Patent Application
20130023773
This invention relates generally to the field of non-invasive diagnostics.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, affecting more than 1 million Americans every year. In the United States alone, observed incidence increased by 126% between 1973 and 1995, at a rate of approximately 6% per year. Interestingly, there are more cases of skin cancer than there are of breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer combined. It is alarming to note that one in every five Americans develops skin cancer in their lifetime.
Skin cancers are usually divided into (a) basal cell carcinoma (BCC), (b) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and (c) melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It is rarely fatal but can be highly disfiguring. The deadliest form of skin cancer is melanoma, which accounts for 74.6% of skin-cancer related deaths. In 2009 alone, there were 68,720 new cases of melanoma diagnosed. Melanoma develops in the melanocytes, which are the melanin producing cells located in the bottom layer of the skin's epidermis. There are four types of melanoma. They are (a) superficial spreading melanoma, (b) lentigo melanoma, (c) acral lentiguous melanoma, and (d) nodular melanoma. All these types of melanoma begin at the top layer of the skin. The first three could become invasive. However, nodular melanoma is invasive from the beginning. Once the type of melanoma has been established, the degree of severity of the disease is determined. Severity of the disease or “stage” is determined by the thickness, depth of penetration, and degree to which the lesion has spread.
Early diagnosis is the key to the treatment of skin cancer. Melanoma can be cured if diagnosed early and treated when the tumor is thin and has not invaded deeply into the dermis of the skin. However, if a melanoma lesion is not removed at an early stage, the cancerous cells may grow downward invading lymphatic channels and blood vessels, resulting in a serious and possibly lethal clinical problem. Currently, the most widely used test to diagnose melanoma is a subjective ABCDE (asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and elevation) test performed by a dermatologist. However, in order to obtain conclusive proof of the malignancy, the patient has to undergo an invasive biopsy.
A method for determining the prognosis with respect to melanoma involves the measurement of the thickness of a lesion. This thickness is also known as Breslow thickness, named after the physician Alexander Breslow, who in the 1970's observed that as the thickness of a tumor increases, the chance of survival goes down. For example, a subject with a lesion of Breslow thickness of 0.75 mm has a five year survival rate of 97%, whereas a subject with a lesion of Breslow thickness of 8 mm has a five year survival rate of less than 32%.
Imaging technology can be used to view skin abnormalities. The past decade has seen a dramatic improvement in the mid infrared (3-300 μm) imaging technology with novel materials, fabrication, and read out integrated circuits. These improvements have lead to the realization of large format (>16 Megapixels), multicolor and higher operating temperature (HOT) infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs).
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration and not limitation, various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice these and other embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made to these embodiments. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
In various embodiments, examination of an abnormality on a subject can be conducted using a temperature stimulus applied to the subject, which provides a non-invasive analysis technique. The technique can include applying cold temperature stimuli and hot temperature stimuli. The non-invasive technique is not limited to applying cold temperature stimuli and hot temperature stimuli to change the temperature of a portion of the subject from its ambient temperature. Depending on the application, the cold temperature stimuli can be realized as maintaining an initial temperature of a portion of the subject at its ambient temperature with the hot temperature stimuli being stimuli that supplies sufficient energy to the portion to affect responses such that the portion emits detectable radiation different from the emissions at ambient temperature. In an embodiment, a non-invasive infrared imaging technique can be used to observe the temporal response of a lesion to temperature stimuli to form a basis for evaluating this abnormality on a subject. A technique, which includes applying temperature stimuli and detecting responses to the applied temperature stimuli, provides a non-invasive technique that can be used to identify an abnormality on a subject and/or characteristics of the abnormality. In an embodiment, a non-invasive transient infrared imaging technique can be used to observe the temporal response of a lesion to temperature stimuli to form a basis for determining characteristics correlated to the lesion. Such characteristics can include, but is not limited to, the thickness of the lesion and severity of a disease for which the lesion is a manifestation.
