Do You Have “Difficult Veins”?

Have you suffered through numerous needle sticks in fruitless attempts to obtain some blood from your vein, or when having an IV infusion started? People with “difficult veins” come to dread such procedures, and often ask the nurse to get the most experienced staff member available. Well, help is at hand, in the shape of a small device that detects and highlights hemoglobin (the oxygen-covering material in red blood cells). It’s called the Accuvein AV300, and is commercially available.

The link to the manufacturers (above) has a video showing how the device is used. All patent veins in the light field are detected to a depth of 8 mm, making venipuncture a snap. The technology, which uses infra-red light, is not new. In fact, Time magazine called it one of "The Most Amazing Inventions of 2004”. But it seems to have been improved upon in the latest device, and it should prove a boon to patients with problem veins. Let’s hope it’s coming to a hospital near you, soon.