Injector system for in-vivo subcutaneous vein searching

Abstract

The utility model relates to an in vivo subcutaneous vein search syringe system. A syringe is disclosed with an integrated vein finder that illuminates a patient's potential venipuncture site and identifies veins suitable for venipuncture with the syringe, for blood collection or intravenous administration. A syringe portion of the system includes a syringe barrel and a tip needle protruding from a distal end of the barrel for venipuncture. A lighting module coupled to the syringe barrel; it has an illumination source that projects an electromagnetic beam to an illumination region distal to the tip of the syringe for illuminating and identifying subcutaneous veins. The integrated vein finder and syringe system can be operated by a single clinician, such as a hemospast, that can easily manipulate the syringe and illuminate the venipuncture site with one hand without assistance of another clinician.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to medical injectors with integrated lighting modules to illuminate and thereby locate subcutaneous veins during venipuncture for blood collection and / or administration of medication to a patient. Background Art

[0002] As a basic medical requirement for most diagnostic tests, venipuncture is frequently performed on patients for blood collection. While venipuncture is often performed by a clinician, such as a phlebotomist, some patients have veins that collapse or roll easily, are too thin, or are difficult to find. These "difficult" veins tend to be associated with populations such as children or elderly patients, but anyone can have them. Patients with difficult veins may require multiple puncture attempts as the phlebotomist attempts to identify alternative puncture sites in the same vein or in different veins. Venipuncture is also performed on patients who are administered medications intravenously, and clinicians face the same challenges in identifying the vein prior to puncture.

[0003] Commercially available fixed-mount and handheld vein finding devices are used for external illumination of subcutaneous veins outside the body. Some of these devices illuminate a patient's potential venipuncture site with electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength range. Infrared beams provide clinicians with better visible contrast between the vein and surrounding skin tissue than ambient light, according to published reports by researchers. Fixed-mount devices are typically mounted on a gantry, which requires manipulating the patient relative to a fixed illumination field. Such devices are difficult to use with immobile or physically challenged patients in a bed or wheelchair. At large-scale blood collection sites, phlebotomists perform tests on hundreds of patients per day. In locations where large-scale blood collection is provided to multiple patients per day, moving and repositioning fixed-mount vein finding devices is too time-consuming. So-called "handheld" vein finding devices require two clinicians to operate them. A single clinician must hold and activate the device with one hand while steadying the patient with the other. The same clinician cannot perform venipuncture with a syringe at the same time, as this requires manipulating the syringe with one hand and steadying the patient with the other. Given the need for three hands, two clinicians work together to identify a suitable vein with a handheld vein finder: one clinician operates the vein finder while the other performs venipuncture with a syringe. Similarly, during intravenous administration of medication via syringe, two clinicians are required to use the handheld vein finder and manipulate the syringe. Utility Model Content

[0004] In a first embodiment, a syringe with an integrated vein finder illuminates a patient's potential venipuncture site and identifies a vein suitable for venipuncture with the syringe for blood collection or intravenous medication. The integrated vein finder and syringe system can be operated by a single clinician (such as a phlebotomist) who can easily manipulate the syringe and illuminate the venipuncture site with one hand while stabilizing the patient's venipuncture site with the other hand. This integrated system requires little additional clinician training and experience, except for what is required for conventional venipuncture during blood collection or intravenous medication. Illuminating the venipuncture site with the integrated system increases the likelihood of successfully completing a venipuncture in one puncture without having to attempt the puncture again at the same or alternative site. The integrated system eliminates the need for a second attempt, helping clinicians find a vein using a separate handheld vein finder while still reducing the likelihood of performing multiple attempts to puncture a suitable vein without using the separate handheld device. In some embodiments, the system integrates the lighting device into the syringe instrument. In other embodiments, the lighting device is a reusable lighting module that is selectively attached to different syringes as needed. In other embodiments, the lighting module is selectively coupled to a universal, disposable, single-use syringe for blood collection or intravenous medication administration.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system, comprising a syringe and a lighting module. The syringe portion of the system comprises a barrel having a proximal open end and a distal end, a plunger that can translate within the proximal open end of the barrel, and a needle protruding from the distal end of the barrel. The needle has a tip for puncturing a patient's subcutaneous vein (i.e., venipuncture). The lighting module is coupled to the syringe barrel; it has an illumination source that projects an electromagnetic beam into an illumination area distal to the syringe tip for illuminating and identifying the patient's subcutaneous vein to be punctured by the syringe needle.

[0006] In some embodiments, the illumination source projects an electromagnetic beam in the infrared spectrum with a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm. In other embodiments, the illumination source projects an electromagnetic beam with a wavelength between 740 nm and 940 nm. In some embodiments, the illumination source comprises an LED emitter. In some embodiments, the illumination source comprises one or more lenses for projecting the electromagnetic beam into the illumination area. In some embodiments, a lens articulator is coupled to the lens for selectively redirecting the illumination area relative to the tip.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system, including a syringe and a lighting module. The syringe portion of the system includes a barrel having a proximal open end and a distal end, a plunger that can translate within the proximal open end of the barrel, and a needle protruding from the distal end of the barrel. The needle has a tip for puncturing a patient's subcutaneous vein (i.e., venipuncture). The lighting module has a housing and an illumination source oriented in the housing, which projects an electromagnetic beam from the housing into an illumination area distal to the tip for illuminating and identifying the patient's subcutaneous vein to be punctured by the syringe needle. The system also includes a selectively detachable bracket for connecting the lighting module to the syringe barrel. In some embodiments, the detachable bracket further includes a clamp that limits the syringe barrel. In some embodiments, the illumination source includes one or more lenses for projecting the electromagnetic beam into the illumination area. In some embodiments, a beam articulator is connected to the housing for selectively redirecting the illumination area relative to the tip. In some embodiments, the illumination source includes an LED emitter. In some embodiments, the illumination source projects an electromagnetic beam in the infrared spectrum with a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm. In other embodiments, the illumination source projects an electromagnetic beam with a wavelength between 740 nm and 940 nm.

[0008] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for finding a subcutaneous vein in a patient's body and puncturing the vein with a syringe needle. In practicing the method, a syringe is provided, which includes a barrel having a proximal open end and a distal end, a plunger that can translate within the proximal open end of the barrel, and a needle protruding from the distal end of the barrel. The provided needle has a tip. The provided lighting module is connected to the syringe barrel. The lighting module has an illumination source that projects an electromagnetic beam into an illumination area distal to the tip. A single clinician selectively directs the illumination area on the patient's body by moving the syringe; identifies the patient's subcutaneous vein within the illumination area; and punctures the identified subcutaneous vein with the syringe needle while maintaining the punctured vein within the illumination area.

[0009] Some embodiments for practicing the method further include forming the illumination area within the illumination module with a lens, and selectively redirecting the illumination area relative to the tip by manipulating a lens actuator coupled to the lens, the lens actuator moving the lens relative to the illumination module. Some embodiments for practicing the method further include selectively coupling the illumination module to the syringe barrel with a clamping mechanism. Some embodiments for practicing the method further include projecting an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm into the illumination area with the illumination source.

[0010] In some embodiments, an in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system includes: a syringe comprising a barrel having a proximal open end and a distal end, a plunger capable of translating within the proximal open end of the barrel and a needle protruding from the distal end of the barrel, the needle having a tip for puncturing a patient's subcutaneous vein; and a lighting module connected to the syringe barrel, the lighting module having a lighting source, the lighting source projecting an electromagnetic beam into a lighting area distal to the tip for illuminating and identifying the patient's subcutaneous vein to be punctured by the needle.

[0011] In some embodiments, the illumination module further comprises the illumination source that projects an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm.

[0012] In some embodiments, the illumination module further comprises the illumination source projecting an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength between 740 nm and 940 nm.

