Abstract: A system for locating the tip of a catheter inside a human body is provided. The system includes a sound sensor for sensing the magnitude wave form generated by sound pressure as a PICC is progressed toward a heart of a patient. The systems also includes a monitor operably coupled to the sensor for measuring the magnitude of wave form generated by the sound sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding the placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter in a patient is provided. The system includes a peripherally inserted central catheter; at least one sensor configured to be coupled to said catheter and structured to sense and transmit an electrical signal associated with a P wave; a data base including known data corresponding to standard and non-standard P waves including peaks, deflections and transition points; and a processing device in operable communication with said at least one sensor and said data base, said processing device configured to receive said electrical signal and identify P waveform attributes of said signal, cross-reference said waveform attributes and said electrical signal with known data in said base data, and output indicia representative of said P waveform attributes and said signal based on said cross-reference.

Abstract: A system for locating the tip of a catheter inside a human body is provided. The system includes a housing; a sound emitter and a sound sensor housed in the housing; a waveform generator configured to generate a fixed waveform at a desired frequency and having desired characteristics and output the fixed waveform to the sound emitter; a peripherally inserted central catheter fluidly coupled to the housing and configured to propagate the fixed waveform toward a heart of a patient; a sound sensor housed within said housing, said sound configured to sense sound waves reflected from the heart as the peripherally inserted central catheter is progressed toward a heart of a patient; and a waveform analyzer operably coupled to the output of the waveform generator and input from the sound sensor, the waveform analyzer operable to determine the difference between the output and input.

Abstract: A system for locating the tip of a catheter inside a human body is provided. The system includes a sound sensor for sensing the magnitude wave form generated by sound pressure as a PICC is progressed toward a heart of a patient; and monitoring means operably coupled to the sensor for measuring the magnitude of wave form generated by the sound sensor.