Evaluation of vascular puncture needles with specific modifications for enhanced ultrasound visibility:In vitro study

• Published in: World journal of radiology 2012-06, Vol.4 (6), p.273-277
• Main Authors: Kawai, Nobuyuki, Minamiguchi, Hiroki, Sato, Morio, Nakai, Motoki, Sanda, Hiroki, Tanaka, Takami, Ikoma, Akira, Nakata, Kouhei, Shirai, Shintaro, Sonomura, Tetsuo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brief; Dimple; needle; puncture; Rough-surface; Side-hole; Ultrasound; Vascular; visibility
• ISSN: 1949-8470; 1949-8470
• DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v4.i6.273

AIM:To determine which modification to a vascular puncture needle results in increased visualization during ultrasound(US)-guided vascular puncture.METHODS:We evaluated US images of a phantom made of degassed gelatin and each of the following four modified versions of a commercially available vascular puncture needle(18 G):re-cut needle,dimple needle,rough-surface needle(rough over the sections of needle located 3-6 mm from the tip),and a needle with four side holes(side holes covered by the sheath).An unmodified commercially available puncture needle was used as a control.Five interventional radiologists evaluated image quality according to the following classification grade:Ⅰ,invisible;Ⅱ,poor;Ⅲ,moderate;Ⅳ,good;Ⅴ,excellent.RESULTS:The highest score for needle visualization was obtained for the needle with four side holes.The re-cut needle scored the same as the control.Multiple comparisons were conducted using overall evaluation scores among the commercially available needle,dimple needle,rough-surface needle(3-6 mm),and the needle with four side holes.A significantly higher score was obtained for the needle with four side holes(P < 0.05/6).CONCLUSION:The needle with four side holes was prominently visualized and gained a significantly higher score(compared with the other needles) in a phantom evaluation.