures for anesthesiologists and surgical staff 

This development represents a practical step toward improved procedural safety in regional anesthesia and image-guided interventions. 

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Hochschule Hof - University of Applied Sciences