Patent Publication Number: US-2013245672-A1

Title: Vein Presentation Enhancement Device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/470,404 filed May 21, 2009, which claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/054,961 filed May 21, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the interaction of fluids with a blood vessel, but not by way of limitation, to the field of medical equipment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The ability to safely and efficiently interact fluids with blood vessels has been a continued need of the medical industry for generations. 
     Historically, the interaction of fluids with human blood vessels has been carried out through the conjunctive use of several fundamental medical instruments which are well known and in use by practitioners in the art. While these medical instruments reliably operate to interact with blood vessels, the safety and efficiency of using the instruments continues to pose a problem for the medical industry. 
     Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improved instruments and methods in the field of medical equipment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a preferred vein presentation enhancement device includes at least, an interior cover supporting a first fastening member, and an exterior cover communicating with the interior cover, wherein the exterior cover provides a first securement member that interacts with the first fastening member to secure the preferred device positioned about a limb of a subject. The preferred further includes a bladder formed between the interior and exterior covers, and an air transfer assembly connected to said bladder for transfer of air into and out of said bladder, wherein said interior and exterior covers collectively provide a plurality of projections defining a blood access window. 
     In an alternate preferred the vein presentation enhancement device is formed by steps that includes at least, providing an interior cover supporting a first fastening member, obtaining an exterior cover configured for communication with the interior cover, in which the exterior cover provides a first securement member, forming a bladder between said interior and exterior covers, and connecting an air transfer assembly to said bladder for transfer of air into and out of said bladder, wherein said interior and exterior covers collectively provide a plurality of projections defining a blood access window. 
     These and various other features and advantages which characterize the claimed invention will be apparent from reading the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial cutaway top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the novel blood channeling apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cutaway bottom plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the novel blood channeling apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section side elevation view of the blood channeling apparatus at section line A-A of the exemplary embodiment, of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section side elevation view of the blood channeling apparatus at section line B-B of the exemplary embodiment, of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of an intravenous catheter in an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the intravenous catheter of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cutaway elevation view of the syringe in an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cutaway elevation view of the syringe of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the hollow cylinder of the syringe of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the stem of the syringe of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIGS. 11 &amp; 11A  show an elevation view of a container in an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-section elevation view of the container of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is an elevation view of the bidirectional luer of the container of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-section elevation view of the bidirectional luer of the container of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-section elevation view of the bidirectional luer of the container of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-section elevation view of the bidirectional luer of the container of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a blood vessel access kit in an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a blood vessel access kit in an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  is a partial cross-section elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the inventive exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 20  is a partial cross-section elevation view of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 19  showing an advancement of a novel vacuum vile. 
         FIG. 21  is a partial cross-section elevation view of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 19  showing full advancement of the novel vacuum vile of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a partial cross-section elevation view of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 19  showing a full retracted needle and separated novel vacuum vile of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a partial cutaway top plan view of the blood channeling apparatus in an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 24  is a partial cutaway bottom plan view of the alternate exemplary embodiment of the novel blood channeling apparatus of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a flow diagram disclosing an exemplary method of using the inventive blood vessel access kit Step 1 through Step 9 and continuing to Step 10. 
         FIG. 26  is a flow diagram disclosing an exemplary method of using the inventive blood vessel access kit Step 10 through Step 12, and continuing to step 13 or in the alternative Step 15. 
         FIG. 27  is a flow diagram disclosing an exemplary method of using the inventive blood vessel access kit Step 13 through Step 14. 
         FIG. 28  is a flow diagram disclosing an exemplary method of using the inventive blood vessel access kit Step 15 through Step 18. 
         FIG. 29  is a top plan view of an alternative alternate exemplary embodiment of a novel blood channeling apparatus, also referred to as a vein presentation enhancement device. 
         FIG. 30  is a top plan view of a conduit interface member of the alternative alternate exemplary embodiment of the novel vein presentation enhancement device of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 31  is a top plan view of a conduit interface member of the alternative alternate exemplary embodiment of the novel vein presentation enhancement device of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 32  is a view in elevation of a conduit interface member of the alternative alternate exemplary embodiment of the novel vein presentation enhancement device of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 33  is a bottom plan view of the alternative alternate exemplary embodiment of the inventive vein presentation enhancement device of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 34  is a top plan view of an extension member configured for use with the alternative alternate exemplary embodiment of the inventive vein presentation enhancement device of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 35  is a bottom plan view of the extension member of  FIG. 34 . 
