There's more than one way to find a vein. Liquid crystal thermography, light-emitting diodes (LED), and infrared light are a few of the technologies in use or under development to help phlebotomists locate hard-to-see veins. One infrared technology device made headlines in late 2004 and spring of 2005 as the company sought investors in preparation for a commercial launch, which has been delayed until at least the first quarter of 2006. In the meantime, a variety of products are available to facilitate blood draws and catheter insertions.

Time magazine featured the infrared technology device in November 2004 as one of the "coolest inventions" of the year. Developed by the former Conenhill Biomedics, the product looks like a desk lamp for task lighting. An infrared light source images red blood cells that are captured by a video camera. A computer processes the video images and projects them back onto the patient's skin, showing the location of the veins to within 0.06mm. Conenhill merged with Luminet to form the current owner of the technology, Luminetx of Memphis, TN. Luminetx changed the product name from On Target to VeinViewer. Although it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and was originally scheduled for commercial release in late 2005, the device is schedule for additional clinical trials in fall of 2005.