TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure generally relates to a field of medical devices. Particularly, but not
exclusively the present disclosure relates to a device to assist in peripheral intravenous
access and capable of performing blood vessel imaging, needle insertion and blood
5 flashback detection based on the requirement.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Intravenous (IV) cannulation is a technique in which a cannula is placed inside a vein to
provide access to veins for sampling blood, as well as administration of fluids, medications,
10 parenteral nutrition, etc. This process is also known as venipuncture and is a common
clinical routine in medical practice. Several challenges may be encountered to find a
suitable venipuncture site, specifically in patients having dark skin tone or a high body
mass index. This causes visibility issues and leads to failed attempts to find the vein and
may require multiple re-pricks which may be painful and inconvenient to the patient. Other
15 reasons include unexpected movement of the patient or clinician operating the cannula, and
also movement of the vein due to pressure applied by a needle tip causing the vein to
deform.
Conventionally, ultrasonic instruments may be used to determine the location and direction
of the vessel to be penetrated for preventing the complications during venipuncture.
20 However, such devices are bulky and require skilled human operators to perform the
detection of the vein. Other systems may include robotic instruments which are mounted
on tabletop and includes a robotic arm to insert a needle. However, these robotic systems
are too large for portable use and may only be used for peripheral venous access and cannot
be used to cannulate more challenging veins. Therefore, a need exists for developments of
25 a potable intravenous access device that not only images veins but also assists with needle
alignment and insertion, aiming to ensure first-prick accuracy.
3
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any
other limitations associated with the prior arts.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
5 One or more shortcomings of existing peripheral intravenous access devices have been
overcome, and additional advantages are provided through a device as claimed in the
present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques
of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described
in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure. The limitations of the
10 prior arts are addressed to a great extent by the device with its configuration and its
functionality as disclosed in the present disclosure.
The present disclosure discloses a device for blood vessel imaging and a needle insertion.
The device comprises a body defined with a base and at least one column extending away
from the base. A housing is movably connected to the at least one column proximate to the
15 base. At least one jig is slidably connected to the housing. The at least one jig is configured
to accommodate at least one needle displaceable between a first position and a second
position with respect to the base. A first actuation mechanism is disposed within the
housing at one end and the first actuation mechanism is configured to displace the at least
one jig between the first position and the second position. A second actuation mechanism
20 is disposed within the body and connected to the base and is configured to angularly
displace the at least one jig relative to the base.
In an embodiment, the device comprises a front panel movably connected to the body at
one end and is defined with at least one provision, wherein the front panel is displaced with
respect to the housing to access a portion of a skin of the user.
25 In an embodiment, the device comprises at least one imaging device disposed within the
front panel, wherein the at least one imaging device is configured to capture one or more
images of the blood vessel of a user.
4
In an embodiment, the device comprises at least one display unit removably mounted
within the at least one provision of the front panel, wherein the at least one display unit is
configured to display one or more images captured by the imaging device.
In an embodiment, the at least one column extends upwardly from the base and the at least
5 one column is defined with at least one groove.
In an embodiment, the housing is defined with a plurality of first provisions at one end to
receive a plurality of linear guides.
In an embodiment, the first actuation mechanism comprises a holder connected to a bottom
portion of the housing. The holder is slidably disposed about the housing in a longitudinal
10 direction along an axis. At least one first actuator is disposed within the housing and
connected to the holder. The at least one first actuator is configured to linearly displace the
holder about the housing. The at least one jig is connected to the holder for displacement
of the at least one needle between the first position and the second position upon actuation
of the at least one first actuator.
15 In an embodiment, the second actuation mechanism comprises at least one first support
member disposed within the at least one groove of the at least one column. The at least one
first support member is positioned at a first predetermined angle with respect to the base.
At least one first slider is mounted on the at least one first support member and is
configured to slide on the at least one first support member. At least one second support
20 member is disposed within the at least one groove of the at least one column. The at least
one second support member is positioned at a second predetermined angle with respect to
the base. At least one second slider is mounted on the at least one second support member
and is configured to slide on the at least one second support member. At least one second
actuator is angularly disposed with respect to the base and connected to the at least one
25 first slider. The at least one second actuator is configured to displace the at least one first
and second sliders towards the base. The at least one second actuator is configured to
angularly displace the at least one jig relative to the base.
5
In an embodiment, the second actuation mechanism comprises a connecting plate pivotally
connected to the at least one first and second sliders to simultaneously actuate the first and
second pairs of sliders for angular displacement of the at least one jig.
In an embodiment, the second actuation mechanism extends along a length of the at least
5 one column.
