Infrared imager for viewing subcutaneous location of vascular structures and method of use

Abstract

A human appendage, typically the inside of the elow, is illuminated with an infrared source, for example, at least one incandescent light bulb. A video camera for producing a video image and immediately overlying monitor for displaying the video image is utilized to look at the flesh. The camera is sensitive to infrared radiation. A video display results in which infrared absorbing or scattering contrasting portions of the flesh are highlighted, for example, hard to find veins for insertions of needles. A contrast enhancing circuit is included which discloses amplifying the video information with high contrast enhancement of the video. Adaptation of the disclosed circuit to conventional TV charge coupled device cameras and monitors is illustrated with compensation of horizontal sweep to even image background, intensity averaging line to line for vertical image uniformity and display of image contrasts on a log amplification format.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.