Minimally invasive allergy testing system
First Claim
1. An allergy testing system, comprising:
- encapsulated allergens;
a microneedle array;
an activation system coupled to the microneedle array and the encapsulated allergens such that the encapsulated allergens are moved into contact with a subject as the microneedle array is moved from a resting position to a penetrating position;
at least one imaging system configured to capture a plurality of images of penetration sites by the microneedle array;
at least one image sensor;
an imaging optics system which focuses the images of penetration sites on the at least one image sensor;
a second image sensor;
a second imaging optics system which focuses the images of the penetration sites on the second image sensor, wherein the image sensors are used to determine a topographic profile of an allergic reaction; and
an analyzer coupled to the at least one imaging system and configured to analyze the plurality of images to determine a time rate of change of an allergy response to one or more of the allergens.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An allergy testing system includes encapsulated allergens, a microneedle array, and an activation system coupled to the microneedle array and the encapsulated allergens such that the encapsulated allergens are moved into contact with a subject as the microneedle array is moved from a resting position to a penetrating position. A method for determining a degree of reaction to one or more allergens by a patient in a minimally invasive manner is also disclosed. Penetration of one or more microneedles into a skin of the patient is caused. Each of the penetrations into the skin is exposed with an allergen from each of the one or more microneedles. One or more images are captured of each of the penetrations into the skin. Each of the captured images are analyzed to assess the degree of reaction to the specific allergen. Allergic reactivity data is output for at least one of the allergens.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An allergy testing system, comprising:
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encapsulated allergens; a microneedle array; an activation system coupled to the microneedle array and the encapsulated allergens such that the encapsulated allergens are moved into contact with a subject as the microneedle array is moved from a resting position to a penetrating position; at least one imaging system configured to capture a plurality of images of penetration sites by the microneedle array; at least one image sensor; an imaging optics system which focuses the images of penetration sites on the at least one image sensor; a second image sensor; a second imaging optics system which focuses the images of the penetration sites on the second image sensor, wherein the image sensors are used to determine a topographic profile of an allergic reaction; and an analyzer coupled to the at least one imaging system and configured to analyze the plurality of images to determine a time rate of change of an allergy response to one or more of the allergens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30)
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22. An allergy testing system, comprising:
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encapsulated allergens; a microneedle array; an activation system coupled to the microneedle array and the encapsulated allergens such that the encapsulated allergens are moved into contact with a subject as the microneedle array is moved from a resting position to a penetrating position; at least one imaging system configured to capture a plurality of images of penetration sites by the microneedle array; an analyzer coupled to the at least one imaging system and configured to analyze the plurality of images to determine a time rate of change of an allergy response to one or more of the allergens; and an alignment guide configured to be captured in the plurality of images captured by the at least one imaging system of the penetration sites by the microneedle array; wherein the analyzer is further configured to utilize the alignment guide in the captured plurality of images for an orientation of the plurality of images as part of the analysis of the plurality of images. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. An allergy testing system, comprising:
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encapsulated allergens; a microneedle array; an activation system coupled to the microneedle array and the encapsulated allergens such that the encapsulated allergens are moved into contact with a subject as the microneedle array is moved from a resting position to a penetrating position; at least one imaging system configured to capture a plurality of images of penetration sites by the microneedle array; an analyzer coupled to the at least one imaging system and configured to analyze the plurality of images to determine a time rate of change of an allergy response to one or more of the allergens; an attachment band having a test frame, wherein the test frame defines an opening in the attachment band; and a package, for interfacing with the test frame, the package comprising the microneedle array and the encapsulated allergens; wherein the imaging system is configured to interface with the test frame. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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31. An allergy testing system, comprising:
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a) encapsulated allergens; b) a microneedle array; c) an activation system coupled to the microneedle array and the encapsulated allergens such that the encapsulated allergens are moved into contact with a subject as the microneedle array is moved from the resting position to a penetrating position; d) a package that at least partially encloses the microneedle array and the encapsulated allergens, wherein the microneedle array is moveable by the activation system within orifices in the package; e) at least one sheet covering the orifices to enclose at least one portion of the microneedle array; f) at least one imaging system that captures one or more images of penetration sites by the microneedle array, wherein the imaging system comprises; 1) at least one image sensor; and 2) an imaging optics system which focuses the images of penetration sites on the at least one image sensor; g) an attachment band having a test frame, wherein the test frame defines an opening in the attachment band; h) a first alignment coupling for removeably coupling the package to the test frame; i) a second alignment coupling for removeably coupling the at least one imaging system to the test frame; and j) an analyzer coupled to the imaging system.
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Specification