Micro vein enhancer

• US 7,904,138 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Original Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Inventors: Mock, Mark, Hunt, David, Conlon, Stephen P., Roth, Bob, Marshal, Graham, Goldman, Ron
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): KISH, JAMES M
• Application Number:
  US11/605,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20070161909A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,561 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/473, 600/476, 606/130, 604/48, 604/93.01, 604/115, 604/116, 604/173, 604/177, 604/178, 604/179, 353/28, 353/39, 353/119
• US Class Current: 600/473
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/366 using projection of images directly onto the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0425 Ergonomically shaped housings A61B2560/0418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0037 Performing a preliminary scan, e.g. a prescan for identifying a region of interest
• 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 5/0062 Arrangements for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0068 Confocal scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0079 using mirrors, i.e. for self-examination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0082 adapted for particular medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/489 Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/13 : guided by light, e.g. laser pointers
• 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: A61M 5/46 : having means for controlling depth of insertion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1006 : for splitting or combining different wavelengths G02B27/1086, G02B27/141 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/50 : Depth or shape recovery

Abstract

The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.

Claims

1. A miniature vein enhancer for enhancing a target area of a vasculature on a patient comprising:

a mast;

a vial holder, wherein one end of said mast is adapted to be secured to said vial holder;

a body extending from said mast at an end opposite said vial holder, said body comprising a miniature projection head having a first laser to image said target area and a second laser to project an image along an optical path onto said target area.

2. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said mast is a needle protector.

3. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 2 wherein said needle protector has a ring that is secured to said vial holder at a neck portion on said vial holder.

4. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 3 wherein said needle protector is flexibly connected to said ring.

5. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 4 wherein said body comprises a clip that secures said mast to said vial holder.

6. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 4 wherein said ring is connected to said mast by means of a living hinge.

7. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 4 wherein said ring has a support ring that supports said mast.

8. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 7 wherein one said support ring or said mast has a detent and the other has a recess for receiving said detent.

9. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 4 wherein said body is removably connected to said needle protector.

10. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 9 wherein said body has an orifice for receiving an end of said needle protector.

11. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 10 wherein said body has a stem and a top member.

12. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 11 wherein said top member has said means to image a target area and project an image along an optical path onto said target area.

13. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 12 wherein said top member is pivotable about said stem.

14. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 13 wherein said needle protector has a thumb support.

15. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said mast is secured to said needle protector and said mast is releasably connected to said vial holder.

16. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 15 wherein said mast has a clip on an end opposite said body said clip for releasably securing said mast to said vial holder.

17. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 15 wherein said mast is releasably secured to said needle protector.

18. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 17 wherein a clip secures said mast to said needle protector.

19. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 18 wherein said body has a threaded connector to said mast.

20. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 19 wherein said vial holder has a protruding member positioned along a side of said vial holder for receiving said mast.

21. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 18 wherein said clip has a right and left arm said arms having a generally “

C”

shape with a curved inside surface.

22. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said body is removably connected to said mast.

23. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said mast is releasably secured to a recess in said vial holder.

24. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 23 wherein said mast is rotatable in said protruding member.

25. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said body is releasably secured to said mast.

26. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein an end of said mast opposite said body has a ring for receiving said vial holder.

27. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 26 wherein said ring is secured to a neck on said vial holder.

28. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 27 wherein said needle protector is positioned over said neck and retains said ring on said neck.

29. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 26 wherein said ring is positioned around said vial holder.

30. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 26 wherein said ring is connected to said mast by a living hinge.

31. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 26 wherein said ring has a support ring that supports said mast.

32. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 31 wherein one said support ring or said mast has a detent and the other has a recess for receiving said detent.

33. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said mast has a clip that secures said bode to said mast.

34. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 33 wherein said clip has a right and left arm said arms having a generally “

C”

shape with a curved inside surface.

35. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said mast has a shield.

36. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said vial holder has a body said body having a sidewall and at least one end wall, said end wall having a neck extending therefrom, said end wall having a first and second peg said pegs having a recess therein for receiving pins on said mast.

37. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 36 wherein said mast is rotatable about said pins.

38. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 36 wherein said neck has a support ring.

39. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 38 wherein said support ring has at least one sidebar.

40. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 38 wherein said support ring has a post.

41. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said body is connected to said mast by means of a holder said holder having a recess for receiving an end of said needle protector.

42. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 41 wherein said holder has a generally “

C”

clamped for releasably securing said body.

43. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 41 wherein said ring holder is a ring having a polygonal opening.