         FIG. 36  is a bottom plan view of the alternative alternate exemplary embodiment of the inventive vein presentation enhancement device of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 37  is a flow diagram of a method of using the inventive vein presentation enhancement device of  FIG. 29  for starting an IV. 
         FIG. 38  is a flow diagram of an alternate method of using the inventive vein presentation enhancement device of  FIG. 29  for drawing blood. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a blood vessel access kit configured to facilitate a transfer of fluids with a predetermined blood vessel. Reference will now be made in detail to the presently exemplary embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Additionally, the numbering of components in the drawings is consistent throughout the application, with the same components having the same number in each of the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  of an exemplary embodiment, also referred to herein as a vein presentation enhancement device  100 . The exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  includes an interior cover  102  secured to an exterior cover  104 . The exterior cover  104  supports a first securement member  106  and a first fastening member  108 . A bladder  110  is disposed between the interior cover  102  and the exterior cover  104 . The bladder  110  serves to apply pressure to the extremity to encourage additional blood into a blood vessel of interest to accommodate the insertion of an intravenous (“IV”) catheter into the blood vessel of interest. 
     To facilitate pressure build up and withdrawal, an air transfer assembly  112  communicates with the bladder  110 . The air transfer assembly  112  includes at least an inflation mechanism  114 , which may be of a manual or mechanical type; a valve  116 , which selectively controls air flow into and out of the bladder  110 ; and a gauge  118 , which may be of an analog or digital type and is provided to alert the practitioner to the amount of pressure present in the bladder  110 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the interior cover  102  and exterior cover  104  join to form a plurality of projections  120  that define a window  122 . In an exemplary embodiment, at least one attachment tab  124  is secured to one of the plurality of projections  120  and is configured for engagement with the first fastening member  108  secured to a corresponding projection  120 , of the plurality of projections  120 . 
       FIG. 2  displays a bottom plan view of the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  of the exemplary embodiment. A second fastening member  126  is shown secured to the interior cover  102  of the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100 . The second fastening member  126  of the interior cover  102  is preferably configured to connect to the first securement member  106  of the exterior cover  104  to allow the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  to surround an extremity of a patient. 
       FIG. 3  shows a view of section A-A of the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  in an exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , indicative of a form consistent with the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  enclosing an appendage of a patient, at a distal end of a patient&#39;s appendage and adjacent an extremity of that appendage. Preferably, the window  122  of the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  can accommodate various dimensional sizes by varying an amount of overlap of a second securement member  128  (secured to the attachment tab  124 ), relative to the first fastening member  108  as seen by  FIG. 4 . Further in an exemplary embodiment, the first and second fastening members  108 ,  126  are loop portions of a hook and loop fastening system, while the first and second securement members  106 ,  128  are hook portions of a hook and loop fastening system. It is noted however that alternate fastening systems are contemplated, based on the specific use environment of the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100 . Preferably, the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  confines an extremity of a patient via the connection of the first securement member  106  and the second fastening member  126 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a view of section B-B of the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  in an exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , indicative of a form consistent with the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  enclosing an appendage of a patient, at a distal end of a patient&#39;s appendage and adjacent an extremity of that appendage. The attachment tab  124  of the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  is shown preferably configured to size the window  122 . In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of attachment tabs  124  can be connected to their corresponding first fastening member  108  of projection  120  of the interior and exterior covers  102  and  104 , to provide several possible window sizes. Again, the size of the window  122  is determined by an amount of overlap of the second securement member  128  relative to the first fastening member  108 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an exemplary intravenous catheter  200 , which preferably includes at least a fluid chamber  202  that provides at least one conduit  204  and diaphragm housing  206 . In an exemplary embodiment, the diaphragm housing  206  is located on the proximal end of the fluid chamber  202 , and catheter  208  secured to the distal end of the fluid chamber  202 . In a further exemplary embodiment, a needleless valve  210  communicates with the fluid chamber  202  via a fluid transfer tube  211  secured to and disposed between the conduit  204  and the needleless valve  210 . The CLAVE® Connector with luer lock, such as those manufactured by ICU Medical Inc. of San Clemente Calif., has been found to be suitable as the needleless valve  210 . 
