Scout
Handheld vein-finder.
Patient Safety Competition: Design and Innovation
This year's Design and Innovation Challenge introduces a new 'Patient Safety' category, where participants must develop technology-enabled solutions to address one of five prevalent patient safety issues in healthcare delivery. Our team of three created a portable venous access device utilizing near-infra-red technology to streamline medical procedures, demonstrating innovation and practical application. We were awarded second place, earning recognition, support for proof of concept, and an invitation to present at the final in-person event.
2024
Learnings
Group Project
Business Analytics
First-hand Medical Interviews
Collaboration and Teamwork
Overview
A medical device designed to ease intravenous procedures by alleviating healthcare professionals' stress. This device prioritizes patient safety and is ideal for Med school training, EMS rooms where time is critical, delicate elderly patients, and even military applications. It streamlines procedures, ensuring precision and care in high-stress environments.
Research
The current lack of patient safety is a silent killer that can manifest at any point along the continuum of care. With how far technology has come, how can we design a solution to revolutionize both operators’ and patients’ lives? With Scout, we aim to reimagine how procedures and surgeries are conducted.
The target market includes health care professionals who use the product and the patients for whom it would be used. Potential settings include EMS rooms where time is sensitive and medical training for new nurses.
75%
of American healthcare workers have reported difficulty finding peripheral venous access once a week.
That’s 11.2M professionals.
45%
Experiencing less pain.
More anxious or distressed.
This affects the patients, leaving them...
70%
Storyboard.
The device has a unique attachment method of attaching to the practitioner instead of the patient. This allows for freedom of movement and flexibility for the nurse, and reduces additional patient discomfort.
Ideation.
We ideated through various attachment methods and shapes of the vein finder device. Knowing the implementation of near-infra-red tech, we had to design the product with enough space for the internals. It also had to be comfortable for the patient, easy to put on for the practitioner, and stable during the procedure.
Design Process
Iterative testing and printing was done to finalize the size of the device, and ensure for maximum compatibility to as many hands as possible. The final hinge location and placement were also improved.
Final Design: Near Infra-Red Portable Vein Finder
The final design of our intravenous device boasts several unique features, including a pivoting adjustable IR light that can swivel out for convenient thumb operation. The device attaches to the practitioner's fingers instead of the patient, allowing for free movement. With wireless charging, it is perfect for various use cases, including field training and EMS scenarios.
