Micro Vein Enhancer for Hands-Free Imaging for a Venipuncture Procedure

• US 20160157774A1
• Filed: 12/17/2015
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Original Assignee: AccuVein LLC
• Inventors: Goldman, Ron, Hunt, David, Mock, Mark, Marshall, Graham, Conlon, Stephen P., Roth, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 10,470,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 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 5/0064 Body surface scanning
• 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 90/53 connected to the surgeon's body, e.g. by a belt
• 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

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 vein-image-enhancing system, for mobile use in imaging the subcutaneous veins of a target area of a patient by a practitioner, said vein-image-enhancing system comprising:

a miniature vein enhancer comprising;

a first laser configured to emit a beam of light at a first wavelength;

a scanner configured to transmit said beam of light from said first laser onto a target area;

a photodetector configured to receive an image of the veins formed by differential absorption of said selective wavelength of light by the veins and the surrounding tissue;

said photodetector further configured to output a signal representing said image;

a second laser configured to receive said signal from said photodetector and to use said signal to emit a beam of light at a second wavelength, said scanner further configured to scan said beam of light at said second wavelength from said second laser to project said received image onto the target area; and

a housing configured to house said first laser, said second laser, said photodetector, and said scanner, said housing comprising an exit opening for said scanned laser light;

and

means for releasably supporting said housing of said miniature vein enhancer in an upright position for hands-free imaging of the target area.

2. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 1 further comprising a combiner configured to combine said beams of light from said first and second lasers to form a single coaxial beam of laser light to be to be scanned by said scanner.

3. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 2 wherein said scanner is configured to scan said coaxial beam of laser light onto the target area in a pattern being a pattern from the group of patterns consisting of:

a raster pattern;

a Lissajous pattern;

an ellipse pattern;

a circle pattern; and

a spiral pattern.

4. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 3 wherein said scanner is a scanner from the group of scanner consisting of:

a MEMS scanner;

a single mirror configured to oscillate about two axes to produce said pattern; and

a first mirror configured to oscillate about a first axis, said first mirror being selectively angled to reflect said coaxial beam of laser light to a second mirror, said second mirror configured to oscillate about a second axis, said coaxial beam of light being reflected from said second mirror toward the target area to produce said pattern.

5. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 4 wherein said first wavelength of light is in the range of 620 nm to 1400 nm;

and wherein said second wavelength of light is in the range of 380 nm to 750 nm.

6. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a hand-holdable housing configured for single-handed lifting and use of said miniature vein enhancer when removed from said means for releasably supporting.

7. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 6 wherein said housing comprises a compartment configured to house a battery.

8. A vein-image-enhancing system, for mobile use in imaging the subcutaneous veins of a target area of a patient by a practitioner, said miniature vein enhancer comprising:

a miniature vein enhancer comprising;

miniature means for active subcutaneous infrared imaging of veins using a first wavelength of light and for visibly projecting said image back onto the target area using a second wavelength of light to overlay the imaged veins; and

a housing configured to house miniature means for active subcutaneous infrared imaging and projecting;

said housing comprising an exit opening for said infrared imaging and visible image projecting;

and

means for releasably supporting said housing of said miniature vein enhancer in an upright position for hands-free imaging of the target area.

9. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 8 wherein said first wavelength of light is in the range of 620 nm to 1400 nm;

and wherein said second wavelength of light is in the range of 380 nm to 750 nm.

10. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 8 wherein said housing comprises a hand-holdable housing configured for single-handed lifting and use of said miniature vein enhancer when removed from said means for releasably supporting.

11. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 8 wherein said housing comprises a compartment configured to house a battery.

12. A vein-image-enhancing system, for mobile use in imaging the subcutaneous veins of a target area of a patient by a practitioner, said vein-image-enhancing system comprising:

a miniature vein enhancer comprising;

a first laser configured to emit a beam of light at a first wavelength;

a scanner configured to transmit said beam of light from said first laser onto a target area;

a photodetector configured to receive an image of the veins formed by differential absorption of said selective wavelength of light by the veins and the surrounding tissue;

said photodetector further configured to output a signal representing said image;

a second laser configured to receive said signal from said photodetector and to use said signal to emit a beam of light at a second wavelength, said scanner further configured to scan said beam of light at said second wavelength from said second laser to project said received image onto the target area; and

a housing configured to house said first laser, said second laser, said photodetector, and said scanner, said housing comprising an exit opening for said scanned laser light;

means for releasably and adjustably supporting said housing of said miniature vein enhancer for hands-free imaging of the target area.

13. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 12 further comprising a combiner configured to combine said beams of light from said first and second lasers to form a single coaxial beam of laser light to be to be scanned by said scanner.

14. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 13 wherein said scanner is configured to scan said coaxial beam of laser light onto the target area in a pattern being a pattern from the group of patterns consisting of:

a raster pattern;

a Lissajous pattern;

an ellipse pattern;

a circle pattern; and

a spiral pattern.

15. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 14 wherein said scanner is a scanner from the group of scanner consisting of:

a MEMS scanner;

a single mirror configured to oscillate about two axes to produce said pattern; and

a first mirror configured to oscillate about a first axis, said first mirror being selectively angled to reflect said coaxial beam of laser light to a second mirror, said second mirror configured to oscillate about a second axis, said coaxial beam of light being reflected from said second mirror toward the target area to produce said pattern.

16. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 15 wherein said first wavelength of light is in the range of 620 nm to 1400 nm;

and wherein said second wavelength of light is in the range of 380 nm to 750 nm.

17. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 12 wherein said housing comprises a hand-holdable housing configured for single-handed lifting and use of said miniature vein enhancer when removed from said means for releasably supporting.

18. The vein-image-enhancing system according to claim 17 wherein said housing comprises a compartment configured to house a battery.