A cluster randomized trial in Curaçao evaluated the VascuLuminator vein finder in dark-skinned children. Overall first-attempt success improved from 51% to 63% but was not statistically significant. In the difficult-to-cannulate subgroup, median time to success dropped from 310 to 102 seconds, suggesting the device’s real value lies in challenging cases.

Venipuncture in children can be challenging due to small veins, difficult-to-see vessels, dark skin, chronic diseases, and repeated puncture history. A clinical trial in Brazil compared infrared near-infrared (NIR) vein visualization technology with LED transillumination in children at risk for difficult puncture. The results highlight the value of vein visualization technology in improving confidence and supporting successful vascular access in pediatric care.

Venous access can be particularly challenging in oncology patients because repeated venipuncture, long-term treatment, vascular fragility, edema, and other clinical factors may make veins difficult to identify. A 2025 prospective clinical study at Anyang Cancer Hospital investigated the use of optimized lighting combined with a vein visualization device during venipuncture in 240 patients. The reported results showed that the combined approach could improve first-attempt puncture success, with the highest reported success rate reaching 98.3%, while also reducing puncture time and pain scores. These findings highlight the potential value of vein visualization technology as an auxiliary tool for improving venipuncture efficiency and patient experience in oncology care.

A prospective randomized controlled trial evaluated a near-infrared vein finder device on 190 adult orthopedic preoperative patients. First-attempt success rose from 54.7% to 70.5%, mean cannulation time dropped from 3.5 to 2.0 minutes, VAS pain scores fell from 4.1 to 2.4, and local complications were consistently lower in the device group. Benefits were most pronounced in patients with difficult venous access.