Patent ID: 7532746
Filing Date: 2009-05-12
Classification: A61B,G06T

Abstract:
1. An imaging system for locating subcutaneous blood vessels, said system comprising: at least one infrared emitter configured to illuminate a region under a surface of a skin with waves of infrared light; an infrared detector configured to accept waves of infrared light reflected from the region under the surface of the skin, said infrared detector comprising an output for outputting a signal corresponding to unenhanced image data; a computing unit comprising an input for accepting said unenhanced image data, a memory, means for enhancing said unenhanced image data and outputting result images in which enhanced images of blood vessels are shown within images of the region under the surface of the skin, and an output for outputting said enhanced images in substantially real time; a display device for inputting said enhanced images from said output of said computing unit and displaying said enhanced images, wherein said display device comprises at least one LCD screen and an optical lens disposed between said LCD screen and an eye of a user; a power source in electrical communication with said infrared emitter, said infrared detector, said computing unit and said display device; and a headset, wherein said at least one infrared emitter, said infrared detector, said computing unit, said display device, and said power source are attached to said headset, and wherein said display device is disposed such that a user is able to view both said display device and the surface of the skin without removing said headset.