Automatic alignment of a contrast enhancement system

A vein contrast enhancer, for use in vein imaging and for ensuring the proper alignment of a vein pattern, detected as an image contrast reflected from a field of view, and a projection of the image contrast onto the field of view, said vein contrast enhancer comprising:

• a light source configured to emit a first wavelength of infrared light onto the field of view, to create an image contrast formed by differential absorption and reflection of said first wavelength of infrared light by the veins of the vein pattern and the surrounding tissue therein;
• an alignment card positioned within the field of view and comprising a material formed into a pattern, said material configured to emit a second wavelength of light when exposed to a visible light at a third wavelength;
• a camera, said camera configured to capture said image contrast of said reflected first wavelength of infrared light from the field of view;
• a projector, said projector configured to project said captured image contrast onto the field of view using said visible light at said third wavelength, said camera configured to capture said second wavelength of light emitted by said pattern of material, and to capture said visible light at said third wavelength reflected from said pattern of material, said camera further configured to distinguish said wavelength of visible light at said third wavelength reflected by said pattern of material, from said second wavelength of light emitted by said pattern of material;
• and wherein said projector is configured to perform image processing, with said projector configured to utilize said distinction between said reflection of said projected alignment card pattern at said third wavelength of light captured by said camera, and said second wavelength of emitted light from said alignment card pattern also captured by said camera, to align said projected image with said reflected image contrast.