Vein Enhancer Laser Scanning for Vascular Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for vascular access, such as inserting needles into veins, often rely on guesswork due to the lack of effective visualization tools, resulting in 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 an image back onto the skin, allowing practitioners to accurately locate veins using a system that combines laser diodes, mirrors, and photo detectors to modulate and project light patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional visual inspection methods are used to locate veins, then the procedure is simple and quick to perform, but the success rate is low and multiple attempts are required especially in obese or elderly patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color change principles by using near-infrared light to cause veins to appear as dark structures against lighter surrounding tissue. The differential absorption of near-infrared light by blood versus surrounding tissues creates visible contrast that allows practitioners to accurately locate veins without multiple attempts, directly improving vein location accuracy while reducing time loss.
2Measurement precision
If near-infrared light sources are used to enhance vein visualization, then vein detection accuracy improves significantly, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems with a simpler optical approach using near-infrared light sources and detectors. Instead of using ultrasound or MRI machines, the system uses near-infrared light that naturally penetrates tissue and is differentially absorbed by blood, creating vein images through optical properties rather than mechanical scanning, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light from visible spectrum to near-infrared spectrum (approximately 700-1100 nm). This parameter change allows light to penetrate deeper into tissue and be differentially absorbed by hemoglobin, enabling vein visualization through a fundamental shift in the physical parameter of light wavelength rather than through complex imaging hardware.
3Stability of the object's composition
If alternating frame mode is used for laser scanning, then real-time vein visualization is achieved with reduced motion artifacts, but the scanning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between two scanning frames (Frame A and Frame B) in a regular sequence. Each frame captures vein images at different moments, and by alternating between them, the system achieves real-time visualization while reducing motion artifacts. This periodic scanning approach simplifies the control complexity compared to continuous high-speed scanning while maintaining image stability.
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 finding veins, improving the success rate of vascular access procedures and enhancing the ability to locate veins in difficult cases by providing real-time, accurate visualization.
Implementation Method 1
The laser light source is moved relative to the body part, and a detection means measures the light reflected from the body part. Blood-filled structures are distinguished from the surrounding tissue on the basis of light absorption.
Implementation Method 2
a detection means measures the light reflected from the body part
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.