Patent ID: 9345427
Filing Date: 2016-05-24
CPC Classification: A61B,A61M

Claim Text:
1. A method of facilitating a venipuncture procedure for a patient, using a handheld vein enhancing device, said method comprising: storing in a memory, a list of identification data for one or more patients, and storing corresponding required venipuncture procedure data; and associating said data for each of the one or more patients with a corresponding bar code on a wrist band; identifying the patient to receive the venipuncture procedure by using a scanner of said device for scanning of the bar coded patient wrist band using a first wavelength of light, and comparing, by a microprocessor in said device, said scanned bar code to each of the corresponding patient bar codes stored in said memory until said scanned bar code matches one of said stored patient bar codes; displaying, on a display means of said device, said data for said required venipuncture procedure for said imaged bar code; gathering equipment needed to perform the required venipuncture procedure, in accordance with said required venipuncture procedure data; locating one or more subcutaneous veins in a target area on the patient, by scanning said first wavelength of light in a pattern onto the target area, thereby creating a contrasted image of the subcutaneous veins of the target area, resulting from differential absorption and reflection between the subcutaneous veins and the surrounding tissue therein, and by an image capture means receiving said contrasted image and outputting a signal representing said contrasted image to said second laser; receiving, by said second laser, said signal output by said image capture means; and emitting, by said second laser, said contrasted image using a second wavelength of light, and scanning said contrasted image onto the target area to overlay the subcutaneous veins therein, for locating a suitable vein for the required venipuncture procedure.