Vein detection utilizes Near-Infrared light, or NIR to locate vein structures as deep as 10mm underneath the surface of the skin. The source of Near-Infrared light is reflected over the surface of the skin, reflecting off the hemoglobin of the blood contained within the vein structure. Many medical procedures utilize venipuncture as part of their procedure, including blood drawing, vaccine delivery, IV bags, and other common applications of the needle. All of these require the location of a vein, and the location process is invasive, requiring multiple attempts, leading to multiple punctures, increasing risk of infection, blood loss, allergic reactions and other side effects. As a result, it has cemented its place as a necessary tool in the modern medical world. The device is expensive, ranging from $1000-3500. Additionally, the portability of these devices
remains limited due to power demands and the weight of the devices themselves. In developing areas these tools could provide great assistance in combating disease and managing common illnesses, however their cost prohibits wide-spread use. This research project addresses these associated issues with pre-existing models. The project utilized common components to produce its results, with a NIR-LED, Arduino MAX 2560 board and IR filters. The use of pre-developed components helped produce a functioning, low cost unit that could work to fill the gap of cheap but capable vein detectors.