Scanned Laser Vein Contrast Enhancer Using One Laser

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A miniature vein enhancer, for use in imaging subcutaneous blood vessels of a target surface, said miniature vein enhancer comprising: one laser, an arrangement of one or more mirrors, and a mirror drive system; said one laser configured to emit a beam consisting of light at a selective red wavelength being in the range of 630 nm to 750 nm, said beam of red laser light being received upon said one or more mirrors and thereby reflected onto a target surface to create a spot of light thereon, said spot of light being directed to move rapidly thereon in a pattern using said arrangement of one or more mirrors and said mirror drive system, said mirror drive system configured to drive said arrangement of one or more mirrors to move selectively, said pattern of said selective wavelength of red light configured to image the blood vessels through differential absorption; and said miniature vein enhancer comprising means for adjusting power to said one laser, to selectively adjust an intensity of said beam of laser light to change the depth of penetration through the skin of the target surface.