Introduction Vascoscope

The Vascoscope is the first ultrasound system dedicated to making ultrasound guided cannulation simple to perform and easy to learn. It’s unique features include probe stabilization with easy “drag and drop” fixation and simultaneous viewing of ultrasound image and cannulation location.

The Vascoscope system is portable, easy to use and battery-operated making point-of-care use simple.

What is the Vascoscope?

Vascoscope is a unique ultrasound
(US) system that is specifically
designed for supporting vascular
cannulation. Unique features include a probe stabilizer and special video glasses.

Vascular access

Creating access to the blood stream with a catheter (vascular access or cannulation) is the most common invasive procedure in medical practice. Still up to 15-45% of the cannulation attempts fail initially.
Failure has substantial implications for the patient including pain, haemorrhages and infections, vascular damage, and treatment failure.
Ultrasound guidance is the golden standard for more complex cannulation procedures
With current systems ultrasound guided vascular access is difficult to learn and perform.
The Vascoscope is developed to make vascular access easy to learn en simple to perform.

Unique features of the Vascoscope

“Drag & drop” probe stabilization: innovative stabilizer holds probe in place so both hands are available for cannulation procedure.
Optimized viewing: Special video glasses (or easily placeable tablet screen) enable simultaneous viewing of ultrasound image and cannulation location.
Simple to use, easy to learn: Probe stabilization and simultaneous viewing simplify the hand-eye coordination required and help to shorten the learning curve.
Focus: Dedicated for vascular access.
Point-of-care use: Vascoscope is delivered on a medical trolley or suitcase and is easily transportable, simple to operate and works on a battery, so can it be used almost everywhere, both in and outside the hospital.

Probe stabilizer

Point-of-care vascular cannulation made easy

Bridge: stabilizes probe on arm, prevents pressure on shunt
Clamp: easy to fixate and to (re)move
Strap conductors: make individual fit possible
Probe: standard technology, unique design
Stabilizing strap keeps bridge in place and diverts pressure

Video Glasses

Special video glasses that only cover upper part of the eyes, enabling simultaneous viewing of ultrasound image and area of cannulation location
This simultaneous viewing substantially facilitates eye-hand coordination and shortens the learning curve
User can keep his glasses on while working with the video glasses
Alternatively the computer screen can be used

Vascoscope

Point-of-care vascular cannulation made easy

Increases confidence of nurse and patient
Takes away existing thresholds for using US guided cannulation
Quicker learning
Decreases patient’s fear and distress
Helps prevent miscannulation and related complications

Vascoscope

Point-of-care vascular cannulation made easy

Increases confidence of nurse and patient
Takes away existing thresholds for using US guided cannulation
Quicker learning as shown in study at Catharina Hospital (Eindhoven, The Netherlands). See: https://doi.org/10.2309/JAVA-D-22-00014
Decreases patient’s fear and distress
Helps prevent miscannulation and related complications

Hemodialysis: primary application

Hemodialysis is by far the most common therapy used for end stage renal disease
Typically patients go 3 times a week to a specialized center for hemodialysis (In center hemodialysis, ICHD)
Vascular access is obtained by a shunt, this is the lifeline for the patient
For the survival of the shunt it is imperative that cannulation is performed with the utmost care: ultrasound guidance is proven to be superior, but still not used commonly
The Vascoscope has been developed primarily for hemodialysis and in close cooperation with the nurses, doctors and patients.
The Vascoscope used id now successfully used in several centers for hemodialysis centers in the Netherlands.

Peripheral intravenous cannulation

Peripheral intravenous cannulation is the most common invasive procedure
80% of all patients in hospital have PIVC; 2.5 million per year in the Netherlands and 300 million in the US
Yet nearly half of all first insertion attempts fail and specialized help is needed in 10-20% of patients
Substantial need for improvement and room for cost savings
Also growing need for vascular access in care institutions and at home: but very limited access to vascular access specialists
Use of vascoscope prevents pain and complications from miscannulations, reduces patient movements and safes costs of specialized care

This development is co-funded by the Province of Utrecht

Our path to succes

Developed in close cooperation with users
Now successfully used in several hemodialysis centers
Recently also introduced on the market for peripheral intravenous cannulation
Patent pending for probe stabilizer
Currently looking for seed investors
Close cooperation with distributor IVA medical (www.ivamedical.com)

The development of the Vascoscope has been made possible thanks to funding and support by the Dutch Kidney Foundation, UMC Utrecht, Pontes Medical, the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the Province of Utrecht.