Abstract: Penetrative access devices for assisting users in performing any one or more of various medical procedures that require inserting a needle into a patient, such as for vascular access, pneumothorax decompression, catheterization, abscess draining, etc. In some embodiments, a penetrative access device of this disclosure is a handheld device that is fully self-contained in that it contains all of the hardware and software needed to perform the penetrative access. In some embodiments, a penetrative access device of this disclosure is a handheld device that cooperates, within a penetrative access system, with one or more devices external to the penetrative access device in providing the requisite penetrative access features. Various related methods are also disclosed, including methods of using a penetrative access device/system of the disclosure, methods of performing access operations, and methods of contactlessly calibrating needle-tip location for accurate needle-tip guidance.

Abstract: Penetrative access devices for assisting users in performing any one or more of various medical procedures that require inserting a needle into a patient, such as for vascular access, pneumothorax decompression, catheterization, abscess draining, etc. In some embodiments, a penetrative access device of this disclosure is a handheld device that is fully self-contained in that it contains all of the hardware and software needed to perform the penetrative access. In some embodiments, a penetrative access device of this disclosure is a handheld device that cooperates, within a penetrative access system, with one or more devices external to the penetrative access device in providing the requisite penetrative access features. Various related methods are also disclosed, including methods of using a penetrative access device/system of the disclosure, methods of performing access operations, and methods of contactlessly calibrating needle-tip location for accurate needle-tip guidance.