Micro vein enhancer
First Claim
1. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device capable of projecting in-focus vein images on a surface of a target to permit mobile imaging of veins, said device comprising:
- a first laser configured to selectively transmit light at a first wavelength;
a scanner configured to scan said first wavelength onto said target surface in successive frames comprising complete raster patterns;
a photo detector configured to receive a reflection of said first wavelength of light from said target, said reflection of said first wavelength of light creating a contrasted image by at least a selective portion of said scanned said first wavelength of light being reflected from said target, and by a remaining portion of said scanned said first wavelength of light being absorbed by subcutaneous veins of said target;
said photo detector further configured to output an analog signal representing said contrasted image for each of said successive frames;
an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive and convert said analog signal from said photo detector and to output a digital signal therefrom as a digital imagea first image memory configured to receive and store said digital image;
a second image memory configured to receive and store said digital image from said first image memory at a rate equal to a frame rate of the scanner;
a digital-to-analog converter configured to receive and convert said digital image from said second image memory and to output a converted analog signal therefrom;
a second laser configured to receive said converted analog signal and using said converted analog signal to selectively project visible light at a second wavelength onto said target surface; and
wherein a first digital image frame is moved from said first image memory into said second image memory and a second complete raster frame of said successive frames is received by said photo detector, converted by said analog-to-digital converter, and stored in said first image memory as a digital image frame.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device capable of projecting in-focus vein images on a surface of a target to permit mobile imaging of veins, said device comprising:
-
a first laser configured to selectively transmit light at a first wavelength; a scanner configured to scan said first wavelength onto said target surface in successive frames comprising complete raster patterns; a photo detector configured to receive a reflection of said first wavelength of light from said target, said reflection of said first wavelength of light creating a contrasted image by at least a selective portion of said scanned said first wavelength of light being reflected from said target, and by a remaining portion of said scanned said first wavelength of light being absorbed by subcutaneous veins of said target;
said photo detector further configured to output an analog signal representing said contrasted image for each of said successive frames;an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive and convert said analog signal from said photo detector and to output a digital signal therefrom as a digital image a first image memory configured to receive and store said digital image; a second image memory configured to receive and store said digital image from said first image memory at a rate equal to a frame rate of the scanner; a digital-to-analog converter configured to receive and convert said digital image from said second image memory and to output a converted analog signal therefrom; a second laser configured to receive said converted analog signal and using said converted analog signal to selectively project visible light at a second wavelength onto said target surface; and wherein a first digital image frame is moved from said first image memory into said second image memory and a second complete raster frame of said successive frames is received by said photo detector, converted by said analog-to-digital converter, and stored in said first image memory as a digital image frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A miniature vein enhancer, for use in enhancing a target area on a patient as part of a handheld venipuncture procedure, said miniature vein enhancer comprising:
-
a first laser configured to transmit light at a first wavelength; a scanner configured to scan said transmitted light in a pattern onto the target area; a photo detector configured to receive said scanned light reflected from said target area thereby creating a contrasted image resulting from differential absorption of said first wavelength of light;
said photo detector outputting an analog signal representing said contrasted image;an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive and convert said analog signal from said photo detector and to output a digital signal therefrom as a digital image; a first image memory configured to receive and store said digital image; a second image memory configured to receive and store said digital image from said first image memory; a digital-to-analog converter configured to receive and convert said digital image from said second image memory and to output a converted analog signal therefrom; a second laser configured to receive and use said converted analog signal to project said contrasted image onto the target area at a second wavelength of light; and means for mounting said miniature vein enhancer for said handheld venipuncture procedure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification