Every year, millions of thin, flexible tubes called Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) are placed into the veins of critically ill newborns and children to deliver lifesaving therapies.
The insertion of a CVC is one of the most frequent invasive procedures performed in the Intensive Care Setting. Common types of CVC used in neonatal and pediatric care are Umbilical Venous Catheters (UVCs) and Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs).
However, the placement and maintenance of these life lines can be difficult since there is no accurate, real-time feedback available during or after the insertion procedure. This means there are high rates of misplacement and migration of central lines during and after the insertion procedure.