Scientists at NASA’s Glenn Research Center have successfully developed a novel subcutaneous structure imager for locating veins in challenging patient populations, such as juvenile, elderly, dark-skinned, or obese patients. Spurred initially by the needs of pediatric sickle-cell anemia patients in Africa, Glenn’s groundbreaking system includes a camera-processor-display apparatus and uses an innovative image-processing method to provide two- or three-dimensional, high-contrast visualization of veins or other vasculature structures. In addition to assisting practitioners to find veins in challenging populations, this system can also help novice healthcare workers locate veins for procedures such as needle insertion or excision. Compared to other state-of-the-art solutions, the imager is inexpensive, compact, and very portable, so it can be used in remote third-world areas, emergency response situations, or military battlefields.

Glenn’s innovative image-processing method can provide two- or three-dimensional, high-contrast visualization of veins and other vascular structures.

Current subcutaneous vessel imagers use large, multiple, and often separate assemblies with complicated optics to image subcutaneous structures as two-dimensional maps on a wide monitor, or as maps extracted by a computer and focused onto the skin by a video projection. The scattering of infrared light that takes place during this process produces images that are shadowy and distorted. By contrast, Glenn’s innovative approach offers a relatively compact and inexpensive alternative to the conventional setup, while also producing clearer images that can be rendered in either two or three dimensions. Glenn’s device uses off-the-shelf near-infrared technology that is not affected by melanin content, and can also operate in dark environments. In addition, it’s a battery-powered system that does not require an external power supply, so the imager can be used in emergency or other non-hospital environments.

In Glenn’s novel subcutaneous imager, a camera is configured to generate a video frame. A processor is connected to the camera, and receives the signal for the video frame and adjusts the thresholds for darkness and whiteness. The result is that the vein (or other subcutaneous structure) will show very dark, while other surrounding features (which would register as gray) become closer to white due to the heightened contrast between thresholds. With no interval of complex algorithms required, the image is presented in real time on a display, yielding immediate results. Glenn’s advanced technology also allows the operator to achieve increased depth perception through the synchronization of a pair of imaging devices. Additionally, the use of a virtual-reality headset affords a three-dimensional view of the field, thereby improving the visualization of veins. In short, Glenn’s researchers have produced an inexpensive, lightweight, high-utility device for locating and identifying subcutaneous structures in patients.

This technology can be used in biomedical applications to facilitate vein access for challenging patient populations, in emergency situations, aboard aircraft, and in areas with fewer skilled practitioners; in diagnostics applications to diagnose conditions currently tested with ultrasound techniques, such as stenosis of leg veins, or for pre-screening to determine whether a costly MRI is needed; and in screening applications to provide rapid, non-invasive initial screening for sub-surface lesions such as cancers and venous malformations.

NASA is actively seeking licensees to commercialize this technology. Please contact the Technology Transfer Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to initiate licensing discussions. Follow this link for more information: http://technology.nasa.gov/patent/TB2016/LEW-TOPS-82 .