A needle insertion system and method. The insertion system includes an imaging system and a needle. The imaging system includes at least one infrared emitter an infrared detector, a computing unit, a display device, and a power source. The method includes the steps of preparing a body target area, putting on the headset, powering up the system, locating a target blood vessel, picking up the needle, aligning the needle with the target blood vessel, inserting the needle, advancing the needle until a sufficient depth of penetration has been reached, and withdrawing the needle.