[0013] In some embodiments, the lighting module further comprises: a housing; the illumination source oriented in the housing; and a lens coupled to the housing for projecting the electromagnetic beam into the illumination area.

[0014] In some embodiments, the injector system further comprises a lens articulator coupled to the lens for selectively reorienting the illumination area relative to the tip.

[0015] In some embodiments, the illumination source comprises an LED emitter.

[0016] In some embodiments, the injector system further comprises an LED emitter that projects an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm.

[0017] In some embodiments, the injector system further comprises a battery power source oriented in the housing for powering the LED emitter.

[0018] In some embodiments, the battery power supply further comprises a rechargeable battery.

[0019] In some embodiments, an in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system includes: a syringe comprising a barrel having a proximal open end and a distal end, a plunger capable of translating within the proximal open end of the barrel, and a needle protruding from the distal end of the barrel, the needle having a tip for puncturing a patient's subcutaneous vein; a lighting module, the lighting module having: a housing; an illumination source oriented in the housing, the illumination source projecting an electromagnetic beam from the housing into an illumination area distal to the tip for illuminating and identifying the patient's subcutaneous vein to be punctured by the needle; and a selectively detachable bracket for connecting the lighting module to the syringe barrel.

[0020] In some embodiments, the removable support further comprises a clamp to restrain the syringe barrel.

[0021] In some embodiments, the injector system further comprises a lens coupled to the housing for projecting the electromagnetic beam into the illumination area.

[0022] In some embodiments, the syringe system further comprises a beam articulator coupled to the housing for selectively reorienting the illumination area relative to the tip.

[0023] In some embodiments, the illumination source comprises an LED emitter.

[0024] In some embodiments, the injector system further comprises the LED emitter that projects an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm.

[0025] In some embodiments, the injector system further comprises a battery power source oriented in the housing for powering the LED emitter.

[0026] In some embodiments, the battery power supply further comprises a rechargeable battery.

[0027] In some embodiments, the injector system further comprises a lens coupled to the housing for projecting the electromagnetic beam into the illumination area.

[0028] In some embodiments, the syringe system further comprises a beam articulator coupled to the housing for selectively reorienting the illumination area relative to the tip.

[0029] In some embodiments, the illumination source comprises an LED emitter.

[0030] In some embodiments, the injector system further comprises the LED emitter that projects an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm.

[0031] In some embodiments, the injector system further comprises a battery power source oriented in the housing for powering the LED emitter.

[0032] In some embodiments, the battery power supply further comprises a rechargeable battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are further described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vein finding syringe system, including a syringe thereof and an illumination module thereof;

[0035] Figure 2 It is to irradiate the patient's 15P subcutaneous vein with 19V Figure 1 Front view of the vein finding syringe system;

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a lighting module;

[0037] Figure 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a vein finding syringe system, including a syringe and a lighting module thereof;

[0038] Figure 5 is an exploded view of yet another embodiment of a lighting module of a vein finding syringe system;

[0039] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a charging station for a lighting module of a vein finding syringe system; and

[0040] Figure 7 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for locating a subcutaneous vein in a patient and puncturing the vein with a syringe needle.

[0041] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. The figures are not drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Aspects of the vein finding syringe system, including the syringe and its illumination module embodiments disclosed herein, facilitate venipuncture of a patient for blood collection by a single clinician, such as a phlebotomist. The vein finding syringe system disclosed herein also facilitates venipuncture and intravenous medication administration by a single clinician. The system disclosed herein facilitates one-handed operation of the syringe and its integrated illumination module without reliance on additional clinician assistance, which would otherwise be necessary to maintain and position a separate external vein finding device.

[0043] The contents of the examples in this specification are provided to help fully understand the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Before describing several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details of the construction or processing steps set forth in the following description. The present disclosure can have other embodiments, or can be practiced or implemented in many ways. Moreover, for clarity and brevity, the description of well-known functions and structures is omitted.

