# US 9,750,895 B1 · Venipuncture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,895 B1 - Document ID: US9750895B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/473,612 - Filed: 2014-08-29 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-29 - Applicants: Ziad A. Alsaifi - Inventors: Ziad A. Alsaifi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750895B1 ## CPC - A61M 5/427: {Locating point where body is to be pierced, e.g. vein location means using ultrasonic waves, injection site templates} - A61B 5/150992: {Blood sampling from a fluid line external to a patient, such as a catheter line, combined with an infusion line; Blood sampling from indwelling needle sets, e.g. sealable ports, luer couplings or valves} - A61B 5/1535: {comprising means for indicating vein or arterial entry (A61B5/1545 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/135: inflatable - A61B 17/1355: {Automated control means therefor} - A61F 7/007: {characterised by electric heating} - A61F 2007/0029: {Arm or parts thereof} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A venipuncture device may be used for assisting a healthcare provider identify and locate a blood vessel in a patient. According to embodiments, heat is applied to a selected venipuncture site on the patent's limb. A pressure cuff constricts the limb proximal to the venipuncture site, thereby partially occluding blood flow through the blood vessel and engorging the blood vessel and making it more visible to the healthcare provider. The healthcare provider may then carry out various operations on the patient, including but not limited to drawing blood and insertion of an intravenous line. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of venipuncture at a blood vessel in a patient, comprising: positioning a heating element of a venipuncture device at a selected venipuncture site on a limb of the patient; applying heat to the venipuncture site; wrapping a cuff of the venipuncture device around the limb proximal to the venipuncture site, the cuff having an inflatable chamber, wherein: the cuff is adapted to form a loop around the limb of the patient and the heating element is adapted to apply heat to the venipuncture site on the limb distal to the cuff; inflating the chamber, thereby partially occluding the blood vessel; removing the heating element from the venipuncture site; and inserting an intravenous line into the blood vessel at the venipuncture site. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising drawing blood from the blood vessel at the venipuncture site. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying heat to the venipuncture site comprises applying heat to the venipuncture site for five to ten minutes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying heat to the venipuncture site comprises heating the heat element to a temperature of up to 86 degrees Celsius. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein applying heat to the venipuncture site comprises heating the heat element to 60 to 86 degrees Celsius. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a pressure target, wherein inflating the chamber comprises inflating the chamber to the pressure target. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein selecting the pressure target comprises: measuring a diastolic blood pressure of the patient and setting the pressure target to be equal to or less than the measured diastolic blood pressure. ### Claim 8 A method of venipuncture at a blood vessel in a patient, comprising: positioning a heating element of a venipuncture device at a selected venipuncture site on a limb of the patient; applying heat to the venipuncture site; wrapping a cuff of the venipuncture device around the limb proximal to the venipuncture site, the cuff having an inflatable chamber, wherein: the cuff is adapted to form a loop around the limb of the patient and the heating element is adapted to apply heat to the venipuncture site on the limb distal to the cuff; inflating the chamber, thereby partially occluding the blood vessel; removing the heating element from the venipuncture site; and drawing blood from the blood vessel at the venipuncture site. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising inserting an intravenous line into the blood vessel at the venipuncture site. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein applying heat to the venipuncture site comprises applying heat to the venipuncture site for five to ten minutes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein applying heat to the venipuncture site comprises heating the heat element to a temperature of up to 86 degrees Celsius. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein applying heat to the venipuncture site comprises heating the heat element to 60 to 86 degrees Celsius. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising selecting a pressure target, wherein inflating the chamber comprises inflating the chamber to the pressure target. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein selecting the pressure target comprises: measuring a diastolic blood pressure of the patient and setting the pressure target to be equal to or less than the measured diastolic blood pressure. ### Claim 15 A method of venipuncture at a blood vessel in a patient, comprising: positioning a heating element of a venipuncture device at a selected venipuncture site on a limb of the patient; applying heat to the venipuncture site; wrapping a cuff of the venipuncture device around the limb proximal to the venipuncture site, the cuff having an inflatable chamber, wherein: the cuff is adapted to form a loop around the limb of the patient and the heating element is adapted to apply heat to the venipuncture site on the limb distal to the cuff; selecting a pressure target by: measuring a diastolic blood pressure of the patient and setting the pressure target to be equal to or less than the measured diastolic blood pressure; inflating the chamber to the pressure target, thereby partially occluding the blood vessel; and removing the heating element from the venipuncture site. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting an intravenous line into the blood vessel at the venipuncture site. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising drawing blood from the blood vessel at the venipuncture site. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein applying heat to the venipuncture site comprises applying heat to the venipuncture site for five to ten minutes. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein applying heat to the venipuncture site comprises heating the heat element to a temperature of up to 86 degrees Celsius. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein applying heat to the venipuncture site comprises heating the heat element to 60 to 86 degrees Celsius.