Micro vein enhancer
First Claim
1. An apparatus for imaging subcutaneous blood vessels of a target area, said apparatus comprising:
- a first laser calibrated to emit a beam of light at a first wavelength;
a bounce mirror for causing said first wavelength of light from said first laser to be transmitted onto the surface of the target area in a repeated or a non-repeated pattern;
a photo detector being responsive to said first wavelength of light, said photo detector receiving said first wavelength of light being reflected from the target area, said reflected light comprising a contrasted image being formed by differential absorption of said first wavelength of light by the target area;
said photo detector outputting an analog signal representing said contrasted image;
a second laser calibrated to emit a visible beam of light at a second wavelength;
a second mirror, said second minor comprising optical characteristics causing reflection of said first wavelength of light and transmission of said second wavelength of light;
wherein said first laser, said second laser, and said second filter mirror are positioned in said apparatus to combine said beam of light from said first laser and said beam of light from said second laser using said second minor to form a single coaxial beam of laser light; and
wherein said second laser receives said analog signal from said photodetector, said second laser thereby projecting said contrasted image substantially instantaneously, using said bounce mirror, to be in-focus on the target area to reveal one or more subcutaneous blood vessels therein, regardless of a distance of said apparatus from the target area.
17 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.
60 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for imaging subcutaneous blood vessels of a target area, said apparatus comprising:
-
a first laser calibrated to emit a beam of light at a first wavelength; a bounce mirror for causing said first wavelength of light from said first laser to be transmitted onto the surface of the target area in a repeated or a non-repeated pattern; a photo detector being responsive to said first wavelength of light, said photo detector receiving said first wavelength of light being reflected from the target area, said reflected light comprising a contrasted image being formed by differential absorption of said first wavelength of light by the target area;
said photo detector outputting an analog signal representing said contrasted image;a second laser calibrated to emit a visible beam of light at a second wavelength; a second mirror, said second minor comprising optical characteristics causing reflection of said first wavelength of light and transmission of said second wavelength of light; wherein said first laser, said second laser, and said second filter mirror are positioned in said apparatus to combine said beam of light from said first laser and said beam of light from said second laser using said second minor to form a single coaxial beam of laser light; and wherein said second laser receives said analog signal from said photodetector, said second laser thereby projecting said contrasted image substantially instantaneously, using said bounce mirror, to be in-focus on the target area to reveal one or more subcutaneous blood vessels therein, regardless of a distance of said apparatus from the target area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A miniature vein enhancer for imaging subcutaneous blood vessels of a target area, said vein enhancer comprising:
-
a first laser capable of emitting a beam of light at a first wavelength; a bounce mirror for causing said first wavelength of light from said first laser to be transmitted onto the surface of the target area in a repetitive or a non-repetitive pattern; a photo detector being responsive to said first wavelength of light, said photo detector receiving said first wavelength of light being reflected from the target area, said reflected light comprising a contrasted image being formed by differential absorption of said first wavelength of light by the target area;
said photo detector outputting an analog signal representing said contrasted image;a second laser capable of emitting a visible beam of light at a second wavelength; a second mirror, said second mirror comprising optical characteristics causing reflection of said first wavelength of light and transmission of said second wavelength of light; wherein said first laser, said second laser, and said second filter mirror are positioned in said vein enhancer to combine said beam of light from said first laser and said beam of light from said second laser using said second mirror to form a single coaxial beam of laser light; and wherein said second laser receives said analog signal from said photodetector, said second laser thereby projecting said contrasted image substantially instantaneously, using said bounce mirror, to be in-focus on the target area to reveal one or more subcutaneous blood vessels therein, regardless of an instantaneous position of said vein enhancer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
Specification