Simplified and lightweight system for enhanced visualization of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for enhanced viewing of hemoglobin containing structures within human or animal tissue comprising:
- a) a filter to pass wavelengths between 650 and 1100 nm;
b) a lens assembly designed to focus an image of said human or animal tissue upon an array-type detector responsive to wavelengths passed by said filter, said detector designed to deliver its output to a display device;
c) a display device for converting said detector output into an image useful for medical treatment or study;
whereby rapid and accurate location of blood containing structures is facilitated.
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Abstract
A simplified, lightweight and inexpensive system and method for enhancing visualization of veins or other subcutaneous natural or foreign structures of the body containing hemoglobin is provided. This system will facilitate intravenous insertion or extraction of fluids, medication or other treatments in hospital or emergency settings.
123 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for enhanced viewing of hemoglobin containing structures within human or animal tissue comprising:
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a) a filter to pass wavelengths between 650 and 1100 nm;
b) a lens assembly designed to focus an image of said human or animal tissue upon an array-type detector responsive to wavelengths passed by said filter, said detector designed to deliver its output to a display device;
c) a display device for converting said detector output into an image useful for medical treatment or study;
whereby rapid and accurate location of blood containing structures is facilitated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for enhancing the visualization of veins and other subcutaneous natural or foreign hemoglobin-containing structures in the body, comprising:
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(a) a natural or artificial light source for illuminating a portion of the body in at least one of a reflection mode or a transillumination mode;
(b) at least one spectrally selective array-type light detection means for detecting light having spectral characteristics defined by the relative light absorption properties of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures within said portion of the body, said light reflected from or transmitted through said portion of the body, and for generating an image of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures within said portion of the body, and means for displaying said image; and
(c) an optical filter disposed between said portion of the body and at least one spectrally selective array-type light detection means for transmitting light only within preselected narrow wavelength bands. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20)
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15. A system for enhancing the visualization of veins and other hemoglobin-containing subcutaneous natural or foreign structures in the body, comprising:
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(a) a natural or artificial light source for illuminating a portion of the body in at least one of a reflection mode or a transillumination mode;
(b) at least one spectrally-selective array-type light detection means for detecting light having spectral characteristics defined by the relative light absorption properties of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures within said portion of the body, said light reflected from or transmitted through said portion of the body, and for generating an image of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures within said portion of the body, and means for displaying said image; and
(c) means for filtering ambient light at said spectrally-selective array-type detector from said at least one spectrally-selective array-type light detection means.
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17. A system for enhancing the visualization of veins or other subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures in the body, comprising:
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(a) a natural or artificial light source for illuminating a portion of the body in at least one of a reflection mode and a transillumination mode, said light source including preselected wavelength bands;
(b) at least one spectrally selective array-type light detection means for detecting light having spectral characteristics defined by the relative light absorption properties of hemoglobin-containing subcutaneous structures within said portion of the body, said light reflected from or transmitted through said portion of the body, and for generating an image of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures within said portion of the body, and means for displaying said image;
(c) an optical filter disposed between said portion of the body and said at least one spectrally selective array-type light detection means for transmitting light only within said preselected wavelength bands; and
(d) wherein said optical filter has a broad passband beginning transmission substantially on at least one wavelength selected from the group consisting of 0.65, 0.70, 0.75 and 0.81 and 0.85 microns.
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18. A system for enhancing the visualization of veins or other subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures in the body, comprising:
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(a) a natural or artificial light source for illuminating a portion of the body in at least one of a reflection mode and a transillumination mode, said light source including preselected wavelength bands;
(b) at least one spectrally selective array-type light detection means for detecting light having spectral characteristics defined by the relative light absorption properties of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures within said portion of the body, said light reflected from or transmitted through said portion of the body, and for generating an image of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures within said portion of the body, and means for displaying said image;
(c) an optical filter disposed between said portion of the body and said at least one spectrally selective array-type level light detection means for transmitting light only within said preselected wavelength bands; and
(d) wherein said at least one spectrally selective array-type light detection means includes a device selected from the group consisting of a charge coupled device, a charge injection device, a microbolometer array device, a platinum silicide detector array, an indium antimonide detector array, a copper germanium detector array, deuterated triglycine sulfate detector array, mercury cadmium telluride detector array, a densely packed phototransistor array, a densely packed silicon photodiode array, a quantum dot detector array, a nanotube detector array, an yttrium barium copper oxide detector array, a gallium arsenide detector array, an aluminum gallium arsenide detector array, a cadmium zinc telluride detector array, a photoconductor detector array, and a photovoltaic detector array.
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21. A method for enhancing the visualization of veins, or other subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures of the body, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a natural or artificial source of light in a wavelength range of about 0.65 to 1.1 microns;
(b) illuminating a selected portion of the body in at least one of a reflection mode and a transillumination mode with light from said source;
(c) detecting light reflected from or transmitted through said portion of the body, said light having spectral characteristics defined by the relative light absorption properties of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures within said portion of the body;
(d) generating an image of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures within said selected portion of the body;
(e) displaying said image; and
(f) wherein the step of detecting light is performed using at least one spectrally-selective array-type light detection means sensitive to selected wavelength bands within said wavelength range. - View Dependent Claims (22, 24)
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23. A method for enhancing the visualization of veins or other subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures of the body, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a natural or artificial source of light in a wavelength range of about 0.65 to 1.1 microns;
(b) illuminating a selected portion of the body in at least one of a reflection mode and a transillumination mode with light from said source;
(c) generating an image of subcutaneous structures within said selected portion of the body;
(d) selectively filtering light from said selected portion of the body;
(e) displaying said image; and
(f) wherein the steps of generating an image and displaying said image are performed using spectrally-selective array-type light detection means for detecting light having spectral characteristics defined by the relative light absorption properties of subcutaneous hemoglobin-containing structures within said portion of the body, said low light levels reflected from or transmitted through said portion of the body.
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Specification