[0044] With respect to the terms used in this disclosure, the following definitions are provided. As used herein, the use of "a", "an", and "the" includes both the singular and the plural. In this disclosure, the convention is followed wherein the distal end of a device is the end closest to the patient and the proximal end of a device is the end away from the patient and closest to the clinician.

[0045] As used herein, the term "Luer connector" refers to a connecting collar that is the standard way to attach syringes, catheters, hubbed needles, IV tubing, etc. to each other. Luer connectors consist of male and female interlocking tubes that taper slightly to better hold together, even if it is just a simple press / twist fit. Luer connectors can optionally include additional externally threaded rims to make them more secure. The male end of the Luer connector is usually associated with a syringe and can interlock and connect to the female end located at the needle hub.

[0046] As used herein, ISO 80369-7:2016 defines the specifications of a standard Luer connector, including a 6% taper between the distal and proximal ends. The male standard Luer connector increases from the distal open end to the proximal end. The female standard Luer connector decreases from the proximal open end to the distal end. According to ISO 80369-7:2016, the outer cross-sectional diameter of the male standard Luer connector measured from 0.75mm at the distal end of the tip is between 3.970mm and 4.072mm. The length of the male standard Luer taper is between 7.500mm and 10.500mm. The outer cross-sectional diameter measured from 7.500mm at the distal end of the tip is between 4.376mm and 4.476mm. As used herein, the phrases "male standard Luer connector" and "female standard Luer connector" shall refer to connectors with the dimensions described in ISO 80369-7, which is incorporated herein by reference as a whole.

[0047] As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art, although descriptive terms such as "tip," "hub," "thread," "protrusion / insertion," "tongue," "slope," "wall," "top," "side," "bottom," and other terms are used throughout this specification to facilitate understanding, they are not intended to limit any components that may be used in combination or alone to implement the various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] The following non-limiting description illustrates the principles of one or more embodiments according to the present disclosure. Referring now to the accompanying drawings, a first aspect of the present disclosure is Figure 1-3 , where the vein finding syringe system 10 includes a syringe 12 and an integrated vein illumination module 28. The syringe 12 is manipulated by a clinician in a known manner to draw blood or deliver medication intravenously (venipuncture) from a subcutaneous vein 19V of a patient 15P.

[0049] The syringe 12 includes a barrel 14 having a distal end 16 with a male Luer connector 17, and a proximal end 18, which is open and configured to house a plunger 20 within the barrel, the plunger 20 being translatable within the proximal end of the barrel 14. A needle hub 22, which may be a female Luer connector, is coupled to the male Luer connector 17. A needle 24 is coupled to the needle hub 22 and is in fluid communication with a chamber defined within the barrel 14. The needle protrudes from the distal end of the barrel and has a needle tip 26 for puncturing or piercing a subcutaneous vein 19V of a patient 15P (venipuncture). The syringe 12 includes a visual or other indicator element 27 to indicate the position of a stopper (not shown) on the distal end of the plunger 20.

[0050] The vein illumination module 28 is selectively coupled to the periphery of the syringe barrel 14 by a clamp 30 having a pair of jaws 31, which can be in the form of opposing resilient jaws. The clamp 30 is incorporated into the illumination module housing or module housing 32. In other embodiments, the clamp 30 is selectively removable from the module housing 32. In other embodiments, the jaws 31 are selectively biased toward each other by a clamp screw (not shown). The light housing 34 is coupled to the module housing 32 and transmits an electromagnetic beam to the illumination area 21Z distal to the needle tip 26. The electromagnetic beam is generated by an illumination source within the module housing 32. In some embodiments, the light housing 34 incorporates the illumination source therein. The illumination source illuminates and identifies the subcutaneous vein 19V of the patient 15P to be punctured by the needle 24. The module housing 32 includes an articulation mechanism and its articulation knob 36, which can be externally actuated, as shown by a trackball, which articulates the illumination area 21Z relative to the needle tip 26. In some embodiments, the articulation knob is coupled to the light housing 34, and the articulation knob can be moved as indicated by arrow 36t, which causes a tilting movement T of the light housing. The range of articulation motion is shown as a tilting movement T relative to the tip 26, but in other embodiments, the range of articulation motion T is a lateral translational movement relative to the tip 26. In some embodiments, the range of articulation motion includes both tilting and translation of the illumination zone 21Z.