       FIG. 5  further shows the fluid chamber  202  of the exemplary intravenous catheter  200  preferably has a securement member  212  adjacent the diaphragm housing  206 . Preferably, a diaphragm  214  is confined in the diaphragm housing  206 , and is configured to allow passage of a hypodermic needle  216 , which extends from a needle transport  218  through the diaphragm  214 , the fluid chamber  202 , and the catheter  208  when the exemplary intravenous catheter  200  is configured for insertion into a predetermined blood vessel of a patient. The needle transport  218  includes a needle confinement feature  220 , which interacts with a needle safety catch feature  224  to secure the hypodermic needle  216  within a needle confinement housing  222 , once the hypodermic needle  216  has been extracted from the diaphragm  214 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the needle transport  218  of the exemplary intravenous catheter  200  preferably includes a plurality of isolation diaphragms  226  configured to enclose first and second fluid ports  228  and  230  of the hypodermic needle  216 , when the needle confinement feature  220  is secured by the needle safety catch feature  224 . Further in an exemplary embodiment, a grip portion  232  is provided by the needle transport  218  to facilitate sliding communication of the needle transport  218  with the needle confinement housing  222 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an exemplary syringe  300  in an exemplary embodiment. The exemplary syringe  300  preferably comprises a hollow cylinder  302 , shown in partial cut-away, which provides a support flange  304  on a proximal end of the hollow cylinder  302 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a piston  306  that includes at least a seal portion  308  positioned on a distal end and in sliding contact with an internal surface  310  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) of the hollow cylinder  302 , a piston activation member  312  on a proximal end, and a stem  314  disposed between the seal portion  308  and the piston activation member  312 . The piston  306  selectively serves to draw fluids in and expel fluids from the hollow cylinder  302 . In an exemplary embodiment, the stem provides a plurality of calibration notches  316 , which when positioned into alignment with a stem control member  318 , provided by the support flange  304 , controls transfer of a precise volume of fluid drawn in or expelled from the hollow cylinder  302 . 
       FIG. 8  further shows the exemplary syringe  300  of an exemplary embodiment includes a tapered portion (also referred to herein as a luer)  320  and a securement member  322  at the distal end of the hollow cylinder  302 . The luer  320  and securement member  322  are at least configured to interact with a needleless valve  210  (of  FIG. 5 ).  FIG. 9  shows a top plan view of the hollow cylinder  302  of the exemplary syringe  300  in an exemplary embodiment. The stem control member  318  of the exemplary syringe  300  is preferably formed from a material, such as spring steel, but may be formed of any material that provides a spring like response, and is secured to, formed in or formed with the support flange  304  of the hollow cylinder  302 . Preferably, the stem control member  318  interacts with the calibration notches  316  to control displacement of the piston  306  in the hollow cylinder  302 . 
       FIG. 10  displays a bottom plan view of the piston  306  of the exemplary syringe  300  in an exemplary embodiment. The stem  314  of the exemplary syringe  300  preferably includes a plurality of fins  324  in which the calibration notches  316  are preferably located on at least two of the plurality of fins  324 , while at least one alternate fin  324  of the plurality of fins  324  provide a land  326 . In an exemplary embodiment, when the land  326  is aligned with the stem control member  318  (of  FIG. 8 ), the piston  306  is free to move unencumbered within the hollow cylinder  302  (of  FIG. 8 ), having only the sliding friction developed between the seal portion  308  and the internal surface  310  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) of the hollow cylinder  302  to overcome. 
       FIG. 11  shows an exemplary container  400  of the exemplary embodiment that preferably includes at least a seal housing  402  supporting an access seal  404 , which prevents inadvertent access to the interior of the seal housing  402 . In an exemplary embodiment, the seal housing  402  is secured to a diaphragm  406  (also referred to herein as an inline coupling  406 ), which preferably surrounds a portion of a test tube  408  to form a vacuum seal  407  with the test tube  408  and present a vacuum charged blood collection tube. 
       FIG. 11A  shows the seal housing  402  of the exemplary container  400  is operatively connectable to at least the needleless valve  210  preferably via luer lock threads  409  provided by the needleless valve  210 . In an exemplary embodiment, the seal housing  402  is secured to a diaphragm  406  (also referred to herein as an inline coupling  406 ), which preferably surrounds a portion of the test tube  408  to present a vacuum blood collection tube. Preferably, the inline coupling  406  of the exemplary container  400  forms a vacuum seal  407  with the test tube  408 . 