In various embodiments, a method comprises using active and/or passive infrared imaging techniques to non-invasively obtain a three-dimensional (3D) image of an abnormality. This technique may be referred to as “SKI-Scan”. The method may be applied to generate various parameters. For example, the method may be used to obtain the Breslow thickness of a suspected lesion.
In various embodiments, a method comprises examining an abnormality on a subject using a temperature stimulus applied to the subject. In various embodiments, an apparatus comprises one or more components to examine an abnormality on a subject using a temperature stimulus applied to the subject. In various embodiments, a machine-readable storage device having executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed, causes a machine to perform operations comprising examining an abnormality on a subject using a temperature stimulus applied to the subject. Herein, a machine-readable storage device is a physical device that stores data represented by physical structure within the device. Examples of machine-readable storage devices includes, but it not limited to, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk storage device, an optical storage device, a flash memory, and other electronic, magnetic, and/or optical memory devices.
In various embodiments, a method comprises determining an identity of an abnormality on a subject or a nature of the abnormality on a subject, using a response from a temperature stimulus applied to the subject. In various embodiments, an apparatus comprises one or more components to determine an identity of an abnormality on a subject or a nature of the abnormality on a subject, using a response from a temperature stimulus applied to the subject. In various embodiments, a machine-readable storage device having executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed, causes a machine to perform operations comprising: determining an identity of an abnormality on a subject or a nature of the abnormality on a subject, using a response from a temperature stimulus applied to the subject.
In past studies, it has been shown that the temperature profile that is obtained using infrared imaging, assuming a value for the emissivity of the skin, is an effective temperature, Teff. Teff is greater than the skin temperature, Ts, which is usually 32° C., but is lower than the blood temperature, Tb, which is usually 37° C. Teff was determined to be given by
where α is the absorption coefficient of the skin, β is the coefficient that describes the temperature variation into the epidermis (T=Tsexp(βx)), and n=C2/λT, where C2 is the Dreyfus constant with λ being the wavelength of the emitted electromagnetic radiation. It has also been determined that, if the temperature Ts is used instead of Teff to fit the emission from the skin, an anomalously large value of the emissivity of the skin is obtained. It has been concluded that, in the case of the skin temperature Ts=32° C. and the blood temperature Tb=37° C., Teff is determined to be 34.5° C. Thus, the thickness of the skin that emits the infrared radiation is at least equal to the depth of the blood veins, which is about 20-30 mm.
The SKI-Scan technique exploits the fact that a finite thickness of the skin emits the infrared radiation. An embodiment of a SKI-scan technique is shown in
At 120, a lesion and the surrounding skin in the portion of skin are illuminated using a laser, which is depicted as laser 405 in
At 130, a series of infrared images of the lesion and the surrounding skin are captured. The infrared images can be captured for 300 seconds as the skin warms up. Other capture times may be used. This procedure can be repeated again by increasing the depth of the positive (hot) temperature stimulus, which depths are depicted as depth 417 in
At 140, using the data collected from these various processes, a 3D image of the temperature responses of the lesion at different times can be constructed, which is depicted in
Parameters associated with laser illumination of a lesion and surrounding skin can be varied to examine the lesion. For example, the wavelength of the incident illumination can be changed. Changing the wavelength can be used to change the depth from the surface of the skin that energy is absorbed for heating the region absorbing the radiation. Imaging can be taken with a given distance from the surface exposed to laser illumination. With the wavelength changed, another set of images can be acquired correlated to the depth provided by the changed wavelength. At each distance from the skin surface, the amount of stimulation can be increased by increasing the power of the incident illumination. Alternatively, the amount of stimulation can be decreased by decreasing the power of the incident illumination. In addition, increases or decreases in the amount of temperature stimulation can be realized by changes in the duration of the incident laser illumination. Noting that response to stimuli is different for abnormal cells as compared to normal cells, changing the angle of the incident illumination of laser energy can be used to determine locations in the skin that delineate normal cells from abnormal cells. Changing one or more of the wavelength of incident laser illumination, the power of the incident laser illumination, or the angle of the incident laser illumination in various permutations provides data such that a three-dimensional shape of the lesion can be obtained. In various embodiments, a source of electromagnetic radiation, other than a laser, may be used with the implementation of appropriate optics to controllably direct the radiation to desired locations within the skin.
