Apparatus and methods for imaging blood vessels
US9572530B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 2012 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/366
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Various portable systems, devices and methods for imaging or visualizing blood vessels or other body tissue to facilitate accurate placement of a needle or other elongate instrument in blood vessels or other body tissue are described herein. In certain variations an imaging system for aiding needle insertion in a patient may include a mountable unit having an illumination source, an image sensor, and a display for displaying an image based on image information from the image sensor. The mountable unit may be configured for attachment to a hand of a user such that the user's hand on which the unit is mounted remains free to hold an object. The display may be positioned next to a needle insertion site during needle insertion by the user such that the needle insertion site and an image of the blood vessel and/or needle are simultaneously within the user's field of view.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.