Micro vein enhancer with a dual buffer mode of operation
First Claim
1. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device configured to project in-focus vein images on a surface of a target to permit mobile imaging of veins, said device comprising:
- a first laser configured to selectively emit light at a first wavelength;
a scanner configured to scan said first wavelength onto the surface of the target in a plurality of successive frames;
a photo detector configured to receive a corresponding plurality of contrasted images for each of said plurality of successive frames, each contrasted image formed from differential absorption and reflection of said first wavelength of light by subcutaneous veins and surrounding tissue of the target;
said photo detector configured to output an analog signal of each of said contrasted images;
an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive and convert each said analog signal of each of said contrasted images from said photo detector, and to output a digital signal therefrom as a digital image for each of said plurality of successive frames;
a first image memory configured to successively receive and store said digital image for each of said plurality of successive frames;
a second image memory configured to receive and store said stored digital image from said first image memory, as said first image memory receives a next said digital image of said plurality of successive frames;
a digital-to-analog converter configured to receive and convert said stored digital image from said second image memory, and to output a converted analog signal thereof;
a second laser configured to selectively emit a second wavelength;
said second laser further configured to receive and use said converted analog signal from said digital-to-analog converter to project each of said corresponding plurality of contrasted images for each of said plurality of successive frames, using said scanner, to reveal the subcutaneous veins therein.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
254 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A handheld vein-image-enhancing device configured to project in-focus vein images on a surface of a target to permit mobile imaging of veins, said device comprising:
-
a first laser configured to selectively emit light at a first wavelength; a scanner configured to scan said first wavelength onto the surface of the target in a plurality of successive frames; a photo detector configured to receive a corresponding plurality of contrasted images for each of said plurality of successive frames, each contrasted image formed from differential absorption and reflection of said first wavelength of light by subcutaneous veins and surrounding tissue of the target;
said photo detector configured to output an analog signal of each of said contrasted images;an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive and convert each said analog signal of each of said contrasted images from said photo detector, and to output a digital signal therefrom as a digital image for each of said plurality of successive frames; a first image memory configured to successively receive and store said digital image for each of said plurality of successive frames; a second image memory configured to receive and store said stored digital image from said first image memory, as said first image memory receives a next said digital image of said plurality of successive frames; a digital-to-analog converter configured to receive and convert said stored digital image from said second image memory, and to output a converted analog signal thereof; a second laser configured to selectively emit a second wavelength;
said second laser further configured to receive and use said converted analog signal from said digital-to-analog converter to project each of said corresponding plurality of contrasted images for each of said plurality of successive frames, using said scanner, to reveal the subcutaneous veins therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification