Abstract: A guide structure (10) is configured for placement on a patient's skin and holding a medical probe (61) for adjustable positioning over the patient's skin during vascular line placement. A preferred guide structure includes a U-shaped base (12) having two arms (14, 16) separated by an open space (18). A carriage (50) for a medical probe holder (60) is movable along carriage guide surfaces (40, 42) of the arms of the base and thereby forms a movable bridge spanning the open space. The medical probe holder carrying a medical probe is movable in a direction transverse to the arms of the base to set the medical probe to a desired distance into the open space. A carriage translation actuator (62) operatively associated with the carriage enables movement of the carriage and thereby adjusts the position of the medical probe over the surface of the patient's skin.

Abstract: A guide structure (10) is configured for placement on a patient's skin and holding a medical probe (61) for adjustable positioning over the patient's skin during vascular line placement. A preferred guide structure includes a U-shaped base (12) having two arms (14, 16) separated by an open space (18). A carriage (50) for a medical probe holder (60) is movable along carriage guide surfaces (40, 42) of the arms of the base and thereby forms a movable bridge spanning the open space. The medical probe holder carrying a medical probe is movable in a direction transverse to the arms of the base to set the medical probe to a desired distance into the open space. A carriage translation actuator (62) operatively associated with the carriage enables movement of the carriage and thereby adjusts the position of the medical probe over the surface of the patient's skin.