In various embodiments, a non-invasive transient infrared imaging technique can be used to observe the temporal response of a lesion to a temperature stimulus. The change in the local temperature of the suspected lesion and the surrounding skin can be captured with an infrared camera, in response to a positive or negative temperature stimulus (using a warm or cold gel pack, for instance). Methods and apparatus can be structured based on the transient response of the malignant cells being different compared with the surrounding normal cells. Such methods and apparatus can form a semi-quantitative basis for determining the severity of the disease. For example, methods and apparatus can form a semi-quantitative basis for determining the 3D shape of the abnormality thereby providing an estimate for the severity of a disease associated with the abnormality. If a patient wants confirmation about the malignancy of a particular lesion, various embodiments can provide semi-quantitative data, which can help in determining the nature of the lesion.
In various embodiments, the identified lesion can first be imparted a positive (hot) or negative (cold) temperature stimulus. A negative (cold) temperature stimulus can include, but is not limited to, a cold solid, a cold liquid, a cold gas, or other mechanisms to controllably decrease the temperature. A positive (hot) temperature stimulus can include, but is not limited to, a heated solid, a heated liquid, a heated gas, exposure to electromagnetic radiation such as, but not limited to, radiation from a laser, or other mechanisms to controllably increase the temperature. The use of a laser as a stimulation source can include the use of an infrared laser.
The temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a broadband infrared camera. In an embodiment, the infrared wavelength of the electromagnetic wave may be 3-300 microns. The infrared camera can be made from a variety of semiconductors including, but not limited to, indium antimonide (InSb), mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP), quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIP), type I superlattice detectors, and type II superlattice detectors. A reference marker can be placed in the imaged area and the spatial coordinates of the marker can be used to correct for the voluntary or involuntary movement of the lesion.
The temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a combination of spectral filters placed in front of an infrared camera. These spectral filters can be lowpass, highpass, bandpass, or notch filters. In an embodiment, the spectral width of the bandpass filters can be from 0.05-100 microns. The infrared camera can be made from a variety of semiconductors including, but not limited to, indium antimonide (InSb), mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP), quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIP), type I superlattice detectors, and type II superlattice detectors. A reference marker can be placed in the imaged area and the spatial coordinates of the marker can be used to correct for the voluntary or involuntary movement of the lesion.
The temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a combination of polarizers placed in front of an infrared camera. The angle of these polarizers can be varied continuously from 0 degrees to 360 degrees. The infrared camera can be made from a variety of semiconductors including, but not limited to, indium antimonide (InSb), mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP), quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIP), type I superlattice detectors, and type II superlattice detectors. A reference marker can be placed in the imaged area and the spatial coordinates of the marker can be used to correct for the voluntary or involuntary movement of the lesion.
The temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a combination of neutral density filters placed in front of an infrared camera. These neutral density filters can be used to change the dynamic range of the infrared image. The infrared camera can be made from a variety of semiconductors including, but not limited to, indium antimonide (InSb), mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP), quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIP), type I superlattice detectors, and type II superlattice detectors. A reference marker can be placed in the imaged area and the spatial coordinates of the marker can be used to correct for the voluntary or involuntary movement of the lesion. Full body scans using infrared imaging to monitor any changes in the skin lesions can also be used in a variety of these techniques.
Each of the combination of 215 and 220 and the combination of 315 and 320 provides an analysis unit. The analysis unit can include a database in which characteristics of abnormalities can be stored. These characteristics can be used in a comparison process with measurements acquired using infrared camera 210 (or infrared camera 310) or other data collection tools that can capture electromagnetic radiation from a subject. In addition, the analysis unit can collect data on the abnormality on a subject over time and provide a time-based analysis including the identity of the abnormality, a diagnosis, and a prognosis. The database can store information regarding normal conditions of a subject. Such conditions can be acquired by a full body scan of the subject. A full body scan can also provide a base line for the subject that can be stored in the database. The base line can be obtained before an abnormality appears on the subject.
