Automatic alignment of a contrast enhancement system

• US 9,760,982 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2016
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Original Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Inventors: Luciano, Vincent, Wood, Fred
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thai
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US15/226,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20170004607A1
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 348 77, 348162, 348164, 348135, 348136, 348137, 345 32, 600473, 353 10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/366 using projection of images directly onto the body
• 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 5/0082 adapted for particular medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/489 Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/92 based on global image properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3176 wherein the projection device is incorporated in a camera details of cameras adapted for combination with a projector not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B17/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3185 Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback

Abstract

An apparatus and meted for insuring the proper alignment of a detected vein pattern, and a projected vein pattern are disclosed. The apparatus enhances the visual appearance of veins so that an error that can lead to improper patient bare or injury can be avoided.

Claims

1. A vein imaging system configured to ensure proper alignment of one or more detected veins and a visible projection of the one or more veins, said vein imaging system comprising:

a light source configured to illuminate a field of view with a first wavelength of light comprising an infrared wavelength, to create an image contrast formed by differential amounts of absorption and reflection of said first wavelength of light by the one or more veins and the surrounding tissue within the field of view;

an alignment card comprising a material formed into a pattern, said material configured to emit a second wavelength of light when positioned in said field of view and exposed to a third wavelength of light comprising a visible wavelength;

a camera configured to capture said image contrast;

a projector configured to project said captured image contrast onto the field of view using said third wavelength of light;

wherein said camera is further configured to capture said second wavelength of light emitted by said pattern of material, and to capture said visible light at said third wavelength reflected from said pattern of material, said camera further configured to distinguish said third wavelength reflected by said pattern of material, from said second wavelength of light emitted by said pattern of said material; and

an image processing system configured to utilize said distinction between said captured reflection of said projected alignment card pattern at said third wavelength of light, and said captured second wavelength of emitted light from said alignment card pattern, to align said projected image with said reflected image contrast.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein said alignment card pattern comprises a known pattern.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said third wavelength of light comprises green light.

5. The system according to claim 4 wherein said green light is projected to fill the area in the field of view being outside of the veins of the vein pattern, and wherein said projected green light goes to the edges of the veins.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein said second wavelength of light comprises a red wavelength of light.

7. The system according to claim 6 further comprising lime division projection of said wavelengths of light, wherein said visible third wavelength of light and said infrared wavelength are alternately projected.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said visible third wavelength of light is projected most of the time, and wherein said infrared wavelength is projected to be interspaced therebetween on a lower duly cycle.

9. The system according to claim 1 further comprising time division projection of said wavelengths of light, wherein said visible third wavelength of light and said infrared wavelength are alternately projected.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein said visible third wavelength of light is projected most of the time, and wherein said infrared wavelength is projected to be interspaced therebetween on a lower duty cycle.

12. The system according to claim 1 wherein said camera and said projector are physically separated.

2. The system according to claim I wherein said material formed into said pattern for said alignment card comprises a fluorescent material.

11. The system according to claim I wherein said light source is a light source from the group of light sources consisting of:

a laser; and

a light emitting diode (LED).

13. A method of ensuring proper aligning of a projected vein image with a captured vein image, said method comprising:

emitting a first wavelength of infrared light onto a field of view;

using a camera for capturing said first wavelength of infrared light reflected from the field of view as an image contrast formed by differential absorption and reflection by veins and surrounding tissue therein;

forming an alignment card, with a pattern using a selective material, with said selective material configured for emitting a second wavelength of light when exposed to a visible light at a third wavelength;

positioning said alignment card in the field of view;

projecting said captured image contrast onto the field of view using said visible light at said third wavelength;

using said camera for capturing;

said second wavelength of light emitted by said pattern, and said pattern of visible light at said third wavelength reflected from the field of view;

comparing a position of said captured reflection of said pattern with said captured emission of said pattern; and

aligning said projection of said captured image contrast according to a positional difference between said compared positions of said reflection of said projected pattern and said emission from said pattern.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising projecting said image contrast using green light for said third wavelength, and using said green light for filling areas in the field of view being outside of the veins.

15. A method of ensuring proper aligning of a projected vein image with a captured vein image, said method comprising:

emitting an infrared wavelength of light onto a field of view;

using a camera for capturing said infrared light reflected from the field of view as a vein image contrast formed by differential absorption and reflection by veins and surrounding tissue therein;

projecting said veins in said captured image contrast onto the field of view using a visible wavelength of light;

using said camera for capturing said vein image contrast at said visible wavelength of light reflected from the field of view;

comparing a position of said captured reflection of said vein image contrast at said visible wavelength with said captured vein image contrast of said infrared wavelength; and

aligning said projection of said captured vein image contrast according to a positional difference between said captured reflection of said vein image contrast at said visible wavelength and said captured vein image contrast at said infrared wavelength.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising projecting said captured image contrast using green light for said visible wavelength, and using said green light for filling areas in the field of view being outside of the veins.