An innovative approach to near-infrared spectroscopy using a standard mobile device and its clinical application in the real-time visualization of peripheral veins.

Simon Juric,Borut Zalik

doi:10.1186/s12911-014-0100-z

Simon Juric, Borut Zalik

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-014-0100-z

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Abstract

BackgroundExcessive venipunctures are a significant problem both in emergency rooms and during hospital stays. Near-infrared (NIR) illumination devices improve venipuncture success rate but their usage is limited by their availability and economic cost. The objectives of this study were to develop a low-cost NIR spectroscopy prototype from a standard mobile device, to evaluate its efficacy and acceptance as an educational tool, and in a clinical setting.MethodsThrough a user-centric design process a prototype device was developed. Its educational efficacy was evaluated through a non-invasive, observational study (20 student clinicians, 25 subjects) and its acceptance was assessed using quantitative and qualitative analysis. A smaller clinical trial was performed by a group of 4 medical professionals over a period of 6 weeks that involved 64 patients.ResultsThe prototype enables real-time visualization of peripheral veins on a variety of Android-based devices. The prototype was 35.2% more successful in visualizing and locating veins (n = 500 attempts) than the nursing students. The acceptance assessment revealed high perception of usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use. In the clinical trial, 1.6 (SD 1.3) additional veins per patient were identified compared with the traditional visualization methods.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge this is the first study that describes the design, feasibility and application of an NIR spectroscopy prototype developed on a standard mobile device.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12911-014-0100-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Highlights

Excessive venipunctures are a significant problem both in emergency rooms and during hospital stays
For details of how the conceptual design of the current prototype evolved from a review of clinical studies evaluating NIR spectroscopy, the interested reader is referred to Juric et al [22]
To establish the accuracy of the prototype for use as a scientific instrument in the educational and clinical applications, it was priorly tested on 5 subjects where the real-time preview and captured images were compared with those from an ultrasound-scanning device (ACUSON Sequoia 512 Ultrasound System, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Malvern, PA, United States)

Summary

Introduction

Excessive venipunctures are a significant problem both in emergency rooms and during hospital stays. Near-infrared (NIR) illumination devices improve venipuncture success rate but their usage is limited by their availability and economic cost. The objectives of this study were to develop a low-cost NIR spectroscopy prototype from a standard mobile device, to evaluate its efficacy and acceptance as an educational tool, and in a clinical setting. A peripheral vein can be accessed in a single attempt, in a substantial number of patients the attending nurse needs between 2 and room and can cause burns, and (iv) the visualization of the venous system by means of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy [6]. Veins contain deoxygenated hemoglobin-rich blood that almost completely absorbs light at near-infrared wavelengths (740 nm–760 nm) at a distance of up to several centimeters. NIR spectroscopy takes advantage of this differential absorption to clearly distinguish the veins from the arteries and the surrounding tissue [7]

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