Researchers Develop Vein Finder
Here is something cool if you are a medic (from Georgia Research Tech News via FireFightingNews.com).
When medics are treating trauma patients, every second counts. Yet bruises, burns, and other physical conditions often make it difficult to locate veins and administer lifesaving drugs or solutions.In response, a team of Georgia Institute of Technology researchers is developing an inexpensive, handheld device that uses Doppler ultrasound technology to find veins quickly.
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As medics move the device along a patient’s arm or leg, the transducer emits a thin acoustical beam, about the size of pencil lead, into the reflector. Then the reflector directs the ultrasonic waves into the patient’s skin at a slight angle. The device can determine the direction of blood flow to distinguish arteries (which carry blood away from the heart) from veins (which carry blood to the heart). Once the device detects a vein, an alarm is triggered, and medics insert the needle.
I'm not a medic, but this sounds like it will save time and effort. It will be interesting to see how much these devices cost once they are on the market. As with most technology, I'm betting they will be expensive to start with, but be much more affordable within a year or two.
