Evaluation of a new vessel imaging system to support venous cannulation in children prior to elective, non-cardiac surgery in patients with a dark skin color.

A system (the VascuLuminator) was developed by our department of Medical Technology and Clinical Physics, that is able to visualize vessels underneath the skin. In this study, we test the effectivity of this system as an aid in venous cannulation in children prior to elective, non-cardiac surgery, by measuring number of punctures and duration of the procedure. The study takes place in a primary general hospital at Curacao in the Caribbean.

To evaluate the usefulness of the VascuLuminator in children with a dark skin color that are obtaining a venous cannulation prior to elective non-cardiac surgery.

Measurements are made by an independend investigator. There is no follow-up of patients required.

The VascuLuminator is the investigational product in this study. It is able to non-invasively visualize blood vessels by means of near-infrared light.
The intervention consists of the use of the device by the pediatric anesthetist during the puncture. There will be no extra intervention on the patient, since the patient already is obtaining a puncture as part of their normal treatment.