HANDHELD VENIPUNCTURE-ASSISTING DEVICE

摘要

Handheld venipuncture-assisting devices and methods for displaying a location of subcutaneous blood vessels within a tissue region of a skin area are provided. The device includes an illumination assembly and a camera positioned to capture backscattered light from the skin area upon illumination. An image processor provides a processed image of the skin area where a contrast between the subcutaneous blood vessels and surrounding tissue has been enhanced. The processed image is displayed on a display device opposite the illumination assembly. The device may be held above the skin area of interest and displays an image of the skin area underneath, on which the blood vessel locations are enhanced.