Abstract: An image (300) comprising a plurality of image elements defined by a first set of vectors in a first color space is enhanced by calculating a principal component transform from the image elements (step 830). The image (300) is converted (step 310) to a second color space such as HSI wherein the image elements are defined by a second set of vectors having an intensity component. A principal component value is calculated for each of the image elements using the principal component transform, and the intensity component of the second set of vectors is replaced (step 840) with the principal component value to produce an enhanced image. The enhanced image may be converted back to the first color space for display on a suitable display device.

Abstract: A method of quantifying the extent of erythema around a wound of a patient is disclosed. An image (200) is captured that includes the wound, the erythema and surrounding skin. A border of the wound is identified (step 232) and a distance transform is performed (step 234) on an area of the image between the wound border and a boundary of the image to determine bands of pixels (226, 228, 230), wherein the pixels within each band are equidistant from the wound border. A representative value such as average brightness is calculated for each band (step 238), and a threshold level is defined relative to the representative value of the surrounding skin (step 240). The extent of the erythema is then calculated.

Abstract: A system for collecting, storing and displaying dermatological images for the purpose of monitoring and diagnosis of skin conditions and skin cancers, including melanoma. A hand-held unit illuminates a section of the patient's skin, and an imaging device generates imaging signals from light derived from a skin section. Pairs of light output ports in the hand-held unit are arranged such that their intensity distributions overlap at their half-intensity levels so that the resulting summation of their intensities has a flat central region. Three image stores are maintained, one for lesion images, one for “nearby skin” images, and one for reference-white images. The “nearby skin” images are used by the system software to automatically determine the skin/lesion border. The reference white images are used to set the dynamic range of the instrument and to compensate for lighting irregularities.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for recognizing tissue types. Electrical signals are applied to tissue 120 via electrodes 110, 112. Circuitry 106 and the signal processor 116 are used to measure impedance magnitude and phase at a plurality of frequencies. At least the phase information at the plurality of frequencies is compared with phase information of known tissue types. Based on the comparison, the tissue 120 may be assigned to one of the known tissue types.

Abstract: A probe type instrument to characterize tissue type that combines optical and electrical tests in a single device capable of providing data of both types almost simultaneously from very small, e.g. 3-10 mm diameter, areas of tissue surface. Key to this approach is an instrument capable of making almost simultaneous electrical and optical measurements on the same small areas of tissue, before being moved to scan adjacent tissue areas. In the preferred operation of the system fourteen measurement cycles are performed per second and each measurement involves a complex sequence of events, including (1) three optical and fifteen electrical tissue stimulations with subsequent detection, filtering and digitization of the tissue response; (2) extraction of specific parameters from the optical and electrical signals; (3) checking for errors, and subsequent classification of the extracted parameters into various tissue type categories; and (4) feedback to the system operator.

Abstract: A sheath for a side view probe having at least two complete hybrid optical and electrode systems on opposite faces of a cylinder, in order to obviate the need to manipulate the probe through more than a half revolution during examination by the doctor. The sheath covers the probe but allows both electrical and optical measurements to be made by the underlying probe on the same areas of tissue. The invention uses the hoop tension in the sheath to apply the needed spring force to maintain electrode contact. In addition, the probe and its sheath are shaped to ensure both good electrical contact and reliable optical pathways. A built-in means of calibration of the sheath enclosed probe is achieved by attaching to the outside of the tip of the sheath a tube or blocks of a turbid material such as a polymer of controlled composition. The tube or blocks of turbid material are removed prior to using the probe on a patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tissue type recognition for use within the narrow confines of body canals and which can quickly produce an objective identification of the tissue types including the presence of pre-cancerous and cancerous activity. Possible configurations for the probe include endocervical probe configurations which make measurements in directions orthogonal to the long axis of the probe and configurations where multiple probe "tips" are arranged in a "wood drill" configuration. The apparatus has a measurement section that has at least one source of electromagnetic radiation such as a light emitting diode, a barrier which acts to confine the direction that the radiation can take and a detector such as a photodiode beyond the barrier, which is able to detect the radiation after it has been backscattered from tissue in close proximity to the surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention incorporates an opto-electronic section in the tip of the sheath cover for a diagnostic probe that makes both electric and optical measurements of tissue contacted by the sheath. In addition the invention provides a piece of turbid material such as a polymer of controlled composition as a built-in calibrator attached to the outside of the tip of the sheath. In one embodiment the probe sheath in fabricated from a flexible material which can be rolled up prior to fitting and when fitted to the tip of the probe can be rolled down the shaft of the probe for use and then rolled back off the shaft for disposal.

Abstract: An apparatus which permits an analytical probe to be calibrated by pressing the tip against a block of material of controlled characteristics. A transparent elastomer is used into which has been incorporated a light-scattering material. Elastomer calibrators may also be made part of a preassembled probe component such as a disposable sheath. In that case the turbid elastomer is assembled on the tip with the other components of the sheath and is removed after calibrating the system and before the probe put into use. An additional film of flexible polymer having optical characteristics analogous to the material to be detected by the probe may be placed on top to simulate the structure of the material that is to be measured.

Abstract: The invention incorporates electrodes in the tip of the sheath cover for a diagnostic probe that makes both electric and optical measurements of tissue contacted by the sheath. The electrodes are positioned relative to the optical window in such a way as to ensure that sealing is not compromised by the presence of the electrodes. The electrodes are close by to ensure that both the optical and electrical measurements are made on the same area of tissue. The invention uses the hoop tension in the sheath to apply the needed spring force to the electrode contact. In addition the invention provides a piece of turbid material such as a polymer of controlled composition as a built-in calibrator attached to the outside of the tip of the sheath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (21, 150) is disclosed for identifying tissue which is suspected of being physiologically changed as a result of pre-cancerous or cancerous activity. The apparatus (21, 150) includes a probe (1, 10; 151) configured to contact the tissue and which includes an arrangement (3-7, 17-47; 158-163) to subject the tissue to a plurality of different stimuli such as electrical, light, heat, sound, magnetic and to detect plural physical responses to the stimuli. The probe (1, 10; 151) connects to an analogue section (23; 152) which buffers signals between the probe (1, 10; 151) and a processor (22; 153). The processor (22; 153) processes the responses in combination in order to categorise the tissue, and then compares the categorisation with a catalogue of expected tissue to identify the tissue, the processing occurring in real-time with an indication of the tissue type (eg. normal, pre-cancerous/cancerous, or unknown) being provided to an operator of the apparatus.

Abstract: A hybrid probe in which the optical pathway and the optical sensors comprise elements located within a compact hybrid chip structure. The full optical system of the hybrid probe is located at its tip. No fibers are required to bring the light to and from the tip of the probe. This is achieved in part by mounting one or more LED dice on a substrate at the probe tip. Appropriate connections are made to these dice which are powered from electronics in the handle of the probe.