       FIG. 12  displays the exemplary container  400  in an exemplary embodiment that includes a bidirectional tapered luer  410  secured within the seal housing  402 . The bidirectional tapered luer  410  is held in abutting adjacency against a resilient seal  412  by a plurality of retention fingers  414 , provided by the seal housing  402 , interacting with an annular retention collar  416  of the bidirectional tapered luer  410 . In an exemplary embodiment, the seal housing  402  comprises a conduit  418  surrounded by the resilient seal  412 . The conduit  418  of the exemplary container  400  further preferably comprises a fluid access port  420 . 
     In an operative mode, upon an engagement of the needleless valve  210  by the exemplary container  400 , the bidirectional tapered luer  410  interacts with a resilient seal  422  of the needleless valve  210  to expose a fluid port  424  of the needleless valve  210  in preparation for a transfer of fluid through a fluid tube  426  of the needleless valve  210 . Upon further engagement of the exemplary container  400  with the needleless valve  210 , the bidirectional tapered luer  410  interacts with the resilient seal  412  of the seal housing  402  to expose the fluid access port  420  of the conduit  418 , which exposes the vacuum environment within the test tube  408  to pull fluid from the fluid tube  426  into the test tube  408 . When pressure is equalized between the test tube  408  and the fluid tube  426 , the exemplary container  400  is disengaged from the needleless valve  210  and the respective resilient seals  412  and  422  close off their respective fluid ports  420  and  424 . 
       FIG. 13  shows the bidirectional tapered luer  410  of the exemplary container  400  (of  FIG. 12 ) includes a first tapered end  428 , a second tapered end  430 , and a luer seating ridge  432 . In an exemplary operating environment a vacuum is drawn on the test tube  408  (of  FIG. 12 ) via the fluid port  420  (of  FIG. 12 ), then the bidirectional tapered luer  410  is positioned within the seal housing  402  (of  FIG. 12 ) such that the retention fingers  414  engage the retention collar  416 , which positions the second tapered end  430  adjacent the resilient seal  412  (of  FIG. 12 ) and confines the bidirectional tapered luer  410  within the seal housing  402 . 
     When the exemplary container  400  initially engages the needleless valve  210  (of  FIG. 12 ), the first tapered end  428  of the bidirectional tapered luer  410  contacts the resilient seal  422  (of  FIG. 12 ), and as the engagement of the exemplary container  400  with the needleless valve  210  progresses, the retention fingers  414  encounter the luer seating ridge  432  as shown by  FIG. 14 . For exemplary embodiment  400 , preferably an amount of force required for the retention fingers  414  to pass by the luer seating ridge  432  is greater than the force needed to compress the resilient seal  422  of the needleless valve  210 , and the resilient seal  422  compresses to open the fluid port  424  (of  FIG. 12 ). 
     With continued advancement of the exemplary container  400  onto the needleless valve  210 , the first tapered end  428  of the bidirectional tapered luer  410  bottoms out against the housing of the needleless valve  210 ; that is the housing encapsulating the resilient seal  422 . With further advancement of the exemplary container  400  onto the needleless valve  210 , the retention fingers  414  overcome the luer seating ridge  432 , and second tapered end  430  compresses the resilient seal  412  of the housing  402 , which opens the fluid port  420  of the housing  402  causing the vacuum within the test tube  408  to draw fluid from the fluid tube  426  into the test tube  408 . 
     During fluid transfer, the retention fingers  414  are positioned, relative to the bidirectional tapered luer  410  as shown in  FIG. 15 , and upon disengagement of the exemplary container  400  from the needleless valve  210 , the retention fingers  414  engage a top side of the luer seating ridge  432 , as shown by  FIG. 16 . In an exemplary embodiment, both the luer seating ridge  432  and the retention collar  416  provide a contoured bottom surface and a flat top surface. The contoured bottom surface accommodates passage of the retention fingers  414  by the luer seating ridge  432  and the retention collar  416 , while the flat top surfaces inhibit passage of the retention fingers  414  by the luer seating ridge  432  and the retention collar  416 . Accordingly, when the retention fingers  414  are adjacent the flat surfaces, of either the luer seating ridge  432  or the retention collar  416 , the bidirectional tapered luer  410  will remain confined within the housing  402 . Removal of the bidirectional tapered luer  410  from the housing  402  is accomplished by encouraging the retention fingers  414  away from the luer seating ridge  432  or the retention collar  416  as the case may be. 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  show a perspective view of an exemplary blood vessel access kit  500 . The exemplary blood vessel access kit  500  preferably includes the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100  engaging the appendage  502  of a patient. The air transfer assembly  112  is preferably displayed configured to supply air to the exemplary blood channeling apparatus  100 . Further in an exemplary embodiment, a tourniquet  504  restricts venous blood flow of the patient. The exemplary intravenous catheter  200  is illustrated communicating with a blood vessel of the patient. The needle confinement housing  222  is preferably shown restricting the needle transport  218 . Preferably, the exemplary syringe  300  or the exemplary container  400  is mutually distinct in the ability to transfer fluids from a blood vessel of the patient. 
       FIG. 19  shows an alternate exemplary intravenous catheter  600 , which preferably includes at least a fluid chamber  202  that provides at least one conduit  204  and diaphragm housing  206 . In an exemplary embodiment, the diaphragm housing  206  is located on the proximal end of the fluid chamber  202 , and the catheter  208  is secured to the distal end of the fluid chamber  202 . In a further exemplary embodiment, a needleless valve  210  communicates with the fluid chamber  202  via a fluid transfer tube  211  secured to and disposed between the conduit  204  and the needleless valve  210 . The CLAVE® Connector with luer lock, such as those manufactured by ICU Medical Inc. of San Clemente Calif., has been found to be suitable as the needleless valve  210 . 
       FIG. 19  further shows the fluid chamber  202  of the alternate exemplary intravenous catheter  600  preferably has a securement member  212  adjacent the diaphragm housing  206 . The alternate exemplary intravenous catheter  600 , includes a diaphragm  214  confined in the diaphragm housing  206 , and configured to allow passage of a hypodermic needle  216 , which extends from a needle transport  218  through the diaphragm  214 , the fluid chamber  202 , and the catheter  208  when the alternate exemplary intravenous catheter  600  is configured for insertion into a predetermined blood vessel of a patient. The needle transport  218  includes a needle confinement feature  220 , which interacts with a needle safety catch feature  224  to secure the hypodermic needle  216  within a needle confinement housing  602 , once the hypodermic needle  216  has been extracted from the diaphragm  214 . 
     The alternate exemplary intravenous catheter  600  further includes an exemplary vacuum vessel assembly  604  fitted within and constrained by the needle confinement housing  602  through the use of a securement key  606 . Upon removal of the securement key  606 , the exemplary vacuum vessel assembly  604  may be advanced relative to the hypodermic needle  216  until the hypodermic needle  216  penetrates through a self-sealing diaphragm  608  fitted within a rigid test tube shaped vessel  610 . 
     The rigid test tube shaped vessel  610  provides access to a vacuum environment provided by the exemplary vacuum vessel assembly  604  of the alternate exemplary intravenous catheter  600 . To advance the rigid test tube shaped vessel  610 , the exemplary vacuum vessel assembly  604  further provides an advancement tab assembly  612 , which interacts with a slide channel  614  provided by the needle confinement housing  602  of the alternate exemplary intravenous catheter  600 . 
       FIG. 20  shows that as an advancement force is applied to the advancement tab assembly  612  of the exemplary vacuum vessel assembly  604 , the advancement tab assembly  612  progresses along the slide channel  614 . The progression of the advancement tab assembly  612  along the slide channel  614  imparts both a rotational motion and a lateral motion on the rigid test tube shaped vessel  610  relative to the hypodermic needle  216 . The collective motions of the rigid test tube shaped vessel  610  promote penetration of the self-sealing diaphragm  608  by the hypodermic needle  216 . 
       FIG. 21  shows the advancement tab assembly  612  of the exemplary vacuum vessel assembly  604  in its maximum advancement position. The advancement tab assembly  612  is shown to include at least a slide shaft  616 , that interacts directly with the slide channel  614 , and an appendage platform  618  secured to the slide shaft  616 . When the advancement tab assembly  612  has attained its maximum extent, the slide shaft  616  is positioned in a second slide channel, which accommodates the exodus of the exemplary vacuum vessel assembly  604  from the needle confinement housing  602  at the conclusion of the medical procedure. 
