Towards a Low-Cost Mobile Subcutaneous Vein Detection Solution Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Excessive venipunctures are both time- and resource-consuming events, which cause anxiety, pain, and distress in patients, or can lead to severe harmful injuries. We propose a low-cost mobile health solution for subcutaneous vein detection using near-infrared spectroscopy, along with an assessment of the current state of the art in this field. The first objective of this study was to get a deeper overview of the research topic, through the initial team discussions and a detailed literature review (using both academic and grey literature). The second objective, that is, identifying the commercial systems employing near-infrared spectroscopy, was conducted using the PubMed database. The goal of the third objective was to identify and evaluate (using the IEEE Xplore database) the research efforts in the field of low-cost near-infrared imaging in general, as a basis for the conceptual model of the upcoming prototype. Although the reviewed commercial devices have demonstrated usefulness and value for peripheral veins visualization, other evaluated clinical outcomes are less conclusive. Previous studies regarding low-cost near-infrared systems demonstrated the general feasibility of developing cost-effective vein detection systems; however, their limitations are restricting their applicability to clinical practice. Finally, based on the current findings, we outline the future research direction

A Portable Multispectral Vein Imaging System

Phlebotomy may cause unnecessary injuries to a patient whose veins are not easily visible to a healthcare professional. To mitigate this problem we designed a new system to image subcutaneous veins. Multispectral images were obtained using a microprocessor, an IR (infrared) camera, different wavelengths of NIR (near-infrared) sources, and an IR band-pass filter. Raw vein images were enhanced, colored, and displayed on a monitor using an easy-to-use interface. The mean dice similarity index (DSI) between the vein border specified by a doctor on the raw images manually and the automated segmented by the proposed system is determined as 0.92 ± 2.1 for 20 subjects. Also, the average peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) obtained a high value of 68.37 ± 1.56 from the enhanced image. Phlebotomists can easily observe the subcutaneous veins in real-time with the three different options using the proposed device. As a result, this study advances the vein imaging field which has the potential to reduce injury to the patient during venipuncture

Роль методов визуализации для обеспечения безопасности пациента в анестезиологической практике (обзор)

Medical imaging deals with physical examination and visual monitoring the organs and tissues. The main advantage of the imaging is capability to get quick and informative diagnostic data on the state of the main body systems in real time. In addition, imaging system using can reduce the risk of complications during manipulations. In this review, the potential of various imaging techniques, their advantages and disadvantages, and features of their application in anesthesiology are discussed.Медицинская визуализация, как комплекс мер, основанный на применении физических методов обследования и направленный на осуществление зрительного контроля за состоянием исследуемого органа и ткани или изменением его вследствие внешнего воздействия является одной из основ современной безопасной анестезиологической практики. Главным преимуществом визуализации является возможность быстро, информативно, в режиме реального времени получить необходимые диагностические данные о состоянии основных систем организма. Кроме того, ее применение позволяет уменьшить риски развития осложнений при выполнении манипуляций. В настоящем обзоре указаны возможности различных методов визуализации, их положительные и отрицательные стороны, особенности применения

Multi-Distance Veins Projection Based on Single Axis Camera and Projector System

Every person has different location of veins, some veins are easily detected because it is visible due to thin tissue, and the other are invisible. This different location of veins causes intravenous access procedures and the procreas of intravenous therapy become longer. Multi-distance vein projections aim to simplify the measurement process where the device and object do not have to be at a certain distance. Some research that has been done especially for real-time vein projection does not conduct how the characteristics of projection at different distances. In this paper, we propose a method for performing multi-distance real-time back-projection by using the intersection between camera and projector. This method equiped with an ultrasonic distance sensor to identify the projection characteristic in any distance. In its implementation, this method is able to project at a distance of 20-40 cm with a maximum projection error of 0.6 mm. The measurement angle tolerance between the object and the device is ±5 degrees with a maximum error of 0.7 mm

Cerebral Circulation

Diagnostics and diseases related to the cerebrovascular system are constantly evolving and updating. 3D augmented reality or quantification of cerebral perfusion are becoming important diagnostic tools in daily practice and the role of the cerebral venous system is being constantly revised considering new theories such as that of “the glymphatic system.” This book provides updates on models, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the cerebrovascular system

