Venous electrical stimulation apparatus and methods and uses thereof

A method of stimulating peripheral target veins in a subject, without a compression, to cause a vein to distend from under a surface of a subject's skin to facilitate venipuncture, the method comprising:

• generating a signal with an electrical venous stimulation apparatus, the signal including an adjustable output voltage, an adjustable current, and an adjustable output voltage waveform configured to elicit a physiological venous response in the subject that causes the vein in the subject to distend from under the surface of the subject's skin without the compression, the electrical venous stimulation apparatus comprising:
• (i) a signal generator configured to generate the adjustable output voltage, and
• (ii) at least two electrodes in electrical communication with the signal generator and configured to be placed in electrical communication with the subject;
• electrically connecting the at least two electrodes to the subject;
• and
• transmitting the signal to the subject via the at least two electrodes to elicit the physiological venous response in the subject that causes the vein in the subject to distend from under the surface of the subject's skin without the compression.

A method of accessing a vein of a person, the method comprising:

• receiving a portion of a first limb of the person into a first container that is physically connected to a first electrode;
• receiving a portion of a second limb of the person into a second container that is physically connected to a second electrode;
• supplying a liquid electrolytic solution into the first container and the second container, wherein (i) the liquid electrolytic solution of the first container is in contact with the portion of the first limb and is electrically connected to the first electrode, and
• (ii) the liquid electrolytic solution of the second container is in contact with the portion of the second limb and is electrically connected to the second electrode;
• electrically stimulating the portions of the first and second limbs with at least one electrical signal generated by an electrical signal generator, the electrical signal provided to the liquid electrolytic solution of each of the first and second containers by the respective electrodes in contact with the liquid electrolytic solution;
• causing at least one vein in at least one limb of the person to distend in response to an electrical stimulation;
• and
• inserting a tip of a needle into the vein while the vein is distended to access the vein, wherein electrically stimulating the portions of the first and second limbs with at least one electrical signal comprises generating an output voltage waveform comprising:
• a first phase in which a positive polarity pulse above a baseline electrical potential is delivered;
• a second phase in which a negative polarity pulse below a baseline electrical potential is delivered;
• and
• a rest phase in which no voltage is delivered for a time period prior to a next sequence of stimulation.

A method of accessing a vein of a person, the method comprising:

• attaching a first electrode to a hand of the person;
• attaching a second electrode to an arm of the person;
• electrically stimulating a portion of a limb of the person with an electrical signal generated by an electrical signal generator, the electrical signal provided to both the first electrode and the second electrode;
• causing at least one vein in the limb of the person to distend in response to an electrical stimulation;
• and
• inserting a tip of a needle into the vein while it is distended to access the vein, wherein electrically stimulating the portion of the limb of the person with at least one electrical signal comprises generating an output voltage waveform comprising:
• a first phase in which a positive polarity pulse above a baseline electrical potential is delivered;
• a second phase in which a negative polarity pulse below a baseline electrical potential is delivered;
• and
• a rest phase in which no voltage is delivered for a time period prior to a next sequence of stimulation.

A kit for use with a signal generator, the kit comprising:

• at least two containers for holding an electrolytic solution;
• a pre-filled bottle of Epsom salt;
• a bottle of deionized water;
• at least two electrodes;
• and
• at least two electrical leads for connecting one or more electrodes to a signal generator, wherein the signal generator is configured to provide a waveform comprising:
• a first phase in which a positive polarity pulse above a baseline electrical potential is delivered;
• a second phase in which a negative polarity pulse below a baseline electrical potential is delivered;
• and
• a rest phase in which no voltage is delivered for a time period prior to a next sequence of stimulation.