If you’re a clinician using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), you know how crucial vascular access is to patient care—and how challenging peripheral IV insertions can be, especially in patients with difficult veins. That’s why we’re excited to introduce PIV Assist, a new AI-powered feature from FUJIFILM Sonosite designed to support you during vascular access planning.
Available on Sonosite LX, Sonosite PX, and Sonosite ST systems, PIV Assist helps you quickly identify veins, differentiate arteries, and select the optimal catheter size—all in real time.
Addressing a Common Clinical Challenge
Peripheral IV insertions are among the most frequently performed medical procedures, yet they can prove challenging—particularly for patients with difficult vascular access. Ultrasound guidance has gained recognition for its ability to improve success rates in these cases. As Richard Fabian, president and CEO of FUJIFILM Sonosite, explains, “Peripheral IV procedures are among the most common performed on patients, and growing evidence supports ultrasound-guided insertion as a helpful technique, especially for those with difficult IV access1.” said Richard Fabian, president and CEO of FUJIFILM Sonosite, Inc. “At Sonosite, we have a long history of innovation in both education and product development. PIV Assist is an AI-powered tool we developed in close collabouration with our customers. It’s designed to reduce cognitive load and enhance clinician confidence during vascular access planning - both of which are critical to delivering effective patient care.”
How PIV Assist Works
PIV Assist key functionalities during the pre-scan phase include:
- Colour-coded guidance: Veins are colour-coded according to the maximum recommended catheter gauge, with arteries marked in red to assist procedural planning
- CVR visualisation: The feature calculates and displays the catheter-to-vein ratio in real-time and shows the depth to the centre of the vein
- Workflow support: PIV Assist is intended to support procedural efficiency and clinician confidence
- Wide platform availability: PIV Assist is offered as a licenced feature across Sonosite LX, Sonosite PX, and Sonosite ST systems
- Robust algorithm training: The AI model was developed using tens of thousands of scan images, designed to provide reliable vessel identification support
Designed to Integrate Seamlessly into Your Clinical Workflow
PIV Assist supports users by aiding in the identification of candidate veins and assessing vein size to provide feedback on the maximum cannula size based on the catheter-to-vein ratio (CVR). By delivering real-time differentiation between veins and arteries during the pre-scan, PIV Assist aims to support clinical workflow during vascular access planning. PIV Assist is intended to help streamline workflow and enhance clinician confidence by presenting critical information visually and intuitively at the bedside.
Conclusion
With PIV Assist, FUJIFILM Sonosite delivers another step forward in ultrasound innovation, supporting clinicians with powerful AI-powered tools designed to support peripheral IV procedures. This advancement underscores the company’s dedication to enhancing patient care through cutting-edge technology and clinician partnership.
To learn more about PIV Assist and how it can support your practise, visit https://www.sonosite.com/products/sonosite-piv-assist