Imaging System Using Infrared Light
An imaging system is disclosed for imaging buried structure, typically vasculature, below the surface of an object which can be skin, fat deposits, or other material and for projecting an image of the buried structure onto the surface of the object. Scanning lasers are used both to illuminate the object and to project an image onto it. One or more photodiodes measure the intensity of scattered and reflected light to create an image in conjunction with one or more of the scanning lasers.
1 . An apparatus to enhance the visibility of a buried structure beneath the surface of an object comprising:
a first irradiating laser array comprising at least one laser irradiating light having a first property towards an object;
a first light sensing device for receiving light having a first property;
a first projecting laser array comprising at least one laser irradiating light having a second property towards an object; and
an optical stop oriented to prevent a portion of the light having a first property reflected from the object from reaching the first light sensing device.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first irradiating laser array comprises one laser.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first irradiating laser array comprises more than one laser.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first projecting laser array comprises one laser.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first projecting laser array comprises more than one laser.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first property is a wavelength in which vasculature is detectible.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second property is a wavelength in which the light is visible.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical stop comprises is a DLP chip.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:
a second light sensing device for receiving the light directed away from the first light sensing device by the optical stop.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the object is a living organism and the buried structure is vasculature.
11 . An apparatus to enhance the visibility of a buried structure beneath the surface of an object comprising:
a first irradiating laser array comprising at least one laser irradiating light having a first property towards an object;
a first light sensing device for receiving light having a first property and outputting first data;
a second irradiating laser array comprising at least one laser irradiating light having a second property towards an object;
a second light sensing device for receiving light having a second property and outputting second data;
a computer for comparing the first data and the second data; and
a first projecting laser array comprising at least one laser irradiating light having a third property towards an object.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a first optical stop oriented to prevent a portion of the light having a first property reflected from the object from reaching the first light sensing device.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a second optical stop oriented to prevent a portion of the light having a second property reflected from the object from reaching the second light sensing device.
14 . The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising an optical stop oriented to prevent a portion of the light having a second property reflected from the object from reaching the second light sensing device.
15 . The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first irradiating laser array comprises one laser.
16 . The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first irradiating laser array comprises more than one laser.
17 . The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the second irradiating laser array comprises one laser.
18 . The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the second irradiating laser array comprises more than one laser.
19 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first optical stop is a DLP chip.
20 . The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:
a third light sensing device for receiving the light directed away from the first light sensing device by the first optical stop.
21 . The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first optical stop is a first DLP chip and the second optical stop is a second DLP chip.
22 . The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:
a third light sensing device for receiving the light directed away from the first light sensing device by the first optical stop; and
a fourth light sensing device for receiving the light directed away from the second light sensing device by the second optical stop.
23 . The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the optical stop is a DLP chip.
24 . The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising:
a third light sensing device for receiving the light directed away from the second light sensing device by the optical stop.