Laser Vein Imaging Via Sequential Averaging and Visible Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vein visualization technologies, such as the Luminetx Vein Contrast Enhancer, are limited by fixed focal lengths and size, making them impractical for portable use and difficult to align accurately, leading to challenges in locating veins, especially in difficult patient populations like the elderly and children, and increasing the failure rate of vascular access procedures.
Innovation Solution
The use of one or more moving laser light sources scanned over the body with mirrors and a light detector to identify blood-rich structures, projecting an image back on the skin, utilizing various scan patterns and laser combinations to enhance vein visibility, allowing for real-time detection and projection without requiring precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed focal length imaging system is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device size is large and portability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic focusing by replacing the fixed focal length lens with a variable focal length imaging system. The focal length can be adjusted dynamically to accommodate different imaging distances and patient conditions, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-focal-length lenses while reducing overall device size and improving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed with multi-functional capabilities including automatic focusing, image enhancement, and adaptive contrast adjustment. This universal design allows a single device to handle various imaging scenarios (different patient types, vein depths, and lighting conditions) without requiring multiple specialized components, thereby reducing device size while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional vein visualization methods are used, then no special equipment is needed, but vein location accuracy is poor leading to high failure rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and tactile methods with an automated optical imaging system. The device uses laser illumination and digital image processing to automatically detect and highlight veins, substituting the clinician's subjective judgment with objective, technology-driven visualization that significantly improves vein location accuracy while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback through immediate vein visualization on a display screen. The imaging system continuously monitors the imaging area and provides real-time feedback to the operator, allowing for immediate adjustment of imaging parameters and needle positioning, thereby improving vein access success rates through iterative refinement.
3Measurement precision
If multiple imaging attempts are made to locate veins, then vein location can be achieved, but procedure time increases and patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing automated vein mapping and visualization before the actual venipuncture procedure. The imaging system pre-identifies suitable vein locations and displays them to the operator, allowing for careful planning of the needle insertion path. This preliminary visualization eliminates the need for multiple trial attempts, reducing both procedure time and patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or representation of the subsurface vein structure through optical imaging and image processing. This virtual map of vein locations is displayed on a screen, allowing the operator to plan the procedure without repeatedly attempting needle insertion. The copied visual information serves as a guide, reducing the number of actual imaging attempts needed during the procedure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the time and discomfort associated with vein location, improving the success rate of vascular access procedures by providing accurate and portable vein visualization, especially in challenging patient groups.
Implementation Method 1
blood-rich structures, such as venous or arterial structures, absorb red, near infrared and infrared (IR) light to a greater degree than surrounding tissues absorb those wavelengths of light
Implementation Method 2
a light detector that measures the reflections of the laser light and uses the pattern of reflections to identify the targeted blood rich structures
Data Source
AI summary
A vein imaging device includes: first and second lasers, a scanner, photo detector, memory, and microprocessor. The first laser emits a beam of light at a first wavelength, and the second laser emits a beam of visible light. The scanner is configured to scan the light from the first and second lasers onto the target in a pattern. The photo detector receives the first wavelength of light after being reflected from the target as a contrasted light/dark image of underlying veins, based on differential amounts of absorption and reflection by blood in the veins and surrounding tissue, and outputs a signal representative of the image. The memory receives and stores a sequential plurality of the contrasted images, and the microprocessor uses the stored plurality of the contrasted images to produce an averaged image with greater resolution, which is projected by the second laser onto the target using visible light.