A vessel locator apparatus (30) having a locator housing, and an elongated cavity defined in the locator housing, is described. The vessel locator apparatus include a superelastic wire (46) positioned at least partially in the elongated cavity, the superelastic having a proximal end and a distal end. The superelastic wire may have an elongated portion extending in a substantially longitudinal direction and a distal locator portion having an original shape configuration. The original shape configuration of distal locator portion may include a first curved segment, a second curved segment, an intermediate segment extending between the first curved segment and the second curved segment, and an end segment extending between the second curved segment and the distal end of the superelastic wire. A method of locating a vessel, such as a blood vessel, using a vessel locator apparatus is also described.