In various embodiments, a detector can capture transient responses from malignant cells subjected to a temperature probe. The captured responses result from malignant cells having increased metabolic activity relative to normal cells, leading to a higher differential temperature in the measurement. An example of a detector that can be implemented includes a high performance quantum dot camera capable of measuring temperature changes less than 50 mK. As noted, the malignant cells are expected to have an increased metabolic activity, which leads to a change in the local temperature and response to a temperature stimulus. In addition, using spectral filters, polarimetric analyzers, and active illuminators, such as lasers and light emitting diodes, the absolute temperature, morphology and depth of the suspected lesions can be obtained.
Using infrared imaging, one can interpret subcutaneous processes from the cutaneous temperature distribution. Since the emission coefficient of the human skin can be taken as E=0.98±0.01 for λ>2 μm, such an approach can provide the value of the temperature. However if an anomalous region (such as a lesion) has a different emissivity, the temperature cannot be estimated as the problem is ill-defined. To address this problem, measurements under different wavelengths can be made to provide additional equations. The thermographic paradigm holds for near-to-skin processes, since the human core temperature is held constant for depths larger than 20 mm. Consequently, medical diagnosis based on infrared (IR) imaging can be expected to yield results in processes that are close to the skin surface such as pigmented lesions. Using Planck's law, the spectral radiance of electromagnetic radiation emitted in the normal direction from a grey body with emissivity, ε, at a temperature T is given by
where c=speed of light in vacuum, h=Planck's constant, and ν is the frequency of the emitted radiation. The local temperature of a suspected skin lesion can be obtained using a high performance infrared camera if the emissivity of the anomaly and the skin can be measured or estimated.
The transient response of the lesion can be defined with a positive and negative temperature stimulus using a broadband quantum dot infrared camera. The lesion can be imparted a fixed positive (hot) or a negative (cold) temperature stimulus and the temporal response of the subjected area can be monitored using a high performance quantum dot (QD) camera that is capable of measuring a temperature change <50 mK. The spectral content of the transient response of the lesion with a positive and negative temperature stimulus can be evaluated using a spectrally filtered quantum dot infrared camera. Spectral filters can be placed in front of the QD camera to extract spectral and spatial information from the transient response. Obtaining the absolute temperature of the subjected area is enabled by the multispectral imagery. The polarization content of the transient response of the lesion with a positive and negative temperature stimulus can be delineated using a wire grid polarizer coupled with a quantum dot infrared camera. Wire grid polarizer filters and analyzer filters can be placed in front of the QD camera to extract a degree of polarization (DOP) from the transient response, which can be used to obtain the morphology of the malignant and benign cells. Cancer cells are expected to be more spherical than normal cells and this can be captured from the change in their emission with change in the polarization. The data can be corrected for involuntary motion using a reference marker.
In other embodiments, there are provided a device, a method, and a machine readable device as set out below in which various devices, methods, and machine readable devices can be realized in combinations and/or permutations of the devices, methods, and machine readable devices set out below. A first method of non-invasive diagnosis comprises using transient infrared imaging, wherein a lesion is imparted with a positive or negative temperature stimulus, followed by a second positive or negative temperature stimulus at various depths, the temperature change of the lesion and surrounding skin is captured by an infrared camera, and the resultant data is used to identify the 3D structure of the lesion.
In other embodiments, there are provided a device, a method, and a machine readable device as set out below in which various devices, methods, and a machine readable devices can be realized in combinations and/or permutations of the devices, methods, and a machine readable devices set out below. A second method of non-invasive diagnosis comprises using transient infrared imaging, wherein a lesion is imparted with a positive or negative temperature stimulus, the temperature change of the lesion and surrounding skin is captured by an infrared camera and the resultant data is used to identify the nature of lesion. A further embodiment of the second method includes where the lesion imparted with a positive or negative temperature stimulus is followed by a second positive or negative temperature stimulus at various depths, and the resultant data is used to identify the 3D structure of the lesion. A further embodiment of the second method includes the data collected corrected for voluntary or involuntary movement of the lesion using a reference marker.