In an embodiment, the at least one jig comprises a casing to accommodate the at least one
needle. A channel is defined on a bottom surface of the at least one jig in a longitudinal
direction; wherein the channel is configured to receive a conduit. At least two apertures are
defined centrally on the bottom surface proximate to the channel. The at least two apertures
10 are configured to receive at least one transmitter and at least one receiver positioned
opposite to each other. The at least one transmitter is configured to transmit one or more
signals and the at least one receiver is configured to receive the one or more signals
generated by the at least one transmitter.
In an embodiment, the at least one receiver is configured to receive a first signal from the
15 at least one transmitter upon displacement of the at least one jig to the second position. The
at least one receiver is also configured to receive a second signal from the at least one
transmitter upon flow of fluid within the channel of the at least one jig.
In an embodiment, the at least one jig is disposed at an angular range of about 10° to 85°
with respect to the base.
20 In an embodiment, the device comprises a control unit communicatively coupled with the
at least one first actuator, the at least one second actuator, the at least one transmitter and
the at least one receiver. The control unit is configured to selectively actuate the at least
one first actuator to displace the at least one jig from the first position to the second
position.
25 In an embodiment, the at least one jig is positioned in the angular range of 1° to 5° with
respect to the base after the angular displacement of the at least one jig from the second
position.
6
In an embodiment, the device comprises a third actuation mechanism disposed in the
housing and connected to the at least one jig. The third actuation mechanism is configured
to vertically displace the at least one jig with respect to the base.
In an embodiment, the first actuation mechanism and the second actuation mechanism
5 comprises a linear actuator.
In an embodiment, the base is secured on a body of a user by at least one of a belt or a strap
for blood vessel imaging and needle insertion.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the present disclosure also discloses a method for
operating a device for blood vessel imaging and needle insertion. The method comprises
10 of aligning the device over a body of a user. An imaging device captures an image of a vein
of the user to along and position least one needle in-line with the vein of the user. The
imaging device is disposed within the body of the device and the at least one jig is slidably
connected to at least two columns extending from the base of the body. Later an actuation
signal is provided by the user to perform insertion of the at least one needle into a portion
15 of the hand of the user. The at least one needle is disposed within the at least one jig. The
method further comprises of actuating, by a control unit, at least one first actuator to
linearly displace the at least one jig from a first position to a second position. Followed by
detecting, by the control unit, a second signal from at least one receiver corresponding to a
flow of fluid within a conduit positioned within the at least one jig. Further, the control unit
20 actuates at least one second actuator to angularly displace the at least one jig towards the
base. The control unit de-actuates the at least one second actuator to retract the at least one
jig away from the base. Lastly, the control unit de-actuates the at least one first actuator to
displace the at least one jig from the second position to the first position.
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above
25 may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments
may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.
In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further
7
aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and
the following detailed description.

We Claim:
1. A device (100) for blood vessel imaging and a needle insertion, the device (100)
comprising:
a body (102) defined with a base (104) and at least one column (106)
5 extending away from the base (104);
a housing (126) is movably connected to the at least one column (106)
proximate to the base (104);
at least one jig (114) slidably connected to the housing (126), wherein the
at least one jig (114) is configured to accommodate at least one needle (116)
10 displaceable between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) with respect
to the base (104);
a first actuation mechanism (118) disposed within the housing (126) at one
end, wherein the first actuation mechanism (118) is configured to displace the at
least one jig (114) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP); and
15 a second actuation mechanism (120) disposed within the body (102) and
connected to the base (104), wherein the second actuation mechanism (120) is
configured to angularly displace the at least one jig (114) relative to the base (104).
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprises a front panel (110) movably connected
20 to the body (102) at one end and is defined with at least one provision (113), wherein
the front panel (110) is displaced with respect to the housing (126) to access a portion
of a skin of the user.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2, comprises at least one imaging device (109)
25 disposed within the front panel (110), wherein the at least one imaging device (109)
is configured to capture one or more images of the blood vessel of a user.
4. The device as claimed in claim 2, comprises at least one display unit (112)
removably mounted within the at least one provision (113) of the front panel (110),
30 wherein the at least one display unit (112) is configured to display one or more
images captured by the at least one imaging device (109).
26
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one column (106) extends
upwardly from the base (104) and the at least one column (106) is defined with at
least one groove (106a).
5 6. The device as claimed in claim1, wherein the housing (126) is defined with at least
one first provision (126a) at one end to receive a plurality of guide bars (128).
7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuation mechanism (118)
comprises:
10 a holder (130) connected to a bottom portion of the housing (126), wherein
the holder (130) is slidably disposed about the housing (126) in a longitudinal
direction along an axis (A-A);
at least one first actuator (134) disposed within the housing (126) and
connected to the holder (130), wherein the at least one first actuator (134) is
15 configured to linearly displace the holder (130) about the housing (126); and
wherein the at least one jig (114) is connected to the holder (130)
for displacement of the at least one needle (116) between the first position (FP) and
the second position (SP) upon actuation of the at least one first actuator (134).
