Enhanced laser vein contrast enhancer with projection of analyzed vein data
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vein enhancer, for projecting an enhanced image of a patient'"'"'s veins onto a target area of the patient to more easily perform a venipuncture, said vein enhancer comprising:
- a means to transmit a first wavelength of light on the target area,a means to capture an image formed by said light at said first wavelength being differentially absorbed and reflected by subcutaneous veins and surrounding tissue of the target area, said means to capture said image being further configured to output a signal representative of said image;
a means to perform image processing of said image, said image processing comprising one or more analyses of the subcutaneous veins detected within said image and said one or more analyses at least comprising determining a depth of one or more of said detected veins;
a means to project said image onto the target area using a second wavelength, with said detected veins in said image directly overlying the subcutaneous veins therein, said projection means further configured to selectively project data received from said one or more analyses onto the target area;
wherein said means to perform image processing being further configured to vary an output intensity of said means to transmit a first wavelength.
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Abstract
It is known in the art to use an apparatus to enhance the visual appearance of the veins and arteries in a patient to facilitate insertion of needles into those veins and arteries. This application discloses a number of inventions that add additional data collection and presentation capabilities to a handheld vein enhancement apparatus and a set of processes for the collection of blood and the delivery of IV medicines that use the handheld device to mediate the process.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A vein enhancer, for projecting an enhanced image of a patient'"'"'s veins onto a target area of the patient to more easily perform a venipuncture, said vein enhancer comprising:
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a means to transmit a first wavelength of light on the target area, a means to capture an image formed by said light at said first wavelength being differentially absorbed and reflected by subcutaneous veins and surrounding tissue of the target area, said means to capture said image being further configured to output a signal representative of said image; a means to perform image processing of said image, said image processing comprising one or more analyses of the subcutaneous veins detected within said image and said one or more analyses at least comprising determining a depth of one or more of said detected veins; a means to project said image onto the target area using a second wavelength, with said detected veins in said image directly overlying the subcutaneous veins therein, said projection means further configured to selectively project data received from said one or more analyses onto the target area; wherein said means to perform image processing being further configured to vary an output intensity of said means to transmit a first wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A vein enhancer for projecting enhanced vein images onto a target area of a patient to more easily perform a venipuncture on the patient, said vein enhancer comprising:
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a first laser configured to selectively transmit light at a first wavelength onto the target area; a photo detector configured to be responsive to said first wavelength of light, and to detect said first wavelength of light after being reflected from the target area, as a contrasted image formed by different amounts of absorption and reflection by subcutaneous veins and the surrounding tissue, to detect veins therein, said photo detector further configured to output a signal representing said contrasted image; a computer and software configured to receive said signal and to perform image processing of said contrasted image; a second laser configured to selectively transmit light at a second wavelength within the visible spectrum, said second laser further configured to receive said signal from said photo detector and to thereby project said contrasted image onto the target area with said detected veins in said contrasted image directly overlying the subcutaneous veins therein; and wherein said image processing comprises said software configured to cause said computer to perform one or more analysis of said detected veins in said contrasted image, said second laser further configured to project data resulting from said one or more analyses onto the target area to cooperatively assist in the venipuncture, in conjunction with said projected image contrast; said one or more analyses comprising determining a depth of one or more of said detected veins; and wherein said computer is further configured to vary an output intensity of said first laser. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A vein enhancer for projecting enhanced vein images onto a target area of a patient to more easily perform a venipuncture, said vein enhancer comprising:
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a first laser configured to selectively transmit light at a first wavelength onto the target area; a means to detect said first wavelength of light being reflected from the target area as a contrasted image formed by different amounts of absorption and reflection by subcutaneous veins and surrounding tissue of the target area to detect veins therein, said means to detect further configured to output a signal representative of said contrasted image; a computer configured to receive said signal and containing software configured to perform image processing of said contrasted image, said image processing comprising said software causing said computer to perform an analysis of the subcutaneous veins detected in said contrasted image to determine a depth of one or more of said detected veins and wherein said computer is configured to vary an output intensity of said first laser; a second laser configured to selectively transmit light at a second wavelength within the visible spectrum, and to receive said signal from said detection means, to project said contrasted image onto the target area with said detected veins in said contrasted image overlying the subcutaneous veins therein; and
said second laser further configured to selectively project data resulting from said analysis onto the target area to cooperatively assist in performance of the venipuncture in conjunction with said projected contrasted image. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A vein enhancer for projecting enhanced vein images onto a target area of a patient to more easily perform a venipuncture, said vein enhancer comprising:
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a first laser configured to selectively transmit light at a first wavelength onto the target area; a photo detector configured to be responsive to said first wavelength of light, and to detect said first wavelength of light after being reflected from the target area as a contrasted image formed by different amounts of absorption and reflection by subcutaneous veins and surrounding tissue of the target area to detect veins therein, said photo detector further configured to output a signal representative of said contrasted image; one or more discrete electronic components configured to receive said signal and software configured to perform image processing of the subcutaneous veins detected in said contrasted image, said image processing comprising said software and said one or more discrete electronic components configured to determine a depth of one or more of said detected veins and wherein said one or more discrete electronic components are configured to vary an output intensity of said first laser; a second laser configured to selectively transmit light at a second wavelength within the visible spectrum, and to receive said signal from said photo detector to project said contrasted image onto the target area with said detected veins in said contrasted image overlying the subcutaneous veins therein; and
said second laser further configured to selectively project data resulting from said image processing onto the target area to cooperatively assist in the performance of the venipuncture in conjunction with said projected contrasted image. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
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Specification