       FIG. 22  shows the needle transport  218  of the alternate exemplary intravenous catheter  600  preferably includes a plurality of isolation diaphragms  226  configured to enclose first and second fluid ports  228  and  230  of the hypodermic needle  216 , when the needle confinement feature  220  is secured by the needle safety catch feature  224 . Further in an exemplary embodiment, a grip portion  232  is provided by the needle transport  218  to facilitate sliding communication of the needle transport  218  with the needle confinement housing  602 . 
       FIG. 23  shows an alternative exemplary blood channeling apparatus  700  of an exemplary embodiment. The alternative exemplary blood channeling apparatus  700  includes an interior cover  702  secured to an exterior cover  704 . The exterior cover  704  supports a first securement member  106  and a first fastening member  108 . Upon sealing the interior cover  702  secured to the exterior cover  704 , an air bladder is formed therebetween. The bladder serves to apply pressure to the extremity of a patient to encourage additional blood into a blood vessel of interest to accommodate the insertion of an intravenous (“IV”) catheter into the blood vessel of interest. 
     To facilitate pressure build up and withdrawal, an air transfer assembly  112  communicates with the formed bladder. The air transfer assembly  112  includes at least an inflation mechanism  114 , which may be of a manual or mechanical type; and a valve  116 , which selectively controls air flow into and out of the formed bladder. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the interior cover  702  and exterior cover  704  join to form a plurality of projections  120  that define a window  122 . In an exemplary embodiment, at least one attachment tab  124  is secured to one of the plurality of projections  120  and is configured for engagement with the first fastening member  108  secured to a corresponding projection  120 , of the plurality of projections  120 . 
       FIG. 24  displays a bottom plan view of the alternative exemplary blood channeling apparatus  700  of the exemplary embodiment. A second fastening member  126  is shown secured to the interior cover  702  of the alternative exemplary blood channeling apparatus  700 . The second fastening member  126  of the interior cover  702  is preferably configured to connect to the first securement member  106  of the exterior cover  704  to allow the alternative exemplary blood channeling apparatus  700  to surround an extremity of a patient. 
     The flow charts,  FIGS. 25 through 28 , disclose an exemplary method of using the inventive blood vessel access kit.  FIG. 25  shows the exemplary process  800  to commence at process Step 1, with the application of a tourniquet to a patient. At process Step 2, prepare a needle for use. At process Step 3, saline is advanced into the needle. Venipuncture is attempted at process Step 4. In process Step 5, create a vacuum in the needle and catheter apparatus. At process Step 6, operator looks for a flash of blood into the catheter. In process Step 7 A, a flash of blood is observed. In the alternative, in process Step 7 B, the needle is maneuvered until a flash of blood is observed (of process Step 7 A). After the flash of blood is observed (of process Step 7 A), the needle tip is held stationary while positioning the catheter in process Step 8. In process step 9, the catheter is advanced over the needle and into the punctured vein. Process Step 10 continues in  FIG. 26 . 
     In  FIG. 26 , process Step 10 A shows the catheter advances into the vein. In the alternative, in process Step 10 B, the catheter fails to advance easily and the operator maneuvers the catheter so that it will advance. Process Step 11 shows that proper placement of the advanced catheter (of process Step 10 A) can be verified once the catheter is advanced into the vein. In process Step 12 A, blood is withdrawn, and the exemplary process  800  continues at process Step 15. In the alternative, in process Step 12 B, no withdraw or flash of blood is observed, so the catheter is repositioned, and the exemplary process  800  continues at process Step 13 in  FIG. 27 . 
     In  FIG. 27 , process Step 13 A shows catheter is repositioned after seeing a flash of blood and in process Step 14 A the catheter easily advances so the operator continues from process Step 11 (of  FIG. 26 ), or in the alternative if the catheter resists advancement the operator may need to continue with process Step 10 B (of  FIG. 26 ), process Step 3 (of FIG.  25 ), or process Step 1 (of  FIG. 25 ). In the alternative, in process Step 13 B, no flash of blood is observed so the operator returns to process Step 7 B (of  FIG. 25 ). 