A further embodiment of the second method includes the method applied where the lesion can be a result of cancer. The lesion can be a result of skin cancer. The lesion can be basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. The lesion can be a melanoma.
A further embodiment of the second method includes where the negative (cold) temperature stimulus can include, but is not limited to, a cold solid, cold liquid, or cold gas. The negative (cold) temperature stimulus can be induced by a laser pulse or set of pulses or continuous wave radiation. The positive (hot) temperature stimulus can be induced by a laser pulse or set of pulses or continuous wave radiation. The positive (hot) temperature stimulus can include, but is not limited to, a heated solid, heated liquid, or heated gas.
A further embodiment of the second method includes a method where the infrared camera can be made from a variety of semiconductors including, but not limited to, indium antimonide (InSb), mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP), quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIP), type I superlattice detectors, and type II superlattice detectors.
A further embodiment of the second method includes a method where the temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a broadband infrared camera. The infrared wavelength of the electromagnetic wave may be between 3-300 microns.
A further embodiment of the second method includes a method where the temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a combination of spectral filters placed in front of an infrared camera. These spectral filters can be lowpass, highpass, bandpass, or notch filters. The spectral width of the bandpass filters can be from 0.05-100 microns.
A further embodiment of the second method includes a method where the temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a combination of polarizers placed in front of an infrared camera. The angle of these polarizers can be varied continuously from 0 degrees to 360 degrees.
A further embodiment of the second method includes a method where the temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a combination of neutral density filters placed in front of an infrared camera. These neutral density filters can be used to change the dynamic range of the infrared image.
A further embodiment of the second method includes a method where content of the infrared camera can be changed in a pixel or subset of pixels. The polarization content of the infrared camera can be changed in a pixel or subset of pixels. The spectral content of the infrared camera can be changed in a pixel or subset of pixels. The dynamic range of the infrared camera can be changed in a pixel or subset of pixels. The relative phase of the pixels or subset of pixels of the infrared camera can be changed.
A further embodiment of the second method includes a method where algorithms in memory devices of an analysis unit under control of one or more processors can be used to extract the difference between the quantitative and qualitative response of the lesion and the normal cells. These differences may be used with data in a database, which may include a full body scan.
A third method of non-invasive diagnosis comprises using transient infrared imaging, wherein a lesion is imparted with a positive or negative temperature stimulus, a source of electromagnetic radiation is used to illuminate the lesion and surrounding region, the associated change of the lesion and surrounding skin is captured by an infrared camera, and the resultant data is used to identify the nature of lesion. A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where the associated change of the lesion and surrounding skin is captured at various depths by the infrared camera. A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where the data collected is corrected for voluntary or involuntary movement of the lesion using a reference marker.
A further embodiment of the third method includes the method applied where the lesion can be a result of cancer. The lesion can be a result of skin cancer. The lesion can be basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. The lesion can be a melanoma.
