Devices and methods for reading and interpreting guaiac-based occult blood tests
First Claim
1. A medical analysis system for reading and interpreting a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) device, the device having a continuous test area for spreading a fecal sample and adding a developer, the test area reacting with the sample and the developer producing color patches on or around the sample, the system comprising:
- an image sensor for capturing an image of the entire test area of the FOBT device and for converting the image into a digital data; and
a data processor conventionally coupled to the image sensor, wherein the data processor compares the digital data with predetermined threshold conditions of a positive FOBT by utilizing a spectrographic and morphologic image analysis algorithm and determines a presence of the occult blood in the sample.
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Abstract
A medical analysis system for reading and interpreting an occult blood test (OBT) device is provided. The instant system comprises an image sensor for capturing an image of the entire test area of the FOBT device and for converting the image into a digital data. The system further comprises a data processor conventionally coupled to the image sensor. The data processor compares the digital data with pre-determined threshold conditions of a positive FOBT by utilizing a spectrographic and morphologic image analysis algorithm and determines a presence of the occult blood in the sample. A hue angle analysis for data processing may be used. A method of performing a FOBT on a sample is also provided.
38 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A medical analysis system for reading and interpreting a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) device, the device having a continuous test area for spreading a fecal sample and adding a developer, the test area reacting with the sample and the developer producing color patches on or around the sample, the system comprising:
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an image sensor for capturing an image of the entire test area of the FOBT device and for converting the image into a digital data; and
a data processor conventionally coupled to the image sensor, wherein the data processor compares the digital data with predetermined threshold conditions of a positive FOBT by utilizing a spectrographic and morphologic image analysis algorithm and determines a presence of the occult blood in the sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A medical analysis system for reading and interpreting a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) device, the device having a test area for placing a sample and adding a developer, the test area reacting with the sample and the developer producing one or more color patches on or around the sample, the system comprising:
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an illumination source for illuminating the test area of the FOBT device with light;
an image sensor detecting the light reflected from the test area;
the image sensor generating an image of the test area and converting the image into digital data; and
a data processor coupled to the image sensor, the data processor applying a hue angle analysis to the received digital data, comparing the digital data with predetermined threshold conditions of a positive FOBT, and identifying a positive test patch indicative of the presence of the occult blood in the sample. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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26. A method of performing a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) on a sample, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing the sample on a test area of the FOBT device;
(b) applying a developer to the test area to produce one or more color patches on or around the sample;
(c) capturing an image of the test area with an image sensor and converting the image into digital data;
(d) comparing the digital data with predetermined threshold conditions of a positive FOBT by utilizing a data processor with a spectrographic and morphologic image analysis capability to identify a positive test patch; and
(e) correlating a presence of one or more positive test patches on the test device with a presence of the occult blood in the sample.
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Specification