     In  FIG. 28 , process Step 15 shows infusion locking position is achieved and the tourniquet is removed. At process Step 16, the needle is withdrawn into a safety shield. In process Step 17, the safety shield is disposed of in a sharps container. At process Step 18, the catheter is secured to the patient. 
     While the process Steps of exemplary process  800  are meant to be exemplary, numerous changes to the Steps, and also the sequencing of the Steps, may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed by the appended claims. 
       FIG. 29  shows a top plan view of a preferred vein presentation enhancement device  820 , which includes at least an exterior cover  822  that provides a first securement member  824  supported by a web  826 . In a preferred embodiment, the web  826  is formed from a polyvinylchloride (“PVC”) material, and the first securement member  824  is the loop portion of a hook and loop fastening system formed from a polymer and adhered to the web  826 .  FIG. 29  further shows that the exterior cover  822  preferably provides an access aperture  828  through which a conduit interface member  830  is feed-through from the back side and secured to the web  826  by a heat seal  832 .  FIGS. 30 ,  31 , and  32  respectively show the preferred conduit interface member  830  in a top plan view, bottom plan view, and view in elevation, which is preferably formed from PVC. The stitching  834 , shown in  FIG. 29  is a preferred means of securing a preferred first fastening member  836  (shown by  FIG. 33 ) to each an interior cover  838  (of  FIG. 33 ), and the exterior cover  822 . 
     As further shown by  FIG. 33 , the interior cover  838  provides a patient contact material  840  supported by a web  842 . In a preferred embodiment, the web  842  is formed from a PVC material; the patient contact material  840  is formed from cotton and adhered to the web  842 . Preferably, the first fastening member  836  provided the hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system, and is formed from a polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the interior cover  838  is secured to the exterior cover  822  by a heat seal  844  and a plurality of strain relief features  846 . A preferred result of completion of the heat seal process is the formation of an air tight bladder  848 , and at least two projections  850 , which collectively define a blood access window  852 . 
     The vein presentation enhancement device  820 , is preferably configured such that when wrapped in secure contact around a limb of a patient with the first fastening member  836  secured to the first securement member  824 , upon inflating the bladder the first fastening member  836  will self release from the first securement member  824  at a pressure of about 195 to 220 mmHg, thereby mitigating an ill effect of overinflating the vein presentation enhancement device  820 . 
       FIG. 34  shows a top plan view of a preferred extension member  854  for the vein presentation enhancement device  820 , which includes at least an exterior extension cover  856  that provides a second securement member  858  supported by an exterior extension web  860 . In a preferred embodiment, the exterior extension web  860  is formed from a PVC material, and the second securement member  858  is the loop portion of a hook and loop fastening system formed from a polymer and adhered to the exterior extension web  860 . The stitching  862 , shown in  FIG. 34  is a preferred means of securing a preferred second fastening member  866  (shown by  FIG. 35 ) to each an interior extension cover  868  (of  FIG. 35 ), and the exterior extension cover  856 . 
     As further shown by  FIG. 35 , the interior extension cover  868  provides a patient contact extension material  870  supported by an interior extension web  872 . In a preferred embodiment, the interior extension web  872  is formed from a PVC material; the patient contact extension material  870  is formed from cotton and adhered to the interior extension web  872 . Preferably, the second fastening member  866  provided the hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system, and is formed from a polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the interior extension cover  868  is secured to the exterior extension cover  856  by a heat seal  874 . 
       FIG. 36  shows the preferred vein presentation enhancement device  820  secured to the preferred extension member  854 . To facilitate this securement, the first fastening member  836  of the vein presentation enhancement device  820  provides the hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system, and the second securement member  858  of the extension member  854  provides the loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system. The result of adding the extension member  854  to the preferred vein presentation enhancement device  820  is an accommodation of various limbs, or portion of limbs, of patients. With the extension member  854  attached, the inflatable tourniquet (vein presentation enhancement device  820 ) becomes functional by securing the second fastening member  866  (of  FIG. 35 ) to the first securement member  836  (of  FIG. 33 ) 
       FIG. 37  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of using the inventive vein presentation enhancement device  820  (of  FIG. 29 ), in starting an IV in a patient, while  FIG. 38  shows a flow diagram of an alternate method of using the inventive vein presentation enhancement device  820  of  FIG. 29  in drawing blood from a patient. 
     It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While presently exemplary embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed by the appended claims.