Vein imaging: a new method of near infrared imaging, where a processed image is projected onto the skin for the enhancement of vein treatment

Abstract

Background: A new noninvasive vein imaging device initially developed for phlebotomy has been tested for the first time for vein treatment. This unique device captures a near infrared vein image, processes it, and projects it onto the skin using green light.

Objective: To perform the first clinical tests of the device in phlebology.

Materials and methods: A pilot study on 23 subjects with varicose veins and telangiectasias was performed. The VeinViewer prototype (V-V-P; Luminetx Corp., Memphis, TN) was tested in five situations: diagnosing feeder veins with the V-V-P, comparison between the V-V-P and ultrasound, marking varicose veins with or without the device, phlebectomy using the V-V-P, and the use of laser and sclerotherapy guided by the V-V-P.

Results: One hundred percent of subjects had feeder veins identified by the V-V-P. The ultrasound machine detected fewer feeder veins than the V-V-P, and the device identified more veins than the naked eye in all subjects. The V-V-P could help in finding feeder veins during phlebectomy and in guiding laser and sclerotherapy treatments.

Conclusion: The device could identify veins that were invisible to the naked eye and too shallow for ultrasound detection. The V-V-P may help find feeder veins and may also help various types of vein treatments.