Competitive Real-Time Near Infrared (NIR) Vein Finder Imaging Device to Improve Peripheral Subcutaneous Vein Selection in Venipuncture for Clinical Laboratory Testing

Mark D Francisco, Wen-Fan Chen, Cheng-Tang Pan, Ming-Cheng Lin, Zhi-Hong Wen, Chien-Feng Liao, Yow-Ling Shiue, Mark D Francisco, Wen-Fan Chen, Cheng-Tang Pan, Ming-Cheng Lin, Zhi-Hong Wen, Chien-Feng Liao, Yow-Ling Shiue

Abstract

In this study, near-infrared (NIR) technology was utilized to develop a low-cost real-time near infrared (NIR) guiding device for cannulation. A portable device that can be used by medical practitioners and also by students for their skills development training in performing cannulation.

Methods: First, is the development of a reflectance type optical vein finder using three (3) light emitting diode (LED) lights with 960 nm wavelength, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-infrared (CMOS-IR) sensor camera with 1920 × 1080 UXGA (1080P), IR filter set for the given wavelength, and an open-source image processing software. Second, is the actual in-vitro human testing in two sites: the arm and dorsal hand of 242 subjects. The following parameters were included, such as gender, age, mass index (BMI), and skin tone. In order to maximize the assessment process towards the device, the researchers included the arm circumference. This augmented subcutaneous vein imaging study using the develop vein finder device compared the difference in the captured vein images through visual and digital imaging approaches. The human testing was performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the Trinity University of Asia-Institutional Ethics Review Committee (TUA-IERC).

Results: The NIR imaging system of the developed vein finder in this study showed its capability as an efficient guiding device through real-time vein pattern recognition, for both sites. Improved captured vein images were observed, having 100% visibility of vein patterns on the dorsal hand site. Fourteen (5.79%) out of 242 subjects reported non-visible peripheral subcutaneous veins in the arm sites.

Conclusions: The developed vein finder device with the NIR technology and reflected light principle with low-energy consumption was efficient for real-time peripheral subcutaneous vein imaging without the application of a tourniquet. This might be utilized as a guiding device in locating the vein for the purpose of cannulation, at a very low cost as compared to the commercially available vein finders. Moreover, it may be used as an instructional device for student training in performing cannulation.

Keywords: (LED) light emitting diode; (NIR) Near-infrared; cannulation; deoxyhemoglobin; image processing; vein finder; venipuncture.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Main veins of the antecubital fossa.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Light skin penetration with different wavelengths (nm).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic diagram of the vein finder device design.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Light emitting diode (LED) power distribution at 3.5 cm CMOS Lens–LED configuration in different working distances.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Relationship between working distance and the number of LEDs used.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Power strength with different CMOS Lens–LED distances (a–c).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Power strength with different CMOS Lens–LED distances (a–c).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Power distribution in different LED–LED distances.
Figure 8
Figure 8
The types of captured images as results from the arm site. (a) Highly visible, (b) Visible, and (c) Non-visible using the developed vein finder.
Figure 9
Figure 9
The types of captured images as results from the dorsal hand site. (a) Highly visible and (b) Visible using the developed vein finder.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Peripheral subcutaneous vein imaging through visual approach (without the NIR veinfinder) (a) arm site (area: <1) and (b) dorsal hand site (area: <1) compared to the digital imaging approach (with the NIR vein finder) (c) arm site (area: 12865) and (d) dorsal hand site (area: 5112). The ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) was used to quantify vein visibilities.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Vein visualization rate with the developed vein finder: 242 (100%) human subjects.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Arm images from three different subjects with stretch marks with non-visible vein (a–c).
Figure 13
Figure 13
Arm images of two different subjects with skin marks due to a highly pigmented spot-epidermal melanin with non-visible vein (a,b).
Figure 14
Figure 14
Arm images of two different subjects BMI = O, darker complexion (IV) skin tone with non-visible vein (a,b).
Figure 15
Figure 15
Arm images of three different subjects with BMI = N with non-visible vein (a–c).
Figure 16
Figure 16
Arm images of two different child subjects with non-visible vein (a,b).
Figure 17
Figure 17
Dorsal hand images of three different subjects with hair structures with highly visible veins (a–c).

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