Blood Vessel Imaging for Adaptive Needle Puncture Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic blood collection apparatuses fail to account for individual differences in finger anatomy, leading to inconsistent blood collection due to varying vessel branch points, posture, and position, necessitating human intervention for stable blood collection.
Innovation Solution
A blood collection apparatus with a light source, camera, and movement mechanism that calculates puncture suitability as a quantitative numerical value for each point on the captured image of blood vessels, selecting the optimal insertion location based on this value to ensure stable blood collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed-point mechanical insertion method is used, then the device structure is simple, but blood collection stability deteriorates due to individual differences in finger anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of puncture location selection from fixed to variable by calculating puncture suitability scores for multiple candidate points based on blood vessel imaging, allowing adaptation to individual anatomical differences while maintaining automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary imaging and analysis of blood vessel patterns before puncture, calculating suitability scores for multiple candidate points in advance to identify the optimal puncture location that ensures stable blood collection
2Reliability
If vessel branch point extraction is performed, then blood collection stability improves, but the need for human determination increases due to multiple candidate points
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the selection criterion from simple vessel branch point detection to a quantitative puncture suitability score that incorporates multiple factors including blood vessel density, depth, and flow characteristics, enabling automated comparison and selection of the optimal point
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses imaging feedback to calculate puncture suitability for multiple candidate points and automatically selects the point with the highest score, creating a closed-loop automated decision-making process that eliminates human intervention
3Reliability
If puncture suitability calculation is performed for each point, then blood collection consistency improves, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the finger surface into multiple candidate puncture points and calculates suitability scores for each segment independently, allowing parallel processing and reducing overall computational burden while maintaining comprehensive evaluation
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
The apparatus can perform stable blood collection regardless of individual differences in finger anatomy, posture, or position, ensuring consistent blood collection without human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a light source which emits light to the body part; a camera which captures an image of a blood vessel running subcutaneously in the body part from the same side or the opposite side of the light source
Data Source
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AI summary
A blood collection apparatus includes: a light source which emits light to a body part of a subject; a camera which captures an image of a blood vessel running subcutaneously in the body part from the same side or the opposite side of the light source; a movement mechanism which moves a relative position of the puncture needle to the body part; and a computation unit which calculates puncture suitability as a quantitative numerical value for each of points in a range in which the puncture needle is allowed to move on a captured image of the blood vessel captured by the camera, the puncture suitability being an indicator of whether the point is suitable for puncture or not. The computation unit is configured to select a location best suited for insertion of the puncture needle in the body part based on the puncture suitability calculated for each point in the range in which the puncture needle is allowed to move on the captured image, and to control the movement mechanism such that the puncture needle is inserted at the selected location.