title: The use of near-infrared light for safe and effective visualization of subsurface blood vessels to facilitate blood withdrawal in children.
abstract: Obtaining access to blood vessels can be difficult, especially in children. Visualization of subsurface blood vessels might be a solution. Ultrasound and visible light have been used to this purpose, but have some drawbacks. Near-infrared light might be a better option since subsurface blood vessels can be visualized in high contrast due to less absorption and scattering in tissue as compared to visible light. Our findings with a multispectral imaging system support this theory. A device, the VascuLuminator, was developed, based on transillumination of the puncture site with near-infrared light. The VascuLuminator was designed to meet the requirements of compact and safe use. A phantom study showed that the maximum depth of visibility (5.5mm for a 3.6mm blood vessel) is sufficient to visualize blood vessels in typical locations for peripheral venous and arterial access. A quantitative comparison of the VascuLuminator and to two other vessel imaging devices, using reflection of near-infrared light instead of transillumination, was conducted. The VascuLuminator is able to decrease failure at first attempt in blood withdrawal in pediatric patients from 10/80 (13%) to 1/45 (2%; P=.05).
authors: Department of Medical Technology & Clinical Physics, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. n.j.cuper@umcutrecht.nl
authors: Natascha J
authors: NJ
authors: Cuper
authors: John H G
authors: JH
authors: Klaessens
authors: Joris E N
authors: JE
authors: Jaspers
authors: Rowland
authors: R
authors: de Roode
authors: Herke Jan
authors: HJ
authors: Noordmans
authors: Jurgen C
authors: JC
authors: de Graaff
authors: Rudolf M
authors: RM
authors: Verdaasdonk
mesh_terms: D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002648:Child; D005123:Eye / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D008029:Lighting / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011677:Punctures; D012449:Safety; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects