Micro vein enhancer

• US 8,150,500 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Original Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Inventors: Goldman, Ron, Hunt, David, Mock, Mark, Marshal, Graham, Conlon, Stephen P., Roth, Bob
• Primary Examiner(s): KISH, JAMES M
• Application Number:
  US11/605,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20070162094A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,953 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/473, 600/476
• 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 on a patient comprising:

a first laser configured to selectively transmit light at a first wavelength within the infrared spectrum;

a MEMS scanner configured to cause said first wavelength of laser light to be transmitted in a raster pattern onto said target area;

a photodectector configured to be responsive to said first wavelength of light, said photodectector further configured to receive said first wavelength of light reflected off said target area, said reflected light comprising a contrasted image being formed by at least a selective portion of said transmitted light of said first laser being reflected from said target area, and by a remaining portion of said transmitted laser light of said first laser being absorbed by subcutaneous veins of said target area;

a needle configured to be responsive to said first wavelength of light to be visible within said contrasted image;

a vial holder secured to said miniature vein enhancer and configured to receive said needle;

a second laser configured to selectively transmit light at a second wavelength within the visible spectrum, said second laser projecting said contrasted image onto said target area to reveal vein locations therein and a position of said needle in relation thereto.

2. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said first laser transmits light at a wavelength of 740 nm and said second laser transmits light at a wavelength of 630 nm.

3. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 further comprising a display screen, and wherein said contrasted image is transmitted onto said display screen simultaneous with said projection of said contrasted image onto said target area.

4. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 3 wherein said display screen comprises controls to permit zooming of said contrasted image being transmitted thereon.

5. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said MEMS scanner comprises a scanner selected from the group of scanners consisting of:

a two-dimensional mirror capable of oscillations in two axes; and

one high speed scanning mirror capable of moving along a first axis and being angled to reflect said transmitted laser light to a second lower speed mirror capable of moving along a second axis.

6. A miniature vein enhancer for enhancing a target area on a patient comprising:

a first laser configured to selectively transmit light at a first wavelength within the infrared spectrum;

a MEMS scanner configured to cause said first wavelength of laser light to be transmitted in a raster pattern onto said target area;

a photodectector configured to be responsive to said first wavelength of light, said photodectector further configured to receive said first wavelength of light reflected off said target area, said reflected light comprising a contrasted image being formed by at least a selective portion of said transmitted light of said first laser being reflected from said target area, and by a remaining portion of said transmitted laser light of said first laser being absorbed by subcutaneous veins of said target area;

a needle configured to be responsive to said first wavelength of light to be visible within said contrasted image;

a vial holder secured to said miniature vein enhancer and configured to receive said needle;

a display screen;

said contrasted image being transmitted onto said display screen to reveal subcutaneous vein locations within said target area and a position of said needle in relation thereto.

7. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 6 further comprising a second laser for selectively transmitting light at a second wavelength being within the visible spectrum, said second laser projecting said contrasted image onto said target area to reveal subcutaneous vein locations therein and a position of said needle in relation thereto, said projection being simultaneous with said contrasted image being transmitted to said display screen.

8. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 6 wherein said display screen comprises controls to permit zooming of said contrasted image being transmitted thereon.

9. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 8 wherein said MEMS scanner comprises a scanner selected from the group of scanners consisting of:

a two-dimensional mirror capable of oscillations in two axes; and

one high speed scanning mirror capable of moving along a first axis and being angled to reflect said transmitted laser light to a second lower speed mirror capable of moving along a second axis.

10. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 9 wherein when said needle is inserted into one of said revealed veins, said miniature vein enhancer are detached from said vial holder to permit blood to be withdrawn from said one of said revealed veins.

11. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 10 wherein said first laser transmits light at a wavelength of 740 nm and a second laser transmits light at a wavelength of 630 nm.

12. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device capable of projecting in-focus vein images on a target skin surface regardless of device-to-skin-surface distances to permit mobile imaging of a large number of veins in a short period of time, said device comprising:

a first laser configured to selectively transmit light at a first wavelength within the infrared spectrum;

an electronically driven MEMS scanner configured to cause said first wavelength of laser light to be transmitted in a raster pattern onto a target skin surface;

a photodectector configured to be responsive to said first wavelength of light, said photodectector further configured to receive said first wavelength of light being reflected off said target skin surface, said reflected light comprising a contrasted image being formed by at least a selective portion of said transmitted light of said first laser being reflected from said target skin surface, and by a remaining portion of said transmitted laser light of said first laser being absorbed by subcutaneous veins of said target skin surface;

said photodectector configured to output an analog signal representing said contrasted image;

a memory;

an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert said analog signal representing said contrasted image into a digital image;

said digital image being stored in said memory as a grid of pixels;

a sensor, said sensor configured to determine an instantaneous position of said MEMS scanner relative to said target skin surface;

said instantaneous position being stored in a memory location corresponding to a pixel for each pixel of said grid of pixels;

a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert said grid of pixels and corresponding instantaneous positions of said digital image into an analog signal; and

a second laser configured to selectively transmit light at a second wavelength being within the visible spectrum, said second laser configured to receive said converted analog signal and further configured to use said signal to project said contrasted image onto said target skin surface to reveal subcutaneous vein locations therein, said instantaneous position of said MEMS for each said pixel in said grid of pixels permitting said projected vein images to be in focus on said target skin surface to represent actual vein sizes and vein locations, regardless of device-to-skin-surface distances;

a vial holder configured to be releasably secured to said vein-image-enhancing device;

a needle configured to be secured to said vial holder, wherein said needle is responsive to said first wavelength of light to be visible within said contrasted image; and

wherein said projected image comprises a position of said needle in relation to said revealed vein locations and sizes.

13. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 12, wherein said selective transmission by said first and said second lasers comprises said first and second lasers being alternately turned on and off.

14. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 13, wherein said transmission of said first wavelength of light resulting in said digital image stored in said memory, and said in-focus projection of said converted analog image each occur alternately in a separate frame, with one or more odd numbers of said frames comprising only said transmission of said first wavelength of laser light and one or more even numbers of said frames comprising only projection using said second wavelength of laser light.

15. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 14, wherein a rate of said alternate frames occurs at approximately 30 frames per second to minimize effects of a delay between said in-focus projected images of said even number frames.

16. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 12 further comprising a display screen and image processing capabilities, said contrasted image being transmitted onto said display screen, said image processing capabilities being able to detect a position of a tip of said needle in said reflected light forming said contrasted image wherein said grid of pixels comprises a grid of 1000 pixels by 1000 pixels.

17. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 16 wherein said transmission of said contrasted image onto said screen is simultaneous with said projection of said in-focus vein images on said target skin surface.

18. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 17, wherein said contrasted image comprises a predetermined number of pixels centered around said tip of said needle;

and wherein said tip of said needle is centered in said contrasted image.

19. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 18, wherein said grid of pixels comprises a 1000 by 1000 grid of pixels, and said predetermined number of pixels around said tip of said needle comprises approximately a 300 by 300 pixel grid.

20. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 19, wherein said 1000 pixel by 1000 pixel grid is projected onto said screen.

21. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 20, wherein said image processing capabilities permit magnification of said image projected on said screen;

and wherein said magnification of said image is algorithmically adjustable by a processor responsive to inputs.

22. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 21, wherein only said 300 by 300 pixel grid centered on said needle tip is projected onto said screen to result in said screen image of said veins and said needle tip being magnified more than three times its original width.

23. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 21, wherein said screen comprises a split image capability, with a bottom half of said split screen displaying said full 1000 by 1000 pixel vein and needle image, and said top half of said split screen displaying said magnified vein and needle image.

24. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 23, wherein said display screen is from the group of screens consisting of:

a flat panel display screen; and

a translucent rear projection screen.

25. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 24, wherein said flat panel display screen comprises a touch screen input capability.

26. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 25, wherein said image processing capabilities further comprise adjustability to one or more of:

screen brightness, contrast, and projection angle.

27. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 26, further comprising a combiner for combining said transmitted first and second wavelengths of light for transmission along a single optical path.

28. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 27, wherein said MEMS scanner comprises a scanner selected from the group of scanners consisting of:

a two-dimensional mirror capable of oscillations in two axes; and

one high speed scanning mirror capable of moving along a first axis and angled to reflect said transmitted laser light to a second lower speed mirror capable of moving along a second axis.

29. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 28, wherein said first wavelength of laser light comprises light at approximately 740 nm;

and wherein said second wavelength of laser light comprises light at approximately 630 nm.

30. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 12, wherein said handheld vein-image-enhancing device permits rapid scanning across said target skin surface area using only one hand.

31. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device comprising:

a first laser configured to selectively transmit light at a first wavelength within the infrared spectrum;

an electronically driven MEMS scanner configured to cause said first wavelength of laser light to be transmitted in a raster pattern onto a target skin surface;

a photodectector configured to be responsive to said first wavelength of light, said photodectector further configured to receive said first wavelength of light being reflected off said target skin surface, said reflected light comprising a contrasted image;

said photodectector configured to output an analog signal representing said contrasted image;

a memory;

an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert said analog signal representing said contrasted image into a digital image;

said digital image being stored in said memory as a grid of pixels;

a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert said grid of pixels and corresponding instantaneous positions of said digital image into an analog signal; and

a second laser configured to selectively transmit light at a second wavelength being within the visible spectrum, said second laser configured to receive said converted analog signal and further configured to use said signal to project said contrasted image onto said target skin surface to reveal subcutaneous vein locations therein;

a vial holder configured to be releasably secured to said vein-image-enhancing device;

a needle configured to be secured to said vial holder, wherein said needle is responsive to said first wavelength of light to be visible within said contrasted image; and

wherein said projected image comprises a position of said needle in relation to said revealed vein locations and sizes;

wherein said selective transmission by said first and said second lasers comprises said first and second lasers being configured to alternately turn on and off at a rate fast enough to not have said alternating on and off of said first and second laser be apparent during said vein-image-enhancing.

32. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 31 wherein a rate of projection of said alternating frames occurs at approximately 30 frames per second to minimize effects of said delayed even-numbered projections.

33. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device according to claim 32 further comprising a sensor, said sensor determining an instantaneous position of said MEMS scanner relative to said target skin surface;

said instantaneous position being stored in a memory location corresponding to a pixel for each pixel of said grid of pixels; and

wherein said instantaneous position of said MEMS for each said pixel in said grid of pixels permits said projected vein images to be in focus on said target skin surface to represent actual vein sizes and vein locations, regardless of device-to-skin-surface distances, and permits mobile imaging of a large number of veins in a short period of time.