[Thoro]

"Today, when you insert the IV, there is a flashback chamber. When you see blood enter the flashback chamber, you know for sure that the needle has hit the vein. The problem is that when the patient is in a state of shock and has lost a lot of blood, it takes time for the blood to flow into the chamber. In this situation, it is very difficult to locate the vein. With the VEID, it is far easier."

While I was reading the article, it didn't sound like it's going to replace any techniques already being employed by nurses and medical techs. It seems to be more of a special need item for the tough sticks. Venipuncture is an art form that requires the experience of varied sticks, so this might not necessarily save student digging in those of us with good veins. :)

[tet68]

The fact that it will be audible (beep)and visual (blinking light) only while in the vein proper will help a great deal
in emergency situations where people are in shock etc.

Was just talking to an EMT friend the other night about his
experiences sticking an elderly patient in a rocking ambulance, he is VERY proficient at this but could not
make the IV because of the way the driver was tossing them
around.

Any thing that will help should get at least a trial.