DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A LOCAL VEIN

DETECTOR DEVICE

By
Team members:
Ezeokoli Njideka (Team lead)
Okorun Ambrose (member)
Chukwuma Ebele (member)
Ibekwe Ifeanyi (member)

Science Research Unit(SRU)

Research and Development Department
23/04/2024
 INTRODUCTION

A Vein Detector/Vein Finder/Vein viewer is a medical device that

projects a real-time image of a patient’s veins onto their skin’s
surface. It makes use of infra-red light to detect hemoglobin and
capture the vascular pattern beneath the skin. The captured image
is then processed and projected onto the patient’s skin, enabling
medical practitioners to visualize the veins clearly and make
informed decisions. Vein identification is one of the most recent
research topics in biomedical examination. Part of the major
problem faced by medical practitioners today is difficulty in
accessing veins for intravenous diagnostic and therapeutic
purposes.
 Aim and Objectives
Aim
The aim of this research is to design and develop a vein detector
which can be used to establish vein access in some specialized
patients and in critical situations.

Objectives
 Identification of target patients.
 Identification of the components parts, and their uses.
 Designing a compact and light weight device that is user
friendly.
 Design of the components, and assembly of parts.
 Problem Statement

 The vein pattern of the human body is not very observable under the visible
light, and also, unnecessary puncturing of veins occurs due to poor visibility.
 The medical professionals are having difficulty in accessing veins for
intravenous drug delivery, blood draw, and other medical situations like
burns and other physical injuries that make it difficult to locate veins and
administer life- saving drugs.
 Wrong and excessive puncturing of veins leads to pain, discomfort, and
distress in patients especially the children and the elderly, and often creates
problems such as hematoma, cuts on the bone, bleeding, bruises, swelling in
the skin, permanent vein damage, infection and even death.
 Accessing veins in cases involving children, the elderly and the
obese as well as the dark toned skinned, critically ill patients,
and some adult patients becomes very difficult in most cases for
drug administration.
 Literature Review

Vein Detector technology was first introduced for mainstream

healthcare use in the early 2000s. Since then, it has gained widespread
adoption and is considered a growing trend in medical facilities
worldwide.
The increasing demand for improved vein visualization, especially in
patients with difficult venous access, has driven the development and
refinement of Vein Viewer technology.
Vein Finders/Detectors belong to the category of medical devices that
are often referred to as Infrared Vein Viewers, Laser Vein Finders, or
Vein Illuminators. These terms are used interchangeably to describe
the technology based on the method it employs to visualize veins.
While there may be slight variations in technology, the core purpose of
these devices remains the same.
 Applications of Vein Detector

Vein detector is used for the location of veins in the

following medical situations:
•Application of intravenous medications
•On patients with bruises and burns
•In blood transfusions
•In chemotherapy
•In dialysis
•For paediatrics
•For geriatrics
 Methodology
Materials:
The system is composed of
•Infra-red light
•AA batteries
•Electrical wires
•IC such as LM3914
•Casing
•Battery terminals

Method

Designing a local vein detector involves using AA batteries to create a device that
illuminates the skin with infra-red light and detects the reflected light to identify
veins.
The components and processes
1. Infrared Light Source
An infrared LED array or laser diode module serves as the light
source. These components emit infrared light, which is invisible to the
human eye but can penetrate the skin and be absorbed by blood
vessels.
2. Photo detectors
Photodiodes or phototransistors are used to detect the infrared light
reflected from the skin surface. These components convert light energy
into electrical signals.
3. Signal Processing Circuitry
The electrical signals from the photo detectors need to be amplified
and processed to enhance the detection of veins. This can be achieved
using operational amplifiers (op-amps) or microcontrollers. Op-amps
can amplify weak signals, while microcontrollers offer more
sophisticated signal processing capabilities.
4. Power Supply
AA batteries are commonly used due to their availability and
portability. A series of 4-6 AA batteries can provide sufficient
voltage to power the device. The batteries can be housed in a
battery holder or directly integrated into the device.
5. Enclosure/Casing
An enclosure is necessary to house and protect the components
of the vein detector. It provides physical support, prevents
damage to the internal circuitry, and ensures user safety. The
enclosure can be made from plastic, metal, or another suitable
material.
6. Switch
An on/off switch allows the user to control the power supply to
the device. This ensures efficient use of battery power and allows
the user to turn off the device when not in use, prolonging battery
life.

7. Electrical Wires
Conductive wires are used to connect the various components of
the vein detector, including the light source, photodetectors,
signal processing circuitry, power supply, and switch. The wiring
should be carefully routed and insulated to prevent short circuits
and ensure reliable operation.
8. Optional: Display or Indicator
An optional LED indicator or LCD display can be included to
provide feedback to the user. This could indicate when veins are
detected, or display other relevant information. However, this
component is not strictly necessary for the basic functionality of
the vein detector.

By assembling these components into a cohesive system, and

carefully calibrating the device, you can create a local vein
detector capable of identifying veins without the need for a
camera, using only AA batteries for power.
Fig. 1 Picture of a local vein detector.
 WORK IN PROGRESS!

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