Innovative algorithm to evaluate the capabilities of visual, near infrared, and infrared technologies for the detection of veins for intravenous cannulation.

Intravenous cannulation is the process of inserting a cannula into a vein to administrate medication, fluids, or to take blood samples. The process of identification and of locating veins plays an important role during the intravenous cannulation procedure to reduce health care costs and the suffering of patients. This paper compares the three technologies used to assess their suitability and capability for the detection of veins to support the cannulation process. Three types of cameras are used in this study; a visual, an infrared, and a near infrared. The collected images, 103 in total, from the three technologies have been analyzed using a wide range of image processing techniques and compared with identification templates to evaluate the performance of each technology. The results show that the near infrared technology supported by suitable LED illumination is the most effective for the visualization of veins. However, infrared thermography is found to be successful when followed by a cold stimulation.