Near-infrared used for vein visualisation

There's an interesting use of near-infrared detection combined with a kind of augmented reality in a device being trialled by the Australian Red Cross Blood service. Since near infrared radiation (NIR) penetrates a few millimetres into skin you can often see subcutaneous veins in infrared images because the de-oxygenated blood absorbs light at these wavelengths. This device, made by Christie Medical, takes that a stage further by illuminating the area with NIR and then projecting the resulting image in visible light back onto the skin. It's shown in this video ...



More information in this punning post from the Blood Service.