Trigger-Actuated Laser Vein Enhancer for Vascular Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for vascular access, such as inserting needles or catheters into veins, often rely on guesswork due to the lack of effective visualization tools, leading to high failure rates and discomfort, especially in challenging cases like obese or elderly patients.
Innovation Solution
The use of one or more moving laser light sources to detect blood-filled structures beneath the skin and project their pattern back onto the skin, allowing practitioners to accurately locate veins using differential absorption of infrared light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vascular access procedures are performed without visualization aids, then the procedure can be performed with simple equipment, but the success rate is low and patient discomfort is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color/contrast changes by using infrared light to cause blood-filled structures to absorb light differently than surrounding tissue, creating visual contrast that highlights veins. The projected image displays veins in distinct patterns (e.g., red or colored overlays) against the skin surface, enabling practitioners to easily identify target vessels without complex dissection or trial-and-error insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the subsurface vein structure by projecting an infrared image of the blood-filled structures onto the skin surface. This optical copy replicates the three-dimensional location and pattern of veins in two-dimensional space, allowing practitioners to see through the skin as if it were transparent, thereby eliminating the need for complex physical exploration or multiple insertion attempts.
2Reliability
If multiple insertion attempts are made to locate a vein, then the practitioner can eventually succeed, but patient discomfort and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary visualization of the vein structure before the insertion attempt. By projecting the infrared image onto the skin surface beforehand, the practitioner can identify the exact location, depth, and course of the vein prior to needle insertion. This preliminary action eliminates the need for multiple trial insertions, as the target is clearly marked and localized in advance.
3Measurement precision
If infrared imaging is used to visualize veins, then vein location precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary projection system that translates invisible infrared information into visible optical images. The infrared light interacts with blood-filled structures, and the reflected or absorbed patterns are captured and projected onto the skin surface as visible light patterns. This intermediary step allows practitioners to see subsurface structures without requiring them to directly interpret complex infrared data, simplifying the user interface while maintaining high measurement precision.
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 approach significantly reduces the time and discomfort associated with vascular access procedures by providing precise vein location, even in difficult cases, and allows for more efficient administration of fluids or blood draws.
Implementation Method 1
allowing practitioners to accurately locate veins using differential absorption of infrared light
Implementation Method 2
The use of one or more moving laser light sources to detect blood-filled structures beneath the skin and project their pattern back onto the skin
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.