List All Projects   List Graduate Projects   List Senior Design Projects   List REU Projects   Other Undergraduate Projects

Project # 171
Enhancing IV insertion success rates for obese and difficult to access paitents

Team Lead: Maisha Rahman Radita
Other Team Members: Anastasia Jay Martinez | Guy Levi
Faculty Advisor(s): Dr.Baohong Yuan
Department: BE
Project Type: Senior Design
Title: Enhancing IV insertion success rates for obese and difficult to access paitents
Abstract: We aim to create a wearable system for real-time vascular access guidance using near-infrared (NIR) imaging. This will facilitate improvement in detecting subcutaneous veins in obese and difficult-access patients where IV insertion is often delayed or unsuccessful. We are exploring the potential for a low-cost, wrist-worn device to reduce first-attempt failure rates, decrease procedure time, and improve EMS efficiency in field conditions. In order to prevent delays in medication delivery and reduce patient discomfort, we will implement a wearable device that integrates a side-mounted projection module to display vein patterns onto the patient’s skin. This design is expected to be versatile enough for emergency care environments and adaptable to various skin tones, body types, and lighting conditions. To demonstrate the vein localization ability of this system, an initial prototype is to be tested on simulated arms with variable BMI and vein depths. To determine the ability of this device to improve EMS workflows, we will measure success rates, setup time, and user satisfaction in simulated IV placements. This work could help provide a potential solution to the long-standing challenge of vascular access in emergency patients and may provide the basis for future smart wearable platforms in both prehospital and global health settings. Materials and Methods: To accomplish our objectives, we will use 760–850 nm NIR LEDs and photodetectors embedded within a flexible, wearable wristband to scan veins up to 10 mm beneath the skin. The reflected light patterns are to be processed by an onboard microcontroller to generate a 2D vein map. The resulting image projected onto the adjacent skin using a side-mounted visible-light projection module is designed to avoid obstruction from the device itself. To determine the effectiveness of this approach, we will implement a functional prototype that operates on a rechargeable battery with an expected runtime of at least 8 hours. For accurate usability experiments, we will conduct IV insertion trials on simulated arms with varying BMI levels, skin tones, and vein depths. To show the robust capability of this system, we will also tested device performance under both bright ambient and low-light conditions. Finally, we will examine the durability of the wristband through repeated cleaning cycles, measure projection clarity using visual acuity scales, and record user setup time to evaluate practical field readiness. Results, Discussion, and Conclusion: Our expected results are that the wristband will provide EMS providers with real-time, accurate vein visualization that significantly improves first-attempt IV success in obese and difficult access patients. The usability of our design will be evaluated by EMS personnel and student testers in simulated emergency scenarios, and we expect it to be intuitive, quick to deploy, and compatible with existing workflow practices. We also anticipate a significant improvement in IV success rate for the wristband-assisted group compared to the palpation-only group. This study will demonstrate the potential of wearable near-infrared imaging systems for improving vascular access in field conditions. We hope this wristband-based system could be an effective alternative to bulky handheld vein finders for pre-hospital IV insertion. The results of this project could have important implications for improving treatment delivery speed and comfort in emergency settings and may inform future wearable medical technologies designed for field use. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of the system in live EMS field trials and explore ways to incorporate AI-guided site recommendations. Further optimization of the projection module could improve contrast and brightness control across a wider range of skin tones and lighting conditions. Our findings suggest that this system could be used to increase access by improving care for patients difficult to catheterize, including those with obesity, dehydration, or poor circulation. Future research should explore this possibility by testing the device across broader patient populations and refining the design into a compact, rugged, FDA-compliant product. Ultimately, this project lays the groundwork for an affordable, wearable vein visualization platform tailored to the needs of emergency responders. Acknowledgments: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R25EB032766. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Poster: View Poster #171 (PDF)
Judges Scoring: Submit Evaluation (judges only)