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System and method for inserting a needle into a blood vessel

  • US 20060173351A1
  • Filed: 01/03/2005
  • Published: 08/03/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2005
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. A needle insertion system for inserting a needle within a blood vessel, said system comprising:

  • an imaging system comprising;

    at least one infrared emitter configured to illuminate a region under a surface of 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 and outputting result images in which enhanced images of blood vessels are shown within the 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; and

    a needle comprising a needle tip and a needle body;

    wherein a user views said display of said imaging system and locates a target blood vessel, align said needle body with said target blood vessel, pierces said blood vessel with said needle tip, introduces said needle into said target blood vessel, advances said needle until said display of said imaging system shows that a sufficient depth has been reached, performs a medical procedure, and withdraws said needle from said blood vessel.

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