Differential-Resolution Vein Imaging for Portable Venipuncture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vein enhancement systems are large and fixed-mounted, limiting their portability and integration into handheld devices, and lack integrated data collection and projection capabilities for enhanced venipuncture processes.
Innovation Solution
A handheld vein detection device that integrates bar code decoding, biometrics, and data projection, allowing for variable resolution, additional lighting, and connection to host computers for data storage and integration with other patient monitoring devices, while projecting vein patterns and diagnostic data onto the patient's body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vein enhancement systems use fixed-mounted large devices, then imaging stability and data collection accuracy are improved, but device portability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed-mounted vein enhancement system is divided into separate functional modules (light source, detector, processor, display) that can be independently optimized and reconfigured. This allows the system to maintain imaging accuracy while being adaptable to different mounting configurations including portable handheld devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The vein enhancement system is designed with multi-functional capabilities that allow it to operate effectively in both fixed-mounted and portable configurations. The system can perform vein imaging, data collection, and can be integrated with various mounting platforms, making it universally applicable across different operational requirements.
2Measurement precision
If uniform high resolution is applied across the entire vein image, then imaging precision is improved, but data transmission bandwidth and processing time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the vein image are assigned different resolution levels based on their diagnostic importance. The central region containing the primary vein structure is captured at high resolution, while peripheral areas are captured at lower resolution. This localized quality adjustment maintains diagnostic accuracy for critical areas while reducing overall data volume and processing requirements.
3Productivity
If integrated data collection and projection capabilities are added to handheld devices, then functionality and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (vein imaging sensor, light source, barcode scanner, biometric sensor, data projector, and processor) are merged into a single integrated handheld device. This consolidation enables the practitioner to perform vein location, patient identification, data collection, and guidance projection all through one device, significantly improving venipuncture process efficiency despite the increased integration complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances venipuncture processes by providing portable vein location, data collection, and projection capabilities, reducing errors, and enabling remote practitioner assistance, while optimizing bandwidth and reducing initial costs through per-use payment schemes.
Implementation Method 1
a first laser is shone on a patients skin and an image is captured based on light reflected from the skin
Implementation Method 2
converting the captured image to a plurality of stored values representative of the intensity of said image at specified relative locations, processing the stored values to produce a second plurality of stored values representative of the image of the vein patter having enhanced contrast
Data Source
AI summary
It is known in the art to use an apparatus to enhance the visual appearance of the veins and arteries in a patient to facilitate insertion of needles into those veins and arteries. This application discloses a number of inventions that add additional data collection and presentation capabilities to a handheld vein enhancement apparatus and a set of processes for the collection of blood and the delivery of IV medicines that use the handheld device to mediate the process.