Micro vein enhancer

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representation showing the use of the miniature vein enhancer of the present invention on a patient.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of the top cavity section removed from the body of the miniature vein enhancer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the body of the miniature vein enhancer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C shows a side view of the body with the top cavity section removed.

FIG. 2D shows a side view of the body with the left and right wall pivoting about their respective pivot points.

FIG. 2E is a rear view of the body with the top cavity section in place.

FIG. 2F is a side view of the body of FIG. 2E.

FIGS. 3A to 3F show an alternative embodiment of the miniature vein enhancer of the present invention where the top cavity section is fixedly attached to the body.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an alternative vial holder used with the present invention.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show an alternative mounting embodiment for an MVE.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an alternative embodiment of the MVE of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a still further embodiment of the MVE of the present invention that is particularly useful for accessing veins in the arms of patients.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the invention where the MVE is mounted on a base.

FIG. 9 shows an MVE on a base with a flexible “gooseneck” arm.

FIG. 10 shows an MVE with an alternative type of gooseneck.

FIGS. 11A to 11D show the MVE of the present invention removably mounted to a phlebotomist's chair.

FIGS. 12A-12B shows a prior art vial holder.

FIG. 13A shows an improved vial holder that has particular application to the present invention.

FIG. 13B is a side view of the MPH mounted to the improved vial holder depicted in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is a top view of the MPH mounted to the improved vial holder depicted in FIG. 13A in a scale of 1:1.

FIG. 13D is a side view of the MPH mounted to the improved vial holder depicted in FIG. 13A in a scale of 1:1.

FIG. 13E is a front view of the MPH mounted to the improved vial holder depicted in FIG. 13A in a scale of 1:1.

FIGS. 14A to 14B depict an embodiment of the present invention in which the MVE is integrated into a magnifying glass housing.

FIG. 14C is a rear view of another embodiment of the present invention with a display used to view the image of the miniature vein enhancer.

FIG. 14D is a front view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14C.

FIG. 14E is a front view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14C with the miniature projection head located on the lower portion of the display.

FIGS. 15 a to 15d depict an embodiment of the present invention in which MVE has a disposable stand.

FIGS. 16 a to 16c depict an embodiment of the present invention in which the MVE implements a different disposable type of stand.

FIG. 17 a is a perspective view of the MVE attached to a disposable mounting bracket.

FIG. 17 b is a perspective view of the ring portion of the mounting bracket of the MVE depicted in FIG. 17a.

FIG. 17 c is an exploded view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 17a.

FIG. 17 d is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 17a with a practitioner asserting a downward force.

FIG. 18 a is a perspective view of the MVE attached to a disposable mounting bracket having a support ring.

FIG. 18 b is a perspective view of the ring portion of the mounting bracket of the MVE depicted in FIG. 18a.

FIG. 18 c is an exploded view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 18a.

FIG. 18 d is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 18a with a practitioner asserting a downward force.

FIG. 19 a is a perspective view of the MVE attached to a disposable mounting bracket having a support ring that implements a support post.

FIG. 19 b is a perspective view of the ring portion of the mounting bracket of the MVE depicted in FIG. 19a.

FIG. 19 c is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 19a with a practitioner asserting a downward force, after use, so as to cover the needle.

FIG. 19 d is an exploded view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 19a.

FIG. 20 a perspective view of the MVE attached to a disposable syringe.

FIG. 20 b is a front view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 20a.

FIG. 21 a is a side view of the MVE with a MPH bracket and disposable shield.

FIG. 21 b is a perspective view of the MPH depicted in FIG. 21a.

FIG. 22 a is an exploded view of the MVE with the MPH having a knurled cap for battery access.

FIG. 22 b is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 22a in a hand held version.

FIG. 22 c is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 22a with a screw on bezel.

FIG. 22 d is front view of the holder of the MVE depicted in FIG. 22a.

FIG. 22 e is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 22a attached to the needle cover.

FIG. 23 a is a side view of the MVE with a hexagonal body shape.

FIG. 23 b is a front view of the holder of the MVE depicted in FIG. 23a.

FIG. 23 c is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 23a attached to the needle cover.

FIG. 23 d is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 23a with a string attached.

FIG. 24 a is a side view of the MVE attached to a flashlight.

FIG. 24 b is a perspective view of the MPH of the MVE depicted in FIG. 24a attached to a needle cover.

FIG. 24 c is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 24a with the MPH detached from the flashlight.

