Micro vein enhancer for hands-free imaging for a venipuncture procedure
First Claim
1. A vein-image-enhancing system, for mobile use in imaging the subcutaneous veins of a target area of a patient by a practitioner, said vein-image-enhancing system comprising:
- a miniature vein enhancer comprising;
a first laser configured to emit a beam of light, at a first wavelength;
a scanner configured to transmit said beam of light from said first laser onto a target area;
a photodetector configured to receive an image of the veins formed by differential absorption of said selective wavelength of light by the veins and the surrounding tissue;
said photodetector further configured to output a signal representing said image;
a second laser configured to receive said signal from said photodetector and to use said signal to emit a beam of light at a second wavelength, said scanner further configured to scan said beam of light at said second wavelength from said second, laser to project said received image onto the target area; and
a housing configured to house said first laser, said second laser, said photodetector, and said scanner, said housing comprising an exit opening for said scanned laser light;
said housing comprising a mounting orifice;
anda mounting bracket, said mounting, bracket comprising a mast, a first end of said mast comprising a cylindrical portion, with said cylindrical portion at said first end of said mast received in said mounting orifice of said housing to releasably mount said miniature vein enhancer to said mast;
said mounting bracket comprising a ring proximate to a second end of said mast, said ring configured to mount said mounting bracket to a corresponding cylindrical surface of a vial holder to support said miniature vein enhancer in an upright position during a venipuncture procedure for hands-free imaging, of the target area being without direct contact with said vein-image-enhancing system by the user'"'"'s hand.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.
257 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A vein-image-enhancing system, for mobile use in imaging the subcutaneous veins of a target area of a patient by a practitioner, said vein-image-enhancing system comprising:
-
a miniature vein enhancer comprising; a first laser configured to emit a beam of light, at a first wavelength; a scanner configured to transmit said beam of light from said first laser onto a target area; a photodetector configured to receive an image of the veins formed by differential absorption of said selective wavelength of light by the veins and the surrounding tissue;
said photodetector further configured to output a signal representing said image;a second laser configured to receive said signal from said photodetector and to use said signal to emit a beam of light at a second wavelength, said scanner further configured to scan said beam of light at said second wavelength from said second, laser to project said received image onto the target area; and a housing configured to house said first laser, said second laser, said photodetector, and said scanner, said housing comprising an exit opening for said scanned laser light;
said housing comprising a mounting orifice;and a mounting bracket, said mounting, bracket comprising a mast, a first end of said mast comprising a cylindrical portion, with said cylindrical portion at said first end of said mast received in said mounting orifice of said housing to releasably mount said miniature vein enhancer to said mast;
said mounting bracket comprising a ring proximate to a second end of said mast, said ring configured to mount said mounting bracket to a corresponding cylindrical surface of a vial holder to support said miniature vein enhancer in an upright position during a venipuncture procedure for hands-free imaging, of the target area being without direct contact with said vein-image-enhancing system by the user'"'"'s hand. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A vein-image-enhancing system, for mobile use in imaging the subcutaneous veins of a target area of a patient by a practitioner, said vein-image-enhancing system comprising:
-
a miniature vein enhancer comprising; a first laser configured to emit a beam of light at a first wavelength; a scanner configured to transmit said beam of light from said first laser onto a target area; means for receiving an image of the veins formed by differential absorption of said selective wavelength of light by the veins and the surrounding tissue, and for outputting a signal representing said image; a second laser configured to receive said signal from said means for receiving and outputting and to use said signal to emit a beam of light at a second wavelength, said scanner further configured to scan said beam of light at said second wavelength from said second laser to project said received image onto the target area; and a housing configured to house said first laser, said second laser, said means for receiving and outputting, and said scanner, said housing comprising an exit opening for said scanned laser light; and a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket comprising;
a mast;
means for coupling said housing of said miniature vein enhancer to said mast; and
means for releasably mounting said miniature vein enhancer to a vial holder for supporting said housing of said miniature vein, enhancer in an upright position for hands-free imaging of the target area being without direct contact of the user'"'"'s hand with said vein-image-enhancing system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A vein-image-enhancing system, for mobile use in imaging the subcutaneous veins of a target area of a patient by a practitioner, said vein-image-enhancing system comprising:
-
a miniature vein enhancer comprising; a first laser configured to emit a beam of light at a first wavelength; a scanner configured to transmit said beam of light from said first laser onto a target area; means for receiving an image of the veins formed by differential absorption of said selective wavelength of light by the veins and the surrounding tissue, and for outputting a signal representing said image; a second laser configured to receive said signal from said means for receiving and outputting and to use said signal to emit a beam of light at a second wavelength, said scanner further configured to scan said beam of light at said second wavelength from said second laser to project said received image onto the target urea; and a housing configured to house said first laser, said second laser, said means for receiving and outputting, and said scanner, said housing comprising an exit opening for said scanned laser light; a mast; means for releasably supporting said miniature vein enhancer on a first end of said mast; and cylindrical means for releasably supporting a second end of said mast with respect to a medical device, with said medical device thereby supporting said miniature vein enhancer in an upright position during a venipuncture procedure for hands-free imaging of the target area being without direct contact with said vein-image-enhancing system by the user'"'"'s hand. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
Specification