[0051] Other aspects of the present disclosure are Figure 4, where the lighting module 40 has a module housing 42 having a front surface 44, a rear surface 46, and a bottom surface 48. A female snap fitting 50 is incorporated into the bottom surface 48 of the module housing 42. The snap fitting 50 selectively engages with a corresponding male snap fitting 52, which is secured to the barrel 54 of a syringe 56, as schematically shown by arrow 50S. The light housing 34 is coupled to the module housing 42 and transmits an electromagnetic beam to an illumination area 21Z distal to the needle tip 26. The electromagnetic beam is generated by an illumination source within the module housing 42. In some embodiments, the light housing 34 incorporates the illumination source therein. The illumination source illuminates and identifies a subcutaneous vein of a patient to be punctured by the needle 24. The articulation mechanism and its articulation knob 36 (shown as a trackball) articulate the illumination area relative to the needle tip 26, as shown in FIG. Figure 1-3 The range of articulation is shown as a tilting motion T relative to the needle tip 26, but in other embodiments, the range of articulation is a lateral translation motion relative to the tip. In some embodiments, the range of articulation includes tilting and translation of the illumination area. In some embodiments, the articulation mechanism is coupled to the light housing 34.

[0052] Other aspects of the present disclosure are Figure 5 , where a lighting module 60 includes a split module housing 62 having respective front 64 and rear 66 housing portions. Figure 5 As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3 , the light housing 34 includes a single lens or a stack of multiple lenses 68 for focusing the electromagnetic beam of the illumination source in the illumination area (see, for example, FIG. 3 ). Figure 2 In some other embodiments, the lighting module does not have a lens or lens stack for focusing the electromagnetic beam of the illumination source. In some other embodiments, one or more lenses 68 and the illumination source are not held in the light housing 34, but are held in a fixed position in the module housing 62.

[0053] A light housing tilt mechanism 70, schematically shown, tilts the light housing 34 about a pivot axis 71 within a range of motion T and is coupled to a pivot bracket 72. The pivot bracket 72 is schematically shown as being fixed to the module housing 62. A lever knob 74, accessible from the outside, is manipulated by a clinician to move the illumination area relative to the needle tip 26. A single clinician moves the lever knob 74 with the same hand that holds the syringe 12, thereby freeing the other hand to perform other functions, such as stabilizing a potential venipuncture site of the patient. The range of articulation motion is shown as a tilting motion T relative to the needle tip 26, but in other embodiments, the range of articulation motion is a lateral translation motion relative to the tip. In some embodiments, the range of articulation motion includes both tilting and translation of the illumination area. In some embodiments, the lighting module does not have a light housing tilt mechanism or an external actuation knob.

[0054] refer to Figure 5 , the lighting module 60 holds a printed circuit board 76 within the module housing 62 for operable circuit interaction of a battery 78 serving as a power source and an (on / off) switch 79 that selectively couples power to a lighting source 80. In some embodiments, the battery 78 is a disposable battery, such as Figure 5 . In other embodiments, the battery is a rechargeable battery. The illumination source 80 generates an electromagnetic beam that forms an illumination area. The illumination source 80 includes a light emitting diode (LED) emitter that emits electromagnetic radiation focused by one or more lenses 68 and projected through the light housing 34. More specifically, the illumination source 80 is an LED-IR emitter that emits electromagnetic radiation in an infrared wavelength spectrum. In some embodiments, the illumination source 80 projects an electromagnetic beam in an infrared spectrum with a wavelength in the range of 696nm to 1000nm. In other embodiments, the illumination source 80 projects an electromagnetic beam with a wavelength between 740nm and 940nm. Various embodiments of the vein illumination modules 28 and 40 employ variations of the components of the illumination module 60.