A further embodiment of the third method includes where the negative (cold) temperature stimulus can include, but is not limited to, a cold solid, cold liquid, or cold gas. The negative (cold) temperature stimulus can be induced by a laser pulse or set of pulses or continuous wave radiation. The positive (hot) temperature stimulus can be induced by a laser pulse or set of pulses or continuous wave radiation. The positive (hot) temperature stimulus can include, but is not limited to, a heated solid, heated liquid, or heated gas.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where the infrared camera can be made from a variety of semiconductors including, but not limited to, indium antimonide (InSb), mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP), quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIP), type I superlattice detectors, and type II superlattice detectors.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where the temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a broadband infrared camera. The infrared wavelength of the electromagnetic wave may be between 3-300 microns.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where the temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a combination of spectral filters placed in front of an infrared camera. These spectral filters can be lowpass, highpass, bandpass, or notch filters. The spectral width of the bandpass filters can be from 0.05-100 microns.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where the temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a combination of polarizers placed in front of an infrared camera. The angle of these polarizers can be varied continuously from 0 degrees to 360 degrees.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where the temporal response of the identified lesion to the temperature stimulus can be captured in a series of infrared images or movies with a combination of neutral density filters placed in front of an infrared camera. These neutral density filters can be used to change the dynamic range of the infrared image.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where content of the infrared camera can be changed in a pixel or subset of pixels. The polarization content of the infrared camera can be changed in a pixel or subset of pixels. The spectral content of the infrared camera can be changed in a pixel or subset of pixels. The dynamic range of the infrared camera can be changed in a pixel or subset of pixels. The relative phase of the pixels or subset of pixels of the infrared camera can be changed.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where algorithms in memory devices of an analysis unit under control of one or more processors can be used to extract the difference between the quantitative and qualitative response of the lesion and the normal cells. These differences may be used with data in a database, which may include a full body scan.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where the source of electromagnetic radiation is a laser. The source of electromagnetic radiation can be a light emitting diode. The source of electromagnetic radiation can be a broad band source. The source of electromagnetic radiation can be a narrow band source.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where the associated change can result in information about the depth of the lesion and the surrounding skin. The associated change can be a change in reflectance of the incident radiation. The associated change can be a change in spectral content of the incident radiation. The associated change can be a change in polarization of the light of the incident radiation. The associated change can be a change in transmission of the incident radiation. The associated change can be a change in absorption of the incident radiation. The associated change can be a change in amplitude of the incident radiation. The associated change can be a change in phase of the incident radiation. The associated change can be a change in spatial content of the incident radiation.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation of the incident illumination is used to illuminate is changed. The angle of the electromagnetic radiation of the incident illumination can be changed. The power of the electromagnetic radiation of the incident illumination can be changed. The duration of the electromagnetic radiation of the incident illumination can be changed.
A further embodiment of the third method includes a method where a three-dimensional shape of the lesion can be obtained. The three-dimensional shape of the lesion can be analyzed to determine other characteristics of the lesion. These characteristics can be applied to further diagnosis and prognosis.
In various embodiments, apparatus comprise one or more components arranged to perform operations of one or more of example methods one, two, three, and their embodiments above or various combinations thereof. Comparisons of collected data can be performed by the apparatus using data and/or standards accessible by the components of the apparatus. The data can include versions of data collected from an abnormality over time. The data can be from a database of characteristics of different abnormalities that may occur on a subject.
In various embodiments, a machine-readable storage device having executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed, causes a machine to perform operations comprising one or more of example methods one, two, three, and their embodiments above or various combinations thereof. The machine-readable storage device can be any data storage device. For example, the machine-readable storage device can be a storage device for a computer in which the instructions can be executed using a controller such as one or more processors.
Data collection tool 610 can include an infrared camera. The infrared camera can be capable of providing a measure of emissivity and/or temperature. The infrared camera can include a photo responsive structure having one or more of a indium antimonide (InSb) based structure, a mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) based structure, an indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) based structure, a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP), a quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIP), a type I superlattice detector, or a type II superlattice detector. The infrared camera can include a broadband infrared camera.
Data collection tool 610 can include an infrared camera with one or more optical elements 612 disposed in front of the infrared camera such that in operation optical elements 612 are between the infrared camera and the subject. Optical elements 612 include one or more of a spectral filter, a polarizer, or a neutral density filter. The spectral filter can include a lowpass filter, a highpass filter, a bandpass filter, or a notch filter. The polarizer used can have an angle continuously variable from 0 degrees to 360 degrees. The neutral density filter can be operable to change a dynamic range of an infrared image being captured by the infrared camera. Optical elements 612 can include components arranged similar or identical to the various optical components associated with
Analysis unit 615 can include one or more processors and one or more memory devices having instructions stored thereon such that the analysis unit is operable to extract differences between quantitative and qualitative responses of a lesion and normal cells within the portion of the subject to which stimuli are applied. System 600 may include a database 620 accessible to analysis unit 615. Database 620 can be arranged to store data corresponding to a full body scan of the subject. Database 620 may be integrated with analysis unit 615, separated from analysis unit 615 and communicatively coupleable to analysis unit 615, or combinations of integrated components and separate components from analysis unit 615. System 600 can be arranged to conduct non-invasive operations for analysis in accordance with the methods taught herein.
