Document Type
Abstract
Publication Date
2-11-2026
Abstract
Introduction: Over 200 million peripheral IVs are placed annually, serving as critical access points for medications and therapies, yet up to 40% fail on the first attempt. While heat is often used to support IV placement, current methods are insufficient compared to what the literature suggests. Therefore, we asked: how might heat be applied more efficiently and sustainably to improve first-attempt success rates for patients with difficult IV access?
Methods: We began by interviewing nursing staff at an outpatient infusion center, uncovering a significant gap in care for patients with difficult IV access. These insights drove iterative design cycles focused on workflow integration, usability, and patient experience. Through sketches, prototypes, and repeated feedback, we developed a streamlined, patient-centered device concept that fits seamlessly into clinical practice.
Results: Our looks-like prototype received overwhelmingly positive feedback from nursing focus groups, validating both its design and potential clinical utility. This positions us to advance toward functional prototyping and performance testing to translate design into measurable outcomes.
Discussion/Conclusions: This work presents a novel approach to IV placement by optimizing heat delivery for vein dilation. If successful, our device could reduce insertion attempts, minimize delays, and lower hospital waste, while improving patient satisfaction. Our next step is to build a functional prototype capable of delivering controlled heat and evaluate its impact on venous diameter, insertion success rates, and other key clinical indicators. These tests will provide critical data to validate the mechanism of action and inform future iterations, ultimately guiding development toward a clinically deployable solution.
Recommended Citation
Kravatz, Isaac; Fayek, Bassem; and Pugliese, PharmD, Robert, "AuraVena" (2026). Phase 1. Paper 10.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/si_des_2028_phase1/10
Language
English
Comments
Presented at the 2026 Scholarly Inquiry (SI) Research Project Symposium.