Method and portable colposcope useful in cervical cancer detection
First Claim
1. A portable, cervical-cancer detection apparatus comprising a camera having fixed-focus optics, an optical axis associated with the fixed-focus optics, a focal point associated with the fixed-focus optics and lying a predetermined distance from the camera, the apparatus further comprising a processor, a display monitor, and first and second light sources attached to the apparatus and spaced from said optical axis of the camera, the light sources being co-planar with said optical axis and operable to emit first and second energy beams which produce first and second spots upon contacting cervical tissue of a patient, the first and second light sources being oriented so that the first and second energy beams intersect on said optical axis at the focal point of the camera, whereby as the apparatus is aimed at cervical tissue of the patient the first and second spots converge at the focal point thereby insuring that the cervical tissue is properly focused in the camera.
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Abstract
A method and portable apparatus for the visual examination and grading of cervical epithelium by means of a hand-held colposcopy assembly capable of producing a digital image of the cervix. The present invention enables real-time imaging and archiving of images of the entire cervix for the purpose of detecting cancerous and pre-cancerous tissue and by virtue of computerized image processing suggests an objective diagnosis of the cervical epithelium by means of a low cost, portable, hand-held digital colposcope.
157 Citations
10 Claims
- 1. A portable, cervical-cancer detection apparatus comprising a camera having fixed-focus optics, an optical axis associated with the fixed-focus optics, a focal point associated with the fixed-focus optics and lying a predetermined distance from the camera, the apparatus further comprising a processor, a display monitor, and first and second light sources attached to the apparatus and spaced from said optical axis of the camera, the light sources being co-planar with said optical axis and operable to emit first and second energy beams which produce first and second spots upon contacting cervical tissue of a patient, the first and second light sources being oriented so that the first and second energy beams intersect on said optical axis at the focal point of the camera, whereby as the apparatus is aimed at cervical tissue of the patient the first and second spots converge at the focal point thereby insuring that the cervical tissue is properly focused in the camera.
- 5. A portable, cervical-cancer detection apparatus comprising, a digital camera having fixed-focus optics, an optical axis associated with the fixed-focus optics, a focal point associated with the fixed-focus optics and lying a predetermined distance from the camera, and first and second light sources attached to the apparatus and spaced from said optical axis of the camera, the light sources being co-planar with said optical axis and operable to emit first and second energy beams which produce first and second spots upon contacting cervical tissue of a patient, the first and second light sources being oriented so that the first and second energy beams intersect on said optical axis at the focal point of the camera, whereby as the apparatus is aimed at cervical tissue of the patient the first and second spots converge at the focal point thereby insuring that the cervical tissue is properly focused in the camera.
Specification