Handheld Vein Scanner Infrared Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for locating veins, such as using tourniquets to increase blood pressure, are invasive and uncomfortable, especially for elderly patients and those with low blood pressure, and often fail to reveal suitable veins for blood draws or medication administration.

Innovation Solution

A portable, hand-held medical apparatus using infrared light to detect veins beneath the skin and project their location onto the skin surface using visible light, allowing medical professionals to easily identify and select the best vein for procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a temporary tourniquet is applied to increase blood pressure and make veins visible, then vein visibility is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to extreme discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevein visibilityVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical tourniquet system with an optical detection system. Instead of using mechanical compression to make veins visible, the invention uses infrared light to detect veins beneath the skin and projects their location onto the skin surface, eliminating the need for physical constriction and the associated patient discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes infrared light (different wavelength/color from visible light) to detect veins that are not visible to the human eye. The system detects differences in light absorption or reflection between venous tissue and surrounding tissue, then visually displays vein locations through projected imaging, transforming invisible physiological structures into visible information without mechanical intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If conventional methods are used to locate veins, then some veins may be found, but the method fails for elderly patients and patients with low blood pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevein detection success rateVSAvoidapplicability to different patient populations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from visual inspection (which requires veins to be visible on the surface) to infrared light detection (which can penetrate tissue and detect veins regardless of their depth or visibility). This parameter change allows the system to detect veins in patients where conventional visual methods fail, including elderly patients and those with low blood pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If visual inspection alone is used to find veins, then the process is simple, but veins that are deep in the tissue remain undetectable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection method simplicityVSAvoiddeep vein detectability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface visual inspection to three-dimensional subsurface detection using infrared light. The infrared radiation can penetrate through the skin and detect veins at various depths, providing information about the spatial distribution of veins beneath the surface rather than only what is visible on the surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This method allows for non-invasive, comfortable, and confident vein location, enhancing the smoothness of venipunctures and improving the visibility of vasculature, making it easier to select appropriate veins for blood sampling or medication administration.

Implementation Method 1

uses infrared light to detect veins beneath the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

uses infrared light to detect veins beneath the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

illuminating the position of the veins on the skin surface directly above the veins using visible light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight: Light

Data Source

PatentUS8463364B2Vein scanner

Publication Date: 2013.06.11 ACCUVEIN LLC

AI summary

A portable vein viewer apparatus may be battery powered and hand-held to reveal patient vasculature information to aid in venipuncture processes. The apparatus comprises a first laser diode emitting infrared light, and a second laser diode emitting only visible wavelengths, wherein vasculature absorbs a portion of the infrared light causing reflection of a contrasted infrared image. A pair of silicon PIN photodiodes, responsive to the contrasted infrared image, causes transmission of a corresponding signal. The signal is processed through circuitry to amplify, sum, and filter the outputted signals, and with the use of an image processing algorithm, the contrasted image is projected onto the patient's skin surface using the second laser diode. Revealed information may comprise vein location, depth, diameter, and degree of certainty of vein locations. Projection of vein images may be a positive or a negative image. Venipuncture needles may be coated to provide visibility in projected images.