Multisensory System for the Detection and Localization of Peripheral Subcutaneous Veins

Visualization of Subcutaneous Blood Vessels Based on Hyperspectral Imaging and Three-Wavelength Index Images

Blood vessel visualization technology allows nursing staff to transition from traditional palpation or touch to locate the subcutaneous blood vessels to visualized localization by providing a clear visual aid for performing various medical procedures accurately and efficiently involving blood vessels; this can further improve the first-attempt puncture success rate for nursing staff and reduce the pain of patients. We propose a novel technique for hyperspectral visualization of blood vessels in human skin. An experiment with six participants with different skin types, race, and nationality backgrounds is described. A mere separation of spectral layers for different skin types is shown to be insufficient. The use of three-wavelength indices in imaging has shown a significant improvement in the quality of results compared to using only two-wavelength indices. This improvement can be attributed to an increase in the contrast ratio, which can be as high as 25%. We propose and implement a technique for finding new index formulae based on an exhaustive search and a binary blood-vessel image obtained through an expert assessment. As a result of the search, a novel index formula was deduced, allowing high-contrast blood vessel images to be generated for any skin type.

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

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.

A novel design proposal for low-cost vein-viewer for medical and non-contact biometric applications using NIR imaging

The vein-viewer is a new revolution in the health industry. In fact, it is one of the must-have gadgets for any medical professional. The vein-viewer is device that helps to access easily veins when trying to collect a blood sample or for administering Intravenous (IV) cannulation. It is also an aid for dermatologist/aesthetic physician to access client's veins for sclerotherapy procedures or avoiding veins in cosmetic procedures. The vein-viewer is highly applicable where vascular positioning is really difficult; examples while canulating infants, obese, hairy/dark skins, dialysis/cancer patients etc. In addition, frequent attempts affect patients, causing trauma and subcutaneous haemorrhage. As palm/finger vein patterns are unique and complex, difficult to duplicate or steal as it is beneath the skin. So, in this Covid19 pandemic time, the vein-viewer finds applications in the secure non-contact bio-metric authentications for secure banking and attendance registering system to identify an individual. In this article I am trying to explain the design overview of vein-viewer system, its design challenges, cost aspects, its availability and also sharing a few inputs for the new compact, low-cost design and implementation.

Performance Evaluation of Dorsal Vein Network of Hand Imaging Using Relative Total Variation-Based Regularization for Smoothing Technique in a Miniaturized Vein Imaging System: A Pilot Study

Vein puncture is commonly used for blood sampling, and accurately locating the blood vessel is an important challenge in the field of diagnostic tests. Imaging systems based on near-infrared (NIR) light are widely used for accurate human vein puncture. In particular, segmentation of a region of interest using the obtained NIR image is an important field, and research for improving the image quality by removing noise and enhancing the image contrast is being widely conducted. In this paper, we propose an effective model in which the relative total variation (RTV) regularization algorithm and contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) are combined, whereby some major edge information can be better preserved. In our previous study, we developed a miniaturized NIR imaging system using light with a wavelength of 720–1100 nm. We evaluated the usefulness of the proposed algorithm by applying it to images acquired by the developed NIR imaging system. Compared with the conventional algorithm, when the proposed method was applied to the NIR image, the visual evaluation performance and quantitative evaluation performance were enhanced. In particular, when the proposed algorithm was applied, the coefficient of variation was improved by a factor of 15.77 compared with the basic image. The main advantages of our algorithm are the high noise reduction efficiency, which is beneficial for reducing the amount of undesirable information, and better contrast. In conclusion, the applicability and usefulness of the algorithm combining the RTV approach and CLAHE for NIR images were demonstrated, and the proposed model can achieve a high image quality.

Vein Pattern Locating Technology for Cannulation: A Review of the Low-Cost Vein Finder Prototypes Utilizing near Infrared (NIR) Light to Improve Peripheral Subcutaneous Vein Selection for Phlebotomy

One of the most common means for diagnosis is through medical laboratory testing, which primarily uses venous blood as a sample. This requires an invasive method by cannulation that needs proper vein selection. The use of a vein finder would help the phlebotomist to easily locate the vein, preventing possible pre-analytical error in the specimen collection and even more discomfort and pain to the patient. This paper is a review of the scientific publications on the different developed low-cost vein finder prototypes utilizing camera assisted near infrared (NIR) light technology. Methods: Electronic databases were searched online, these included PubMed (PMC), MEDLINE, Science Direct, ResearchGate, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Xplore digital library. Specifically, publications with the terms vein finder prototype, NIR technology, vein detection, and infrared imaging were screened. In addition, reference lists were used to further review related publications. Results: Cannulation challenges medical practitioners because of the different factors that can be reduced by the utilization of a vein finder. A limited number of publications regarding the assessment of personnel performing cannulation were observed. Moreover, variations in methodology, number of patients, type of patients according to their demographics and materials used in the assessment of the developed prototypes were noted. Some studies were limited with regard to the actual human testing of the prototype. Conclusions: The development of a low-cost effective near infrared (NIR) vein finder remains in the phase of improvement. Since, it is being challenged by different human factors, increasing the number of parameters and participants/human for actual testing of the prototypes must also be taken into consideration for possible commercialization. Finally, it was noted that publications regarding the assessment of the performance of phlebotomists using vein finders were limited.

Hybrid constraint optimization for 3D subcutaneous vein reconstruction by near-infrared images

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The development of biometric identification technology and intelligent medication has enabled researchers to analyze subcutaneous veins from near-infrared images. However, the stereo reconstruction of subcutaneous veins has not been well studied, and the results are difficult to utilize in clinical practice.

METHODS

We present a hybrid constraint optimization (HCO) matching algorithm for vein reconstruction to solve the matching failure problems caused by the incomplete segmentation of vein structures captured from different views. This algorithm initially introduces the existence of the epipolar and homography constraints in the subcutaneous vein matching. Then, the HCO matching algorithm of the vascular centerline is established by homography point-to-point matching, homography matrix optimization, and vascular section matching. Finally, the 3D subcutaneous vein is reconstructed on the basis of the principle of triangulation and system calibration parameters.

RESULTS

To validate the performance of the proposed matching method, we designed a series of experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of the hybrid constraint optimization method. The experiments were performed on simulated and real datasets. 42 real vascular images were analyzed on the basis of different matching strategies. Experimental result shows that the matching accuracy increased significantly with the proposed optimization matching method. To calculate the reconstruction accuracy, we reconstructed seven simulated cardboards and measured 10 vascular distances in each simulated cardboard. The average vascular distance error of each simulated image was within 1.0 mm, and the distance errors of 75% feature points were less than 1.5 mm. Also, we printed a 3D simulated vein model to improve the illustration of this system. The reconstruction error extends from -3.58 mm to 1.94 mm with a standard deviation of 0.68 mm and a mean of 0.07 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

The algorithm is validated in terms of homography optimization, matching efficiency, and simulated vascular reconstruction error. The experimental results demonstrate that the veins captured from the left and right views can be accurately matched through the proposed algorithm.