Medical-procedure assistance device and method with improved optical contrast, and new practitioner-safety, device-fixation, electrode and magnetic treatment and lumen-dilation capabilities

摘要

Many medical procedures, such as needle-sticking, could benefit from an assistive device that improves the optical contrast of externally targeted features and lumens of interest residing in and underneath the skin and/or exposed organ tissues. The inventive inexpensive device and method are useable on such externally targeted features and lumens while also protecting the practitioner and freeing up both of his/her hands, if necessary, to thereby eliminate practitioner self-sticking problems. The present device provides good optical contrast and also provides splash-protection against HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases. The inventive device method and apparatus may also include vibratory subcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), drug-based or heating treatment capabilities for reducing pain, both perceived and real pain, associated with a device guided procedure. Finally, the pain reduction mechanisms have also been found useful for lumen dilation.