Practitioner-mounted micro vein enhancer
First Claim
1. A miniature vein enhancer, for use in enhancing a target area on a patient, said vein enhancer comprising:
- a) a miniature projection head, said projection head comprising a means to capture an image of subcutaneous veins of the target area and to project said image onto the target area, said miniature projection head comprising a housing configured to receive said image capture/projection means with an optical path for said image capture/projection means being through an opening, said housing comprising a ball; and
b) a base, a first side of said base comprising a socket configured to rotatably receive said ball of said housing, said housing thereby configured to be rotatable with respect to said base;
c) a means to secure said miniature vein enhancer to a hand of a practitioner to thereby permit independent finger movements of the hand of the practitioner for single-handed performance of a venipuncture procedure utilizing said projected image, said miniature projection head thereby configured to be rotatable to adjustably direct said optical path onto the target area.
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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.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A miniature vein enhancer, for use in enhancing a target area on a patient, said vein enhancer comprising:
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a) a miniature projection head, said projection head comprising a means to capture an image of subcutaneous veins of the target area and to project said image onto the target area, said miniature projection head comprising a housing configured to receive said image capture/projection means with an optical path for said image capture/projection means being through an opening, said housing comprising a ball; and b) a base, a first side of said base comprising a socket configured to rotatably receive said ball of said housing, said housing thereby configured to be rotatable with respect to said base; c) a means to secure said miniature vein enhancer to a hand of a practitioner to thereby permit independent finger movements of the hand of the practitioner for single-handed performance of a venipuncture procedure utilizing said projected image, said miniature projection head thereby configured to be rotatable to adjustably direct said optical path onto the target area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A miniature vein enhancer for use in enhancing a target area on a patient, said vein enhancer comprising:
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a miniature projection head, said miniature projection head comprising a first laser, a photodetector, and a second laser, said first laser configured to transmit a beam of laser light at a selective wavelength, said photodetector configured to acquire an image of subcutaneous veins of the target area formed by differential absorption of said selective wavelength of light by the subcutaneous veins and the surrounding tissue, said photodetector further configured to output an analog signal representing said image, and said second laser configured to transmit a beam of laser light to selectively project said acquired image onto the target area using said analog signal, said miniature projection head comprising a combiner configured to combine said first and second beams of laser light for said transmission from said first laser and said projection from said second laser, to be along a single optical path, said miniature projection head comprising a ball; a base, a first side of said base comprising a socket configured to rotatable receive a portion of said ball, said miniature projection head thereby configured to be rotatable with respect to said base; and a mounting strap, said mounting strap configured to be received by a portion of said base, and configured to secure said miniature vein enhancer to a hand of a practitioner, said miniature projection head thereby configured to be rotatable to adjustably direct said single optical path of said combined laser light onto the target area. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A miniature vein enhancer, for use in imaging subcutaneous veins of a target area of a patient, said vein enhancer comprising:
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a housing, said housing comprising an opening, and aid housing comprising a ball fixedly secured thereto; means for imaging subcutaneous veins of the target area and projecting said image onto the target area, said means for imaging and projecting being secured in said housing with an optical path of said means for imaging and projecting being through said opening in said housing; and a base, a first side of said base comprising a socket configured to rotatably receive a portion of said ball of said housing, said housing thereby configured to be rotatable with respect to said base; and a mounting strap, said mounting strap configured to be received by a portion of said base and to secure said miniature vein enhancer to a hand of a practitioner, said miniature projection head thereby configured to be rotatable to adjustably direct said optical path onto the target area. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification