Synchronization of Illumination Source and Sensor for Improved Visualization of Subcutaneous Structures
First Claim
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1. A method for enhancing the visualization of veins, arteries and other subcutaneous natural or foreign structures in the body under artificial lighting conditions, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a light source for illuminating a portion of the body in at least one of a reflection mode and a transillumination mode, and illuminating the portion of the body with said light source;
(b) detecting the pulsed output of the artificial lighting under which the method is performed, and defining the maxima and minima of the output of the artificial lighting;
(c) pulsing said light source in synchronization with the minima of the output from the artificial lighting; and
(d) detecting the light from said light source reflected from or transilluminated through the body portion.
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Abstract
System and method are described for synchronizing a pulsed source of the near infrared illumination used in visualizing subcutaneous structures with the background illumination normally extant in medical treatment settings that allow both enhanced image acquisition and use of higher power pulsed infrared illumination sources.
28 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for enhancing the visualization of veins, arteries and other subcutaneous natural or foreign structures in the body under artificial lighting conditions, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a light source for illuminating a portion of the body in at least one of a reflection mode and a transillumination mode, and illuminating the portion of the body with said light source;
(b) detecting the pulsed output of the artificial lighting under which the method is performed, and defining the maxima and minima of the output of the artificial lighting;
(c) pulsing said light source in synchronization with the minima of the output from the artificial lighting; and
(d) detecting the light from said light source reflected from or transilluminated through the body portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13)
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8. A system for enhancing the visualization of veins, arteries and other subcutaneous natural or foreign structures in the body under artificial lighting conditions, comprising:
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(a) a light source for illuminating a portion of the body in at least one of a reflection mode and a transillumination mode;
(b) first light detection means for detecting the pulsed output of the artificial lighting, and defining the maxima and minima of the output of the artificial lighting;
(c) means for pulsing said light source and means for synchronizing the pulsing of said light source with the minima of the output of the artificial lighting; and
(d) second light detection means for detecting the light from said light source reflected from or transilluminated through the body portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 14)
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12. The system of claim 81 wherein said light source is pulsed in the range of about 10 Hz to 10 kHz.
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15. A system for visualizing a structure inside a body portion, the system comprising:
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(a) an illumination source for illuminating a body portion;
(b) a receiver for receiving light from the body portion during at least two discrete temporal intervals;
(c) a light intensifier coupled to the receiver; and
(d) a display that displays an image including information about the structure. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification