Abstract: An imager obtains and projects a vein image onto a patient and includes: an infrared laser; visible light laser; x-mirror; x-mirror driver; y-mirror; y-mirror driver; field programmable gate array (FPGA); photodiode; and front end circuit. The FPGA controls the lasers, x-mirror driver, and y-mirror driver to control the x-mirror and y-mirror to scan the light, and receives feedback of a state of the lasers, forming a closed control loop. The photodiode converts the reflected infrared vein image into an analog signal, which is processed by the FPGA including: performing an X-direction sum of pixel data for a plurality of boundary windows and placing it into an X-sum buffer, performing a Y-direction sum of pixel data and placing it into a Y-sum buffer, and using a total sum generator to obtain box filter output for each of the plurality of windows, being the X-sum buffer added to the Y-sum buffer.

Abstract: A laser based vascular illumination system utilizing a FPGA for detecting vascular positions, processing an image of such vasculature positions, and projecting the image thereof onto the body of a patient.

Abstract: A vein imager includes: a laser, mirror, photodiode, optical element, and lens. The laser emits a beam of light at a first wavelength in a first optical path. The mirror directs the beam to form a spot on the target surface and scans the beam of laser light to move the spot rapidly on the target surface. The optical element bounces the beam of light from the first optical path onto a second optical path, and directs the beam of light at the mirror. The mirror also directs an image portion at the first wavelength, received from the target surface, along the second optical path and to the photodiode. The photodiode receives the image portion at the first wavelength. The mirror includes a bevel-shaped coating applied to each of first and second ends and/or rounded first and second ends by removing some material, to resist dust buildup.

Abstract: A vein imager includes: a laser emitting a light beam in a first optical path; and scanner directing the beam to form a spot of light on the target, and scanning the beam to move the spot rapidly on the target. An optical element bounces the beam of light from the first optical path onto a second optical path, directing the beam at the scanner. The scanner directs an image portion, received from the target, along the second optical path toward the photodiode, the image portion being an afterglow formed by differential reflection and absorption of the scanned spot by surrounding tissue and blood vessels. A lens is positioned/configured to shape the field of view of the photodiode to a portion of the target surface, which excludes the spot and only includes a portion of the afterglow. The limited photodiode FOV moves synchronously with the scanned spot.

Abstract: It is known in the art to use an apparatus to enhance the visual appearance of the veins and arteries in a patient to facilitate insertion of needles into those veins and arteries. This application discloses a number of inventions that add additional data collection and presentation capabilities to a handheld vein enhancement apparatus and a set of processes for the collection of blood and the delivery of IV medicines that use the handheld device to mediate the process.

Abstract: A vein imager includes: a laser emitting a light beam in a first optical path; and scanner directing the beam to form a spot of light on the target, and scanning the beam to move the spot rapidly on the target. An optical element bounces the beam of light from the first optical path onto a second optical path, directing the beam at the scanner. The scanner directs an image portion, received from the target, along the second optical path toward the photodiode, the image portion being an afterglow formed by differential reflection and absorption of the scanned spot by surrounding tissue and blood vessels. A lens is positioned/configured to limit a size of the photodiode FOV to a portion of the target surface, which size encompasses only the spot size and a portion of the afterglow. The limited photodiode FOV thus moves synchronously with the scanned spot.

Abstract: A vein imaging device includes: a laser; one or more mirrors reflecting laser light onto a target creating a spot of light thereon; a mirror drive system; and drive circuit. The system drives the mirror(s) to oscillate about a corresponding fulcrum(s), to drive the spot upon the target in a pattern. Each oscillation includes: the spot driven in a first direction during a first part of the pattern, the mirror(s) decelerating to a full stop during a second part of the pattern, the mirror(s) subsequently accelerating in a reverse direction during a third part of the pattern, and the mirror(s) being driven to drive the spot in the reverse direction during a fourth part of the pattern. The drive circuit may reduce laser intensity when the spot is proximate to the full stop, to save power during unusable parts of the pattern because of the slowed mirror movement.

Abstract: A miniature vein enhancer includes: a housing, one or more movable mirrors, photo detector, and apparatus for transmitting a beam of light that includes a first and second wavelengths in the infrared and the visible spectrum, respectively. The one or more movable mirrors scan the beam onto the target surface. The photo detector is responsive to the first wavelength of light, and thereby receives a contrasted image formed of reflected light at the first wavelength from the target surface. The photo detector outputs an analog signal representing the contrasted image, which is used by the apparatus for transmitting a beam of light to project the contrasted image in combination with the one or more movable mirrors, onto the target surface. A plurality of protruding bars positioned in proximity to an exit window of the housing thereby prevent a user from placing an eye proximate to the optical path.

