Researchers at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service are working on a device that makes it easier for doctors to find your veins when you are getting a shot.
The vein visualization scanner, which is currently being tested, uses infrared technology to find blood and is designed so that blood donors are less anxious about doctors having to poke around several times before finding a vein, according to TechCrunch.
Veins are found by waving near infrared light from the device over naturally deoxygenated hemoglobin, which absorbs the light and results in the user's veins appearing green.
The goal is achieved due to the specific reaction infrared technology has when interacting with veins, CNET reported.
"Veins have a lot of deoxygenated hemoglobin that absorbs near infrared light, and the device is able to use this information to project the image," said Dr. Dan Waller, senior researcher behind the tests. "The machines have settings to manage individual differences."
As long as users don't stare directly at the devices, they will be safe to use, TechCrunch reported.
The Red Cross is looking to test the scanners on 900 blood donors between 18 and 39 years old, with the idea being that young donors would contribute more to the research later on if the tests go well.
The tests will involve 300 first-timers and 600 returning donors, and they will take place at the Chatswood and Elizabeth Street Donor Centres in Sydney, CNET reported.
"Donor Centre staff have found the technology particularly useful in cases where the vein is not visible to the naked eye," Waller said. "We are keen to retain our young donors, and it is important to test if this technology may help us do that."