Thermal Fusion for Sutureless Closure: Devices, Composition, Methods

As minimally invasive surgical techniques progress, the demand for reliable ligation is pronounced. The surgical advantages of energy-based vessel sealing exceed those of traditional, compression-based ligatures in procedures sensitive to duration, foreign bodies, and recovery time alike. While the use of energy-based devices to seal or transect vasculature and connective tissue bundles is widespread, the breadth of heating strategies and energy dosimetry used between devices underscores an uncertainty as to the molecular nature of the sealing mechanism and induced tissue bond. Further, energy-based techniques (e.g., tissue “fusion” or tissue “welding”) exhibit promise for the closure, repair and functional recovery of soft and connective tissues in the orthopaedic, colorectal and dermal domains. To optimize and progress the use of energy-based tissue fusion, a constitutive theory of molecular bonding forces that arise in response to supraphysiological temperatures is required. While rapid tissue bonding may arise from dehydration and water transport, dipole interactions, covalent crosslinks or the coagulation of cellular proteins, long-term tissue repair requires that the reaction to thermal damage be tailored to accelerate and mimic the onset of biological healing and remodeling. The aim of this work is to supplement the findings of published thermal fusion research by exploring the contributions of primary and secondary tissue constituents to the formation of energy-based fusion bonds. Results of this work and their associated implications to the theory of energy-based surgical adhesion will encourage a molecular approach to characterization of the prevalent and promising energy-based tissue bond

Image Histogram: Preliminary Findings of Anti-Spoofing Mechanism for Hand Biometrics Acquisition

Biometrics data are prone to spoofing activities especially on its sensor levels where fake biometrics data can be generated to imitate genuine biometrics data. Fake biometrics are false biometrics data that resemble genuine biometrics characteristics. If fake biometrics is accepted by a biometrics system, the possibility of personal information and data to be stolen is high. The consequences lie in the unwanted access, and the public may become insecure to use biometrics as an authentication tool. Biometrics acquisition process with an added detection mechanism can help distinguish between genuine and fake biometrics data. It is possible by the use of near-infrared (NIR) light during acquisition process because the interaction between NIR light with human skin and fake biometrics are different; due to the living trait property possessed by a human. This paper shares preliminary findings of image histogram for both genuine and fake biometrics images acquired by NIR illumination. Observation on the image histogram reveals that there are differences to the image properties that can be used to distinguish the genuine and fake biometrics data. The approach can be extended to its usage as a detection mechanism for other biometrics data as well. The main principle lies in the difference of image response between genuine and fake biometrics data acquired by the NIR illumination

Focal Spot, Winter 2006/2007

https://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/focal_spot_archives/1104/thumbnail.jp

National eHealth system – platform for preventive, predictive and personalized diabetes care

National eHealth System, covering all citizens and all healthcare levels in Republic of Macedonia, was introduced in July 2013, has been internationally recognized System for successful reduction of waiting times and instrumental in the management of national healthcare resources. For the first time, National Diabetes Committee, formed in February 2015 according to the Law on healthcare and being overall responsible for the diabetes care in the country, was able to derive exact figures on the national diabetes prevalence from the System, instead of extrapolations used before, serving as a basis for development of strategies for prediction and prevention of diabetic complications, as well as for personalized diabetes care. Number of diabetes cases identified through the National eHealth System in June 2015 was 84,568 (4.02 % of total population), 36,119 males (3.42 % of total male population) and 48,449 females (4.61% of total female population). Age stratified diabetes prevalence was as follows: less than 20 years – 549 cases (0.11 % of respective population), 20-39 years – 3,202 (0.49 %), 40-59 years – 26,561 (4.58 %), 60-79 years – 48,470 (14.57 %), 80 years or more – 5,786 (12.96 %). Addition of parameters for metabolic control and diabetic complications in the System is under way, further facilitating the modeling of diabetes treatment, metabolic control and the outcomes. Inclusion of pre-diabetes patients (IGT and IFG) is also planned, thus providing opportunity to also focus healthcare activities for prevention of progression into overt type 2 diabetes