Scanned laser vein contrast enhancer

• US 20080045841A1
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Original Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Inventors: Luciano, Vincent, Wood, Fred, Goldman, Ron, Conlon, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,380,291 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/366 using projection of images directly onto the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/004 adapted for image acquisition of a particular organ or body part A61B5/0082 takes precedence; arrangements for optical scanning A61B5/0062
• 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 5/0064 Body surface scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• 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 5/4887 Locating particular structures in or on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/489 Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7221 Determining signal validity, reliability or quality A61B5/7207 and A61B5/7217 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/748 Selection of a region of interest, e.g. using a graphics tablet
• 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: G02B 26/0833 the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B

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.

Claims

1-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A miniature vein enhancer comprising a source of laser light, a mirror that receives a beam of laser light from said source of laser light, said mirror transmitting said beam of laser light onto a target area such that there is a contrast between a blood vessel and the surrounding area.

20. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 19 wherein there are one or more additional mirrors in the path of said beam to direct the beam in a desired direction.

21. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 20 wherein the angles of the mirrors to the path of said beam are such that said mirrors can orient the angle of the beam in three dimensions as it is transmitted to said target area.

22. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 20 wherein at least one of said mirrors is a moving mirror.

23. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 22 wherein said moving mirror moves in two axes.

24. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 20 wherein at least two mirrors are moving mirrors and light reflected off the mirror between a first mirror and the target area forms a two dimensionally shaped scanning pattern.

27. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 19 wherein there are two laser light beams each beam having a different wavelength.

28. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 27 wherein the wavelength of one beam is selected for better performance at blood detection and the other beam having a wavelength that is selected for better characteristics for projecting the resulting image on to a patient.

36. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 20 where one of said mirror is a dielectric mirror.

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

29-35. -35. (canceled)

37. A miniature vein enhancer comprising a first source of laser light, a second source of laser light, a polarizing element that polarizes said first source of polarizing light to a first orientation as said laser light from said first source passes through said polarizing element and said laser light from said second source of laser light reflecting off said polarizing element at a second polarized angle, laser light from said first and second sources being caused to become coaxial by said polarizing element thereby creating a pattern of light on a target area, such pattern of light on said target area creating a contrast between a blood vessel and the surrounding skin area.

38. The miniature vein enhancer comprising a plurality of sources of laser light, a movable mirror that is movable in a single axis that receives beams of laser light from said source of laser light, said mirror transmitting said beams of laser light onto a target area as said mirror moves thereby creating a pattern of light on said target area such that there is contrast between a blood vessel and the surrounding skin area.

39. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 38 where said laser light is visible laser light.

40. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 38 wherein said laser light is infrared laser light.

41. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 38 wherein said laser light is produced by a VCSEL array.

42. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 40 wherein said mirror is a retro collective mirror.

43. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 38 wherein said beams of laser light strike the moving mirror perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said mirror.

44. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 38 wherein the laser beams are scanned so that the emitted light forms a rectangle on said target area.

45. A miniature vein enhancer comprising a plurality of sources of LED light, a movable mirror that is movable in a single axis that receives beams of LED light from said sources of LED light, said mirror transmitting said beams of LED light onto a target area as said mirror moves thereby creating a pattern of light on said target area such that there is contrast between a blood vessel and the surrounding skin area.

46. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 45 where said LED light is visible LED light.

47. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 45 wherein said LED light is infrared LED light.

48. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 45 wherein said mirror is a retrocollective mirror.

49. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 45 wherein said beams of LED light strike the moving mirror perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said mirror.

50. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 45 wherein the LED beams are scanned so that the emitted light forms a rectangle on said target area.

51-103. -103. (canceled)

104. A miniature vein enhancer comprising a first source of laser light

a second source of laser light

each of said laser sources transmitting laser light to a target area, said laser light thereby creating a pattern of light on said target area such that there is contrast between a blood vessel and the surrounding skin area.

105. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 104 wherein there is a third source of laser light.

106. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 105 wherein one of said sources of laser light transmits ultraviolet light for imaging the skin topology.

107. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 106 wherein one of said sources of laser light transmits infrared light.

108. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 107 wherein there are first and second photodetectors, one photodetector for receiving ultraviolet light and reflected off the target and the other photodetector for receiving infrared light reflected off said target.

109. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 108 wherein the signal reflected from the target has the ultraviolet reflection subtracted from the reflected signal to yield just the vein signal.

117. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 106 wherein a fluorescent material is applied to the target area.

118. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 105 wherein said first laser source is a ultraviolet laser, the second laser source is an infrared laser and the third laser source is a visible laser.

119. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 105 where one of said sources of laser light is a near infrared source.

120. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 104 wherein a chemical dye that changes color by exposure to light is applied to the target area.

137. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 104 wherein one of the sources of laser light emits laser light in the ultraviolet region.

138. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 117 wherein the ultraviolet laser is used to project a visible image by exciting the fluorescent material.

110-116. -116. (canceled)

121-132. -132. (canceled)

132. A miniature vein enhancer comprising a miniature projection head said miniature projection head comprising:

a source of laser light

a movable mirror that receives a beam of laser light from said source of laser light, said mirror transmitting said beam of laser light onto a target area as said mirror moves thereby creating a pattern of light on said target area such that there is contrast between a blood vessel and the surrounding skin area.

133. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 132 wherein said miniature projection head having a power source.

134. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 132 further comprising a body extending from said miniature projection head said body having a power source located therein in

135. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 132 having a needle attached thereto.

136. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 132 having a needle protector attached to said needle.