Can you identify this picture? Believe it or not those are Blogging Molly's veins! One of the coolest interactive exhibits at NextFest, the Vein Viewer used near infrared light, a digital camera and a digital projector and other patented technologies (top secret I guess!) to light up veins that you can't normally see through your skin.
Why is this a great invention? Well, if you've ever spent time in a hospital, you've likely had intravenous (I.V.) therapy, in which your medicine is dispensed directly into your bloodstream. But first, the practitioner must find a worthy vein, and many times they have to stick you a few times before they get it right. (According to the Vein Viewer manufacturer, Luminetx, about half of all "needle sticks" are unnecessary.) The company hopes to increase efficiency and cut costs in hospitals, as well as decrease patients' pain and suffering.
Like your fingerprint or DNA, everyone's vein structure is unique. At left you can see that my veins form a pitchfork in my forearm. The Luminetx rep had never seen anything like it! (He even joked that it was the mark of the devil.)
I see them pumping silhouetted
in the infrared
I cross my arms
and scrunch up my face
He grabs my hands and he
lights up my arm
I find myself in the green light of this place
It's just the light in my veins
Adapted from "Night in My Veins" by the Pretenders
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September 29, 2006 10:34 PM
One of the reasons I have such a hard time giving blood these days is because the last couple of times the attendant taking my blood kept missing my veins, and I know many people who have a hard time getting injecttions and IVs because they have small veins or "hiding" veins, that are difficult to see. This is really really cool. And I love your creative adaptation, Molly, now that song is stuck in my head!
May 7, 2009 2:52 PM
That's great! I've never seen anyone else with a pitchfork vein. I have it on my wrist and it's pretty visible.