Online protocol/tool for evaluating acne lesions

• US 20090305209A1
• Filed: 12/09/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Galderma Research And Development Snc (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Galderma Research And Development Snc (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Lu, Ming, Gidner, Judi, Graeber, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/314,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20090305209A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/262
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires

Abstract

A web-based protocol/tool to improve the identification and characterization process of evaluators in recognizing and distinguishing acne lesions, included at least the following program activities:

• • a protocol for a global assessment of acne lesions;
  • a protocol for a lesion counting training;
  • a protocol for a model counting practice.

Claims

1. A web-based protocol/tool to improve the identification and characterization process of evaluators in recognizing and distinguishing acne lesions, comprising at least the following program activities:

a protocol for a global assessment of acne lesions;

a protocol for a lesion counting training;

a protocol for a model counting practice.

2. The web-based protocol/tool as defined by claim 1, divided in several program activities to train and test evaluators in identifying and categorizing acne lesions.

3. The web-based protocol/tool as defined by claim 1, which comprises program activities directed by software and encompassing models images approved by group of experts.

4. The web-based tool as defined by claim 1, comprising an interactive protocol/tool.

5. The web-based protocol/tool as defined by claim 1, wherein said global assessment comprises:

a learning session comprising several case models with lesion assessment rating

a testing session comprising cases showing at least 3 picture views of each model.

6. The web-based protocol/tool as defined by claim 1, wherein said global assessment comprises up to 60 model cases.

7. The web-based protocol/tool as defined by claim 1, wherein said lesion counting training comprises several sets of counting exercises.

8. The web-based protocol/tool as defined by claim 1, wherein said lesion counting training comprises at least 3 sets of exercises.

9. The web-base protocol/tool as defined by claim 1, comprising identifying, categorizing and counting acne lesions.

12. A method of identifying, categorizing and counting acne lesions, said method comprising employing the web-based protocol/tool as defined by claim 1.

10. A method of identifying, categorizing and counting acne lesions, said method comprising the following steps:

acquiring model images to be approved by a group of experts

providing a “

bank”

or database of approved images and related expert consensus ratings

employing the database to train users to identify lesions and/or

employing the database to practice users to identify and count lesions when patients are subsequently examined.

11. A method as defined by claim 10, wherein the steps are performed with computer-based or web-based activities.