Luminetx

Luminetx Corporation, a medical biosciences company founded in 2004 and based in Memphis, Tennessee, developed and commercialized the VeinViewer vascular imaging system. The company's core offering, VeinViewer, was engineered to address a common challenge in healthcare: locating subcutaneous veins for procedures like IV insertions and blood draws. This technology was invented by Herbert Zeman, a physicist with a background in medical physics and biomedical engineering, who initially founded a company called Conenhill Biomedics, which later became Luminetx.

The VeinViewer operates by projecting harmless near-infrared light onto the skin, which is absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood. A detector and computer then process the reflected light to create a real-time digital map of the underlying vascular structure, which is projected back onto the skin's surface. This provides healthcare professionals—including nurses, phlebotomists, and physicians—with a clear, live image of veins, improving the accuracy and efficiency of vascular access. The stated benefits include a reduction in the number of needle sticks required, less time to start an IV, and increased patient comfort, which in turn can lower operational costs for healthcare facilities. The technology received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004.

The company's business model focused on the sale of these medical devices to a client base primarily consisting of hospitals and clinics. Luminetx established distribution partnerships to expand its market reach both domestically and internationally. Over its history, the company successfully raised approximately $15 million in venture capital from firms including Custer Capital, Capvest Venture Fund, and Morgan Keegan. A significant milestone occurred in December 2009, when Christie Digital Systems, a global visual technologies company, acquired substantially all of Luminetx's assets, including the VeinViewer technology and intellectual property. Following the acquisition, Christie formed a new entity, Christie Medical Holdings, Inc., to continue the development and commercialization of the VeinViewer product line, which subsequently launched new generations of the device.

Keywords: vein visualization, vascular imaging, medical device, phlebotomy aid, IV access, venipuncture, near-infrared spectroscopy, patient care, healthcare technology, medical imaging, Herbert Zeman, Christie Medical Holdings, VeinViewer, subcutaneous veins, real-time projection, diagnostic equipment, medical biosciences, intravenous therapy, vascular access device, clinical procedures, blood draw assistance