ǂAn ǂinnovative approach to near-infrared spectroscopy using a standard mobile device and its clinical application in the real-time visualization of peripheral veins

Simon Jurič (Author), Borut Žalik (Author)

Abstract

Background: Excessive venipunctures are a significant problem both in emergency rooms and during hospital stays. Near-infrared (NIR) illumination devices improve venipuncture success rate but their usage is limited by their availability and economic cost. The objectives of this study were to develop a low-cost NIR spectroscopy prototype from a standard mobile device, to evaluate its efficacy and acceptance as an educational tool, and in a clinical setting. Methods: Through a user-centric design process a prototype device was developed. Its educational efficacy was evaluated through a non-invasive, observational study (20 student clinicians, 25 subjects) and its acceptance was assessed using quantitative and qualitative analysis. A smaller clinical trial was performed by a group of 4 medical professionals over a period of 6 weeks that involved 64 patients. Results: The prototype enables real-time visualization of peripheral veins on a variety of Android-based devices. The prototype was 35.2% more successful in visualizing and locating veins (n = 500 attempts) than the nursing students. The acceptance assessment revealed high perception of usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use. In the clinical trial, 1.6 (SD 1.3) additional veins per patient were identified compared with the traditional visualization methods. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge this is the first study that describes the design, feasibility and application of an NIR spectroscopy prototype developed on a standard mobile device.

Keywords

mobile applications;spectroscopy;near-infrared;vascular access devices;health education;feasibility;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2014
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UM FERI - Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
UDC:	61:004.9
COBISS:	18383126
ISSN:	1472-6947
Views:	997
Downloads:	350
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary keywords:	mobilne aplikacije;bližnja infrardeča spektroskopija;NIRS;pripomočki za žilni pristop;zdravstveno izobraževanje;izvedljivost;
URN:	URN:SI:UM:
Type (COBISS):	Scientific work
Pages:	str. 1-8
Issue:	ǂVol. ǂ14
Chronology:	2014
DOI:	10.1186/s12911-014-0100-z
ID:	10845015