Abstract: The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer, for use in imaging the subcutaneous veins of a target area of a patient by a practitioner. The miniature vein enhancer includes a Miniature Projection Head that is secured to a tourniquet, where the tourniquet may be mounted to the bicep of a patient. The Miniature Projection Head includes a housing, and apparatus that images subcutaneous veins of the target area, and projects the image(s) of the veins onto the target area to overlie the subcutaneous veins, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein location for a venipuncture procedure such as an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like.

Abstract: A fluorescence imaging device detects fluorescence in parts of the visible and invisible spectrum, and projects the fluorescence image directly on the human body, as well as on a monitor, with improved sensitivity, video frame rate and depth of focus, and enhanced capabilities of detecting distribution and properties of multiple fluorophores. Direct projection of three-dimensional visible representations of florescence on three-dimensional body areas advantageously permits viewing of it during surgical procedures, including during cancer removal, reconstructive surgery and wound care, etc. A NIR laser and a human visible laser (HVL) are aligned coaxially and scanned over the operating field of view. When the NIR laser passes over the area where the florescent dye is present, it energizes the dye which emits at a shifted NIR frequency detected by a photo diode. The HVL is turned on when emission is detected, providing visual indication of those positions.

Abstract: A miniature vein enhancer is operated in one of three modes to project an image of a patient's veins onto the imaged body region, aiding a practitioner in pinpointing veins for a venipuncture procedure (intravenous drip, withdrawing blood . . . ). In one embodiment that uses two wavelengths of light (e.g., using two lasers), the image is obtained using red or infrared light, and is projected using visible light. In another embodiment using two wavelengths of light, the vein image is obtained using the first wavelength (red or infrared), and a fluorescent material (e.g., cream) sensitive to the second wavelength is applied to the skin surface, so that transmission of the imaged vein locations using the second wavelength energizes the fluorescent cream to visualize the veins on the skin surface. A three laser embodiment uses a third wavelength (violet or ultraviolet) to detect surface topology and subtract that noise from the vein image.

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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 three dimensional imaging system includes a first laser emitting light at a first wavelength, and a scanner for scanning the laser light in a pattern on the target area. A photo detector receives light reflected from the target area as a contrasted vein image, resulting from differential absorption and reflection therein of the first wavelength of light. The intensity of the first laser is incrementally increased, and the photo detector thereby receives a plurality of contrasted vein images, each being at incrementally distinct depths beneath the target skin surface. Image processing is performed on the plurality of vein images to successively layer the veins in the images according to their depth, to create a single processed vein image. A second laser emitting a second wavelength of light is used in combination with the scanner to project the processed vein image onto the target area to overlay the veins therein.

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: An apparatus for capturing a multispectral image of an object is described. The apparatus includes one or more means for transmitting a beam of laser light at a first wavelength and a beam of laser light at one or more additional wavelengths different from the first wavelength. There is a means for causing the beams of laser light to travel in a coaxial path and a moving mirror. The beams of light bounce off the mirror thereby producing a two dimensional projection pattern. This pattern travels from the mirror along a first path to an object and wherein some of the laser light penetrates the object and travels to an internal structure of the object. The reflection of the laser light returns to a photo detector along a path different from said first path.

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: 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: 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: 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.