New medical invention

[Ryanpaasch5]

Hello all, I am 24 y/o and work for American Medical Response, Monterey CA, on the ambulance. I am looking for a Biochemist who would be interested in discussing an idea I have for a new medical invention. Thank you for reading and please let me know if your interested.

[Daecon]

It depends on your idea. Lots of people claim to have ideas.

[Phi for All]

Are you willing to discuss your idea here? If not, you should look somewhere else. We're a science discussion forum.

[Itoero]

It's strange to ask this on a forum.

[StringJunky]

It's strange to ask this on a forum.

When you don't know the ropes it doesn't seem odd to ask where ones target audience, that might know something, may possibly hang out and give advice. It seems a reasonable first step.

Edited October 13, 2016 by StringJunky

[Itoero]

When you don't know the ropes it doesn't seem odd to ask where ones target audience, that might know something, may possibly hang out and give advice. It seems a reasonable first step.

I would do it differently but what you say is very true.

[Ryanpaasch5]

Of course I'm open to discuss my idea with you guys, and it's true I wasn't sure where to start so I thought it best to hear from the people who know biochemistry best. So working on the ambulance, I've noticed one major flaw with emergency medicine and it's IV Starts. Pediatric, bariatric, geriatric and long time drug users make it very hard if not impossible to start IV's on when it's critical that we do get an IV to give fluids or medications. I thought to my self that if we could see where the vein runs then it would make the job of the paramedic, nurse or doctor much easier and allow us to see exactly where we need to guide the needle to enter the vein. Just like cleaning the area with an alchohol prep pad, I want to create something that is in the same form and size as an alchohol pad that when rubbed on the area of skin, has a reaction to where it would actually turn the vein line a different color such as black on the outside of the skin so that we can see where the vein is and where it runs so we can follow it with the needle. Thanks for listening and let me know what you think.

[StringJunky]

Of course I'm open to discuss my idea with you guys, and it's true I wasn't sure where to start so I thought it best to hear from the people who know biochemistry best. So working on the ambulance, I've noticed one major flaw with emergency medicine and it's IV Starts. Pediatric, bariatric, geriatric and long time drug users make it very hard if not impossible to start IV's on when it's critical that we do get an IV to give fluids or medications. I thought to my self that if we could see where the vein runs then it would make the job of the paramedic, nurse or doctor much easier and allow us to see exactly where we need to guide the needle to enter the vein. Just like cleaning the area with an alchohol prep pad, I want to create something that is in the same form and size as an alchohol pad that when rubbed on the area of skin, has a reaction to where it would actually turn the vein line a different color such as black on the outside of the skin so that we can see where the vein is and where it runs so we can follow it with the needle. Thanks for listening and let me know what you think.

Good thought but what's different chemically about skin that has a vein under it and an area that doesn't? I've had a lot of blood tests from different phlebotomists and the good ones - that don't hurt - tell me it's an art more than a science. It's all about feel.

[Phi for All]

Good thought but what's different chemically about skin that has a vein under it and an area that doesn't? I've had a lot of blood tests from different phlebotomists and the good ones - that don't hurt - tell me it's an art more than a science. It's all about feel.

 

Perhaps not chemically different, but isn't blood a bit cooler than surrounding tissue? Perhaps a chemical that changes color when heat differences are detected?

 

Since paramedics often start IVs on a patient, it would be optimum if they all had a phlebotomist's touch. Anything that simplifies and strengthens the efficacy of the procedures in those situations deserves a thoughtful look.

[EdEarl]

My blood vessels are deep, which causes problems with less skilled phlebotomists. I believe an image of the vein on my skin would not always help because the needle must traverse some tissue between the skin surface and vessel; thus, needles would have to be aimed at the right angle to get from skin surface to the vessel successfully.

 

A 25g needle is 0.5mm in diameter, with the point being much finer. Transistors have now been made as small as 1 micron =, 0.001mm. I think it will not be long before a sensor can be put on the end of needles that can sense at least pressure and temperature, to micro control the needle direction (perhaps 2 mm variation from the phlebotomist's attempt. The needle would aim itself at the vessel.

[Prometheus]

I thought to my self that if we could see where the vein runs then it would make the job of the paramedic, nurse or doctor much easier and allow us to see exactly where we need to guide the needle to enter the vein. Just like cleaning the area with an alchohol prep pad, I want to create something that is in the same form and size as an alchohol pad that when rubbed on the area of skin, has a reaction to where it would actually turn the vein line a different color such as black on the outside of the skin so that we can see where the vein is and where it runs so we can follow it with the needle. Thanks for listening and let me know what you think.

 

Not a bad idea, just a couple of questions:

 

There are products which perform the same job. I used this one - i thought it was crap: my fingers were much better at finding veins. How would your product perform better?

 

If veins are that hard to find and the patient really needs something then don't faff about with IVs, why not just go for intraosseous instead?

[koti]

Infrared or near infrared light should pickup the iron in the bloodstream and make the vein visible. We had this topic come up in our flashlight forum some years ago. Let me know who wants a custom flashlight built for this purpose