System and method for locating and accessing a blood vessel
First Claim
1. An imaging system for locating subcutaneous blood vessels, said system comprising:
- at least one infrared emitter configured to illuminate a region under a surface of a skin with waves of infrared light;
an infrared detector configured to accept waves of infrared light reflected from the region under the surface of the skin, said infrared detector comprising an output for outputting a signal corresponding to unenhanced image data;
a computing unit comprising an input for accepting said unenhanced image data, a memory, means for enhancing said unenhanced image data and outputting result images in which enhanced images of blood vessels are shown within images of the region under the surface of the skin, and an output for outputting said enhanced images in substantially real time;
a display device for inputting said enhanced images from output of said computing unit and displaying said enhanced images; and
a power source in electrical communication with said infrared emitter, said infrared detector, said computing unit and said display device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An imaging system for locating subcutaneous blood vessels and a method for locating subcutaneous blood vessels using the system. The system includes at least one infrared emitter an infrared detector, a computing unit that enhances images and outputs enhanced images in substantially real time, a display device for displaying enhanced images, 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, inserting a needle into the target blood vessel, and performing the medical procedure.
97 Citations
44 Claims
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1. An imaging system for locating subcutaneous blood vessels, said system comprising:
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at least one infrared emitter configured to illuminate a region under a surface of a skin with waves of infrared light;
an infrared detector configured to accept waves of infrared light reflected from the region under the surface of the skin, said infrared detector comprising an output for outputting a signal corresponding to unenhanced image data;
a computing unit comprising an input for accepting said unenhanced image data, a memory, means for enhancing said unenhanced image data and outputting result images in which enhanced images of blood vessels are shown within images of the region under the surface of the skin, and an output for outputting said enhanced images in substantially real time;
a display device for inputting said enhanced images from output of said computing unit and displaying said enhanced images; and
a power source in electrical communication with said infrared emitter, said infrared detector, said computing unit and said display device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of using an imaging system to aid in an insertion of a needle into a blood vessel during a performance of a medical procedure, wherein the imaging system comprises a headset, at least one infrared emitter, an infrared detector, a computing unit, a power source, and a display disposed such that a user is able to view both an enhanced image on the display and an unenhanced image on the target area of a surface of a skin of a patient without removing said headset, and wherein said method comprises the steps of:
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preparing a body target area;
putting on the headset;
powering up the system;
locating a target blood vessel by viewing an image of the body target area on the display of the system;
inserting the needle into the target blood vessel; and
performing the medical procedure. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification