Infrared Illuminator Aids in Phlebotomy

An illumination device has been introduced that will make the finding of veins or arteries much easier for drawing blood.

The new invention uses infrared light-emitting diode (LED) light that shines through a patient's limb and makes it possible to see the blood vessels on a screen instantaneously. The device is used to navigate around the vascular system, so that the doctor or technician knows exactly where to insert the needle.


This practical system is called the VascuLuminator and was developed at the University Medical Center, (UMC; Utrecht, The Netherlands).

The system identifies the optimal puncture point, minimizes needle manipulation time and the procedure is successful nearly every time. The VascuLuminator can be operated with only one hand and the optimal contrast is obtained at 870 nm. When the device is used, the chance of unsuccessful phlebotomy drops dramatically.

The VascuLuminator is particularly suited for use in people with dark skin. Children with chronic diseases can also benefit, because they regularly undergo many procedures and the drawing of blood is often unsuccessful. Other beneficiaries are young infants because of their baby fat and obese people whose veins are also deeper down, and therefore more difficult to find. Those who have used it found it easy to manipulate, with only a small learning curve and were satisfied with the information on location, direction, and size of the blood vessels. The feasibility to visualize arteries in support of placing arterial lines has been performed.

Professor Ruud Verdaasdonk of UMC developed the devise and his doctoral student Natascha Cuper said, "This research has shown that by using the VascuLuminator, the percentage of unsuccessful punctures has dropped from 13% to 2%. It is also more efficient, because the doctor needs less time to insert the needle right the first time in a child who is likely to be afraid.” Pontes Medical, (Utrecht, the Netherlands) is helping develop the product in a cooperative venture with other Dutch medical centers.

Related Links:
University Medical Center, Utrecht
Pontes Medical