Micro vein enhancer

• US 20110208121A1
• Filed: 01/25/2011
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Original Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Inventors: Roth, Bob, Mock, Mark, Hunt, David, Conlon, Stephen P., Goldman, Ron, Marshal, Graham
• Granted Patent: US 8,712,498 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/116
• 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, 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. A miniature vein enhancer for enhancing a target area on a patient comprising:

a) a body, said body having a top member and a base member, said top member having a miniature projection head said projection head comprising a means to image a target area and project said image along an optical path onto said target area; and

b) a means for receiving a vial holder in said base member.

2. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said miniature projection head is housed in a cavity in said top member.

3. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said vial holder has needle.

4. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said base member of said body has a thumb opening.

5. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said vial holder is secured in an opening in a base member of said body.

6. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 5 wherein said base member has a curved base section for receiving a curved exterior surface of said vial holder.

7. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 6 wherein said base has a thumb opening and said thumb opening is a part of the vial opening.

8. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 6 wherein said base has a thumb opening and wherein said thumb opening is not part of the vial opening.

9. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 7 wherein said base has a first arm and a second arm said arms each having an inside surface and an outside surface.

10. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 9 wherein said arms are separated by a shoulder, said shoulder having a generally flat top surface and a generally curved bottom surface.

11. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 10 wherein said shoulder is spring biased.

12. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 11 wherein at least one of said arms has a neck located on an inside surface, said neck being received by a recessed area on a side of said top member.

13. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 11 wherein at least one of said arms has an orifice located on it'"'"'s inside surface, said orifice being received by a protrusion on a side of said top member.

97. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 8 wherein said base has a first arm and a second arm said arms each having an inside surface and an outside surface.

98. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 97 wherein said arms are separated by a shoulder, said shoulder having a generally flat top surface and a generally curved bottom surface.

99. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 98 wherein said shoulder is spring biased.

100. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 99 wherein at least one of said arms has a neck located on an inside surface, said neck being received by a recessed area on a side of said top member.

101. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 99 wherein at least one of said arms has an orifice located on it'"'"'s inside surface, said orifice being received by a protrusion on a side of said top member.

14-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A miniature vein enhancer for enhancing a target area on a patient comprising:

a body said body having a miniature projection head therein and a skirt extending from said opening for receiving a said miniature projection head comprising a means to image a target area and project an image along an optical path onto said target area.

20. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 19 wherein said skirt is made of translucent material

21. A miniature vein enhancer for enhancing a target area on a patient comprising:

a) a base member said base member having a projection head comprising a means to image a target area and project an image along an optical path onto said target area;

b) a mast member, said mast member extending from said base.

22. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 21 wherein said mast is flexible.

23. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 22 wherein said base has a top surface and a bottom surface said top surface adapted to receive a portion of a patient'"'"'s arm.

24. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 22 wherein said miniature projection head has a cavity for housing a power source.

25. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 22 wherein said miniature projection head has a surface wherein a control panel is located said control panel having a means for providing visual enhancement.

26-96. -96. (canceled)