Abstract: In order to puncture the artery running in parallel to the deep vein, a method or a tool for selectively visualizing the artery in a near-infrared image so as to form a near-infrared image of a portion to be punctured is provided. In the method for visualizing the artery by forming a near-infrared image of a portion of the artery to be punctured, the surface of the skin to be punctured is pressurized with a near-infrared light transparent material so as to collapse the deep vein running in parallel to the artery as well as the subcutaneous vein. An auxiliary tool for selectively visualizing the artery preferred for this pressurization is formed from a near-infrared light transparent material and has a notch through which a puncture needle can pass.

Abstract: An artery visualization device for irradiating skin on the wrist back side with near-infrared light and forming near-infrared image of the wrist includes a placement table on which the wrist is placed, an irradiation unit including a light source emitting near-infrared light, imaging unit receiving light and forming wrist near-infrared image, the light incidents on the skin on the wrist back side and exiting from skin on the front, optical filter, and monitor. The artery visualization device includes a protrusion protruding from a placement table wrist placement surface. The protrusion compresses the back side skin on the wrist placed on the placement table from the back side, and irradiates the near-infrared light emitted from the light source to the skin on the back. The placement table includes a center placement portion and back of hand contact portion. The back of hand contact surface intersects obliquely with a wrist placement surface.

Abstract: An artery visualization device for irradiating skin on the wrist back side with near-infrared light and forming near-infrared image of the wrist includes a placement table on which the wrist is placed, an irradiation unit including a light source emitting near-infrared light, imaging unit receiving light and forming wrist near-infrared image, the light incidents on the skin on the wrist back side and exiting from skin on the front, optical filter, and monitor. The artery visualization device includes a protrusion protruding from a placement table wrist placement surface. The protrusion compresses the back side skin on the wrist placed on the placement table from the back side, and irradiates the near-infrared light emitted from the light source to the skin on the back. The placement table includes a center placement portion and back of hand contact portion. The back of hand contact surface intersects obliquely with a wrist placement surface.