DEVICES AND METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AND MONITORING CHANGES OF A SUSPECT AREA OF A PATIENT

• US 20140125787A1
• Filed: 03/20/2013
• Published: 05/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dermaspect LLC
• Original Assignee: Eric R. Steinmetzer, James E. Torelli, William T. Christiansen II
• Inventors: Christiansen, William T. II, Torelli, James E., Steinmetzer, Eric R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,723,270 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/77
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0064 Body surface scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/442 Evaluating skin mechanical properties, e.g. elasticity, hardness, texture, wrinkle assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/444 Evaluating skin marks, e.g. mole, nevi, tumour, scar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/446 Scalp evaluation or scalp disorder diagnosis, e.g. dandruff
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/706 Indicia not located on the patient, e.g. floor marking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10016 Video; Image sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30088 Skin; Dermal
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30096 Tumor; Lesion
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/50 using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0016 involving temporal comparison
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/254 involving subtraction of images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/30 Determination of transform parameters for the alignment of images, i.e. image registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/90 Determination of colour characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/245 by locating a pattern; Special marks for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/10 Character recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/64 Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A device for acquiring first and subsequent images of a suspect area on a patient and methods for monitoring or detecting changes of the suspect area over time and providing notification when the changes exceed a threshold. The device may be an imaging device, such as a digital camera, possibly augmented with physical or optical devices for arranging the orientation and/or distance of the imaging device with respect to the suspect area. In addition, methods for identifying, relocating, acquiring a first and/or subsequent image of the suspect area, and performing a comparative analysis of respective images are also described. Results of the comparative analysis can be used to notify and/or assist a medical professional in treating or counseling the patient.

Claims

1. A method of acquiring an image of a suspect area, the method comprising:

identifying the suspect area;

positioning a patient with the suspect area in approximately a first position;

aligning an imaging device to acquire an image of the suspect area;

and acquiring the image after aligning the image device,

wherein the suspect area is a surface of a reproductive or digestive system of the patient or an ocular surface of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning a patient with the suspect area in a first position includes placing the patient in a predetermined and repeatable position.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein aligning an imaging device to acquire the image includes placing the imaging device in a desired spatial orientation with respect to the suspect area.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein aligning an imaging device to acquire the image includes positioning the imaging device at a desired distance from the suspect area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein aligning an imaging device to acquire the image includes aligning the image device based at least in part on information from a sensor coupled with the imaging device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting an aspect affecting the imaging device to enhance a quality of the image.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein adjusting the aspect affecting the imaging device includes attaching a filter to the imaging device.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein adjusting the aspect affecting the imaging device includes adjusting an amount of light in a vicinity of the imaging device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein acquiring the image is done automatically when the imaging device achieves a desired position.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising archiving the first image in an electronic format.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising pre-processing the first image.