×

Synchronization of illumination source and sensor for improved visualization of subcutaneous structures

  • US 8,649,848 B2
  • Filed: 10/11/2006
  • Issued: 02/11/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for imaging of subcutaneous natural structures including veins or arteries or subcutaneous foreign structures in a human or animal body under ambient artificial lighting that produces a pulsed visible light output having light intensity maxima and minima in the output, the method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) providing an illumination source configured to illuminate a human or animal body portion containing subcutaneous natural structures including veins or arteries or subcutaneous foreign structures;

    (b) illuminating said body portion with illumination from said illumination source from outside the body;

    (c) detecting the pulsed visible light output of the ambient artificial lighting, and defining the maxima and minima of said pulsed visible light output of said ambient artificial lighting;

    (d) pulsing said illumination source in synchronization with the minima of said pulsed visible light output from said ambient artificial lighting;

    (e) detecting the illumination received from said pulsed illumination source that is reflected from, backscattered from or transilluminated through said body portion at the minima of said pulsed visible light output of said ambient artificial light ; and

    (f) producing an image from the detected illumination.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×