Laser vein contrast enhancer

• US 20080045818A1
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Original Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Inventors: Luciano, Vincent, Wood, Fred, Goldman, Ron, Conlon, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,489,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/366 using projection of images directly onto the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2576/00 Medical imaging apparatus involving image processing or analysis A61B1/00009, A61B6/52 and A61B8/52 take precedence; image processing per se G06T; details of algorithms for analysing medical images G06T7/0012
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0064 Body surface scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0082 adapted for particular medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1172 using fingerprinting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1176 Recognition of faces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15003 for venous or arterial blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150343 Collection vessels for collecting blood samples from the skin surface, e.g. test tubes, cuvettes sampling from within body cavities A61B5/150015, A61B5/150045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150748 Having means for aiding positioning of the piercing device at a location where the body is to be pierced means for aiding positioning of devices for bringing media into the body A61M5/427, locating blood vessels A61B5/489
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150786 Optical identification systems, e.g. bar codes, colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/153 Devices specially adapted for taking samples of venous or arterial blood, e.g. with syringes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/489 Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/72 Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes character recognition, recognising digital ink, document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/00; recognition or understanding of postal images G06V30/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7495 using a reader or scanner device, e.g. barcode scanner
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/276 preventing unwanted use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 : with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/609 : Biometric patient identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/427 : Locating point where body is to be pierced, e.g. vein location means using ultrasonic waves, injection site templates
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/14 : Vascular patterns

Abstract

It is known in the art to use an apparatus to enhance the visual appearance of the veins and arteries in a patient to facilitate insertion of needles into those veins and arteries. This application discloses a number of inventions that add additional data collection and presentation capabilities to a handheld vein enhancement apparatus and a set of processes for the collection of blood and the delivery of IV medicines that use the handheld device to mediate the process.

Claims

1. A handheld vein enhancer comprising

a means for projecting light on a target area of a patient'"'"'s skin,

a means for capturing an image of said target area,

a means for projecting said captured image over the area of capture in the form of a visible representation of at least one vein,

a means for projecting data onto said target area where the type of data projected by said projection means is capable of varying.

2. The vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein means for projecting light projects laser light.

3. The vein enhancer according to claim 1, wherein said data is data about the patient.

4. The vein enhancer according to claim 2, wherein said data is in the form of text and/or icons.

5. The vein enhancer according to claim 1, wherein said data is diagnostic data.

6. The vein enhancer according to claim 3 wherein said patient data is information on vein depth.

7. The vein enhancer according to claim 3 wherein said patient data includes a patient identification.

8. The vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said data is information concerning the process to be performed.

9. The vein enhancer according to claim 2 wherein the data includes information on the status of the vein enhancer.

10. The vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein relative information concerning the depth of a vein is shown on said target area.

11. The vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein the relative depth of said vein is shown by the size of a line projected on said target area.

12. The vein enhancer according to claim 11 wherein said line is projected onto the vein.

13. The vein enhancer according to claim 11 wherein the line is projected in a color different than the color of said vein.

14. The vein enhancer according to claim 11 wherein said line varies in intensity depending on a vein'"'"'s properties.

15. The vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein size bars are projected in proximity to said vein.

16. The vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said vein enhancer further comprises an otoscope.

17. The vein enhancer according to claim 2 further comprising a means for projecting visible light.

18. The vein enhancer according to claim 2 wherein there are multiple lasers.

19. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the image projected onto said target area has higher resolution in a first portion of the target area than in a second portion of the target area.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein a drive circuit of said projecting means can vary the amplitude of said drive circuit so that a mirror used to project said image moves less quickly on said first portion.

53. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said data, is previously stored data.

56. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position of a vein image on the target area and a needle are compared

57. The apparatus according to claim 56, wherein information is projected to the user to correct the needle position if necessary

58. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is a second source of light for projecting onto said target area

59. The apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the second source of light is one or more lasers

60. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a means for using scanned lasers to measure pulse rate

61. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a means for using scanned lasers to measure blood oxygen levels

62. The apparatus according to claim 60, which is integrated into exercise equipment.

63. The apparatus according to claim 61, which is integrated into exercise equipment

64. The apparatus according to claim 62, that further displays said data on a display on said equipment

65. The apparatus according to claim 61, that further displays said data on a display on said equipment

66. A vein position detection device according to claim 1 which is integrated into a robotic system

67. The apparatus according to claim 65, which can be operated by a remote operator

68. The apparatus according to claim 66, which can be operated by a remote operator

69. The apparatus according to claim 68, where the vein pattern is shown to the remote operator

70. The apparatus according to claim 69, where the vein pattern is shown to the remote operator via a video showing the reprojected pattern on the patient

71. The apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the vein pattern is shown to the remote operator via a data connection to a screen in view of the remote operator

21. A process for obtaining blood comprising

verifying the identity of a user/practitioner,

verifying the identity of a patient,

providing to the user, data on the procedure to be performed,

using a vein scanner to find a vein,

performing a venipuncture.

22. The process according to claim 21 further comprising the additional step of verifying that the venipuncture has been completed.

23. The process according to claim 22 further comprising prompting a user to continue in the event the venipuncture is not completed.

24. The process according to claim 21 wherein the process further comprises the additional step of updating patient records.

25. The process according to claim 21 wherein verification of said user includes comparing one or more identifiers to a database of valid users.

26. The process according to claim 21 further comprising the step of verifying that the appropriate equipment is on hand prior to commencing venipuncture.

27. The process according to claim 26 wherein said user is prompted to continue gathering equipment until all the appropriate equipment has been identified.

28. The process according to claim 21 herein a user is prompted to fill additional vials during a venipuncture if all of the vials required to be filled have not been filled.

29. The process according to claim 21 further comprising the step of identifying the position of a needle used in said venipuncture.

30. The process according to claim 21 wherein a graphic image is projected on said vein to guide a user to a vein center.

31. The process according to claim 21 wherein a line detection algorithm is used to determine edge boundaries of said vein.

32. The process according to claim 21 wherein image processing software is used to determine vein depth.

33. The process according to claim 21 wherein a bar code is projected onto said target area.

34. An apparatus for obtaining blood comprising

a means for verifying the identity of a user/practitioner,

a means for verifying the identity of a patient,

a means for providing to the user data on the procedure to be performed, and

a vein scanner for finding a vein.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said vein scanner includes a means for performing a venipuncture.

36. The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said apparatus includes a means for verifying that the venipuncture has been completed.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said apparatus includes a means for updating patient records.

38. The apparatus according to claim 34 wherein at least one means for verifying includes a key pad.

39. The apparatus according to claim 34 wherein at least one means for verifying includes a token reader.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said token reader is a smart card reader.

41. The apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said token reader has an RFID reader.

42. The apparatus according to claim 34 wherein at least one means for verifying includes a biometric reader.

43. The apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said biometric reader reads vein patterns.

44. The apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said biometric reader reads facial patterns.

45. The apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said biometric reader includes voice recognition.

46. The apparatus according to claim 34 wherein one or more identifiers are used for verification.

47. An apparatus for projecting an enhanced image of a patient'"'"'s vein pattern onto said patient so that a user can perform a venipuncture on said patient, said apparatus comprising a means for communicating with one or more patient data collection devices.

48. The apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said patient data can be projected onto said patient.

49. The apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said means for communicating can communicate with remote computer

50. The apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said means for communicating uses an RF connection

51. The apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said means for communicating uses a wired connection

52. The apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said means for communicating uses an optical connection

54. A handheld vein enhancer comprising

a means for projecting light on a target area of a patient'"'"'s skin,

a means for capturing an image of said target area,

a means for projecting said captured image over the area of capture in the form of a visible representation of at least one vein,

a means for projecting data onto a surface where the type of data projected by said projection means is capable of varying.

55. The apparatus according to claim 54 wherein patient data and vein data are projected onto said surface