IR/NIR imaging with discrete scale comparator objects

1. A device comprising:

an imager to capture images of a living subject including a near-infrared image, an infrared image, or both;

an output device; and

a processor connected to the imager and the output device, the processor configured to:

generate output images of vasculature of the living subject from the images captured by the imager;

include in the output images a range of discrete scale comparator objects of different sizes; and

provide the output images to the output device for display to a user;

wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects comprises objects of different colors that include standard colors of peripheral intravenous catheters.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects represent different diameters of peripheral intravenous catheters.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects represent standard gauge sizes of peripheral intravenous catheters.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the different sizes of the range of discrete scale comparator objects are relative to an apparent size of the vasculature.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects comprises a linear array of objects.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects comprises a curved array of objects.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to render the vasculature in false color, and wherein the processor is configured to render the standard colors in true color.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects comprises labels of numerical values indicative of the different sizes.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the numerical values include standard gauge sizes of peripheral intravenous catheters.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects are included in a border of the output images, and wherein vasculature is to be included in a central region of the output images.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to position the range of discrete scale comparator objects to be contiguous with imagery of vasculature included in a central region of the output images.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to dynamically generate the output images of vasculature of the living subject from the images captured by the imager, and wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects is static.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects is selectable from a plurality of different ranges of discrete scale comparator objects.

14. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a housing to hold the imager, wherein the housing is orientable by the user to align the range of discrete scale comparator objects with a blood vessel displayed in the output images.

15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the output device comprises a projector to project the output images onto the skin of the living subject, wherein the projector and imager share a common optical path.

16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the common optical path provides consistent relative apparent sizes of the discrete scale comparator objects and the vasculature independent of a distance of the imager from the living subject over an acceptable range of distances.

17. A method to assist insertion of a catheter, the method comprising:

capturing images of a living subject including a near-infrared image, an infrared image, or both using an imager;

generating output images of vasculature of the living subject from the images captured by the imager;

including in the output images a range of discrete scale comparator objects of different sizes; and

providing the output images to an output device for display to a user; and

wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects comprises objects of different colors that include standard colors of peripheral Intravenous catheters.

18. A device comprising:

an imager to capture images of a living subject including a near-infrared image, an infrared image, or both;

an output device; and

a processor connected to the imager and the output device, the processor configured to:

dynamically generate output images of vasculature of the living subject from the images captured by the imager, wherein the vasculature is rendered in false color;

include in the output images a relatively static range of discrete scale comparator objects of different sizes that are relative to an apparent size of the vasculature, wherein the range of discrete scale comparator objects represents standard gauge sizes and standard colors of peripheral intravenous catheters;

render in the output images the standard colors of the peripheral intravenous catheters in true color; and

provide the output images to the output device for display to a user.

19. A device comprising:

an imager to capture images of a living subject including a near-infrared image, an infrared image, or both;

an output device; and

a processor connected to the imager and the output device, the processor configured to:

generate output images of vasculature of the living subject from the images captured by the imager;

include in the output images a range of discrete scale comparator objects of different sizes; and

provide the output images to the output device for display to a user;

wherein the output device comprises a projector to project the output images onto the skin of the living subject, and wherein the projector and imager share a common optical path.

20. The device of claim 19 , wherein the common optical path provides consistent relative apparent sizes of the discrete scale comparator objects and the vasculature independent of a distance of the imager from the living subject over an acceptable range of distances.