20 8. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second actuation mechanism (120)
comprises:
at least one first support member (136) disposed within the at least one groove
(106a) of the at least one column (106), wherein the at least one first support
member (136) is positioned at a first predetermined angle with respect to the base
25 (104);
at least one first slider (140) mounted on the at least one first support member
(136), wherein the at least one first slider (140) is configured to slide on the at least
one first support member (136);
at least one second support member (142) disposed within the at least one
30 groove (106a) of the at least one column (106), wherein the at least one second
support member (142) is positioned at a second predetermined angle with respect
to the base (104);
27
at least one second slider (144) mounted on the at least one second support
member (142), wherein the at least one second slider (144) is configured to slide
on the at least one second support member (142);
at least one second actuator (146) angularly disposed with respect to the base
5 (104) and connected to the at least one first slider (140), wherein the at least one
second actuator (146) is configured to displace the at least one first and second
sliders (140, 144) towards the base (104); and
wherein the at least one second actuator (146) is configured to angularly
displace the at least one jig (114) relative to the base (104).
10
9. The device (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second actuation mechanism
(120) comprises a connecting plate (148) is-pivotally- connected to the at least one
first and second sliders (140, 144) to simultaneously actuate the first and second
pairs of sliders (140, 144) for angular displacement of the at least one jig (114).
15
10. The device (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second actuation mechanism
(120) extends along a length of the at least one column (106).
11. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one jig (114) comprises:
20 a casing (150) to accommodate the at least one needle (116);
a channel (152) defined on a bottom surface of the at least one jig (114) in
a longitudinal direction; wherein the channel (152) is configured to receive a
conduit;
at least two apertures (154, 155) defined centrally on the bottom surface
25 proximate to the channel (152), wherein the at least two apertures (154, 155) are
configured to receive at least one transmitter (158) and at least one receiver (160)
positioned opposite to each other; and
wherein the at least one transmitter (158) is configured to transmit
one or more signals and the at least one receiver (160) is configured to receive the
30 one or more signals generated by the at least one transmitter (158).
28
12. The device (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one receiver (160) is
configured to receive a first signal from the at least one transmitter (158) upon
displacement of the at least one jig (114) to the second position (SP) and a second
signal from the at least one transmitter (158) upon flow of fluid within the channel
5 (152) of the at least one jig (114).
13. The device (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one jig (114) is
disposed at an angular range of about 10° to 85° with respect to the base (104).
10 14. The device (100) as claimed in claim 8, comprises a control unit (170)
communicatively coupled with the at least one first actuator (134), the at least one
second actuator (146), the at least one transmitter (158) and the at least one receiver
(160), wherein the control unit (170) is configured to selectively actuate the at least
one first actuator (134) to displace the at least one jig (114) from the first position
15 (FP) to the second position (SP).
15. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one jig (114) is positioned in
the angular range of 1° to 5° with respect to the base (104) after the angular
displacement of the at least one jig (114) from the second position (SP).
20
16. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprises a third actuation mechanism disposed
in the housing (126) and connected to the at least one jig (114), wherein the third
actuation mechanism is configured to vertically displace the at least one jig (114)
with respect to the base (104).
25
17. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuation mechanism (118) and
the second actuation mechanism (120) comprises a linear actuator.
18. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (104) is secured on body of a
30 user by at least one of a belt or a strap for blood vessel imaging and needle insertion.
19. A method (200) for operating a device (100) for blood vessel imaging and needle
insertion, the method (200) comprises of:
29
positioning the device (100) over a body of a user;
capturing an image of a vein by at least one imaging device (109) to align and
position the at least one needle (116) in-line with the vein of the user; wherein the
at least one imaging device (109) is disposed within the body (102) of the device
5 (100) and the at least one jig (114) is slidably connected to at least one column
(106) extending from the base (104) of the body (102);
providing, by the user, an actuation signal to perform insertion of the at least
one needle (116) into a portion of the hand of the user; wherein the at least one
needle (116) is disposed within the at least one jig (114);
10 actuating, by a control unit (170), at least one first actuator (134) to linearly
displace the at least one jig (114) from a first position (FP) to a second position
(SP);
detecting, by the control unit (170), a second signal from at least one receiver
(160) corresponding to a flow of fluid within a conduit positioned within the at least
15 one jig (114);
actuating, by the control unit (170), at least one second actuator (146) to
angularly displace the at least one jig (114) towards the base (104);
de-actuating, by the control unit (170), the at least one second actuator (146) to
retract the at least one jig (114) away from the base (104); and
20 de-actuating, by the control unit (170), the at least one first actuator (134) to
displace the at least one jig (114) from the second position (SP) to the first position
(FP).