Venoscope apparatus

• US 6,923,762 B1
• Filed: 10/22/2002
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frank C. Creaghan Jr
• Original Assignee: Frank C. Creaghan Jr
• Inventors: Creaghan, Frank C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COMSTOCK, DAVID C
• Application Number:
  US10/278,301
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 600/249, 600/160, 600/178, 600/179, 600/180, 600/199, 600/245, 362/231, 362/800, 433/29, 433/215
• US Class Current: 600/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• 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 5/489 Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/425 Protruding skin to facilitate piercing, e.g. vacuum cylinders, vein immobilising 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

Abstract

An improved instrument for viewing subcutaneous venous structure, known as a VENOSCOPE, which includes a clamshell housing, having a first fixed arm extending therefrom, and a second movable arm captured by upper and lower portions of the housing; a first high intensity plurality of white and red LEDs positioned at the end of the first arm, and a second high intensity plurality of high intensity red and white LED positioned at the end of the second arm, and a battery positioned within the housing for selectively provided electrical energy to the red and white LEDs, so that a more defined and intensely illuminated field of visualization between structures below the skin and the surrounding subcutaneous tissue is defined. Additional embodiments include a tube or handle connected to a head having multiple arms or a single arm with multiple LEDs.

Claims

1. An improved apparatus for viewing subcutaneous structures comprising:

a. a principal body portion, graspable by the hand;

b. a first arm fixed on a first end of the body portion;

c. a second arm, extending from the first end of the body portion, and moveable in relation to the fixed arm;

d. light members positioned on the end of each arm member, comprising a combination of high intensity red and white LEDs to provide enhanced visualization of subcutaneous structures when the LEDs are pressed against the skin; and

e. power means to provide energy for illuminating the LEDs.

2. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises first and second portions engaged along a common edge, and capturing an end portion of the moveable arm portion.

3. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the ultra bright red LEDs provide a wavelength in the range of 430 to 700 nanometers (nm) of emission power each.

4. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the ultra bright white LEDs provide a wavelength in the range of 460 to 555 nanometers (nm) of emission power each.

5. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the apparatus may be packaged for selling as a disposable unit after use.

6. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the power means comprises a battery pack having sufficient energy to provide illumination to the ultra bright LEDs.

7. An improved apparatus for viewing subcutaneous structures, such as veins, comprising:

a. a principal body portion;

b. first and second arms fixed on a first end of the body portion, defining a viewing space therebetween;

c. at least one red LED having a wavelength in the range of 430 to 700 nanometers (nm) positioned at an end of a first arm member;

d. at least one white LED having a wavelength in the range of 460 to 555 nanometers (nm) positioned at an end of a second arm member;

e. power means to provide energy for illuminating the LEDs;

f. the combination of red and white LEDs used substantially simultaneously providing enhanced visualization of the vein located subcutaneously, when the LEDs are pressed against the skin and illuminated.

8. The apparatus in claim 7, wherein the red LED would possess a wavelength of around 623 nm.

9. The apparatus in claim 7, wherein the white LED would possess a wavelength of around 500 nm.

10. The apparatus in claim 7, wherein the second arm member would be moveable in relation to the first arm member.

11. The apparatus in claim 7, wherein there would be included a plurality of red and white LEDs in the first and second arm members.

12. An improved apparatus for viewing subcutaneous structures, such as veins, comprising:

a. a principal body portion;

b. first and second arms positioned on the body portion, defining a viewing space therebetween;

c. red and white high intensity LEDs positioned in the arm members of differing wavelengths so that when illuminated together against skin provide a contrast between structures, such as veins, beneath the skin and the surrounded subcutaneous tissue, so that the structures can be more readily located and identified; and

d. means for providing electrical power to illuminate the plurality of LEDs.

13. The apparatus in claim 12, wherein at least one red LED has a wavelength in the range of 430 to 700 nanometers (nm).

14. The apparatus in claim 12, wherein at least one white LED has a wavelength in the range of 460 to 555 nanometers (nm).

15. The apparatus in claim 12, further comprising a manual switch which would include “

high” and

“

low”

functions for providing high and low LED intensities respectively.