FIG. 24 d is a bottom view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 24a with the MPH detached from the flashlight.

FIG. 24 e is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 24a being held in a practitioners hand.

FIG. 24 f is a bottom view of the MVE in a scale of 1:1.

FIG. 24 g is a perspective view of the MVE in a scale of 1:1.

FIG. 24 h is a side view of the MVE in a scale of 1:1.

FIG. 24 i is a front view of the MPH of the MVE in a scale of 1:1.

FIG. 25 a is a top view of another embodiment of the MVE of the present invention.

FIG. 25 b is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 25a.

FIG. 25 c is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 25a attached to a vial.

FIG. 25 d is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 25a being held in the hand of a practitioner.

FIG. 25 e is a side view of the top portion of the needle cover of the MVE depicted in FIG. 25a.

FIG. 26 a is a perspective view of the MVE with a generally pear shaped battery holder.

FIG. 26 b is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 26a mounted to a needle cover.

FIG. 26 c is an exploded view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 26a.

FIG. 26 d is a perspective view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 26a being held in the hand of a practitioner.

FIG. 27 a is a perspective view of the MVE with a generally rectangular battery holder.

FIG. 27 b is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 27a mounted to a needle cover.

FIG. 27 c is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 27a with the MPH being slidably attached.

FIG. 27 d is a side view of the MVE depicted in FIG. 27e 34a being held in the hand of a practitioner.

FIGS. 28A and 28B represent the image of veins on the patient field of view.

FIG. 29 depicts a prior art scanning laser based camera.

FIG. 30 illustrates an example of the MPH of the present invention.

FIG. 31 shows a control block diagram for the MPH.

FIG. 32 shows the Dual Buffer Mode of operation of the MPH.

FIG. 33 depicts the Real Time Mode of operation of the MPH.

Claims

1. A miniature vein enhancer for enhancing a target area on a patient comprising: a) a body, said body having a top member and a base member, said top member having a miniature projection head said projection head comprising a means to image a target area and project said image along an optical path onto said target area; andb) a means for receiving a vial holder in said base member.

2. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said miniature projection head is housed in a cavity in said top member.

3. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said vial holder has needle.

4. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said base member of said body has a thumb opening.

5. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 1 wherein said vial holder is secured in an opening in a base member of said body.

6. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 5 wherein said base member has a curved base section for receiving a curved exterior surface of said vial holder.

7. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 6 wherein said base has a thumb opening and said thumb opening is a part of the vial opening.

8. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 6 wherein said base has a thumb opening and wherein said thumb opening is not part of the vial opening.

9. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 7 wherein said base has a first arm and a second arm said arms each having an inside surface and an outside surface.

10. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 9 wherein said arms are separated by a shoulder, said shoulder having a generally flat top surface and a generally curved bottom surface.

11. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 10 wherein said shoulder is spring biased.

12. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 11 wherein at least one of said arms has a neck located on an inside surface, said neck being received by a recessed area on a side of said top member.

13. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 11 wherein at least one of said arms has an orifice located on it's inside surface, said orifice being received by a protrusion on a side of said top member.

14. A miniature vein enhancer for enhancing a target area on a patient comprising: a) a body said body having a miniature projection head said projection head comprising a means to image a target area and project an image along an optical path onto said target area; andb) a means for securing said body to a practitioner.

15. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 14 wherein said body has a base

16. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 15 further comprising a strap said strap having a front end and a rear end, wherein either of said ends is threaded through said slits, said strap being used to secure said miniature vein enhancer to the practitioner.

17. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 15 wherein said strap has Velcro for securing said enhancer to said practitioner.

18. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 15 wherein said means for securing said strap is a snap button.

19. A miniature vein enhancer for enhancing a target area on a patient comprising: a body said body having a miniature projection head therein and a skirt extending from said opening for receiving a said miniature projection head comprising a means to image a target area and project an image along an optical path onto said target area.

20. The miniature vein enhancer according to claim 19 wherein said skirt is made of translucent material.

21-96. (canceled)

97. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 8 wherein said base has a first arm and a second arm said arms each having an inside surface and an outside surface.

98. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 97 wherein said arms are separated by a shoulder, said shoulder having a generally flat top surface and a generally curved bottom surface.

99. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 98 wherein said shoulder is spring biased.

100. A miniature vein enhancer according to claim 99 wherein at least one of said arms has a neck located on an inside surface, said neck being received by a recessed area on a side of said top member.