MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 21, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- A fear of needles is a top reason people avoid donating blood, and for those with hard to find veins, needle phobia can be acute. Now, Memphis-based Luminetx Corp. has created a medical device that has overcome this barrier to blood donation in clinical trials.
The VeinViewer by Luminetx uses infrared light to project a real-time image of underlying veins directly onto a donor's skin.
Lifeblood Biological Services tested VeinViewer on a sample of 30 adults who have known difficult-to-find and difficult-to-access veins for blood collection. The clinical trial demonstrated that VeinViewer was 100 percent successful in locating a viable vein for venous access. And when using the VeinViewer, the Lifeblood staff posted a 100 percent success rate when accessing the vein for blood collection on the first attempt.
"This trial validates the value that we expect VeinViewer to have in the blood donor population," said Edward P. Scott, M.D., Lifeblood's president and medical director. "Because giving blood is truly an altruistic process, any barriers we can remove for potential donors can help save lives by increasing blood donations."
Once people donate blood, they find it to be a gratifying experience, Dr. Scott said. VeinViewer helps both the donor and the clinician by providing a reliable way for the clinicians to access a viable vein on the first attempt.
The 30 clinical trial participants had been previously screened and rejected as donors by Lifeblood Biological Services. VeinViewer enabled clinicians at Lifeblood to actually view these donors' difficult to locate and access veins, and made it possible for them to successfully insert a needle in the vein for blood collection. Currently phlebotomists rely on their sense of touch to determine vein location.
The successful Lifeblood clinical trial marks the beginning of an enduring partnership with Luminetx, Dr. Scott said.
"We intend to conduct additional trials using VeinViewer and, in the long run, we expect to use these devices to help access difficult-to-access veins and for training new members of our staff," he said.
The VeinViewer is used very much like a work light. Its adjustable head can be positioned over the part of the patient's anatomy, leaving both of the clinician's hands free to work with the patient. It uses multiple patented technologies that leverage an infrared light source to image red blood cells. This allows the video camera to see the veins through the skin. The video images are processed in the computer and projected back onto the patient's skin showing the exact location of the veins to within 0.06mm.
"VeinViewer's ability to allow clinicians to actually see veins has broad applications in the medical field," said James Phillips, CEO of Luminetx. "It will help millions of doctors, nurses and patients instantaneously map veins for ease in medical procedures."
The vein locating device has received FDA clearance. It is being prepared for clinical trials in August 2005 and commercial production in the first quarter of 2006.
Primary target markets for the device include hospital and medical clinics, blood and plasma donation centers, labs and testing centers, surgical suites, and home healthcare organizations. Additionally, several medical specialties have shown heightened interest in the VeinViewer, including interventional radiology, cosmetic surgery, and pediatrics.
About Luminetx Corporation
Headquartered in the biotech district of Memphis, Tennessee, Luminetx Corporation discovers, develops, and commercializes bioscience technologies in the digital imaging, supply chain management, nanotech, wireless, and IP communications arenas. Luminetx consists of experienced scientific, technological and business leadership committed to their vision. Luminetx's premier product, VeinViewer, a vein locating technology, was just recognized by TIME Magazine as "one of the coolest medical inventions of the year."