Firefly's Clinical Application
Transillumination (vein lights) are one of the most commonly used tools for vascular access in children's hospitals. The original idea for Firefly was to increase 1st attempt IVs in infants and newborns due to the high stress and, often, failed attempts in this population. We quickly learned, through clinical research studies with Firefly and volunteers, that we accidently created a product that's effectiveness far exceeded just infants and newborns.
Through innovation and a dream to change healthcare for pediatrics, Firefly has rapidly become one of the most trusted vein lights for patients of all ages.
We will breakdown these age ranges below in 3 separate sections.
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Section 1: Considerations
Section 2: NICU/Newborns
Section 3: Pediatrics
Section 4: Adults
Section 5: Recourses
​Section 1: Considerations​
The use of transillumination may be a foreign concept to many who work outside of pediatrics which is the beauty of this, we get to expand our skillsets.
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Transillumination is used by shining Firefly through the extremity you would like to place your IV in. Dimming the lights will significantly increase the visibility of the veins. This may sound strange, but it is common practice in pediatrics/NICU.
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Anatomy plays a significant role in transillumination and the main factor to take into consideration is density of bone and muscle. As the patient grows cartilage and adipose tissue will turn into bone and muscle, which is denser, playing a role in the effectiveness of transillumination.
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Firefly's millilumen setting (7, 14, 22, & 29 lumens) assist with a wide variety of ages and site locations for IV access.
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Section 2: NICU/Newborns​
Our smallest and most precious patients come with a need for a very specialized skillset. Firefly was created by peds nurses, so this was something that we had to bring in outside experts to assist with.
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By recommendation of a NICU nurse, Firefly now has the 7-lumen setting that originally was not part of the product. The patients are so small that a lower setting was needed because it was originally too bright and blinding the nurses when using it.
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Firefly has an internal thermal sensor that will deactivate the device if heat is detected internally protecting the most delicate of patients.
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When a PICC line is needed in the NICU, Firefly's brighter settings make visualizing the veins in deeper locations in the NICU possible. The small size and the fact that Firefly is wireless make fitting it into a sterile glove seamless for maintaining a sterile field. ​
Section 3: Pediatrics
This is where you are going to maximize your clinical application. Whether it's a pediatric patient in the field with EMS, a cute baby growing into their baby fat (our personal favorite), or a drive-up newborn delivery Firefly's versatility can be a huge asset to have by your side.
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From our clinical study in 2023 to our research study in 2025 pediatrics is where we have the most objective data supporting Firefly.
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Pro tip: The hands are going to be your best friend using transillumination in pediatrics. The veins are easy to visualize and often relatively straight.
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Although you cannot evaluate the exact depth of the veins using transillumination there are multiple ways to evaluate the best location for access. See our FREE PDF download below for a full peds IV training.
Section 4: Adults​
Transillumination and adults don't always agree. This is primary due to the topic above of density. Adult's bones and muscle are fully developed creating more resistance for transillumination to work as intended. ​
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The implementation of transillumination in adults will come with some creativity. Adam (Firefly's CEO and Co-founder) found the use of Firefly in adults by accident not thinking it was possible until an extremely difficult stick came into his adult ER job who was in critical condition and indeed of rapid access. While waiting on an ultrasound certified nurse to arrive he figured he would look with Firefly, and to his surprise found a great vein in the patient's finger and got a quick IV and interventions were initiated. This is not ideal but for quick access it's a tool worth considering. Especially in elderly or smaller patients.
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Fingers, webs of hands, lateral/medial wrists, and even holding Firefly beside a vein (opposed to below) can been effective in visualizing veins in adults but due to the technology being made for smaller patients you can expect some inconsistencies in successful applications.
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In most cases, ultrasound guided IVs is becoming the standard for difficult IVs in adults.
Section 5: Recourses
Please feel free to email us at any time if you any questions, concerns, or feedback for us at Firefly. We are always striving to provide the pest quality products and services for the children you care for in their time of need.
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information@fireflyveinlight.com
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Free downloads
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Video References
Firefly App for your phone (coming soon)
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In hospital education (see hospital training page)