At 720, images of the portion are captured at different times during the applying of the temperature stimuli. Capturing the images can include using a data collection tool operable to capture electromagnetic radiation from the subject. The non-invasive process can include adjusting the set of temperature stimuli to capture images corresponding to different depths from a surface of the subject. Adjusting the set of temperature stimuli can include changing parameters of laser illumination used as a source of temperature stimulation of the portion. Changing parameters of laser illumination can include changing a wavelength of the laser illumination or changing power of the laser illumination or changing duration of the laser illumination or changing the angle of the laser illumination incident on the portion or a combination of changing the wavelength, the power, the duration, and the angle.
At 730, the captured images are analyzed such that an abnormality in the portion and/or a characteristic of the abnormality is identified. The analysis can be performed under the control of a processing unit. Spatial coordinates of a reference marker can be used to correct for voluntary or involuntary movement of the abnormality. Analyzing the captured images can include analyzing captured images corresponding to the different depths, which can include comparing responses from the abnormality with responses from regions in the portion surrounding the abnormality that are different from the abnormality. The processing unit can control constructing a three dimensional image of responses of the portion to the set of temperature stimuli. The abnormality may include a lesion. With respect to the lesion, the analysis may include extracting differences between responses, associated with emissivity and/or temperature, of the lesion in the portion to the temperature stimuli and responses of normal cells in the portion to the temperature stimuli. The analysis may include extracting a Breslow thickness of the lesion from the captured images corresponding to the different depths. The analysis may include comparing data from the captured images with a base line of a full body scan of the subject. The base line can be stored in a database. The analysis may include collecting versions of data from the abnormality over time in a database.
Various processes, as taught herein, can use one or more machine-readable storage device having executable instructions stored thereon, which instructions when executed, causes a machine to perform operations comprising the selected process. In addition, various processes of non-invasive analysis can be implemented using apparatus, as taught herein, similar to or identical to the apparatus associated with
System 800 can include a controller 851, a memory 852, an electronic apparatus 854, and a communications unit 855. Controller 851, memory 852, and communications unit 855 can be arranged to operate as a processing unit to control management of data collection tool 810 and analysis of data collected by data collection tool 810 and to perform operations on data signals used to control stimuli sources 825 to apply temperature stimuli to the subject. An analysis unit can be distributed among the components of system 800 including electronic apparatus 854. Alternatively, system 800 can include an analysis unit 815 to manage the analysis of data collected.
System 800 can also include a bus 853, where bus 853 provides electrical conductivity among the components of system 800. Bus 853 can include an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus, each may be independently configured. Bus 853 can be realized using a number of different communication mediums that allows for the distribution of components of system 800. Use of bus 853 can be regulated by controller 851.
In various embodiments, peripheral devices 859 can include displays, additional storage memory, and/or other control devices that may operate in conjunction with controller 851 and/or memory 852. In an embodiment, controller 851 can be realized as a processor or a group of processors that may operate independently depending on an assigned function. Peripheral devices 859 can include a display, which may be arranged as a distributed component, that can be used with instructions stored in memory 852 to implement a user interface to manage the operation of data collection tool 810, analysis unit 815, and/or components distributed within system 800. Such a user interface can be operated in conjunction with communications unit 855 and bus 853.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. Upon studying the disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the devices and methods of various embodiments of the invention. Various embodiments can use permutations and/or combinations of embodiments described herein. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive, and that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description.
This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/321,581, filed 7 Apr. 2010, entitled “NON-INVASIVE TECHNIQUE FOR ANALYSIS OF ABNORMALITIES” and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/372,625, filed 11 Aug. 2010, entitled “NON-INVASIVE TECHNIQUE FOR MEASUREMENT OF THICKNESS OF ABNORMALITIES,” which applications are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US11/31529 | 4/7/2011 | WO | 00 | 10/5/2012 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61372625 | Aug 2010 | US | |
| 61321581 | Apr 2010 | US |
