| abstract |
A method and apparatus for Doppler-guided, imaged intravascular catherization of a higher mammal includes inserting into a peripheral blood vessel a steerable catheter which has a guide wire provided with a Doppler ultrasound transceiver at its tip, generating from signals produced by the ultrasound transceiver a continuous indication of the direction of blood flow direction relative to the catheter tip, visually displaying the indications on a display monitor, and advancing the catheter towards the heart in accordance with the indication of blood flow direction until the catheter is positioned at a desired location within the circulatory system of the mammal. |