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Three-dimensional infrared imager for subcutaneous puncture and study of vascular network
| Details |
Inventors: Svetliza, Eduardo;
Assignee:
Primary Examiner: Lateef; Marvin M.
Assistant Examiner: Lin; Jeoyuh
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Edward Langer, Pat. Atty.
A novel three-dimensional infrared imager for study of the vascular network so as to cause blood vessels to be visualized for accurate subcutaneous puncture during insertion of a hypodermic needle. The invention uses the properties of near infrared light as it is absorbed and reflected by the human body, allowing the user to visualize the tissues a few millimeters in depth from the skin's surface. The use of infrared light permits the manipulation of the acquired information to a grade of sensed visualization, which is impossible to reach with visible light. The invention imitates the human three-dimensional perception by use of a stereoscopic infrared viewer, and is designed to be user friendly, allowing the health care professional to work in his usual manner. A double image is superimposed on the viewer and the user wears blue-red eyeglasses to create the three-dimensional image from the double image on the viewer. With the depth perception provided by the three-dimensional image, the user can accurately penetrate the vein on the initial attempt, thereby lowering the fear of venous punture and causing the patient to be at ease, while lowering the incidence of medical complications associated with inaccurate puncture. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a liquid crystal display (LCD) mounted in a frame is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus. Sensitive, charge-coupled devices are provided which develop images and deliver them to a microprocessor which synchronizes the images and allows the user to manipulate the images as desired, controlling effects such as brightness, contrast, sharpness and edge enhancement. In another embodiment, the inventive imaging system incorporates the use of a contrast agent to enhance the image and allow for study of the vascular system. In yet another embodiment, the imaging system incorporates the use of a coherent source of light, such as an infrared laser. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome the problems associated with the prior art and provide a novel three-dimensional infrared imager with a proper illumination source for study of the vascular network so as to cause blood vessels to be visualized for accurate subcutaneous puncture during insertion of a hypodermic needle.
This apparatus would lower the fear of venous puncture and lower the incidence of medical complications associated with inaccurate puncture.
The invention is based on use of knowledge associated with the human vision system, in which both eyes are receptors of information transmitted by visible light.
The rays of light are collected by the cornea and reach the lens of the eye which sends them to a common focussed point on the retina called the macula.
The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina, and is responsible for the acute sight due to the largest concentration therein of the photoreceptors.
The photoreceptors are connected with the neurons which convert light energy into electro-chemical pulses, which are transmitted by the nerve fiber layer through the optic nerve to the visual center located at the back of the brain.
The collection of information by both eyes is transformed by the brain into a three-dimensional perception of the external world, and such perception relates to the visible portion of the light spectrum.
Light wavelengths above or below the visible zone are not sensed by the eyes.
Therefore, the use of sensors sensitive to infrared radiation and conversion to a visible image improves the human vision capability beyond its normal limitations.
The present invention uses the properties of near infrared light as it is absorbed and reflected by the human body allowing the user to visualize the tissues a few millimeters in depth from the skin's surface.
The use of infrared light permits the manipulation of the acquired information to a grade of sensed visualization, which is impossible to reach with visible light
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Image Analysis 
