An observational study comparing the prototype device with the existing device for the effective visualization of invisible veins in elderly patients in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the performance on the detection of the invisible veins between our modified prototype device and an existing device in elderly hospitalized patients.


METHODS
A prospective, cross-sectional, and observational study was performed in the invisible veins in elderly patients. The major variables, skin color near the invisible veins, and diameter and depth of the invisible veins were measured. The vein visualization rate was calculated as the ratio of the visualized veins to the invisible veins by the visualization device.


RESULTS
We analyzed 53 invisible veins in the cubital fossa and 56 invisible veins in the forearm in a total of 72 patients (median age, 73 years). The visualization rate for our prototype device was higher than that for an existing device in the cubital fossa and the forearm sites. The visualized veins of the prototype device had a higher intensity ratio than that of an existing device. No significant differences were observed in the body mass index, vein depth, and vein diameter of the visualized veins at the cubital fossa and forearm sites.


CONCLUSIONS
The prototype surpassed the existing device in visualizing the invisible veins. However, the prototype was unable to visualize all the invisible veins. We need to look for ways to reduce noise and to visualize the invisible veins, and the visualization rate of devices needs to be investigated in further association with the percentage of success with actual intravenous access and locating time to vein.
Ishikawa Prefectural Nursing University, Kahoku, Japan.
Keiko
K
Kimori
Wellness Promotion Science Center, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
Junko
J
Sugama
Wellness Promotion Science Center, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
Toshio
T
Nakatani
Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Department of Quantum Medical Technology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
Kazuya
K
Nakayama
Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Department of Quantum Medical Technology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
Tosiaki
T
Miyati
Department of Gerontological Nursing/Wound Care Management, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Hiromi
H
Sanada
Venipuncture; image processing; intravenous access; invisible vein; near-infrared light; noninvasive visualization