Vial-mounted micro vein enhancer

• US 9,125,629 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2014
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Original Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Inventors: Goldman, Ron, Hunt, David, Mock, Mark, Marshall, Graham, Conlon, Stephen P., Roth, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): KISH, JAMES M
• Application Number:
  US14/197,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20140316277A1
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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, DEM, 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 hand-holdable vein enhancing device, for single-handed use in the imaging of veins of a target area of a patient in a venipuncture procedure, said vein enhancing device comprising:

means for imaging the veins of the target area using a first wavelength of non-diffuse light and for projecting said vein image onto the target area using a second wavelength of light;

a stand, said stand comprising a first arm portion configured to be received within an orifice of said vein imager and to extend distally therefrom and transition to a second arm portion, said second arm portion configured to be at a distance away from said first arm portion; and

wherein a portion of said second arm portion is configured to be releasably received within an orifice of a vial holder that is usable for the venipuncture procedure, said stand thereby configured to mount said vein enhancing device to the vial holder to permit mobile handheld imaging of the target area on the patient in proximity to a needle of the vial holder, during a venipuncture procedure, through single-handed lifting and use of the vial holder.

2. The vein enhancing device according to claim 1, wherein said second arm portion is cylindrical.

3. The vein enhancing device according to claim 2, wherein said first arm portion is cylindrical.

4. The vein enhancing device according to claim 3, wherein said vein imager comprises a housing, and said orifice of said vein imager configured to receive said first arm portion of said stand comprises a hole in said housing;

and wherein said first arm is adjustably received within said hole in said housing in a friction fit.

5. The vein enhancing device according to claim 4 wherein said transition between said first arm portion and said second arm portion comprises two curved portions, for said stand to form a z-shaped member.

6. The vein enhancing device according to claim 5 wherein said first arm portion and said second arm portion are substantially the same size and shape, and are thereby configured to be used interchangeably.

7. A hand-holdable vein enhancing device, for single-handed use in the imaging of veins of a target area of a patient in a venipuncture procedure, said vein enhancing device comprising:

a vein imager, said vein imager comprising;

a first laser configured to emit a first wavelength of non-diffuse light,

a photo detector configured to be responsive to said first wavelength of light, to capture a contrasted vein image of the target area formed by said light at said first wavelength being differentially absorbed by subcutaneous veins and reflected by surrounding tissue, said photo detector further configured to output a signal representing said contrasted image; and

a second laser configured to use said signal to project said image onto the target area with a second wavelength of light;

a stand, said stand comprising a first arm portion configured to be received within an orifice of said vein imager and to extend distally therefrom and transition to a second arm portion, said second arm portion configured to be at a distance away from said first arm portion; and

wherein a portion of said second arm portion is configured to be releasably received within an orifice of a vial holder that is usable for the venipuncture procedure, said stand thereby configured to mount said vein enhancing device to the vial holder to permit mobile handheld imaging of the target area on the patient in proximity to a needle of the vial holder, during a venipuncture procedure, through single-handed lifting and use of the vial holder.

8. The vein enhancing device according to claim 7, wherein said second arm portion is cylindrical.

9. The vein enhancing device according to claim 8, wherein said first arm portion is cylindrical.

10. The vein enhancing device according to claim 9, wherein said vein imager comprises a housing, and said orifice of said vein imager configured to receive said first arm portion of said stand comprises a hole in said housing;

and wherein said first arm portion is adjustably received within said hole in said housing in a friction fit.

11. The vein enhancing device according to claim 9 wherein said transition between said first arm portion and said second arm portion comprises two curved portions, for said stand to form a z-shaped member.

12. The vein enhancing device according to claim 11 wherein said first arm portion and said second arm portion are substantially the same size and shape, and are thereby configured to be used interchangeably.

13. The vein enhancing device according to claim 10, further comprising:

a combiner configured to combine a beam of said light from said first laser and a beam of said light from said second laser; and

a scanner configured to scan said combined beam of laser light in a pattern onto the target area.

14. The vein enhancing device according to claim 13 wherein said scanner comprises a scanner selected from the group of scanners consisting of:

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

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; and

a MEMS scanner.

15. The vein enhancing device according to claim 13 wherein said transition between said first arm portion and said second arm portion comprises two curved portions, for said stand to form a z-shaped member;

and wherein said first arm portion and said second arm portion are substantially the same size and shape, and are thereby configured to be used interchangeably.

16. The vein enhancing device according to claim 15 wherein said scanner is configured to scan said combined beam of light in one or more of the following patterns:

a raster pattern; and

a lissajous pattern.

17. The vein enhancing device according to claim 16 wherein said first laser is configured to emit said beam of said first wavelength of light to be in the range of wavelengths between 700 nm and 1000 nm.

18. The vein enhancing device according to claim 17 wherein said first laser is configured to emit said beam of said first wavelength of light at a wavelength of 740 nm and said second laser is configured to emit said beam of said second wavelength of light at a wavelength of 630 nm.

19. A hand-holdable vein enhancing device, for single-handed use in the imaging of veins of a target area of a patient in a venipuncture procedure, said vein enhancing device comprising:

means for imaging the veins of the target area using a first wavelength of light and for projecting said vein image onto the target area using a second wavelength of light;

a stand, said stand comprising a first arm portion configured to be received within an orifice of said vein imager and to extend distally therefrom and transition to a second arm portion, said second arm portion configured to be at a distance away from said first arm portion; and

wherein a portion of said second arm portion is configured to be releasably received within an orifice of a syringe, said stand thereby configured to mount said vein enhancing device to the syringe to permit mobile handheld imaging of the target area on the patient in proximity to a needle of the syringe, during a venipuncture procedure, through single-handed lifting and use of the syringe.

20. The vein enhancing device according to claim 19,

wherein said first arm portion is cylindrical, and said second arm portion is cylindrical;

and

wherein said vein imager comprises a housing, and said orifice of said vein imager configured to receive said first arm portion of said stand comprises a hole in said housing, with said first arm being adjustably received within said hole in a friction fit.