[0055] Reference now Figure 6 , another aspect of the present disclosure provides a rechargeable battery in the vein lighting module 40 for powering a lighting source and a corresponding charging or docking station 82, wherein the latter is powered by a plug-in cord 84. The charging station 82 provides power to the rechargeable battery of the vein lighting module 40 via a direct electrical connection (e.g., USB, mini USB, micro USB, connector jack, etc.) or via an inductive charging transformer. In this manner, the vein lighting module 40 resides in the charging station 82 when not in use. When it is necessary to use a vein finding syringe system for a patient with difficult veins, the phlebotomist or other medical clinician retrieves the reusable lighting module and selectively attaches it to the syringe 56. In lighting module embodiments that include a universal clamp (such as the clamp 30), the phlebotomist can selectively secure the vein lighting module 28 to any type of known syringe by clamping the vein lighting module 28 around the syringe barrel.

[0056] exist Figure 7 An exemplary method of using the vein finding syringe system 10 and other embodiments described in the present disclosure is shown in the flowchart 90 of FIG. Figure 2The method is described with reference to the vein finding syringe system 10 of the present invention, wherein the clinician draws blood from the patient or administers drugs intravenously to the patient. At operation 92 of flowchart 90, the clinician prepares the syringe 12 by removing the syringe 12 from its packaging. If the vein lighting module 28 is not yet fixed to or integrated in the packaged syringe, it is attached to the syringe barrel 14 by the clamp 30 or any other provided syringe / lighting module coupling device. At operation 94 of flowchart 90, the clinician activates the vein lighting module 28 using an on / off switch (such as an on / off switch 79), thereby activating an illumination source 80, such as an LED-IR transmitter. When the illumination source is activated, it projects a beam into the illumination area 21Z distal to the needle tip 26 of the needle. Advantageously, the clinician can redirect the position of the illumination area 21Z relative to the needle tip 26 by manipulating the articulation knob 36. This helps to use the vein lighting module 28 as a universal module for various sizes and geometries of the syringe 12. In this manner, the clinician has the ability to articulate the illumination region 21Z at a desired location distal to the needle tip 26, regardless of which type of syringe is used for a particular medical procedure.

[0057] At operation 96 of flowchart 90, the clinician selectively directs the illumination area 21Z on the patient's body P by moving the syringe and identifies the location of the subcutaneous vein 19V within the illumination area. Light of IR wavelengths emitted by the illumination source 80 in the form of LED-IR emitters on the patient within the illumination area allows the clinician to observe the subcutaneous veins with greater contrast than that provided by ambient light. At any time during the surgical procedure, the clinician can articulate the position of the illumination area 21Z by manipulating the articulation knob 36. Once a suitable subcutaneous vein 19V is identified with the vein illumination module 28, the clinician punctures the vein with the needle 24 of the attached syringe 12 while the identified vein remains within the illumination area 21Z, as shown in operation 98 of flowchart 90.

[0058] After successful venipuncture, the clinician draws blood from the patient 15P or administers medication to the patient 15P by manipulating the syringe plunger 20. The clinician's manipulation of the vein-finding syringe system 10 - from the initial illumination of the patient with the vein illumination module 28, the identification of the appropriate vein 19V, the orientation of the syringe puncture vein, and the translation of the syringe plunger 20 - is all done with one hand. The clinician's other hand is free to stabilize the patient's venipuncture site or any other task associated with the medical procedure. A single clinician can successfully complete vein identification and venipuncture of so-called "difficult" veins with the vein-finding syringe system 10 without the assistance of another clinician. Therefore, the vein-finding syringe system 10 and other related embodiments disclosed herein facilitate successful and more comfortable venipuncture of all types of patient veins by a single clinician in a shorter time than the time required to perform multiple unsuccessful venipuncture attempts.

[0059] References throughout the specification to "one embodiment," "certain embodiments," "various embodiments," "one or more embodiments," or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearance of phrases such as "in one or more embodiments," "in certain embodiments," "in various embodiments," "in one embodiment," or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0060] Although the disclosure herein has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrations of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to include modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for finding a syringe in a subcutaneous vein in vivo, characterized in that: The syringe system comprises: a syringe comprising a barrel having a proximal open end and a distal end, a plunger within the barrel capable of translation within the proximal open end of the barrel, and a needle projecting from the distal end of the barrel, the needle having a pointed end for puncturing a subcutaneous vein of a patient; and An illumination module is coupled to the cartridge, the illumination module having an illumination source that projects an electromagnetic beam into an illumination area distal to the tip for illuminating and identifying a subcutaneous vein of the patient to be punctured by the needle.

2. The syringe system according to claim 1, characterized in that The illumination module further comprises the illumination source projecting an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm.

3. The syringe system according to claim 1, characterized in that The illumination module further comprises the illumination source projecting an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength between 740 nm and 940 nm.

4. The syringe system according to claim 1, characterized in that The lighting module further comprises: shell; the illumination source is oriented within the housing; and A lens is coupled to the housing for projecting the electromagnetic beam into the illumination area.

5. The syringe system according to claim 4, characterized in that The injector system further includes a lens articulator coupled to the lens for selectively reorienting the illumination area relative to the tip.

6. The syringe system according to claim 4, characterized in that The illumination source includes an LED emitter.

7. The syringe system according to claim 6, characterized in that The injector system further includes an LED emitter that projects an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm.

8. The syringe system according to claim 6, characterized in that The injector system further includes a battery power source oriented in the housing for powering the LED emitter.

9. The syringe system according to claim 8, characterized in that The battery power supply further includes a rechargeable battery.

10. A system for finding a syringe in a subcutaneous vein in vivo, characterized in that: The syringe system comprises: A syringe comprising a barrel having a proximal open end and a distal end, a plunger within the barrel capable of translation within the proximal open end of the barrel, and a needle projecting from the distal end of the barrel, the needle having a pointed end for puncturing a subcutaneous vein of a patient; an illumination module having: a housing; an illumination source oriented in the housing, the illumination source projecting an electromagnetic beam from the housing into an illumination area distal to the tip for illuminating and identifying a subcutaneous vein of the patient to be punctured by the needle; and A selectively removable bracket is provided for coupling the lighting module to the barrel.

11. The in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The removable bracket further includes a clamp to restrain the cartridge.

12. The in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 11, characterized in that: The injector system further includes a lens coupled to the housing for projecting the electromagnetic beam into the illumination area.

13. The in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 12, characterized in that: The injector system further includes a beam articulator coupled to the housing for selectively reorienting the illumination area relative to the tip.

14. The in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 12, characterized in that: The illumination source includes an LED emitter.

15. The in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 14, characterized in that: The injector system further comprises the LED emitter projecting an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm.

16. The in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 15, characterized in that: The injector system further includes a battery power source oriented in the housing for powering the LED emitter.

17. The in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 16, characterized in that: The battery power supply further includes a rechargeable battery.

18. The intracorporeal subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The injector system further includes a lens coupled to the housing for projecting the electromagnetic beam into the illumination area.

19. The in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 18, characterized in that: The injector system further includes a beam articulator coupled to the housing for selectively reorienting the illumination area relative to the tip.

20. The intracorporeal subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 18, characterized in that: The illumination source includes an LED emitter.

21. The intracorporeal subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 20, characterized in that: The injector system further comprises the LED emitter projecting an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength in the range of 696 nm to 1000 nm.

22. The in vivo subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 21, characterized in that: The injector system further includes a battery power source oriented in the housing for powering the LED emitter.

23. The intracorporeal subcutaneous vein finding syringe system according to claim 22, characterized in that: The battery power supply further includes a rechargeable battery.

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