Abstract: A vein imaging device includes: first and second lasers, a scanner, photo detector, memory, and microprocessor. The first laser emits a beam of light at a first wavelength, and the second laser emits a beam of visible light. The scanner is configured to scan the light from the first and second lasers onto the target in a pattern. The photo detector receives the first wavelength of light after being reflected from the target as a contrasted light/dark image of underlying veins, based on differential amounts of absorption and reflection by blood in the veins and surrounding tissue, and outputs a signal representative of the image. The memory receives and stores a sequential plurality of the contrasted images, and the microprocessor uses the stored plurality of the contrasted images to produce an averaged image with greater resolution, which is projected by the second laser onto the target using visible light.

Abstract: A portable vein viewer apparatus may be battery powered and hand-held to reveal patient vasculature information to aid in venipuncture processes. The apparatus comprises a first laser diode emitting infrared light, and a second laser diode emitting only visible wavelengths, wherein vasculature absorbs a portion of the infrared light causing reflection of a contrasted infrared image. A pair of silicon PIN photodiodes, responsive to the contrasted infrared image, causes transmission of a corresponding signal. The signal is processed through circuitry to amplify, sum, and filter the outputted signals, and with the use of an image processing algorithm, the contrasted image is projected onto the patient's skin surface using the second laser diode. Revealed information may comprise vein location, depth, diameter, and degree of certainty of vein locations. Projection of vein images may be a positive or a negative image. Venipuncture needles may be coated to provide visibility in projected images.

Abstract: A portable vein viewer apparatus may be battery powered and hand-held to reveal patient vasculature information to aid in venipuncture processes. The apparatus comprises a first laser diode emitting infrared light, and a second laser diode emitting only visible wavelengths, wherein vasculature absorbs a portion of the infrared light causing reflection of a contrasted infrared image. A pair of silicon PIN photodiodes, responsive to the contrasted infrared image, causes transmission of a corresponding signal. The signal is processed through circuitry to amplify, sum, and filter the outputted signals, and with the use of an image processing algorithm, the contrasted image is projected onto the patient's skin surface using the second laser diode. Revealed information may comprise vein location, depth, diameter, and degree of certainty of vein locations. Projection of vein images may be a positive or a negative image. Venipuncture needles may be coated to provide visibility in projected images.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for insuring the proper alignment of a detected vein pattern and a projected vein pattern are disclosed. The apparatus enhances the visual appearance of veins so that an error that can lead to improper patient care or injury can be avoided.

Abstract: It is known in the art to use an apparatus to enhance the visual appearance of the veins and arteries in a patient to facilitate insertion of needles into those veins and arteries. This application discloses a number of inventions that add additional data collection and presentation capabilities to a handheld vein enhancement apparatus and a set of processes for the collection of blood and the delivery of IV medicines that use the handheld device to mediate the process.

Abstract: A vein imager includes: a housing with first and second portions respectively proximate to first and second ends of the imager; a first light source that emits a first wavelength; an optical detector responsive to the first wavelength and which converts a received vein image into a signal; a second light source that emits a second wavelength; one or more buttons protruding from the housing; and at least one exit opening in the housing for emission of light from the light sources. The first housing portion houses the light sources, the optical detectors, and includes the exit opening. The second housing portion, which houses a battery, is narrower than the first portion to be hand-holdable permitting single-handed lifting and use of the imager, which single-hand lifting and use does not cover the exit opening, and simultaneously permits actuation of the one or more buttons while holding the second housing portion.

Abstract: A laser based vascular illumination system utilizing a FPGA for detecting vascular positions, processing an image of such vasculature positions, and projecting the image thereof onto the body of a patient.

Abstract: A portable hand-held miniature vein enhancer comprises: a housing, laser, one or more mirrors, mirror drive system, and sensor to determine a distance to the target. The laser emits a beam of light at a selective wavelength that images subcutaneous veins through differential absorption and reflection. The mirror(s) receive the beam of light and create a spot of light on the target, and when driven by the mirror drive system to oscillate, the spot is scanned to form a two-dimensionally shaped pattern of light. The scanned spot of light moves according to a range of angular positions of the mirror(s). When the distance to the target is at or below a threshold distance, the range of angular positions is set to a maximum, producing the largest scan pattern. When the distance increases beyond the threshold, the range of angular positions is reduced proportional to the increased distance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for insuring the proper alignment of a detected vein pattern and a projected vein pattern are disclosed. The apparatus enhances the visual appearance of veins so that an error that can lead to improper patient care or injury can be avoided.

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.

Abstract: A vein imager includes: a laser emitting a light beam in a first optical path; and scanner directing the beam to form a spot of light on the target, and scanning the beam to move the spot rapidly on the target. An optical element bounces the beam of light from the first optical path onto a second optical path, directing the beam at the scanner. The scanner directs an image portion, received from the target, along the second optical path toward the photodiode, the image portion being an afterglow formed by differential reflection and absorption of the scanned spot by surrounding tissue and blood vessels. A lens is positioned/configured to limit a size of the photodiode FOV to a portion of the target surface, which size encompasses only the spot size and a portion of the afterglow. The limited photodiode FOV thus moves synchronously with the scanned spot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for insuring the proper alignment of a detected vein pattern and a projected vein pattern are disclosed. The apparatus enhances the visual appearance of veins so that an error that can lead to improper patient care or injury can be avoided.