SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSESSING SWEAT GLAND OUTPUT

• US 20140275862A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel L.M. Kennedy
• Original Assignee: Daniel L.M. Kennedy
• Inventors: Kennedy, William R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,339,225 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/307
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4266 sweat secretion

Abstract

Various method embodiments for performing a sweat test include triggering sweating in a test area of a test subject, drying the test area, and applying a test device on the test area. The test device is used to monitor sweat production of individual SGs within the test area to provide test results for each functional SG in the test area. The test results for each functional SG in the test area are recorded.

Claims

1. A method for performing a sweat test, comprising:

triggering sweating in a test area of a test subject;

drying the test area, and applying a test device on the test area;

monitoring, using the test device, sweat production of individual sweat glands (SGs) within the test area to provide test results for each functional SG in the test area; and

recording the test results for each functional SG in the test area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein triggering sweating in the test area includes introducing pilocarpine into dermis of the test subject using iontophoresis.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the test device includes applying a starch test strip on the test area, wherein the starch test strip includes a side with starch, the method further comprising:

preparing the test area to receive starch by painting iodine on the test area;

placing the starch tape over an opening to a digital camera, and then positioning the camera to place the starch tape on the test area.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

monitoring includes taking a series of digital images of the starch tape using the digital camera; and

processing the series of digital images to analyze sweat production of individual SGs.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

processing the series of digital images includes analyzing sweat volume and sweat rate of individual SGs; and

recording includes recording the sweat volume and sweat rate of individual SGs.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein processing the series of digital images includes identifying a location of functional SGs and analyzing a distribution of the functional SGs.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein taking the series of digital images includes taking 1 to 5 images per second.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein taking the series of digital images further includes taking the 1 to 5 images per second for a duration of 60 to 90 seconds.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein processing the series of digital images to analyze sweat production of individual SGs includes detecting a sweat area for sweat produced by a SG, and applying a linear equation to convert the sweat area to a sweat volume.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

applying the test device includes applying a nano grid of nanowires on the test area; and

monitoring, using the test device, sweat production of individual SGs within the test area includes measuring a change in electrical characteristics of the nano grid of nanowires.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the nano grid includes air pockets configured to expose wires at each intersection of the nano grid, and the air pockets are configured to allow sweat water to enter and contact the wires; and

measuring a change in electrical characteristics of the nano grid of nanowires includes for each intersection detecting whether an impedance between the wires has dropped significantly, indicating that sweat water has entered the pocket and is in contact with the wires at the intersection.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein:

applying the test device further includes applying sensors on the test area with on the nano grid of nanowires, wherein the sensors are configured to sense sweat content, the method further comprising evaluating sweat content using the sensors.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein applying sensors includes applying ChemFETs.

14. A system for performing a sweat test on a test subject, comprising:

a test device configured to be applied to a test area on the test subject, wherein the test device is configured to detect sweat production of individual sweat glands (SGs) within the test area; and

a processing system configured to analyze the detected sweat production, provide test results for each functional SG in the test area, and record the test results for each functional SG in the test area.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the test device includes a starch test strip attached to a digital camera, wherein a starch region of the starch test strip is applied to the test area, and the digital camera is configured to take a series of images of the starch region to detect sweat production of individual SGs in the test area.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processing system is configured to track growth of sweat areas in the starch region over the series of images.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the processing system is configured to determine a sweat volume for each of the functional SGs in the test area, and a sweat rate for each of the functional SGs in the test area.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the test device includes a nano grid of nanoconductors and circuitry configured to test conductivity of the nano grid to detect sweat production of individual SGs in the test area.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein:

the nano grid of nanoconductors includes a first level of parallel conductors and a second level of parallel conductors, the first and second levels of conductors crossing at a plurality of intersections, the first and second levels of conductors generally separated by an insulator, the insulator including an air pocket at the intersections, each air pocket exposing one conductor in the first level and one conductor in the second level; and

the circuitry includes circuitry configured to test electrical impedance between two conductors at each of the air pockets.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein in addition to the nano grid, the test device applied to the test area of the test subject further comprises at least one sensor configured to sense content of sweat water.