Scanned Laser Vein Contrast Enhancer Using a Single Laser
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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.
2 Citations
158 Claims
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1-136. -136. (canceled)
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137. A vein imager, for use in imaging subcutaneous veins beneath a target surface, said vein imager comprising:
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one laser, said one laser configured to emit a beam consisting of light at a selective red wavelength; one or more mirrors, said one or more mirrors configured to receive said beam of light from said one laser, said beam of light thereby reflected onto the target surface to create a spot of light thereon; a mirror drive system, said mirror drive system configured to drive said one or more mirrors to move, to drive said spot of light to selectively move upon the target; means for instantaneously measuring the amplitude of said selective red wavelength of light reflected from said spot, throughout selective movement upon the target; a drive circuit, said drive circuit configured to receive said instantaneous measurement of said reflected light amplitude of said spot from said means for instantaneously measuring, and to determine a change in said instantaneous amplitude of reflected light from said spot throughout said selective movement; wherein said drive circuit is configured to change an amount of power to said one laser from a first power level to a second higher power level, when said drive circuit detects a decrease in said instantaneous amplitude, being characteristic of a detected subcutaneous vein location; and wherein said drive circuit is further configured to decrease the power to said one laser to be at said first power level, when said drive circuit detects an increase in said instantaneous amplitude, being characteristic of no detected subcutaneous vein locations. - View Dependent Claims (138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143)
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144. A method of imaging subcutaneous blood vessels beneath a target surface, said method comprising:
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emitting a beam of light, using one laser, said beam of light consisting of light at a selective red wavelength; receiving said beam of light from said one laser upon an arrangement of one or more movable mirrors, and thereby causing said beam of red laser light to create a spot of light on the target surface; moving said one or more movable mirrors, using a mirror drive system, for directing said spot of light to selectively move across the target surface; measuring the instantaneous amplitude of said selective red wavelength of light reflected from said spot, throughout said selective movement; determining the occurrence of a change in said instantaneous amplitude of reflected light throughout said selective movement; causing an increase in an amount of power to said one laser when a decrease in said amplitude is determined to have occurred; and causing a decrease in said amount of power to said one laser when an increase in said amplitude is determined to have occurred. - View Dependent Claims (145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151)
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152. A vein imager, for use in imaging subcutaneous veins beneath a target surface, said vein imager comprising:
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one laser, said one laser configured to emit a beam consisting of light at a selective red wavelength; a beam steering means configured to receive said beam of light from said one laser and to direct said beam onto the target surface to create a spot of light thereon, and to drive said spot of light to selectively move upon the target surface; means for instantaneously measuring the amplitude of said selective red wavelength of light reflected from said spot, throughout said selective movement; a drive circuit, said drive circuit configured to receive said instantaneous measurement of said reflected light amplitude from said means for instantaneously measuring, and to determine a change in said instantaneous amplitude of reflected light throughout said selective movement;
said drive circuit configured to cause an increase in an amount of power to said one laser when said drive circuit detects a decrease in said instantaneous amplitude; and
said drive circuit configured to decrease the power to said one laser when said drive circuit detects an increase in said instantaneous amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158)
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Specification