| NSF Org: |
TI Translational Impacts |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | February 18, 2021 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | May 21, 2021 |
| Award Number: | 2053194 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Ruth Shuman
rshuman@nsf.gov (703)292-2160 TI Translational Impacts TIP Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships |
| Start Date: | February 1, 2021 |
| End Date: | July 31, 2022 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $50,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $50,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
4400 VESTAL PKWY E BINGHAMTON NY US 13902 (607)777-6136 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
4400 Vestal PKWY E Binghamton NY US 13902-6000 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | I-Corps |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.084 |
ABSTRACT
The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corp project will result in the ability to decrease vein movement during venipuncture. In situations in which a patient requires intravenous (IV) fluids, this device could reduce the time it takes to successfully insert a needle by stabilizing the vein for a faster insertion time. This device has a reduced cost in comparison to vein tracking systems which could save hospitals money. This technology also has the potential to reduce the number of specialty staff needed for needle insertion and may reduce the human and financial burdens associated with venipuncture complications, including hematomas, injury, wounds, anxiety, hypertension, and infections, especially for at-risk patients, such as those who are elderly, diabetic, or immunocompromised. There are currently over 6,000 hospitals in the US alone. All hospitals perform venipuncture through intravenous therapy insertions or taking blood samples, with over 230 million IVs placed every year.
This I-Corps project focuses on constructing a method for stabilizing veins during the venipuncture procedure. The technology is a single-use plastic device that is placed on the forearm of a patient by a medical professional. A slight pressure is applied on the device into and up the arm in order to isolate and elevate the vein in preparation for needle insertion. The device aims to immobilize the vein to reduce the complications associated with the phenomena known as "rolling veins" in which the vein moves and can result in an unsuccessful needle insertion. A model vein was created in order to test the movement of the vein both with and without the device. The testing showed that the device decreased the maximum displacement of the vein by 84% in comparison to tested vein displacement without the device. The maximum displacement of the vein with the device was calculated to be 0.20 mm while the maximum displacement of the vein without the device was calculated to be 1.26 mm.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
As people age, integumentary connective tissue breaks down, resulting in veins that are more prone to "rolling." This rolling causes needles to be unsuccessfully inserted into veins, requiring multiple insertion attempts by medical professionals, which often result in severe discomfort, bruising, and hematomas. These events often cause patient anxiety while undergoing venipuncture, resulting in increased blood pressure, dizziness, and the loss of patient consciousness. TeveT is a vein stabilization device that decreases lateral vein movement during venipuncture. A stabilized vein decreases patient discomfort and increases the success rate of needle insertion.
Customer discovery was completed to better understand the market fit of the vein stabilizing system. Over 100 interviews were completed with nurses, doctors medical practitioners, investors, medical supply staff, and medical management. This elucidated the medical supply chain exosystem and the need of the device in medical settings. Ultimately, nurses are not the primary customers and are influencers. The customers are companies who supply medical equipment to hospitals and medical practises. The overall conclusion was that nursing practices do not see a fit for the device currently. However, we expect the vein stabilizing system will have a more suitable fit in nurse training. Currently nurse training on venipuncture occurs on rigid veins rather than veins that can roll. As such, when nurses perform venipuncture on patients, they can find venipuncture to be more difficult. The Tevet vein stabilizing device would overcome this difficulty.
Last Modified: 01/25/2023
Modified by: Guy German
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