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Automatic alignment of a contrast enhancement system

  • US 9,430,819 B2
  • Filed: 03/04/2014
  • Issued: 08/30/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An vein imaging and alignment system, for use in vein imaging to ensure the proper alignment of a detected vein pattern and a visible projection of the vein pattern, said imaging alignment system comprising:

  • means for illuminating a field of view with a first wavelength of infrared light, to create an image contrast formed by differential amounts of absorption and reflection by the veins of the vein pattern and the surrounding tissue therein;

    an alignment card positioned in the field of view, said alignment card comprising a material formed into a pattern, said material configured to emit a second wavelength of light when exposed to a visible light at a third wavelength;

    a camera configured to capture said image contrast of said reflected first wavelength of infrared light from the field of view; and

    a projector, said projector configured to project said captured image contrast onto the field of view using said visible light at said third wavelength;

    said camera configured to capture said second wavelength of light emitted by said pattern of material, and to capture said visible light at said third wavelength reflected from said pattern of material, said camera further configured to distinguish said wavelength of visible light at said third wavelength reflected by said pattern of material, from said second wavelength of light emitted by said pattern of material;

    said projector comprising means for image processing configured to utilize said distinction between said reflection of said projected alignment card pattern at said third wavelength of light captured by said camera, and said second wavelength of emitted light from said alignment card pattern also captured by said camera, to align said projected image with said reflected image contrast at said first wavelength of infrared light.

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