Over 300,000 preterm births in the United States occur annually, representing 10.5% of all live births. Most preterm births occur spontaneously, but some result from medical conditions like infections or pregnancy complications requiring early labor induction or cesarean delivery. Common causes of preterm births include multiple pregnancies, infections, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Preterm births often lead to severe complications in the heart, brain, lungs, and liver.

The Need

Preterm infants require constant monitoring and care, and medical providers need vascular access to the bloodstream to deliver nutrients, medications, and blood sampling. Vascular catheters are lifelines for infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). However, the potential risks and complications associated with vascular catheters, including infection, thrombosis formation, inflammation, tissue damage, and bleeding, are of continuous concern.

The Technology

This technology is a minimally invasive device for identifying blood vessels in infants and neonates. It comprises various configurations of LED lights attached to different materials that accommodate an infant's hand to help visualize vasculature. Thus far, the inventors created several prototypes and shown initial proof of concept in the laboratory.

Commercial Applications

This device can be used within the neonatal ICU to help identify blood vessels in preterm infants.

Benefits/Advantages

Existing blood vessel detectors for neonates are costly and difficult for medical staff to routinely use. This technology is inexpensive, simple to use, and accurately identifies veins and arteries in neonates.

Patents

Pending 18/646,287